Gibs: FINALLY!! haha. The long awaited epilog. Check out the notes at the end for something interesting
Major thanks to the ever truly cool wonderful friend and beta of mine Val for prettying up my story by taking out those annoying mistakes.
Epilog:
Peter heard once that your life flashes before your eyes when you die. He didn't remember hearing anything about your life flashing in front of your other senses. But the smell…the clear and defined smell of waffles pulls at him. It reminds him of the future, of a little house in Costa Verde, of a little blonde haired boy named Noah.
Peter forces his eyes open and stares at the ceiling of his old room, the warm yellow paint stirring memories of his childhood. The smell of waffles is just as strong now that he is fully awake. Peter pushes himself up, cringing as his strained muscles protest. He's alone, sore, half dressed and waking up in his old room. It would all seem like a bad hangover if it wasn't for the thoughts that followed him—even down into unconsciousness.
"Nathan?" the word comes out barely above a whisper. He pulls back the covers and sets his bare feet on the hardwood floor. He stumbles, unable to find his balance, and heads out of the room. The smell of waffles pulls him downstairs. He clings to the rail, his feet threatening to trip him down the stairs.
Peter looks around. The house is so quiet.
"The least you could do was put on a shirt."
Peter starts, turning to see his mother standing at the doorway to the den. Her arms are crossed but she wears that look that tells him she was worried—even if she would never say it.
"Nathan?" he asks, because he needs to know.
"Pete…"
He turns and sees his brother. That look in his eyes is familiar at last. Nathan pulls him into a hug and Peter accepts it. This is Nathan. The real Nathan. He pulls back after a moment.
"What happened?" Peter asks.
"It was Arthur," Angela explains. "His spirit attached to Nathan after he died."
"And he's gone?" Peter realizes how young he sounds, but he is tired and his head still feels barely attached, and he really can't bring himself to care.
"He's gone Pete," Nathan replies. Tangible relief washes over Peter and he sways. Nathan steadies him. "How bout some breakfast before you fall over?" Peter nods and follows Nathan into the kitchen.
The smell of waffles fills the whole room and Peter's eyes widen. It's like a flash from his trip to the future. Gabriel stands there putting waffles out onto plates.
"I told him we have people to do that, but he absolutely insisted," Angela said, sounding a bit distasteful. Peter leans against the island and grins.
"Why waffles?"
Gabriel turns and smiles also, showing so much concern with just that look. "It's all I know how to make." Peter laughs.
"You know the entire workings of the human brain but you can't cook?"
"Well, I've never got the chance to peek at Emerl's head."
Peter's face softens. "Thank you." He doesn't explain what for, but from the return look from Gabriel he knows the other understands.
"That's what brothers do Peter."
"Brothers?" Nathan's confused question comes as he walks over to join them.
"Peter there is something I need to discuss with you," Angela says, motion to the patio.
"Perfect timing Mom," Peter replies following. He shuts the double doors behind him, sensing the secrecy in her actions. "What is it?" Angela stands with her back to him, looking over the backyard—one of the few nice ones this deep in the city.
"The power you used to heal Nathan, for lack of a better word, is called the light. The catalyst," she says. "It is a unique power in that it can only be possessed by one individual at a time. Claire had it, then Hiro, then Arthur." She turns, meeting his eyes. "When he died you were there. Your gift—empathy if you will—attracted the light to you. Now it's yours." Peter nods.
"But?"
"Every time you use it, it will drain away at you. Eventually it will kill you, as it did Hiro's mother. When you die it will go to someone else."
"What are you saying?"
"Don't use it."
The door opens as Nathan comes out, his eyes between confused and angry.
"You and Linderman?" he accuses, glaring at Angela. "Syler?"
"Gabriel," Peter corrects, "His name is Gabriel." Angela pats Nathan's cheek, a "comforting" gesture that has a way of making the receiver feel very young and very stupid.
"You're ok with this?" he asks Peter as Angela disappears back through the glass double doors. Peter shrugs. Because he is. Because even with the threat of his new power and Angela's words hanging over him he is happy. In that moment his life flashes before his eyes, and he sees it now more than ever. Everything was leading here, and it's good.
He grins at Nathan. "Let's have waffles."
END!
Gibs: Stef called it! That's right. She noticed the trend. Every chapter title as well as the story title are song names.
Chapter 1: Because of You by Kelly Clarkson
Chapter 2: Never to Late by Three Days Grace
Chapter 3: Fire of Unknown Origin by Blue Oyster Cult
Chapter 4: I'd Come for You by Nickelback
and the story title? Open Wounds by Skillet
Wanna know why? Listen to the songs...it'll come to you :D
Thanks to everyone who read this! You are all amazing