Epilogue

Everything was the same here; the tree branches shaking as the wind blew through it. The leaves fluttered to the ground in slow-motion and fast-forward at the same time. Snow spiralled down from the sky, showering the surface of everything in a bright white.

I couldn't feel the wind of course, couldn't feel it tremble through my hair as it once had. Nor could I feel the crunch of the snow as I stepped on it, or feel the cold of the snowflakes as they landed on my skin, yet still- it was there, it existed.

I didn't.

Yes, I could still see myself, standing amidst the clearing that Lucas and I had teleported from the janitor's closet. My hand reached out to grab a leaf. I could hold it, it didn't slip through my hand, but I couldn't feel it.

I sat down and gazed around the clearing, not bothering to speak. What was the point, when nobody was there to say anything back?

I sighed noiselessly and gazed around, snow swirling around my feet and falling in my hair. The small flakes danced on my skin, no body heat produced to melt the small white pieces of snow.

I fell back into the snow, frustrated when it stayed exactly as it had before. I wanted so bad to make a difference, make a change. I couldn't even change the snows surface.

My eyes stung, tears sliding down my face. I still couldn't feel them. I grabbed hold of a large stone and hurtled it, the rock falling into the snow and spraying the white powder into the air. I paused and then started wandering around for a while, the air still and silent.

At this point I was afraid to speak. I didn't want to try and find I wouldn't be able to hear my own voice. My ears rang and I mentally screamed to myself- I wouldn't be able to stay here. I would go insane.

So I ran, stumbling over my feet and onto my knees, striking them and getting back up quickly without feeling any pain.

I continued to run, not stopping as the green and brown trees blurring past me. I didn't need to stop, didn't need to catch my breath as I sped off, launching myself over fallen tree trunks.

Eventually I could see a break in the forest, and I sped out to see the ocean. The waves crashed soundlessly before me, the wind blowing across the sand. In the distance, there was a house that poked out from the trees. It was a huge mansion, and easily recognized.

I was now on the island.

I didn't exactly understand exactly how I had gotten here; the clearing I woke up in was nowhere near the island, so how was I here now?

I continued walking, trying to understand how this worked. I travelled through the trees in a new direction for a while, time seeming to tick by slowly.

There was another break in the trees that I ran to, glad to finally be out of the forest. I hesitated when spotting where I was- the old factory that Relic had been killed in. I didn't want to enter the building, didn't want to remember what had happened.

I couldn't realize why I had been switching from places that weren't anywhere near each other. I groaned and sat down- If I were alive I would have had a major headache right now.

That thought alone sent me reeling. I wasn't alive anymore. I didn't need to breath, didn't need to sleep or eat. I wouldn't be working with Chandra tomorrow, I wouldn't be sitting in class with Zak and go to the cafe after school. My heart lurched as I thought about what they would say, what they would do when they found out about me.

My eyes started to flood as I sat on the ground. I stumbled to my feet and walked back to where the ocean was. When I got there, I could see a silhouette of someone sitting with their arms wrapped around their knees. The persons back was facing me, but I could still recognize the shape of their shoulders and the way he sat.

"Lucas." I choked out. I knew I had spoken, knew that I had said something, but no noise came out. Tears continue to stream off my face, "Lucas!" I screamed, inaudibly. He got up off the ground and slowly walked away, shoulders sagging in defeat.

Lucas, please turn around. Look at me. Please. I thought, sobbing. He froze, then slowly turned. I could see his mouth move, and although couldn't hear him I knew what he was saying.

Iris. Suddenly his voice seemed to enter my mind, as if I had thought it myself. A grin split across my face and I ran to see him, jumping and wrapping my legs around his waist. Unlike anything else, I could feel him. He kissed me, his mouth melting against my own.

Lucas, what are you doing here? I thought, somehow positive he would be able to hear me.

I couldn't live without you. He hugged me close to his body and buried his head in my shoulder. My body shook as I cried, ecstatic to finally see him again.

Lucas, where are we? What is this place? I thought to him, getting used to talking like this.

It's our afterlife; Filled with places from our memories. He didn't seem to be able to take his eyes of me.

Memories? I echoed. That explained the clearing, the mansion, and the factory. All were places that held meaning to the both of them. I was sure that we would see other places if we explored around more. He nodded and placed me on the ground.

God Iris, I missed you. I love you so much. My face heated up and I kissed him again, winding my arms around his neck.

I love you too Lucas, thank you for what you did.

His head shook, I killed you.

No Lucas, She disagreed, you saved me.

He gazed at me before smiling slightly and pulling me with him to go and re-visit the placed of our memories, hand-in-hand. I tightened my grip on his fingers. This time, I wasn't ever letting go of him.

Lucas and Iris, Forever and Always.

AND THAT IS THE END.
thank you all so much for reading it and commenting, it means a lot. We're sending this to a publisher, so please send us happy thoughts! 3