Epilogue: 1 in 150
Big Thicket Motel–San Antonio Texas
Gabriel couldn't sleep that night. Partly it was because he and his father were back in a motel, and he always had difficulty sleeping in a strange place. Partly because his mind was still racing from the rush of being part of the Circle. But mostly it was because he was worried. He started to turn over in his head what Linderman told him.
"So Gabriel, tell me, what do you want to do with your life?"
"I want to win the Nobel."
"Ah, very ambitious, very noble calling, if I must say so. But are you so sure that you are going to get there?"
"Of course I am. If I want it badly enough, I can do it."
"Let me tell you something about that, young man. Last year, I wanted something very badly. I wanted to change the world forever. But at the last minute, everything fell apart, and the world is no different than it was yesterday."
How could he know that what happened changed anything? In his heart of heart of hearts, he knew he had, but the rest of him knew that nothing was different. The world is still the same. How could he be certain that what happened today would end the disaster he glimpsed? As he kept thinking about it, there were things that indicated that the Circle happened in that future. The strands of colored yarn crossing at that one point was an indication. But it didn't change anything. The future was still miserable. Though Gabriel had the Nobel, the world was worse off than before.
Then his mind drifted to another memory, a happier one, actually one of his favorites. He and his father were walking along a beach. Gabriel had flip-flops on because it was a pebble beach and the rocks hurt his feet. He was just a boy liking an ice cream cone and talking to his father about school. And he asked his father a question. He wasn't exactly sure what it was anymore. He was just questioning why all his friends were excited about this one star athlete when he thought it was nothing special.
Then Michael sat down. "Gabriel, there's something you need to understand. You're not like everyone else. You're different."
"What do you mean, Papa?"
"I can't tell you exactly right now. You wouldn't understand everything. You think and you act in a way most other boys your age don't."
"Why?"
"Because I'm different, too. When you were born, I gave what made me different to you. But listen, Gabriel. I don't want you ever to be ashamed of it. Don't let anyone ever make you feel that way. You're very special and unique. There are not very many people like us in the world. Now, some things about this won't be so good. Sometimes you'll feel scared, confused, angry, and sometimes sad. But if you focus on the good things, you can use even the bad things in a positive way. Perhaps one day, you can change the world."
"How? Even if I am different, I am only a boy, one person in a big world."
"People change the world all the time. Do you know every year a person is recognized for making the world a better place? They go to Stockholm, Sweden once every year, and they win an award called the Nobel Prize. They come from every country you can think of, all kinds of people, men, women."
"Kids?"
"No, Gabriel. It takes a lifetime of hard work and study to win the Nobel. But these people do all they can. They improve science, literature, even make the world more peaceful."
"I want to win the Nobel Prize someday. I want to change the world."
"And I believe you can, if you want it badly enough."
It was just very difficult to reconcile this memory with more recent ones. He wanted what his father told him to be true so badly. But what Mr. Linderman said was more realistic.
The windows became lighter, and Gabriel could tell that the first rays of dawn were appearing. He thought that a walk with his thoughts would help clear them up. So he got out of bed, put on his shoes, wrote a brief note on the motel stationary saying he was going on a walk and would be back soon, and picked up the staff just in case there was an intruder.
The three-wheeled bicycle was chained outside, and for a while Gabriel thought about riding it, but then he saw a well-worn walking path behind the motel. Gabriel walked on that. It went through a small forest. Gabriel was a little surprised at this. He knew Texas was a western state, and he thought it would be all deserts like all the Western movies. The path eventually led to a clearing, and when Gabriel got there, he was even more surprised.
It was a gentle hill with vibrant, green grass and covered from top to bottom with Texas blue bonnets and other wild flowers of all sorts of colors. In the rising sun, it all looked glorious. Gabriel looked around him in amazement as he climbed the hill. When he got to the top, he just sat down. He saw more flowers and more green grass on the other side and mist from the valley as well as more forest. As he looked around at all this, a thought occurred to him for the first time ever. As he thought back at all he had seen–the redwoods in LA, the magnificent buildings in New York, Pyramid Lake, Las Vegas, even the Nevada desert–he knew it was true.
"L'amerique est tres beau." (America is very beautiful.)
"Well, not as beautiful as Paris," part of his mind said. But he looked around again. This was indeed breathtaking, and he had never seen anything like it in Paris. France had its own beauty, but it wasn't superior to this. It wasn't really even inferior. It just . . . was. Perhaps what his father said was right, "Every place has its own beauty and character."
