Epilogue
The last of the luggage made it in through the door. Caspian wiped the sweat from his brow. Dr. Kilpatrick’s belongings were heavy, and by the looks of it, he’d brought back several more suitcases worth of belongings than he’d started with.
“Well,” Dr. Kilpatrick said. He was a heavier man with balding gray hair. “It looks like you’ve done quite a bit of work getting this house back in shape. It looks wonderful.”
“Wait until you see the basement.” Caspian slid his hands into his back pockets. “You’re not going to recognize the place.”
“I’ll bet. Well, I have to say that I’m impressed. I didn’t expect to come home to a spotless house.”
“I had a lot of free time,” Caspian admitted. “It was fine. You got a clean house, and I got some time to think. I think it worked out for both of us.”
“You’re a good man, Caspian.” Dr. Kilpatrick clapped him on the back. “Does this mean you’ve got your plans for the future sorted out? I know when we last spoke, you were undecided about what you wanted to do.”
“I… yeah.” Caspian nodded. “I made a decision.”
“Good boy. Whatever it is, I wish you the very best of luck. Although, I must admit, I'm a bit selfish here, but I hope you’ll be available for more house sitting. You know I travel a lot for work.”
“Well, things may work out for both of us. So we'll have to keep in touch. You can always leave a message with my parents about your future travel plans.” Caspian hoped his plans would work out fine, but having a backup plan to stay in Dr. Kilpatrick's house again added an extra level of security.
“I see when I was away, you gave yourself a makeover,” Dr. Kilpatrick remarked. He gestured at Caspian’s hair. “I didn’t notice it at first, but in a certain light, it goes green or purple, doesn’t it? Reminds me of an oil slick.”
“It’s supposed to look like raven’s feathers,” Caspian admitted. “Do you like it?”
“I can’t see the appeal myself, but who am I to tell young people what to do with their looks?” Dr. Kilpatrick huffed a laugh. “I've had my share of crazy hair. How times change. I think the most important part is that you’re happy with your choices.”
“I am.” Caspian was sure of it.
“Then I’m glad for you.” Dr. Kilpatrick clapped Caspian’s shoulder. “Are you interested in staying for dinner? I’m not sure what you’ve got in the fridge, but I’m sure we could find something.”
Caspian’s stomach was tied too tightly in knots for him to eat. “That’s very kind of you. I've stocked the fridge with a few essentials, but I think I’m going to be okay. I ate before you got here.”
“Absolutely, thank you.” Dr. Kilpatrick dropped his hand. “I imagine you must be eager to get on the road. It’s a long drive back to Riverside. Did you park your car on the street? It wasn’t in the driveway.”
Caspian's old car had given good served and he hoped it would prove reliable for Alex too. Alex needed a car, and Caspian didn't, not where he was going.
“Yeah, it’s not there. I wanted to make sure it was out of the way before you got back.” It wasn’t on the street, either, but Caspian wasn’t about to say that—nor did he want to talk about the luggage he’d stored in the back of Dr. Kilpatrick’s junk room in the basement. Judging by what was already buried there, the homeowner would never find it. “I think now that you’re home, I should probably go.”
“Safe travels.” Dr. Kilpatrick saw Caspian to the door. “Thanks for everything.”
“Thanks, you too.” Caspian shook the doctor’s hand, then stepped out the front door. When the door closed behind him, he drew in a deep breath and held it.
It was time.
Caspian casually headed for the street, just in case Dr. Kilpatrick was looking out the front window, and then cut back towards the backyard once he was out of sight of the house. Just beyond the first trees, only visible when the wind disrupted the canopy and let light through, was a flash of blue-green.
Caspian didn’t look back. He kept walking until he entered the shade.
Bran’s hand slipped into his.
There was a lot they had to talk about, but Caspian was confident they could make it work. Communication would come in time, and with it would come unparalleled happiness.
And if it didn’t work out, Caspian could always come back—but he didn’t think he’d ever need to.
Bran and Caspian walked into the woods together.
***
Thank you for reading Raven book 2 in the series by H J Perry. Pip and Alex are also in books 1 and 3 of the Elsewhere series.
Book 1 Hunter is available now find it here:
Book 3 Lenus will be available by 22rd December 2017. More about Lenus at the very end of this book.
We at LLP hope you enjoyed reading Hunter by H J Perry.
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