Page 92 of Pushed

Epilogue

Three years later

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The buzzer went offand I stepped out into a small waiting room. The chairs were all bolted to the floor, made of solid steel. They looked like the most uncomfortable chairs in the world.

A glass window separated the office staff from rest of the room with bulletproof glass and a heavy metal shield they could slide down for protection if needed.

Walking over to the window, I bent down and spoke into the small silver speaker. “Is she here yet?”

“No, Mr. White, no one has been here yet. You can take a seat and wait if you want.”

Shaking my head, I tapped the small ledge. “Thanks, but I think a little sun and less walls are calling for me.” Turning, I started towards the double doors.

“Mr. White!” The woman chimed, standing up. “Congratulations and good luck.” Smiling, she hit the buzzer for the door.

“Nodding, I smiled back. “Thanks, it's been a long time coming.” Taking a long stride, the doors opened automatically, whirring out of my way in a flash.

Stopping, I let my arms hang by my sides as I dipped my head into my chest. I was about to cross the threshold, stepping out of a world with bars and jumpsuits, and into the land of the living.

These past couple years I had been dead, just another man serving his time in a place where names were replaced by numbers and free choice was slapped down by a guard giving orders.

How is that any different than before?

It wasn't. I had been in my own prison for a lot longer than these bars had held me. The death of my father, the death of my sister, the loss of my mother. . .

All of it trapped me in a fucking cage I couldn't escape.

It's over now—I'm free from it all.

Staring at the tip of my shoe, I edged forward, allowing the sun to hit the surface and make it glow.

Closing my eyes, I took another big step, feeling the cement from the sidewalk under my heel. Laying my foot flat, I breathed in the air, filling my chest with clean oxygen and the scent of new; new life, new future,new me.

I was back, I had left hell and a past that would follow me forever, trading it for Machi, for the Machi I was long before pain had turned my heart to stone.

Tilting my head to the sky, I let the sun warm my face. My cheeks exploded in warmth as the sun's tendril curled around my ears and heated the hair on my head.

I've been waiting for this. . . Now it's here.

Shaking my head, a firm smile fixed on my face, spreading from ear to ear. It almost didn't feel real. I was afraid to open my eyes, fearing that this would all disappear and I'd wake up in my bunk.

Peeling my eyes open slowly, I blinked rapidly to adjust to the bright light in the sky. Rubbing my eyes, I focused on the end of the walkway, forcing the blur to steady.

My heart skipped into my throat, causing my muscles to go limp.

Is that. . . It is.

Imperial.

Tears were already cascading down her cheeks, splashing large droplets onto the small figure standing under her belly. Wrapping her hands around the little girl, she started forward, grinning between sobs.

I didn't wait for her to come to me, I took off, running full force to her. I needed to touch her, hold her, kiss her. My fingers twitched to feel her skin, my stomach clenched to have her body against mine.

Too much time separated, I wasn't going to wait another second.

Slowing down, I stumbled to a halt, getting locked in place by the large doe eyes from the little girl at her side. Glancing between the two of them, I held in my tears. I wanted to cry, I wanted to let go and just get it out.

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