He then noticed that he was not alone. At the foot of the hill, he saw two people in conversation. As he came closer, Gabriel could see that these people were Future Hiro and Future Peter.
"I suppose I owe you an apology," Hiro said.
"No, it's not necessary. I came to my senses. I had forgotten how much she meant to you, how much she means to all of us. I had forgotten that you need her just as badly as she needs you."
"That's what I've been trying to say for months!"
Gabriel cleared his throat, and they both looked at him. "Pardon, monsieurs. I am sorry to interrupt, but if you do not mind, I have some questions."
"Of course, Gabriel," Hiro said with a nod.
"I don't completely understand how all of this factors into everything. I just have a nagging feeling that this doesn't change anything."
"Why's that?" Peter asked.
"I don't know. I mean, this is the same world. It hasn't changed at all."
"Six people changed forever. That's a big difference."
"Actually, I would say eight," Hiro said. "You forgot Claude and me."
"And Claire, and the sp–Monsieur Bennet, and Mohinder," Gabriel said.
"That's eleven," Peter said.
"But there are over 5 billion people in the world! What difference does that make? Besides, the Circle happened in the visions that Sanjong showed me, and things still turned out terrible."
"Well, there was a difference. When Claude found you, there was something wrong. Sylar had, well I guess the expression is, 'picked at your brain.'"
Gabriel gasped. "He took it out."
"No, actually, he left it in."
"No, I mean he took away my autism. He threatened to do so a number of times."
"We're not really sure what he did, but it took the fight out of you. You were very compliant and quiet. You didn't show any emotion when you confronted your father again."
"That's weird. You're saying he took it out, but really he made it worse?"
"I don't know. Maybe he meant to, but he got it wrong. But it happened because you let him do it. You didn't scream for help. You didn't try to connect with your father. And really the Circle was an experiment. We noticed the glowing thing and got you all together to see what would happen. It was a complete failure. Your powers went out of control. We don't know if it was because you were not in the right sorts or we got the wrong guy to be purple."
"But that's what caused the disaster?"
"That's a big part of it. Northpoint is another."
"And that's why we had no rights in the future. The NTs were scared of us. But still, what have we done? Northpoint still exists, I think, and we didn't even kill Sylar!"
"There is a simple reason why you feel your quest is unfulfilled," Hiro answered. He looked down at Gabriel. "The Circle isn't the end. It's only the beginning."
"What do you mean? Do I have to go through all of this again?"
"You know the statistics, Gabriel," Peter said. "Even in this time, 1 in 150 people are diagnosed with autism, and the prevalence keeps getting higher."
"Non, non! I won't listen to you quote that Autism Speaks garbage at me! I am not ashamed of who I am!"
"I'm not saying you should be, because you and Mohinder found another statistic through the Human Genome Project."
"And what would that be?
"About 1 in 150 of you . . . will become one of us. And that could be a wonderful thing, a beautiful thing, or it can be terrifying."
"So you have to keep looking for them," Hiro said. "Gather them together, and give them the control and understanding that they seek. And give us a reason not to fear."
"And what about this?" Gabriel said holding out the staff.
"You know, actually, I didn't know that really existed."
"Well, I did," Peter said. "Mom had the papers for it. You see, Gabriel, both of us share the ancestor of William the Conqueror."
"Wasn't he an English king?" Gabriel asked.
"Yes he was, but you have to remember, he was first called William Duke of Normandy. Normandy is France. His descendants were travelers. Some came to America and became heroes in the Revolutionary War, and some went to Japan. But they were very talented. Some were even geniuses. One of his descendants was Edmund Spenser."
"Writer of The Faerie Queen!"
"That's right. The father of the boy who owned this staff wished to be a writer as well, and he wrote strange stories about a shepherd who lived in Japan who had a magic staff. Only Mom and Mr. Linderman knew the stories were true. Just as Hiro's sword focuses his powers, the staff will help yours grow. You will become more sensitive to who needs your help, and you will continue to understand others on more levels than language."
"Those things are pretty handy to have," Future Hiro grinned. That was probably the first time Gabriel saw his future self smile.
"But what gives it its power?" Gabriel asked.
