Epilogue

 

 

 

 

Shade woke in the dim light and heard what sounded like waves crashing as they echoed off the moist rock of the small cave. She pulled herself up onto her arms and let her eyes adjust. She must be near the ocean from the smell of the salt spray and seaweed. Standing up slowly, she used the cave wall for support. Her legs felt weak and unsteady. Her bare feet shuffled, slipping slightly on the moss and moisture which seemed to stick to everything. She made her way slowly out of the cave and onto what looked like a rocky shore. She spotted Dylan standing near the water’s edge where the ocean sprayed up into a cloud of mist after crashing back into the rocks below.

Dylan turned and ran toward her as she nearly collapsed. The wall had run out and left her nothing to hang onto. Flutters of snowflakes fell all around them, melting on the wet rocks but sticking to her hair.

“Shade, you need to rest. What are you doing out here?”

He draped her arm over his shoulder and helped her up, practically dragging her back to the small cave to lay her down on the soft furs of the bed.

“I thought I could get up. Where are we, Dylan? Why did you leave for so long? I feel so weak and drained.” Shade breathed in deeply, trying to relax as her body protested in screeching pain.

She caught sight of Soap stoking the campfire on the beach near the entrance to the cave. He waved at her and gave her his familiar toothy grin. She relaxed at the sight of both of them. Her worry didn’t fade completely, though.

Why aren’t I healing? Are my powers still gone?

“Rest now. You’ve been through a lot. I’ll explain everything later, I promise,” Dylan assured her.

Shade nodded, closing her eyes as he tucked more blankets around her. She sighed in the warmth and let the bliss of sleep embrace her once more.