Darkness.

That was all there was. 

It was surrounding him.

It was a part of him.

It was him. 

Then, from the darkness came cackling laughter.

Everywhere at once. 

Echoing around his head. 

Drowning out his thoughts. 

Spilling from his own mouth. 

And then three faces appeared in his vision.

One was softly smiling down at him, his green eyes sparkling with friendliness.

The second was grinning widely in his direction, his yellow eyes twinkling with playfulness. 

The last was sticking out her tongue, one eye closed in a wink and the blue one alive with joy.

They were all there.

And then they were gone. 

Kai Watson abruptly threw himself forward, his eyes flying open and his mouth opening in a sharp gasp. His trembling hands slammed into the cushions below him to steady himself, and his knees bent toward his chest. Dark, slightly curly hair fell in front of his eyes and his shoulders heaved with heavy breaths as he struggled to regain his bearings. 

Where was he? 

He was home, sitting upright on the couch. 

What had happened? 

He had fallen asleep and had a nightmare. 

Gasping, Kai leaned forward and wrapped his shaking arms around his torso. He didn't care to brush his hair out of the way as he closed his eyes against the memories threatening to flood into his mind. He slammed his mouth closed over his gasps and tried to breathe evenly through his nose. 

Suddenly, hands grabbed his arms and forced them away from his middle, pulling them down to rest on his lap. Kai abruptly opened his eyes, his previous nightmare causing him to think that the source of the laughter was there, pinning his arms down. 

But it was only Abby, her grip gentle yet firm as she let go of his arms. She quietly position herself onto the couch, squeezing herself against Kai's left shoulder. He turned sideways to make more room for her, letting his legs fall off the couch and touch the floor. Abby scooted closer to him and wrapped her arms around his torso, resting her head against his shoulder.

"You're alright," she said softly to him, her right hand rubbing his back in comforting circles. "Take some breaths, Kai. You're okay. It was just a dream, that's all." Her golden hair fell over Kai's shoulders, and he sighed slowly. 

Abby was here.

He was awake. 

It was just a dream.

He was fine. 

"See?" Abby said softly, her tone cheerful and gentle. She lifted her head and looked up at him with gentle happiness. "You're alright now." She stretched herself forward and touched her nose to his own, making him scrunch up his face. "I love you," she said playfully. 

Kai smiled down at her, opening his mouth to reply -

But a screech of laughter interrupted him, and he jumped harshly in Abby's arms. Panic began to swirl in his chest, but he told himself that it was fine. 

Because he knew just who was laughing. 

A small female figure suddenly came pounding out of the hallway to the right of the couch, her curly blonde hair swinging behind her and her brown eyes alight with joy. The other source of the laughter appeared right behind her, his taller figure looming behind her as her ran after her, his dark hair over his forehead and his blue eyes fixated determinedly on the girl.

"Get back here, you little-" the boy yelled cheerfully, outstretching his arms and catching the girl's sides. He began to tickle her relentlessly, earning himself shrieks of laughter and limbs wriggling against him. 

"GET OFF! OKAY, OKAY! I GIVE I GIVE!" the girl yelled, squirming helplessly in the taller boy's arms. 

Then the children spotted Kai and Abby sitting on the couch, and their faces lit up. 

"Daddy!" they shrilled in unison. 

~

At long last...

I have finally finished this trilogy.

This is the end of these books, my dear readers.

You have finished this series. 

It has come to a peaceful close.

BUT DON'T WORRY!!

Fear NOT!!

For I am going to make an AU!!

It's going to be great!! Make sure to read it when it's published!!!

But on a more serious note...

Thank you so much for sticking with me for the longest time.

You remained patient while I figured out if I wanted to keep Alone.

You remained patient while I was stuck with writer's block on Escape. 

You remained patient while I gave you a million cliffhangers in Found. 

Thank you.

For reading, for commenting, for voting, for following, 

FOR EVERYTHING.

It means so much to me. 

I LOVE YOU ALL.

YOU'RE AMAZING.

Thank you for reading my trilogy!!!