The Unthinkable
Epilogue

Day 365 of the year 4025

Bess' POV

'Hey! Zen don't you go wandering off too far!'

'I won't mama!'

My little boy runs off into the forest with Alex, Harry and Freya following in a chorus of giggles. I make my way back into the kitchen and continue cleaning up the empty pots and pans.

Jak and Maddyson and sitting in the dining area holding young Harris and Tilda.

'Hey Jak, hows being a dad?' I ask him with a smile.

He groans loud enough for Mad to here earning him a smack around the head.

'Honestly Bess I don't know how you do it. Cooking, taking care of Zen plus you're expecting another...like wow!'

I laugh at his confused expression. Maddy is rocking a very upset Tilda in her arms whilst Harris plays with Jak's beard. They had only just been blessed with twins and Jak was already finding it hard.

'Look at you two! You have twins. That's way harder than the rascal I was given'

All of a sudden, Ryo crashes into the kitchen breathing really heavily with a highly amused Charly following behind.

'I....I-I....need....wa-water' Ryo swings the water flask on the counter and chugs it back in one take.

'Umm...do I want to know what happened?' I ask whilst Charly just laughs louder.

'So-So basically Ry here slept in when Josh specifically told him to do a patrol of the island today and let's just say he paid the price'

I rolled my eyes. Of course. Ever since Jak had twins Josh has been extra hard on Ryo to step up his game.

'Oh, and does Lilie know Freya and Harry went out with Zen and Alex into the forest?'

He nods. 'Yeah don't worry. Oh, and did you want me to start making that water filter?'

'Yes! Thanks'

I walk down to Lilie's hut and smile. I've always loved her home. Her and Charly spend so much time decorating them to perfection. The flower vines crawl down from the roof with small tealights hiding in the leaves. The wooden walls have been painted blue and white plus inside sits soft silk curtains in the windows. It's too adorable.

I knock on the door, walking inside straight after, to see a busy Lilie sketching away at her desk.

'Oh hey, Bess! How is everything?'

Lilie has delivered everyone's babies here and impressively Charly helped deliver her own two angels Harry and Freya. I get appointments from her almost every day and I couldn't ask for anything better.

'It's okay just getting some sickness that's all. How are you?'

She smiles sadly.

'Better'

We have our usual checkup and I get some more ointment for the vomiting.

'Did you want to walk to camp with me? The kids will be back soon and you can't miss the new year meal.'

'Sure'

If I hadn't of asked she wouldn't have come. Lilie has suffered the most with the mental troubles. Charly couldn't be a better partner though. So gentle and calm with her. They really are perfect for one another.

When we reach the camp, we are slightly late since the fire is already lit. Anna has served out the food that I had prepared and I search for Josh. He sits with Cole as he tucks into my freshly made steak and potatoes. I perch up next to him and lean into his side.

Zen sits with Harry by Lilie and Charly. They are playing snakes and ladders with the board Charly made. Alex sits on Leon's lap whilst Elena laughs with her little boy stroking his hair lovingly. Jak is comforting the two sleeping children whilst Maddy chats with Lilie. Celena and Cole are chatting loudly about hunting techniques and finally Ryo, Anna and Xander sit close to the heat of the fire. So much going on.

It's been almost 5 years since we started out here and to be honest I am shocked. We really have done it. The human race will live on.

'Okay, everyone! Time for our traditional story that is told every new year.' Josh grabs everyone's attention. 'This is the story of The Unthinkable'

Only the sound of the crisp fire crackling can be heard. I gaze into Josh's eyes smiling at him to continue.

'Before we had this island billions of humans walked on land. The land stretched for miles upon miles leaving enough space for all the humans and animals to live happily. However, humans got selfish. We created a monster. We became careless.

'As the disease spread it wiped out land, animals and even our own kind. Three groups were made. Floaters, dry landers and sky landers. Poor and Rich. People slowly started to die from the infection. The population decreased. The animals became extinct.'

All the children gasp loudly making Josh smile a little in excitement.

'A cure was, however, coming along the way. The sky landers took all the children from below and tested them. A couple of children from the huge group were found to be immune genetically to the disease. They hurt those children. Wiped out more of the children. And whilst their backs were turned the land had disappeared and the humans below were all gone.

'The bad people were stopped by a brave man named Harry.'

Harry gasps and raises his hand desperately. Josh nods to him.

'Is that who I'm named by?'

Josh nods. 'Yes. You are named after your grandad. He was very brave.'

Harry smiles brightly with pride and I give Lilie a smile only to see she is already in tears.

'Anyway to continue. Harry helped take all the immune children and keep them on this very land, protected by a strong forcefield, where we can rebuild human life.

'And if you look up into the direction of the sun when it sets everynight you can see the remains of the sky people. They lie there with Harry himself as a reminder of why you are all so special.'

He pauses and stands up. Tears coating his eyes. I stand by him and clutch his hand tightly. He squeezes mine back.

'Tonight is the start of a new year, another year to prove to them that their sacrifice was worth it. Now I know we have all found this hard because I would be lying if I said I hadn't found it hard aswell... But this is the beginning of a better world.'

He pauses to let some tear fall. 'I love you all. You are all my family. So let's all celebrate and never forget why we are here. And that is......to live!'

'To live!' Everyone repeats cheering loudly into the night.

I dance around the fire with Josh tucked close to my side. I clear my thoughts and forget my worries. I focus on the golden-red glow on his skin, the cheering and singing from the group, the scent of freshly grilled meat, the fresh grassy smell. Anything but the past.

Because Josh is right.

Why go back to the past? I switch that memory off. I lock it away. In a small box. That sits right in the back of my brain. It rests there quietly not bothering to complain. Because it simply must. And has. Become.

The Unthinkable.

Thank you all so much for reading! I hope you enjoyed it and most importantly I hope this spread awareness to the plastic pollution that affects all of us. We must take responsibility for our mistakes!

I hope you have an amazing rest of your day/night

Amy :)

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