Freerunner

Epilogue

"So that's everything, huh," Stevie said. We were sitting on top of a roof, staring off into the distance. "Yeah," I replied. I'd spent the past few hours recalling the events of the previous year. Right from when the Runners first came to Delta 2's prison right up to Alex's demise. "Well, what's happened is terrible but I don't want you to worry. I'll help you get through this," he promised. I turned and smiled at him. "Thank you. It's so strange though, in the end, my parents really loved me," I said. Stevie nodded. "They have funny ways of showing that. Sometimes they do it too late but at least they did it." I murmured in agreement. We sat in silence, all out of things to say. Eventually, Stevie spoke up again. "So you think Prince is more trustworthy than Dog-catcher?" He asked. "Yeah," I replied. "He's brutal but he's honest." Stevie kicked himself. "I can't believe I didn't realise that. I was so certain Dog-catcher was good," he sighed. I placed a hand on his shoulder. "Don't beat yourself up about it. Prince says it was mainly love that drove him to do everything he did." Stevie looked over at me. "Do you still love him, despite what he's done?' He asked. I shrugged. "I don't know. I'm really doubtful but I can't be sure. Now," I said, getting to my feet. "Do you know where I can get my eye fixed? It's really such a bother to go around without it."

Stevie ignored me. He looked defeated about something. I sat back down and prodded his arm. "Stevie," I said lightly. He ducked his head and laughed darkly. A shiver ran up my spine. "Hey, what's up with you?" I asked shakily. He turned and smiled menacingly at me. "Nothing really is as it seems, is it Rose?" He said, his voice deeper than before. I shuffled back involuntarily. "What do you mean? Come on Stevie, you're freaking me out." His smile faded and he ran a hand through his hair. "Sorry. I was just thinking, those Runners are really deceptive. Honestly, I really thought Prince was a terrible person. But everyone here loves him so he can't be all that bad."

I sighed. "Don't worry, you're not misguided. He can be really awful when it comes down to it," I responded. Stevie laughed again, not a touch of humour in his voice. "Change doesn't come easily, does it?" He said sinisterly. I stared. "What do you mean?" He exhaled loudly, that sadistic smile pulling at his lips again. "Think about it. At the start, we were stuck behind a fence with cruel, heartless leaders. We got separated, we worked hard and gained the freedom we wanted. The price we paid was the lives of people we loved dearly. Yes, we got out and saw a world we thought we'd never see. However, are we really free? In reality, we're once again stuck behind a fence with an unusual and randomly cruel leader." I watched in despair as he laughed again, wiping a tear from his eye. "We've really come home, haven't we Rose?" He said.

I reached up with the back of my hand and dragged it across my cheek. My face began to soak in the flood of tears that fell from my right eye. I buried my face in my sleeves, sobbing uncontrollably. Stevie immediately pulled me in, rubbing my back in an attempt to soothe me. "Sorry," he said quickly. "I didn't mean to make you cry." I brought my head up and looked at him. He was shocked at the sad smile that adorned my face. "No, you're right," I said. I watched as Stevie's face fell from surprise to worry as I finished my sentence.

"It feels like I never even left."