Postlude

Eugo awoke to find Fiz happily sitting next to him, remembering the events of some time ago he felt the need to thank her. Without any warning Eugo decided that the best way to thank her was with a hug, it was the least he could do.

Eugo felt Fiz gracefully accept his embrace, though she definitely seemed a bit shocked at first. At some point Til also hoped on top of Fiz’s head to join in, Eugo was honestly surprised that Fiz’s shoulders could support her weight. 

Then again, he was fairly used to Fiz achieving inhuman feats on the daily.

“Uhhhh, Morning… Eugo.”

“Morning Fiz!” It took Eugo a second to notice what she had said… it was the first time she had called him by his name in a while, she made him happy.

Eugo spent his morning playing with Til in the scrap heap, spending a large quantity of time annoyed at the fact that she was much better at traversing the metal than he was. 

Though at the very least, he could do the job of saving her whenever she was about to fall into a hole or slip… Eugo tended to fall in place of her though.

The two didn’t really know each other too well yet, so Fiz had suggested bonding over the trash heap, she did so with her usual optimistic smile with complete faith in Eugo.

At some point Fiz called out to him saying something about George visiting. As far as he could remember it was the first time George had ever visited him in his life. Some time ago they rarely got along anyway, so for him to suddenly visit felt like a fate almost implausible.

It also felt like a fate worse than death in many ways, as having George visit him meant that something bad was definitely going to happen within the next few minutes. Walking over to him bounding up and down in place Eugo thought his hypothesis to be proven right.

“Hi George.”

“Eugo, you’ve got to come with me I have something amazing to show you! You’ll never believe it I swear.” Screamed George, almost shattering Eugo’s eardrums with the density of his voice.

“Uhhh, sure I guess…” At this point Eugo also remembered several other things, firstly there was a revolution… which George was part of. Otherwise, there was Ilken and the Spotless lady who saved him. Eugo had no clue what had happened once Fiz had recused him and found himself very curious.

“Hey Eugo, do you mind me asking how you got those scratches down your eyes?”

“Oh… those, yeah don’t worry about them I uhhh got in a fight with a Spotless, got em good though.”

“I see…. And the bullet?”

“Just another Spotless.”

Something inside Eugo made him want to keep Ilken’s existence a secret, even though he knew deep down where he would probably find him.

“Eugo, I’ll be taking you to the sanctuary first, where the bodies of those who died are being cared for, for their valiant fight.”

“Ok.”

Eugo was led by George over towards the castle, stopping just outside to find countless bodies, Scorcher and Spotless. They were laid side by side in union, there was not distinction between the two others than perhaps the colour of their eyes and hair.

It didn’t take long for Eugo to find Ilken, having died with one bullet wound, ironically the same way he tried to kill him. Eugo kneeled, and simply let himself for a few minutes, cry. 

For a friend tears streamed down his face, someone he had known and grown with. Eugo couldn’t help but feel that without Ilken, he would never have grown as a person.

He finished his prayer with a wish to his friend, a simple one admittedly but an important one. 

“Ilken, I hope throughout the rest of your days, you will find a friendship that will carry you away from isolation and to happiness.”

Eugo walked back to George who was similarly in prayer, although he wasn’t praying to just one, but all. All of those who had died, and who had ever died, it was an eternal selfless prayer that simply wished for all those to find peace.

The two boys made their way around the grave site and Eugo followed George into the castle, it had been overrun with curious Scorchers who raided and searched it head to toe. In the centre of it all was a woman, and she played the piano, her child giddily watching on as she did so.

Eugo waited briefly, listening to the sound which came from the piano. It was marvellous, a symphonic pleasure for his ears. He couldn’t imagine a more soothing moment in his life.

“It’s called music” Said the woman once she had finished playing. “It’s beautiful isn’t it?”

“Truly, it is. I must thank you…”

“Louise.”

“I must thank you Louise, I believe it was you who saved my life yesterday and I am eternally grateful.”

“Well, I must thank your friend here, for without him I may have suffered a fate similar to my husband.”

“I’m sorry for your loss.” Said George.

“I still have my son; I will be content with him until we all reunite high above.”

The two boys thanked the woman and they parted ways.

“I have two more things to show you Eugo. Follow me.”

Eugo obliged, following George closely as they wound their way down a flight of stairs into an office. George signalled to the numerous papers on the desk and urged Eugo to read. There were notes to the side of any unknown words, provided by Louise.

Eugo read of food shortages, the outside world, plans for the future and everything in-between. His brain was overwhelmed with more knowledge than he could possibly comprehend. 

Though there was one part which stuck with him, the outside would. He had a new lust to see it.

“George… take me outside.”

“It would be my pleasure.”

Guided by a lantern George led Eugo down deeper into the castle to cave, the cave led down pitch dark corridor which enveloped the both of them. After walking in constant anticipation, Eugo finally saw the light at the end of the tunnel.

Eugo stepped out into the light, and he for the first time, felt the fresh air of the world around him. With George by his side and the support of Fiz, Til, Ilken and Helena in his heart, he felt the power to step forwards with strength and glee.

Eugo knew at this moment that his life of mundane monotony had just ended. One of wonder, exploration and mysteries he had never known before had just began. 

All it took was a single step forward.