Epilogue: Aeonian

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Y'all this is the last chapter. I will seriously be heartbroken if you don't vote and comment.

"When shall we three meet again, in thunder, lightning or in rain?"- Macbeth, William Shakespeare

Aeonian (adj.)- Eternal, everlasting

Spring, 2023

A warm breeze whispered past her, a flurry of butterflies dancing along with the wind. Whiff of freshly bloomed flowers wafting around, fallen petals laying along the damp road, as if a carpet welcoming the visitors as they visited the grave of their loved ones.

A tear trickled down her cheek as her blank eyes remained on the tombstone, her golden curls swaying with the wind.

Thomas Campbell.

Father-Husband-Son

"A thing is not necessarily true because a man dies for it."

― Oscar Wilde

"Dad," A whisper escaped her, "I have missed you so much."

A warm breeze sashayed past her as her eyes took in his resting place; longing, craving; her soul void, her heart singing the melody of sorrow.

"I have gotten into John Hopkins, dad," She whispered as another drop of tear escaped, a loud car honking as it rushed through the street, "Are you proud of me?"

Her question was answered by prolonged silence.

She looked up, her lips parting in a silent entreaty. The sky was clear, blue in contrast of white clouds pirouetting in the tune of the wind. Chirping of the birds resonated around, scintillating rays of sun peeking through the branches of trees, as if playing hide and seek.

"I love you, papa," Her tear soaked smile was a celebration of freedom, a celebration of joy and finally breaking free of the shackles that imprisoned her to the demons of her mind. An emancipation her heart and body had craved for so long.

She placed the bouquet of Roses on his grave, running her hand over the tombstone as she cried, her quiet sobs piercing through the air.

A butterfly danced around, sitting on the tombstone. She wiped her tears abruptly, her heart beaming with melancholy as the mute orchestra played the cacophony of her exhilaration, anguish. The tunes were elegiac, gory but painted with her tears of joy.

"I have to go papa," She whispered, playing with her fingers, the sapphire on her neck gleaming under the sunlight, "But I promise to visit you soon."

The darkness that swallowed her whole, resided in her, a melancholic euphony ringing in her ears like a sad song.

With a heart fluttering like dry leaves in the winter, she walked out of the graveyard; euphoria mingling with her stuttering soul as her destination peeked through her mind.

A place she called home.

A place that had a piece of her heart.

Darkness danced in her as she walked through the sidewalk, reminiscing the times she had spent growing up. Every precipice, every brick that adorned the streets and the walls, they presented themselves like a long lost friend.

She still recognized every part of it.

The solemn road called out to her, along with the memories it bore. The good, the bad and the ugly. She decided that there was no use of wallowing in those memories.

Her travel bag weighed heavily on her hand as she roamed, wandering around aimlessly. Leaves murmured along the roads, a song she felt as if was being sung only for her.

Her eyes roamed to her wrist watch, 2PM, it read. She still had 7 hours until she took a bus back to Baltimore.

Her mind wandered as did she, her eyes blank as she basked in the memories of her lover. Her darkness that taught her the meaning of life, her darkness that healed her and her darkness she took comfort in the memories of.

Her mind was a jumbled mess, her steps unsure, shaky; but her destination was clear. Her hand clasped the small butterfly shaped sapphire that had been gifted by her lover almost two years ago.

Her gore, her joy. Her longing urged her to walk faster; unsurity made her hesitate.

Thoughts swirled in her head, a space created by her mind. Some pessimistic, some optimistic. She was in a dilemma, yet, she knew that she had to reach them. She had to reach him.

Tingles danced in her blood as her destination became closer.

Countless snowflakes she had seen being dispersed in the air as she awaited that familiar 'ping' of her computer. A call. A message notification.

Nothing.

Countless times she would watch the stars as she layed on the snow, talking to herself, pretending to describe the sky, pretending that he was there, next to her.

Red is swallowing, red asks for your attention. Blue is dim, yellow shines bright like the sun.

