The image at the top/side (I don't know how various places are displaying it at this point) is obviously not mine, because I don't art. However, I do think it is absolutely phenomenal and although I'm sure it has nothing to do with my book, it just seemed too fitting to not include. 

And... Holy shit guys. This is the last chapter. Let's  hope I haven't let you down too dismally.

The day started normally, relatively speaking. I woke up sore and more tired than the night before, cold air already creeping beneath wool blankets on my cot--we had all taken to sleeping in the square, surrounded by the bustle of a city being rebuilt from the ground up.

At least my morning commute was easy.

I got dressed, trying to hold onto the warm shreds of happiness that lingered from the board games we had all played last night, even as the early morning light began to leech them away. Outside, people were already starting to bustle around. I took a deep breath, pulling my hair back into a ponytail and frowning as I realized it was getting long. I fingered the split ends, making a mental note to get it cut soon, and stepped outside.

Lines were already forming, Evos in need of food or water or shelter or just someone to talk to. On the opposite side of the forum, a huge, milling crowd had gathered to complain, all with signs and irritatingly catchy chants. Max had already offered to disband them, but Maddie stopped him. She said that if we were going to establish true equality, we couldn't stop people from protesting.

I couldn't disagree, so they stayed.

"All right, sir," I said, sliding into my seat, the smooth plastic still cold underneath me, "What would you like to share with us?"

The red-headed man with a green scarf who sat across from me blinked, startled to see me. "I'm sorry, but I'd like to speak to whoever's in charge."

"I am in charge of this section," I said patiently. It wasn't the first (or last, probably) time since establishing the Recommendation Station that someone had mistaken youth for inexperience. "Now, what would you like to contribute?"

"Well, for starters, I'd like to suggest that you don't let little girls run the country."

"Sir, I understand that you are probably... unhappy with this situation, but the fact of the matter is that we are standing on the edge of a new age. Evos aren't in charge anymore, but we are trying to reconfigure the whole governing system to provide equality for everyone. If you have ideas on how to run this, feel free to tell us. Otherwise, do your best to adjust to your new situation."

"Fine," he said, a bit defensive, "I was going to suggest that we use a council to rule, made of the same number of Evos and Non-Evos."

"Thank you so much for the idea," I said, letting a relieved smile show through. "We'll take it into consideration. Is there anything else?"

"No, that's all."

"Okay then. Have a wonderful day and feel free to come back if you need anything or if you have any other thoughts."

He stood, walking away, and the next woman took his place. "Hello ma'am. What would you like to share with us?"

***

I blinked, a slow doze trying to creep up on me. Everyone was laughing, so I laughed too, but I was too groggy to get the joke. Jax, Sofia and Maddie were all sitting around a firepit a couple blocks down from the forum, Xander cradling a cup of hot chocolate that was steaming up his glasses. They looked happy, like a family.

I leaned closer into Alex's warm arm, letting myself relax as I breathed contentedly. I had my boyfriend on one side, Aretha on the other, and all of our friends sitting across from us. The heat of the fire was licking against my chapped skin, but it felt nice, like my bones were thawing out.

I let my mind wander in its usual, sleepy state, trying to remember where I was just months ago--all quiet and willing to give in, just leaving School. I tried to imagine what the me then would've said if she saw the me now, leading a revolution with friends closer than family, trying to rebuild the world.

I probably would've called myself a complete idiot.

My scattered thoughts kept spiraling, trying to make sense of everything that lead me to be here. They kept hooking on one thing, though--the sound of a wooden door splintering. Over the past few weeks, we had been far too busy to think about the traitor. But I had spent more than a week working with the Wrobel before it was discovered, meeting the people and seeing the way it operated.

It was unlikely that any outsiders could have found it. Not impossible, but unlikely. Besides the extremely covert meetings and conversations, there must've been dozens of passages and false turns. Anything the Evos could've promised a slave would've have been worth the weeks necessary to actually find the headquarters.

That left people already in the Wrobel. But I had seen all of them at one point or another, and they all seemed fiercely devoted to the cause. I couldn't believe that somebody willing to risk getting involved in the first place would also be willing to betray us.

So who did that leave? Who would tell an Evo where a rebellion was based, and what could they have to gain? And even beyond that, who would be naive enough to believe an Evo would keep their word?

I sat up, sucking in a breath and blinking.

"You okay?" Alex asked, startled.

