Revelations (The End 5)

Aali

yah smiled shyly. “Why not?” she said.

As she entered the house, she spotted Ted. He was moving a bucket of water to the bathroom. When he saw her, he paused.

He put down the bucket and came over to hug her.

“You’re alive,” he whispered.

“Well, yes. For the time being,” she said.

He pulled away, smiling.

“So? We won?” he asked.

She shook her head.

“The battle is today,” she said in a whisper.

“What are you lovebirds whispering about? Come and have something to eat,” Elizabeth said as she walked past them. They shared the home with the black family who owned it.

Ted nodded at her. “We’ll talk more soon, okay?” he said, and she nodded.

As she followed him to the dining area, her eyes went to the street where Joel was waiting for her. She had asked for a little time with her family. She would soon disappear again.

This time, she might never return.

???

3rd December 2021

8:30 am

Chestnut Avenue, Rosebank, New York.

USA.

Xander trudged into the house glumly. Suzanne watched him sit on the chair close to the computer. She was geared up like a biker in her black leather suit. At her waist, there was a belt with a couple of weapons.

“What’s the matter? Is your family alright?” she asked.

He nodded.

“Grayson and Prim have started learning Spanish so they can blend in when they get to Spain,” he said.

“And is there a problem with that? You seem bothered.”

“Why won’t I be bothered? This whole thing is depressing enough to make someone commit suicide. And they are oblivious to it. I just wished they were safe from all this mess. But there’s nothing I can do about it,” he said.

“There is something you can do. And you’re doing it. You may not be comfortable fighting like this, but if you love those girls, you’ll go through the pain and fight to ensure that they are safe. This is the only way,” she said, coming to place a hand on his shoulder.

He was quiet for a while.

“I told them goodbye. Harper was so worried. Apparently, Joel had told her the same thing. I wonder if I’ll ever see them again,” he said finally.

“I don’t know. I can’t guarantee that you’ll live through this. In fact, I can’t guarantee we will win. But we must try. And, if we die, then it’s a worthy sacrifice.”

Xander nodded.