As her speeches would stop, so would her imagination. She would look around in the whitest of the snow and discover that she was alone. Tears came next, always. She would lay there, crying herself in the biting cold, hoping the snow would devour her.

Anything that took away the pain.

The younger brother, who risked himself to save her, also visited her imagination. His laughter would ring in her ears, carefree, beautiful, soulful. That man knew how to laugh as if there was no tomorrow, how to live like no one was watching.

He also had a great impact on her, although, not quite as much as her lover. He knew how to let go, how to show the world a middle finger and prove everyone wrong.

Agony swirled in her, until it only left behind a bitter taste on her tongue. Two people who understood her as a human, two people who rescued her.

Her pace came to a halt, eyes full of tears as they took in the familiar house. Her azure eyes took in the nameplate, "Estevan".

A drop of tear escaped her as she looked at the house she would always call home. For her it was her home.

An eternity must have passed as a breeze whispered by, carrying the smell of rain and trees. She stood there, frozen, her fingertips playing with her sapphire butterfly.

"Miss?" An unfamiliar voice called out, "Are you looking for someone?"

Her trance was broken as she was greeted by one of the guards. It was a face she didn't recognize.

"I...am," She gulped, wiping her tears, "Can you tell me where Archer Estevan is?"

The guard's face fell as he studied her.

"May I know your name?" The guard inquired, his voice raucous.

Suddenly, the sound of her heartbeat became deafening in her ears as she stood there, contemplating whether she should let the guard know of her real identity. Her fist clenched around her lover's gift as she replied, "Anna."

"Anna... as in Adrianna? Adrianna Campbell?"

Her mouth became dry.

The guard opened the gate, much to her surprise and gestured her in. Lost in her own haze of ominous intuition, she took a small step inside.

"Please come with me."

She followed him mindlessly, as if a breeze of spring. The guard stopped near a booth and fished out an envelope, stuffing it in his pocket.

"This way, mam."

The ominous feeling coiled in her more as she took a right turn, and then a left. Then a right. She knew these turns by heart. It led to the lake where she witnessed millions of stars.

Her feet stopped as her eyes fell on something.

Her heart stopped.

Her breaths became heavier as she took in what seemed to be a tombstone from afar.

Agony. Betrayal. Numbing pain. Anger. Fear. Sorrow. Grief.

Those emotions seemed to pierce through her as she willed her feet to walk just a little bit closer.

Maybe she was thinking that if she touched it, it would disperse, like a nightmare coming to an end.

"I am sorry to inform you, Ms. Anna," The guard's voice was thick, "Archer Estevan passed away a year ago."

Snow withered, spring came, leaves fell. The snow in her heart only grew colder and colder.

Her legs gave away as she kneeled near his resting place, her blank eyes taking in the writings.

Here lies

Archer Theodore Estevan

1996-2021

Brother-Son

"Renovatio"

A scream tore through her as she frantically read the writing of the stone, the numbing anguish morphing into anger.

Her screams turned into bitter sobs as she cradled the stone, her cries seemed to pierce the sky.

Did the deity hear her? She had no clue. The deity must have been anguished too. Or maybe he was happy, Archer resided with him after all.

"Archer...." His name escaped her like a plea, as if a request to awaken her from her devilish nightmare, "Archer..."

"He left this letter for you," The envelope was extended to her, "It was written by me as he breathed his last words. He apologized for not sending you mail."

Her trembling fingers took the envelope, misery coiling in her as she tore the rusting paper and took out a small white page.

She was vulnerable, falling apart. It seemed as if she had escaped the sea, only to drown again.

Anna, the first word read, I hope by the time you get this letter or message I am actually dead or this will be embarrassing.

A chuckle mingled sob escaped her.

I am sorry for lying to you. You were right when you guessed that I was dying. It poisoned my very core and nervous system. I can't even hold a pen straight, the only thing I can do is talk.

A drop of tear fell on the page, soaking it.