"That's a great mystery. It has something to do with that symbol, but it driven by your own confidence. So as the great proverb says, 'Whatever you do, do with all your heart.'"
"Merci monsieurs," Gabriel said, and without thinking, he bowed to Hiro. "Hey, I do understand you! I just reflected Japanese culture, didn't I?"
"Yes," Hiro replied. "You'll be surprised how much you know."
"Good luck, Gabriel," Peter said. "If you ever need us, we'll be with you in spirit."
Gabriel gasped. "Hanami's power! An impression of you will always remain in me."
"That's right," Hiro said.
"Wow. Well, merci again. I better be getting back."
They went to the airport around 9:00 and waited at the gates. Mr. Nakamura's language was so vague, the whole crew came. He arrived soon after they gathered.
"Father," Hiro said approaching him with a bow. "As I have vowed to you, here is your granddaughter." He nudged Hanami toward him.
"Grandfather," she said, bowing as well.
"Hanami," Kaito said as he bowed to her. Then he looked up at Hiro. "Very good, son. You have fulfilled your vow. I regret the accusations that I made against you. Now, I must bring something else against you. I received a message from a trusted friend of mine yesterday that you and all your friends here have worked together to destroy the future that I had planned so carefully for her good. To this, what do you say?"
"Father, I am sorry, but you must understand. I have seen visions of her in the future. I know you mean well for Hanami, but it would only ruin her and crush the gifts inside of her."
"All Kimiko wishes of her daughter is to contribute to society. This would be the most significant contribution."
Gabriel spoke up, "With all due respect, sir, how can one contribute to society when one is locked away in a building all her life?"
"I believe the person to asks that is you own father."
"And I wouldn't put her through that for the world!" Michael replied. "Do you know that they terminate patients that don't meet their criteria? They nearly did to me, but I got away."
"I am not surprised, actually. Sometimes such measures must be taken."
"Father! How can you do that to you own granddaughter?" Hiro cried.
"These are professionals, Hiro! They know better than anyone else."
"No, they don't," Gabriel said. "NTs can do all they can to study autism or interact and treat it, but they'll never know what it is unless they live it. We are the real professionals."
"So, what is it you recommend?"
"She should not be separated from the people who love her. Being put in a strange environment with people who don't even care, that's not right."
"Yes, and even they won't understand her power," Hiro said.
"They may understand better than you may think," Kaito said. "But in this future you saw, you really think what she would experience at their hands would be damaging?"
"Yes, father. I could not bear to see her, but–"
"It was terrible," Gabriel said. "She was sitting there still, expressionless, almost lifeless."
"Very well. I must trust you on this. I will modify my plan. We will return to Japan. In a matter of days, we will have the ceremony which has been delayed. We will try home schooling her for a year, and I want you, Hiro, to be a part of her education from now on."
"Me?"
"Yes, but no more mangas, and no more video games. This is serious business. You must train her gift. Educate her the way I educated you."
"With the stories of Kensei?"
"Exactly."
"Oh Father, I would be honored!" Hiro broke out into a grin. Then he gestured for Hanami to come to him.
"What is it, Hiro?"
"Oh, we must go back outside to get the sword. They wouldn't allow me to take it in. I will get it, and Hanami and I will teleport together to Japan so–"
"You may teleport yourself down there if you wish, but Hanami must come with me."
"Why?"
"It would be better if I explain to her parents what happened. I believe they would be more opened to listening to me. I will tell Kimiko with great pride that Hanami will carry on our family legacy after I die and after you die. And you–" To everyone's surprise, he turned to Gabriel. "It is Gabriel Good Man, yes?"
"Bonhomme, monsieur," Gabriel replied.
"Yes. It is my understanding that you immediately translate every language you hear in your mind."
"It is something like that, monsieur."
"You skills will be very valuable to my company. We are working on software that translate web pages in other languages. If you could join us and be a translator that we may understand the nuances of the most difficult languages, I will make sure you are paid very handsomely."
"That is a generous offer, monsieur, but I am still in the middle of my education."
"That is not a problem. Tokyo has a fine university. You may transfer there while–"
"I am afraid again I must decline. I have been estranged from my father for four years. I want to be with him for a while, maybe participate in some of his courses."
"If they'll let me teach again," Michael muttered. "They probably thought I was dead too and filled my position."
"Oh, that could be taken care of easily," Bennet said, "once you know the right people."
