I really like this ending. I hope it brings a lot of questions while still being a satisfying enough to not feel cheated. I do sprinkle some of the answers across the story, after all. My goal is to not be explicit and I want the reader to imagine themselves some of the answers because I adore mystery and I want the story to linger with them for a while. But the story is far from done, there are characters that aren’t fully explored (or explored at all) and you never know if they will change the ending in some way or another. I’m excited to see how this turns out!

Epilogue

Banks stood on a cliff, overlooking the harbor that was in even worse shape than before. He saw men going on land, young men standing in line and good order as their commander barked at them. It made him recall his days has solider, many years ago. The military had been good to him. They had made sure they had everything they needed. He had regular health check ups and now at his autumn years, they have installed all manner of devices in his bed room. They were so very kind and he couldn’t be happier.

Lillie stood beside him and held his arm, smiling and was as beautiful as the day he met her. He couldn’t recall why he hadn’t left the island since they were married. Time sure flies when you are happy. He didn’t even hear anything from his parents, who must be long gone by now. He wondered about his friend, Hjalmar, why he hadn’t come visit? The thoughts made his head hurt and he groaned. Lillie said that they should get back home, the days were getting colder again.

Banks nodded and cast a last glance at the men below. The mist was forming around his feet and he pointed it out that it had been a long while since he had seen the mist. Lillie simply nodded and they went back to their home, where he would stay forever until his final days.

© Christopher Stamfors