"Yeah, I'm fine," I replied, squeezing his hand before standing. "Maddie, can I talk to you for a second?"

"Um, sure," she said, giving me an odd look and then looking down at her brother. "I'll be back in a second, okay?"

Xander nodded nervously. "Promise you'll be safe?"

"Always," she said, smiling. We walked away, the cold night air whisking around us.

"So, what's up?" she asked, turning to face me. Her arms were crossed to keep her warm, but it still made me nervous to see her defensive stance.

"Have you ever wondered why the Evos found us?"

"What?"

"You know, back with the Wrobel. Have you ever wondered how they found us?"

She sighed, scuffing the ground with her boot. "I've wondered about it, yes. I presume we came to the same conclusion--"

"That there was a spy."

"Yeah. We must've been infiltrated. Is that what this is about? The traitor?"

"Yes," I said, watching my breath fog up in the air and float away. "I think I know who it was."

Her eyes widened. "So? Who is it?"

I hesitated, chewing on my lip. "This is just a thought, but it makes sense. It would've had to be someone with serious knowledge of the inside, but someone who wasn't entrenched in the cause. Someone with something to gain."

"For the love of god, Violet, who was it?"

"Xander."

That hung in the air for a full minute, my fingers twisting nervously as her knuckles whitened while her hands made fists.

"You did not just accuse my little brother of betraying the rebellion and leading to the deaths of dozens of people."

"Look, I don't want to believe it either, but... It makes sense."

"How? What could possibly make you believe something like that?"

"He knew the passages. He knew the rebellion, and he didn't know what Evos are capable of--just think about it. What if promised him something and told him no one would get hurt? How would he know any better?"

"And what the hell would they promise and eight-year-old boy that could make him betray everyone he knows?"

"Your safety."

"You're insane," she said stiffly, turning away from me.

"Maddie--"

"No," she snapped, her back still to me. "I have to believe you're insane. That's the only thing that could explain why you'd say something like that."

She walked away, becoming a silhouette against the streetlights and leaving me alone.

***

"Are you okay?" Alex asked, his eyes catching the reflection of the fire's dying embers. His hands tightened around mine. "You and Maddie both seemed pretty tense."

"Yeah," I said, closing my stinging eyes as I exhaled. "I suggested something. She disagreed. We'll get over it."

I pushed aside the part of me that doubted the last statement, focusing on the warmth of standing here, in our capital, surrounded by the people I cared about.

"Whatever you say."

"So, how are you?" I asked. "Did you guys get a lot done today?"

He laughed, bemused. "No. We never get a lot done."

"You're building entire houses from scratch--give yourself some credit."

"Still, it's going too slow. Winter is coming fast, and there are too many people without homes."

"We'll figure it out. We always do."

"Yeah," he said, smiling. "I guess you're right."

I leaned forwards, letting my arms drape around him as we kissed. My fears melted away, and had I not just put out the fire, I would've believed its flames were dancing around us. In a second, I knew everything was worth it--all the pain and tears and blood, all the slow, sweaty work of rebuilding. If I could stand here, free, and kiss Alex, everything was worth it.

Around us, the first snowflakes of a new age fluttered to the ground.  

***

*Lets out a sigh* So, that's it... Except for the epilogue, of course. What do you guys think? Who do you love? Who do you hate? Who do you love to hate, or hate to love?

What do you think about Xander? How many of you saw that coming (you can be honest, I know I'm predictable)?

How do you feel about life in general?

Now, I know this book hasn't been all clean sailing. There are a lot of plot holes and gaps in character development, and that mean's there's A LOT for when I go back and edit all this. With that in mind, I'd love any input you guys have in general--what have I done well (if anything)? What do I need to fix (or is it everything)?

There is also an epilogue, which I wrote today along with this chapter. I can post that as soon as you guys would like, but if no one comments a request, I'm going to try and post on Christmas (no promises I'll remember but I'll try). For those of you who are Christian, merry Christmas! For those who are Jewish, happy Hanukkah! I'm sorry but I really don't know what (if there is something) Muslims celebrate this time of year, but happy that! And for the rest of us (I'm pagan, personally), happy random day in winter/Winter Solstice. 

Gods, I can't believe it took me this long. Generally, my major projects take me a few months. This one took me three years. 

I feel so old. 

At any rate, thank you so much for reading!!!!!!!! As always, I love you all. 

See you around, my fellow Wattpadians.

--Earthstone