"As a father myself, I can appreciate that," Kaito said with a nod. "Very well. When your education is complete, my offer will still stand."
"In the meantime, monsieur, perhaps you can speak to Micah Sanders. His expertise lies in such things. Here, I have his email."
"Micah Sanders?" Kaito nodded. "Yes, I believe I may contact him. One of my employees knows his mother quite well."
Hanami, meanwhile was wondering off by herself, or so it seemed. "You did a very good job, Dear One," Future Hiro said to her. "Everything's going to be ok now. I am so proud of you."
"Thank you, Uncle Hiro," she said softly.
There was only one person who noticed what she was doing. He came close to her and knelt down to her level. "Well, love, I think your granddad wants to take you home now. Just between you and me, I can't say I won't miss ya." He ran his fingers through her hair and whispered, "You look after yourself, alright?"
Hanami completely surprised him. She put her arm around his neck and kissed his cheek.
Claude lost his balance for a moment. He started laughing uncontrollably. He finally got up and rubbed where she kissed him. "Well, it's been a while since I've gotten one of those!" He laughed a little more, then he sighed. "Invisibility, you gotta love it."
"Because you're blushing like a schoolgirl?" Bennet asked.
"Yes, but you wouldn't know, would you?"
"Might I have one, Hanami?" Gabriel asked. He knelt down to her, and as he had attempted to upon first seeing her, he kissed her hand. "Adieu, ma cherriee."
"Adieu, mon cherrie," she replied.
"Nice mimic," Bennet nodded.
"It wasn't a mimic. She got the gender right," Gabriel replied. He then shook Bennet's hand. "Adieu and merci, sp–I mean, Monsieur Bennet."
"Oh, you can still call me a spy if you want to. It's kinda cool. Just remember, I'm on your side, but I do really apologize for accusing you of conspiring with Sylar."
"D'accord." He shook Claire's hand. "Let me know if you have any more trouble with your French. I'll be happy to tutor online."
"Sure," she said. "And if I ever do go to Paris, can I look you up?"
"Bien sur." He shook Mohinder's hand. "It was such a pleasure to meet you, monsieur."
"Likewise. You know, I really need to analyzed what happened yesterday. Can I contact you for your input?"
"On one condition–when you get to Stockholm–"
"Ah ah!" Mohinder shook his finger. "IF! The word is IF get to Stockholm!"
"Like I said, WHEN you get to Stockholm, let me know."
"Sure, ok, I will."
Gabriel then approached Claude. "Monsieur Rains, or Claude, whichever you prefer–"
"Ah, doesn't matter," he muttered.
"I know you're against humanity and all, but I'd like to consider you my friend, even if it's not mutual.'
"Well, you're a lot of things kid, but boring's not one of 'em. So, you have that going for ya." So Claude took Gabriel's hand and shook it.
"Merci. I suppose this is 'adieu.'"
"Oh, don't you worry 'bout that. I'll be seeing ya." He back up a couple of steps. "I'll be seeing the lot of ya. Maybe sooner, maybe later, but one day. Of course," he added with a sly chuckle, "I can't promise the same the other way around." As he was talking, he kept backing up.
"But we can–" By then, Claude was lost in the crowd of people going to the gate. "Wow, he's good."
"Yeah. He's had practice," Peter said.
Gabriel began to shake his hand, but then he hugged him. "I can't thank you enough, cousin. Finding my father, bringing us back together, being part of the Circle."
"I'm just glad to be of help. You'll keep in touch, right?"
"Definitely."
"We'll send you a Christmas card," Michael said.
Finally, Gabriel turned to Hiro. "I'm really going to miss you. I'm so glad to call you my friend. You helped make me a hero." He grinned and lifted his arms. "You did it!"
Hiro smiled. "You are a good friend, too. Like the oni said, I'll try to come visit you. Hey, do you want me to drop you off?"
"Excusez-moi?"
"When I go back to Tokyo, would you like me to first take you and your father back to Paris?"
"That's nice of you to offer, Hiro, but I was thinking I would like to fly home."
"How are we going to do that without a passport?" Michael asked.
"Oh, do not worry. I will take of everything," Kaito offered.
"I don't mean in a plane," Gabriel said. He looked at Michael. "Papa, I want to fly home." He pointed at himself.
Michael must have caught on. "Gabriel, are you sure? You remember how easily I got lost?"
"You could just follow me." Gabriel chuckled and added, "I can get home in my sleep."
