Epilogue

SIX YEARS LATER

Peace. That was something Riley never expected to find, but she had.

The sun creeps over the hills of what used to be Amity, creating a soft golden glow. It was warm for this time of year. Most of the buildings had started to fall apart. The Faction system had fallen years ago, and now traces of it are following. The world was a different place now. Years had trickled by, but they were good years—some of the best.

Johanna had shaped the city into something beautiful. Tobias works for her now, which came as a surprise to Riley. However, it was a fitting place for him. It made him happy.

They saw each other on occasion. He would stop by every few weeks and the two would catch up. Christina would always come with him. It was nice to see them. They had grown over the years.

Nearly four years ago, Johanna allowed Evelyn to return. She was no longer a threat. They spent a lot of time together. Evelyn stayed with her while she searched for a place of her own. Now, she lived in the city by Tobias. Evelyn would visit her multiple times a week. Their relationship had become everything they both wanted.

Everything seemed to work out for the others as well. Caleb worked in the laboratories now. She heard he does good work there. Matthew eventually moved to the city. He does research at a physiatric building. Riley hadn't seen him in years. Christina works at an office that helps people coming and going from the Bureau and Fringe. Romit became a police officer.

Peter left. He went to another city and works at some office. Riley never heard updates about him, but he got his wish. He forgot everything and became someone new. Marcus vanished as well, but Riley didn't care. She hadn't thought about him in years.

There wasn't much standing in Amity, but there were a few things. Deep in the meadow, off a dirt path, stands a single house. It's green in color and stands out against the tall wheat that surrounds it. The front door is a messy red color. It's painted in two different reds. It has a porch with a hammock—several flower pots and chalk on the wood. There's a doormat that's faded, but it says welcome.

Bushes and flowers line the sidewalk. It looks as if it came straight out of a storybook. The inside is nicer. It's full of life. Growing up, her Abnegation home was boring. There was no life. Riley didn't want that. This home was full of different things like pieces of art and books.

Living in what used to be Amity gave her peace of mind. Riley was happy to find it. She found it the moment she stepped on that train six years ago.

Riley hardly ventured into the city. Christina called her a hermit, and there was some truth to her words. She enjoyed the quiet country life. It brought her joy. Of course, she wasn't alone there. Riley hadn't been alone in a long time.

She built a garden in the backyard, just past the stables that hold the horses, chickens, and pigs. It's on top of the hill just before the woods start. It grows most of their food. Riley spends her days outside caring for the animals and plant life.

It's peaceful. Nobody ever bothers them. That was how they liked it.

It's nearly noon when a car stops in front of the house. A person gets out in brown boots. His feet sink into the damp soil. They walk nervously up the stone path—eyes scanning the drawing on the wooden steps.

Stopping at the door, they knock twice. There's rustling on the other side, and then the door flies open. There's a boy there. He has dusty brown hair and blue eyes. "Hi," he has crayons in his right hand and a smudge of chocolate on his cheek. "You're not grandma."

Eric stares at this young boy. For a moment, he thinks he has the wrong house. But Tobias told him that Riley was the only person living in Amity. It was the only house left standing.

Eric takes another look at him. The boy is the spitting image of him. His hair, eyes, nose, everything is him. "Hi," he stutters. "I'm looking for Riley."

The boy stares at him. "Mommy said I'm not supposed to talk to strangers."

He smiles slightly. His heart is racing as questions fill his mind. "I'm not a stranger." Eric leans forward. "Is your mommy's name Riley?" He nods eagerly. "How old are you?"

"Five." He holds up five fingers. "I turned five months ago."

It doesn't take long for Eric to do the math. However, he can't process what he's learning. Tobias came to see him once a month with updates. He never once mentioned the boy. All he knew from the stories was that Riley was happy. As Eric requested, she never came to visit. The last time he saw her was the day he was arrested. "What's your name?"

"Liam."

"Liam," another voice said. "Who's at the door?" The door opens wider revealing a girl. She's older but still a child. Eric blinks a few times. It takes him a moment, but he recognizes her. It's the girl, Maddie. She has the same big brown eyes. Although his hair isn't nearly as blonde, and she's aged six years. "Oh, hello."

"Hi," Eric responds.

