EPILOGUE

Within a few seconds, Dawn appeared in a room surrounded by a beige wall made of steel. Above her was a row of yellow lights that ascended to the top. She looked around the room and saw an opening ahead and walked out of the room. It led her into a dark hallway which had a bright light at the end. She looked back and wondered where Damon was. Then, the lights located at the top of the walls illuminated the hallway. The walls and floor were made of blue and gray steel. She stood still and looked at the bright light at the end of the hallway. Then, a light shined on her from a black electronic device above.

"Hello Dawn," a voice of an older man said over an intercom, "We've been expecting you. Please, head down the hallway towards the light. I have an opportunity I would like to discuss with you."

"Who are you?" Dawn asked with her voice echoing through the hallway.

"I am the Director. The Institute is under my guidance. I have waited a long time to meet you."

Dawn walked towards the light.

"I would like to thank you for taking care of Damon," the Director continued, "You have proven to be quite resourceful."

When Dawn reached the end of the hallway, she stepped into the well-lit room. Ahead of her was an elevator. It was made of glass and it was circular with uneven steel bars on the glass.

"Go ahead Dawn, step into the elevator," the director instructed.

With nowhere else to go, Dawn decided to step into the elevator. The doors automatically closed around her; the glass was divided into strips and they each moved separately. When the glass parts fell into place, the elevator descended.

"We have heard so much about you," the director informed over the elevator speaker, "You have been hesitant to be here, but you may have had the wrong impression of us."

The elevator descended and revealed the interior of the Institute. Dawn put her hand on the glass and saw how well preserved everything was. The walls were white and there were platforms and large glass panes where the offices and labs were. There were numerous scientists and other individuals walking around. Down below, there were plants. She was surprised to see that they were green. There was also a stream of clear water flowing down near a set of stairs and into the spot where the elevator would pass. The elevator seemed to go through a walkway. While passing through, there was a man and a woman wearing white lab coats with a blue patch over the shoulder. They waved to her as she descended. The elevator stopped when it reached a room surrounded by white walls and a large yellow stripe surrounding the top. The doors opened and led into an office. There was a glass room ahead which was empty. Next to it was a door. She looked around the room until the door opened. An older man wearing a white coat, khaki pants, dress shoes, and a green sweater walked through. He had a short white ponytail and a white beard.

"Dawn Crenshaw," he greeted her, "Finally we meet. Welcome to the Institute. I'm sure you have questions about us and about your future."

"Where's Maddie? Damon?" She asked.

"Maddie is in her quarters waiting for you. Damon is at synth retention. He is anxious to work alongside you."

"This is the Institute?"

"Yes. We are underneath the Commonwealth. Through trial and error, we have spent the last decade committing ourselves to the preservation of humanity. Our technology, research, and science will help shape the future of this world."

"Damon told me about being a courser."

"Yes. We want you to lead the coursers from the synth retention bureau. Their purpose is to apprehend any lost synths that have gone rogue. Also, it may be necessary to eradicate anyone in the Commonwealth that may pose a threat to any of our synths or the Institute. Judging from your actions, you seem to have no trouble eliminating any problems you come across."

"How can I even lead these…coursers or rescue synths? I don't even know-"

"I'm sure Damon has told you, but you will be given training. The other coursers have been informed and are looking forward to working with you. It's obvious to me that you care for Damon and you would risk your life for a synth. You care a great deal for them, is that right?"

"I do care about Damon, but it depends on the individual. Damon has been a good friend to me."

"And you helped him. Albeit it was part of a test, but you didn't have to help him. You chose too."

"I was doing the right thing, not because he is a synth."

"This is why you would be perfect for the Institute."

Dawn stared at him.

"How can I trust the Institute?" She asked.

"Here I am, unarmed, standing in front of you while you are brandishing weapons. I have no plans to confiscate them and, provided that you accept our invitation, you can roam freely around the Institute."

Dawn remained silent. The director looked back at her, waiting for an answer.

In the dark streets of the Commonwealth, a lone figure wearing a leather trench coat and a black hood, walked down the middle of the destroyed road passing buildings, broken down cars, and debris. In the darkness, a teenage boy was watching the lone figure. He wore a dark hoodie, a pair of torn jeans with patches sown in and a pair of worn boots. He moved closer to the figure, trying not to be seen or heard. When he got close, he grabbed the figure's arm and tried to throw them against the wall. The figure in black overpowered him, grabbed his throat, and held him against the wall. The teen could not see the face.

"I'm sorry, don't kill me!" He begged.

"You don't want to cross someone like me," the figure warned in a gritty voice.

The figure showed him the back of her hand and he was frightened.

"Don't ever mess with Courser," the figure said.

It was Dawn Crenshaw. On the back of her hand was the Institute insignia. She smiled at him and let him go. He ran away as fast as he could into the night. She smiled and put her hood back on.