What I have realized in these past few months is that death is inevitable. Death is the truth of life and there is no escaping it. Whereas it does matter how you die and how long you live, I am assuming after reaching that borderline, it all becomes meaningless.

As I stand on the edge of life and death I realize that I have lived a life full of unfulfillment, yet I am content. I am content with what I have and what I have achieved and what I am to die as. My life had a meaning and I have come to realize that no matter how much we run after a certain thing, we cannot achieve absolute happiness.

So here I am, lying on my deathbed, unbeknownst to Ares who is probably sleeping in his room, writing a letter to you, absolutely content and to let you know that I have achieved my purpose.

My purpose was to protect my big brother, I have fulfilled it.

Dear Adrianna, I have been reading a lot of books lately, including Shakespeare too (Never in a million years I would have thought I would read him but here we are).

My favorite quote from his entire heaps of works is "All the world's a stage and all the men and women merely players". Why? I have no idea, maybe it is because I now understand why life is frugal and momentary.

Ares is still mourning you, I promised him I would let him speak with you tomorrow. Will I make it out? Highly unlikely. I hate the stench of hospitals.

Is there a second life? If so, I would very much like to be born again. Reincarnated as an ordinary person where I wouldn't have to bear the burdens of everything. I want to be a spoiled child.

Adrianna. Please don't mourn me, be happy, celebrate life, along with my brother. Both of you have my blessings. I will be cheering you from here (Wherever I am when you read it)

Death is the supremacy of life, death makes life all the more beautiful, Adri. Imagine a life of eternity without death. Sounds boring. I also feel like I deserve a break after this bullshit I have been put through.

Will we ever meet again? I hope so. I am really hoping that you aren't crying because this is all too sad for my taste.

I think the doctors are coming inside Adri, unfortunately, this is where I have to say bye.

XOXO

She was weeping by the time her eyes drank in the last word, the bitter sounds of her pain swallowing the bright day in glum. The page was tear drenched, the ink smeared all over as she wallowed in the tragic conclusion of his story.

As if a thousand knives pierced through her chest, her soul was bleeding yet the death never came. She died again and again as she clutched the atrocious adieu from her belated friend to her chest.

"Miss, I was asked to inform you that your allegations had been lifted a couple of months ago, but I couldn't reach anyone that went by the name of Adrianna Campbell."

She shook her head, everything felt as if she was drowning in a phantasmagoric illusions- the demons clawed at her chest, a whisper of a spring breeze passing by. She folded the letter with great care, as if he was still there, with her.

"You sneaky bastard," She cried, her cheeks warm, "You asshole."

The only reply she had was the murmurs of the leaves.

"I asked you," Silent tears streamed down her face, "I asked you if you will be fine and you lied. You lied to me."

Her breath came in gasps as she tried to reconcile from the incorrigible pain.

The more she stayed, the realer it became- like an illusion finally shattering and presenting itself in front of her. She couldn't bear to look at the grave any longer. Her fists clenched as she turned, refusing to believe anything she saw.

Her jaw clenched as tears streamed down. She understood that death was a constant, an unexpected constant; but accepting the deaths of the loved ones wasn't an easy task.

"What about... Ares?" Coldness seeped into her voice, like a blizzard. A dry leaf danced in the air, falling at her feet.

"Mr. Estevan isn't here, unfortunately," The guard said, "He left the state for some business matter."

She nodded, numbness seeping inside her as she felt herself drowning again, wiping her tears and shooting one last look to the grave where her friend rested, for an eternity, hopefully in peace.

She closed her eyes, muttering an entreaty, a plea from her heart, begging for the peace of her friend's soul. She fished out a wilted flower from her handbag, it was meant to be for her father.

Did her prayers reach the deity? Maybe it did. It would be cruel for him to ignore her prayers.

It is said that the ones that are his favorites, are rid of the sufferings of mortality sooner than the others.

Her legs wobbled as she rose from his grave, shooting him a last lingering look and began to walk away.