"Alright, we can try."
They went outdoors. Hiro ran to the car, got out Kensei's sword, shut his eyes, and promptly disappeared. Meanwhile, Michael and Gabriel stood out in the parking lot, spread their arms, closed their eyes, and began to glow. There was a flash of light, and as soon as it disappeared, two doves took to the air.
Stockholm, Sweden–Some Years Later
"I now present to you this year's winner of the Nobel Prize in Physiology and Medicine, please welcome from India, Dr. Mohinder Suresh!"
Tremendous applause. Mohinder went up to shake his presenter's hand who then placed on Mohinder's neck a medallion. The audience continued to applaud and gave him a standing ovation. Mohinder then approached the podium. "Thank you," he said into the microphone. The applause began to die down, and when it silenced Mohinder spoke again. "I am absolutely humbled to be in the presence of such great men and women. I honestly had no idea that I would be worthy of such an honor. I had a friend who, when he heard that I was nominated, kept saying to me 'when you go to Stockholm,' and I kept correcting him, 'If! If!'" (Laughter) "He had more faith in me than I had in myself, and for good reason. When I first learned that my name had been considered for a nomination for this honor, I meditated, asking myself, 'What have I done deserving of this?' After much soul searching, the answer came quite clear–I have done nothing." (A few mumbles) "I have pursued my father's work, who is dead. Sometimes I feel that he is the one who deserves this. I have much of this part of my life promoting evolution, and yet I have not evolved myself in the ways my father had proposed. Therefore, if you forgive for being unorthodox, I wish to introduce you to a few people who have done something." He gestured to the side of the stage. "From New York City, Peter Petrelli."
At the cue, Peter cautiously walked up and across the stage.
"From Washington, D. C., Senator Nathan Petrelli."
Peter's brother joined him on the stage.
And he listed off several other names, "Officer Matthew Parkman . . . Claire Bennet . . . Nicole Sanders . . . Micah Sanders . . . Molly Walker . . . Harmony Miller . . . Hiro Nakamura . . . Hanami Nakamura" and so many others from all over the world. In the middle of it all, he came to, "From Paris, France, Gabriel Bonhomme."
Gabriel got up and took his place on the stage. He felt intimidated. Looking in the audience, he could see notable names of past winners that he had memorized since he was a boy. Mohinder called up more names. Before long, the stage was full of people from every liveable continent. There was scattered applause when everyone was up there.
"All of these people, as some of you are perhaps aware, do represent the evolution theories proposed by my father. Just a few years ago, it would have been a risk to display them publically in this manner, but thankfully times have change, and I am grateful for these who have agreed to come. There are many more that I am sure could not fill this stage. Some have regretfully passed away. Some prefer their privacy, which I respect. Others have yet to be discovered. The truth is these people are the entire reason I am here. They have taught me the truth about evolution. What we think of as a gift and a blessing can be terrifying and create damage untold. I have seen it happen with my own eyes. Conversely, what we consider a curse can be beautiful and wonderful and can even restore peace. What I am saying is that the greatest lesson I've learned is that it is not the abilities that make these men and women evolved. It is, for one thing, the choices they made about how to use these abilities. It is also attitude we have toward them. These people have all done incredible things to better this world. They have encouraged each other. They have shown me that evolution is not in the genes or the DNA. True evolution is in the heart. All of these people have both evolved genes and evolved hearts. That is why they deserve this honor far more than I do."
At these words, Mohinder approached Gabriel, took the medallion off his neck, and placed it on Gabriel's shoulders. Slowly, the applause began. Gabriel watched as all of his heroes stood on their feet and continued to applaud. He then noticed people he knew. The Haitian and the spy were among them. Claude was standing in the aisle making a gesture like a toast, though he wasn't holding a glass. Gabriel saw professors from his college and government officials. People on the stage were applauding too. Gabriel put his hand over the medal. He just felt tremendously overwhelmed. He had no idea that Mohinder was going to do this.
Mohinder put his hand on Gabriel's shoulder. "This, by the way, is Gabriel Bonhomme. I want all of you to remember this young man. It is my firm belief that you will see him here again one day soon. I do not what he will do, but I am sure it would be incredible."
But Gabriel, without really understanding why, took the medallion off his neck, put it back into Mohinder's hand, and walked off the stage.
He felt like a changed man.
FIN