AS COLD BLOOD RUNS

EPILOGUE: Life Goes On

Leon:

January 9, 2000. Two years after.

Two years have passed. It's amazing how much things have changed. Some good, some bad. But all of it is change. Why don't I tell you what has been going on. Stevens' men left that day in January and returned to the fort. Sarah was sent to Kosovo a year ago to serve as a driver in a NATO supply convoy. The convoy was attacked, and Sarah was killed in action. Greg moved to California, and is currently serving in San Diego. We hear from him every now and then. Nicolas returned to his Wisconsin home, and recently retired from the Army. He's now a machinist in a factory. Jason, as far as we know, is still alive. We haven't heard much from him. Jessica moved to Oregon, where she is working as an RN. She sends a letter now and then, and we always get a card during the holidays.

Claire and I were married on March 19, 1999. It was a nice ceremony, just a small one. Family and friends. Nothing spectacular. We moved out of the house near Fort Renard and into a smaller one in Valin Heights, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. Chris, Becky, and Jill moved in with us. Seth was sent to a hospital after the battle, and was released two weeks later. He also stayed with us for a while. He and Sherry grew extremely close, as a brother and sister would. At first, she didn't take the news well, but she grew accustomed to it. Soon after, he received a call from an aunt in Michigan. He rode out on the brand new Harley he just bought, and left. Poor Becky, she was moping around for weeks. Always jumping when the phone rang, and sometimes you could hear her softened sobs during the night. He sent a letter to her, trying to explain that he needed to find out who he really was. That just hurt her even more. Finally Jill convinced her to take the next bus to Red Springs and find him. From what we know, she did. He's been keeping in constant contact with Sherry; always sending her money, letters, and even once, he sent a video tape with a recorded message for her.

About two months ago, Chris finally flipped. Something sent him off, and he left. We haven't heard from him since. Jill left shortly after, hoping to find him. She calls every now and then, letting Claire know if she's found something.

Ark Thompson retired from the Department of Internal Affairs, and got a job as a lieutenant in the local precinct. He moved across the street from Claire and I. Rott and Lily Klein were sent back to Britain, reunited with their grandparents. Ark's always talking to them, and he even flies to Hampshire every now and then to see them. So, that left Claire, Sherry, and me. I'm working as a captain at the same precinct as Ark. Trust me, it's a desk job, but with my lifelong friend, it's never boring. Claire went to a local community college and got a business degree. She moved her uncle's equipment from his gun shop in New York, and has reopened it in Valin Heights. But lately, she hasn't been working. She's on maternity leave after giving birth to our son, Martin Scott. He's six weeks old. And in fact, we're trying to adopt Sherry. It's a fight we're winning, as long as her aunt in California gives consent. And as I finish writing this, I look out the window at the golden sun, setting to the West. I remember the risks I've taken, the danger I've been in, and the things I've seen. But what would have happened if I hadn't been hired by Raccoon City? Would I have ever met Claire? Or Sherry? I've seen horrible things, but in the end, would I really trade them. I hear soft cries to my left. Martin is awake. Sorry, duty calls.

And so it ends. It took me six months to write this the first drafts to now, and I am pleased with the work I've done. Thanks to chicky tifa for her continued support, and to Jake Lindermann, who inspired me to take this in another direction. This is dedicated to my uncle who passed on while I was working on this, may he rest in peace. I'm not sure about where I'm going to go next with this, or if I'll go anywhere at all. Thanks to all those who read and reviewed, and until I come up with something else, see ya later.

(Updated 9/9/01: Christ, I had to update the damn epilogue!!! I cleared up a discrepancy between this and the sequel, so please don't ask. Thanks to everyone's support!)