INK: Blue (INK Trilogy Book 3) (18 page)

"No, it's not him." Edsel stared at the body, fighting the sickness that threatened to overwhelm him. The body had Aiden's size and build, even some of the clothes he'd been wearing when he was taken, but with the face blown off to little more than a pulpy mess he couldn't be recognized even if it was him.

It's not him though, it's not.

"It is. He's just dead Edsel. But it's him all right. His clothes, his body. Even his sneakers and that bracelet he always wore after he made one for both of us. Look, I still have mine." Lash held up her arm, her friendship bracelet still worn amongst other similar bands.

"No, it isn't him. Aiden had a mole on his forearm, and it isn't there. See." Edsel crouched by the body and showed Lash the arm. He knew it wasn't him; something didn't feel right. It was as if he could still pick up a hint of Aiden in The Noise, but something else too — he knew the boy, the man now, too well, everything looked right but it felt wrong.

"Oh my god, oh my god. I can't believe it. But, well, if this isn't Aiden, then where is he? And who the hell is this?"

"That's what I'd like to know as well. Only problem is I shot the only person that could tell us."

EPILOQUE

Aiden watched Edsel and Lash leave the building and drive away. It was the hardest thing he'd ever done in his life.

He made his way back into the house and wasn't surprised to see Michael dead. It was what they'd agreed on, what Michael had wanted — it was rare, but even Awoken sometimes succumbed to The Lethargy. He'd been getting worse, zoning in and out of reality more and more often over the last few weeks; soon he would have been lost forever.

Aiden knew the minute he'd seen Michael, and they spent half a day talking, that Michael was what he'd been looking for. The more time he'd spent with him, the more sure he was about what they'd discussed.

Now he had his freedom and Edsel and Lash had been brought out of their lonely life, back to the world to interact and maybe make a difference somehow — just like he planned to. Aiden felt terrible for the things he'd agreed to do, for his part in ensuring Edsel got his new Ink and for Lash being so frightened thinking she had been kidnapped. But it was for the best — it gave them something to really live for.

There was no doubt as far as Aiden was concerned that unless he did something then Edsel would have been dead soon anyway — the extreme rock climbing he'd taken up obsessively was a cry for help. After everything that had happened to Edsel he'd clearly become an adrenaline junkie, and as each climb got more dangerous than the last Aiden knew it was only a matter of time before he fell. Then what? Then he and Lash would have been alone. So he decided to do something about it: make them go with him on an adventure.

As soon as they'd arrived back on the mainland it was clear they had all missed it terribly, and he knew he had done the right thing by convincing them to make the trip. He just hadn't been sure how he would make certain they would stay and try to rebuild the world, keep themselves alive and stop them from sinking back into a mindless existence devoid of interaction with the diminishing population.

Then he'd met Michael, and they hatched their plan.

Michael had accumulated special skills, telling Aiden of countless adventures, but it was clear to Aiden that The Lethargy was taking him, and Michael had eventually told him how bad it was getting.

Reluctantly, Michael had agreed to Aiden's crazy plan, understanding that it was for his family, however extreme it seemed. Aiden had come up with most of the idea, convincing Michael to tell Edsel that he'd been following him, waiting for him, making it all too convincing — a back story that would ensure Edsel would never give up his hunt for his family, believing Michael to be insane and not just a slightly crazy old man. It wouldn't do just to give Edsel The Ink, there had to be more — a reason for him to truly feel what it was to be alive, and that was the all too familiar thrill of the chase. And when it was all over? Well, Edsel and Lash would never return to the quiet life, they would always be a part of society in one way or another.

Aiden knew that without him to care for, Edsel and Lash would have a better life — they'd be free to do what they wanted without worrying about him, and Aiden would also have his freedom, although he missed his family terribly as soon as the plan had gone into action.

Still, now he could have an adventure of his own.

Aiden shouldered his backpack and closed the door behind him. He walked out into a world bright with possibilities, feeling buoyant at the thought of having his own set of adventures. He would try to make a difference, help rebuild a world where there were very few people that cared any longer.

He cared, he really did.

Maybe one day we'll meet again. In the meantime none of us will be bored.

Aiden smiled, he was very much looking forward to that day. But for now he had a whole world to explore, and there weren't many people he felt he couldn't deal with if the need arose.

The End

AUTHOR'S NOTE

Thanks for reading. Well, that's the end of the INK trilogy. I hope you enjoyed it, I know I had a blast writing it. If you want to explore the world of The Lethargy in greater detail then
The Commorancy series
is sure to be of interest. It involves a much larger cast of characters, is certainly quirky, and goes from the early years of The Lethargy to hundreds of years into the future.

Arcene & The Blue Castle
is also set in the same world, all about the adventures of a young girl 300 years post-Lethargy. She kicks-ass!

There are a number of other exciting new projects available, so be sure to take a look on my Website for all the latest and forthcoming releases.

Drop me a line any time at [email protected] if you want to say hi.

Stay jiggy.

Al

For a full list of books and discounts on new releases visit
Alkline.co.uk