"Miss?" The guard called out.

She wiped her tears, meeting his eyes. "There is a firework show today, I thought I should inform you because you don't seem to have much time in your hands," He pointed at her travel bag, "It is one of the best in the whole of Maryland."

Her smile was shaky, the guard did not know that she had grown up in this city. Why had everything become so unfamiliar, to the point where she failed to recognize this city?

Instead of letting him know, she only smiled and nodded, her heart soaring a bit. She loved the annual spring fireworks that took place. It had been two years since she last witnessed the display of colors.

She looked at the grave again, a breeze whispering by.

"Rest in peace, until we meet again," The silent plea escaped her soul as she slowly walked away, her soul bleeding mercilessly.

She wandered aimlessly in the streets, the feeling of being lost clawed inside her. It was as if she was lost inside her own head.

Tears streamed down her eyes as she roamed around. The bright blue sky morphed into a deep shade of vermillion, bearing the news of an impending dusk. Her tears dried, yet her steps did not falter as the vermillion morphed into purple. Night fell, the stars adorning it like glitter dusted all over.

Her mind hearkened nothing, her body as if trapped in the past, the sound of her heart shattering rose from her soul, dissipated as empty, jumbled mess in the labyrinth of her ears.

What went through her mind will forever remain a mystery, but I would like to assume that she thought her life had no meaning to it now that she had lost those that were the most important to her.

Her eyes darted up to the sky, taking in the beauty behold. A heavy sigh escaped her as her eyes darted to her watch, 7PM, it read.

She had two hours until the bus arrived and took her back to Baltimore.

Clasping her bag tighter on her arms, she walked to the direction of the fireworks. She still had time, maybe she could admire the elegiac beauty as she mourned her friend and lose herself in the colourful celebration of life momentarily.

Her eyes drank in the narrow roads as she walked through them, the streetlights lighting them up just enough. The fireworks took place over the River Severn every year, people would gather to witness the beautiful display on a bridge that connected two opposite sides of the city.

After walking a bit further, she stood at the entry of the bridge, a sight of life graced her. A scenery that bustled with life. Everyone cheering, laughing, children running around, taking photos as they impatiently awaited for the fireworks to start.

Everything that was contrary to what she had become accustomed to. Life, happiness, beauty, fulfillment, content, euphoria- everything that was opposite to gore, dark, death, sadness and agony. The vermillion glint in the dark sky blended into the horizon, her ears hearkened laughter, sounds of joy and the chirping crowd.

A small smile graced her lips as she took them in with a melancholic smile as she walked to the middle of the bridge. Her eyes met the night sky, a warm breeze blew past, ruffling her hair.

She closed her eyes, taking in a deep breath, the melody shone through her sunken soul, like a magic wand bringing the spring back to her dead winter.

Haze ruled her senses, a sudden anticipation gripping her soul like a vice. The breeze that came from the river dancing around her. She liked to think that this was her friend's way of bidding her adieu, with a grandeur, like he was.

Her finger touched her lover's gift, assuring herself that no matter where he was, he was always with her.

"The fireworks are starting!" A voice shouted out amongst the murmurs of the crowd.

"Excuse me, miss," A female voice called out. She turned to discover that it was a young couple, the girl extended a phone to her, "Can you please take out photos?"

She nodded, smiling and taking the phone. Bittersweet melancholy shone through her as she took them in, they reminded her of her lover.

She handed the phone back, smiling as they thanked her. A small smile escaped her as she watched them.

Her smile faltered as she felt a shiver run down her spine, a mystique breeze whispering past her, ruffling her curls. The hair on her neck stood up as she felt the familiar feeling of being watched.

The sound of her heart's mellifluous beating in her chest was deafening. A droplet of sweat ran down her temple as she gulped.

Ever so slowly, she turned around.

Time seemed to have frozen, the crowd became a blur of nothingness, just like that of her mind. Her soul called out to the heavens and beyond as shock coursed through

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