Maddie narrows her eyes. "I know you." She thinks of where she knows him. "You're the former Dauntless leader, right?"

"My name is Eric."

She smiles. "Mom told me stories about you." Maddie dusts off her pink dress. It falls to her ankles but is dirty at the bottom. Her hair is a dark blonde with two pink ribbons braided into the top.

"We're making meatloaf tonight," Liam says randomly.

Maddie pushes him behind her. "Are you looking for our mom?" She remembers Eric faintly, but the stories are more dominant. Their mother told them stories every night before bed—some from books, but others from her past. Eric was always in the stories.

"Apparently." He knew Riley had taken custody of Maddie, but the boy was a shock to him.

"She's in the gardens. Come on." Maddie spins around and rushes through the house.

Liam stays with him. "What's that stuff on your neck?"

"Tattoos."

"I like them. They're very suiting. I don't like needles, though." He wants to comment that they didn't use needles anymore but doesn't. Eric had never been good with children, but Liam already resembles her. His mannerisms and kind nature come from Riley.

Eric still can't wrap his mind around the situation. He walks through the house with the young boy. The house is full of life. It's vibrant in color and slightly messy. There are children's toys scattered around. The kitchen table has several pieces of paper and crayons. That must have been what Liam was doing before he answered the door.

The back door is wide open. Eric can see Maddie running up the hill. He steps back outside, and his eyes find her instantly. Riley stands at the top of the hill. She hunched over as she picks tomatoes and puts them in a basket. Eric stops moving. All he can do is stare.

She's wearing blue overalls with a white undershirt. Her hair is in two braids that go just past her collarbone. It's much shorter than it used to be, but he likes it. Even from a distance, she looks beautiful.

Riley stops what she is doing as Maddie approaches her. There's a gentleness in her actions. But then she's looking at him, and Eric swears he can't breathe. Suddenly, Riley is running down the hill. Eric finds himself running to meet her. It had been six years since he'd seen her, heard her voice, felt her soft touch.

They meet at the bottom of the hill. They're inches apart. Riley's eyes scan his features. She hadn't seen him in six years. His hair had grown on the sides. He had a scruffy beard that seemed to sharpen his jawline.

Eric stares back at her. In the years they've been apart, it's like nothing has changed. She's just as beautiful as he remembers. "Eric." It's all she can say. Riley can't believe he's standing in front of her. "How-"

"Tobias," he whispers. "He convinced Johanna that I served my time." Riley smiles. She has to remind herself to thank Tobias the next time he visits. She throws her arms around his neck, hugging him tightly. Eric hugs her back. His arms around her waist as he breathes in her scent. "I missed you."

"I missed you too." She opens her eyes and notices Liam standing by the house. Maddie had rejoined him and was ushering him inside. "Eric," she pulls away. "I have to tell you something."

"I know."

Liam was a secret she kept close to her. When she learned she was pregnant all those years ago, she told very few. She made everyone promise to keep it a secret. The last thing she wanted was for Eric to find out. Part of her feared he would hate her. The other feared he would live with regret.

Riley never thought he would leave his cell, but Johanna had a change of heart. "You do?"

Eric places a hand on her cheek. "Yeah." Riley leans into his touch. She had missed it desperately. "I wish I would have known."

"I'm sorry," she whispers. "I thought I was doing the right thing."

He knows. "I know." He does. If he had known, he would have only worried about her. Eric found comfort knowing she was happy wherever she was. That was what helped him get through the days. Riley still can't believe he's here with her. It feels like a dream. A dream she doesn't want to wake up from. Before she can process her next actions, she's kissing him. Eric kisses her back eagerly.

Her hands tangle in his hair, and his rest on her hips. It's just the two of them together, holding each other. It couldn't be more perfect. Riley pulls away first, a smile on her face. "Are you going to stay?"

"If you'll have me."

That's all she wants. "I would love to." She steps back and grabs his hand. "Come on." Eric happily follows her. Their fingers intertwined as they walked towards their home.

Riley had spent many years of her life alone. The world had damaged her, but she was able to rebuild. She conquered her past trauma and became the person she always wanted to be—a person who found peace. She was happy in Amity with her two children, Liam and Maddie. Now, Eric was here, and he wanted to stay. She knew they were going to be happy.

And they were.