EPILOGUE

ETHAN'S POV

It's been five years since I've last seen Dad.

Since we'd left California, he had been non-existent from the world. From us. From me.

Old classmates tell me his posters have been ripped from the walls; his business has been wiped out from the physical and virtual world.

A Mafia man has taken his place in his company. His name is no longer talked about on likable lips. He had disappeared into oblivion.

Mum kept crying about it, and I told her she shouldn't cry over the dead. She said dad is not dead; she said he's living; she said someone had seen him in New Orleans.

She is lying because I only know that he's dead.

Mum is talking over the phone; she is mentioning Dad's name.

I can hear his voice over the loud call, but I know it is not his since the dead do not talk.

Dad is dead.

Someone called my name.

Mum is looking at me.

She says something. I think she says Dad wants to talk to me. I make no effort to move because I know my father is not living.

" Ethan."

Raindrops are drumming on the roof. I gaze onto the deserted street outside the window. Who is burning in the rain, I wonder?

" Ethan."

Emily is at school. I hope she isn't playing in the rain. The bruises were a lot the last time. I was afraid she'd die—

"Ethan!"

Mum is in front of me, and I'm still looking out the window.

Who is burning?

"Your dad wants to talk to you, please."

I hear the drain in her voice, and I'm quick to look at her.

My heart is shattering.

She's crying. It's either because of me or the man she's assuming to be my father.

I collect the phone. She smiles gratefully, and I'm happy.

She leaves, and I'm forced to put the phone to my ear.

All I can hear are the noises of a van's engine becoming louder every second.

No one speaks for thirty-nine minutes, and I'm tempted to end the call.

"Hello."

I chose to speak. I want to have a bit of hope dad has finally remembered me.

I want to hear his voice. I want him to say something to me, but he's quick to remind me that the dead don't speak.

The call dies. 

AUTHOR'S POV

Hello guys, so I've reached the end of my first book on Good Novel. Please don't hesitate to vote and leave a review.

I was thinking of making Ethan's book a dystopian or utopian Mafia book since the book will take place in the future.

Anyways, I'd like to say thank you to those that read my book to the end despite the errors.

I'll try my best to be error-free in my coming books.

Please drop a review, guys; it's important.

See you in the next book, and stay safe.