I ran steadily along the footpath, my breath well timed and my heartrate beating with practiced rhythm. I’d been running for three quarters of an hour. That was pretty normal. Anything less than an hour at a marathon pace was not challenging for me.

As I ran, my watch pinged and I tapped my earbuds to connect the call.

“You’re talking to Sam.” I said without breaking stride.

“Sam, it’s Goliath.”

“Oh, hey Pops.”

“You can knock that off.”

I chuckled. “What’s up?”

“Oversight want to know if you can handle another placement for your unit?”

“You just love throwing newbies my way, don’t you?” I remarked, turning a corner.

“Great place for them to cut their teeth on the work. Let’s face it, you’ve got the best off shoot of the Agency out there. Your rookies are highly sort after in every zone by the officers who oversee them.”

“There’s no denying that. Yep, send them over with their orders and their running shoes.”

“Your mum also wants to know if you’re coming for dinner Sunday night?”

“Is it going to be something in gravy?”

“Of course.”

“Then I’ll be there. You know, unless the world comes to an end.”

I heard Goliath chuckle then hang up. I shook my head and tapped my earbuds, continuing to run until I reached the familiar cul de sac beneath the overpass.

With E.J.’s insurance money, we’d purchased and rebuilt the entire lot. Rather than turn it into six smaller premises, we stayed with the original design of three. We’d even tried to keep to the same frontage to preserve some of the memory of what had been there before.

The far left was a café called ‘Edelweiss’, decorated with white flowers and run by ‘Second Chance’. It was used to help people with mental health disorders learn how to work in society. It’s coffee was legendary and at its front and side was a wide veranda where people could sit and enjoy their brew. There were always a few cars out front, usually agent rookies buying coffee trying to escape me for a few minutes.

The middle store was a library which, in honour of its predecessor, was called ‘Beyond The Page – The Sequel’. There were always cars out the front of it too but most of them were the same cars that were parked there day after day.

The store on the right was ‘Software Solutions’.

I ran up to the front of it and turned around, removing my ear buds. It took a few minutes for the remainder of those who had been following to reach me. Some of them cast dirty looks my way but most were too sweaty and exhausted to even look up.

“Not bad,” I shrugged, “not brilliant but not bad. Hit the showers at the back, change and pick up your assignments from yesterday.”

They forced their legs to work and sloped around the back.

I laughed and went in through the front, greeting Jill at the desk who was reading a book.

“Getting through it?” I asked.

“One hit wonder but it does have some characters I think we ought to keep an eye on.”

“Are you keeping notes?” She held up her tablet where she was filling in the preliminaries form that would be proof read and then added to the Agency’s database. “Excellent. Keep up the good work.”

“Can I just say,” she said suddenly, leaning forward, “I always had this dream of working somewhere where I’d have to read books for a living…and now I do!”

“I’m glad you do. You’re one of our best scrutinisers.” I nodded. “If you ever need a break from front of desk, let one of the readers in the library know and you can switch out.”

“Oh I don’t mind sitting here. It’s always the highlight of my day watching you run in and then all the rookies come in dribs and drabs, barely able to lift their feet.” She giggled.

“Not that long ago, I was the same. But you’ve got to be able to run in this job or else the nasty ones outrun you.” I wiped my forehead. “I’m gonna clean up.”

“You want a coffee?”

“Yeah, thanks.”

I pushed open the door at the back of Jill’s nice office which led into the open plan workspace of ‘Software Solutions’, nearly running straight into Griffin.

“Sorry, didn’t see you.”

“Ha, ha, you’re very funny.” Griffin was probably rolling his eyes at me but I couldn’t tell. In the safety of the workspace, Griffin wore clothes like the rest of us but didn’t have to suffer being fully coated in order to hide his unique form. We were all used to his invisible status and Griffin enjoyed the work and being part of a team. “Lucas wanted a word with you.”

“Okay, great.” I unbuckled all my tech, planning on jumping in a cold shower. Lucas had a cubicle that was sound proof from the outside so that, with his limited senses, he could concentrate. “Something interesting?”

“Hey Sam,” Lucas twisted on his chair, “the Fairview Hospital feed is acting up again. I think it’s from the way it’s in the corner of three internet signals and they’re either fighting for dominance or they all drop out at once and we got nothing.”

“What can we do about that?” I leaned over and snatched one of his sacred lollies from the bowl. Lucas’ hand whipped out to slap my wrist. “Ow!”

“I’m not blind, you know.”

“No but you’re stingy.”

“I think we need to set up our own signal tower.”

“Yeesh…really?”

“I’ve already put together a proposal and an estimate,” Lucas handed it to me, “and stop scowling, you’ve got pots of money.”

“Not at this rate. Leave it with me and I’ll try and get it approved by the end of this week.”

“Thanks.”

I dove into the shower and rinsed off the sweat and grime. I changed into comfortable clothing, jeans, docs and a tshirt. I probably needed a jacket but I was still hot from the run.

By the time I came out, Jill already had my coffee in my favourite cup ready on my desk. She was one of the first agents my little off shoot of the Agency had been allocated two years ago when the buildings were finally constructed.

Since then we’d seen many rookies come and most of them go on to other Agency off shoots.

Of course, there were some who would never move on.

Ones like Lucas, Griffin and…

“Sam, Whitby is on line two wanting to talk to you.”

“Thanks.” I put on the headset and pressed the button. “Hey Whitby, did Bluey’s alert come to anything?”

You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

“You could say that. We’ve got interlopers actually among the community. Blue’s bringing them to the surface now.”

“They’re coming willingly?”

“Yeah, they’re benign.”

“I’ll send out Casey,” I mused, thinking of Lucas’ Fairview Hospital proposal urgency, “it’ll be good practice for him as long as you’re there to supervise.”

“Uh…actually can you come? This one needs your special attention.”

I sighed, rubbing my eyes then nodded. “Yeah, sure. I’ll come.”

E.J.’s car had become mine. It’s laid back vintage style had grown on me over the years and, with a well taken care of engine by the Agency, it started with a baritone rumble every time. I drove across the suburb I had always wanted to leave yet now, couldn’t bear to and past the housing estate that I’d moved out of years ago when Goliath had proposed to mum. Mind you, I told him he had to tell her the truth about the Agency before anything else. That was a fun night. But once she got past the disbelief, denial, fury, outrage and terror, she was really proud of me for doing what I did.

I pulled up at the derelict train station and turned off the engine. I could have run here no problem but I didn’t fancy getting changed again and I didn’t know what the interlopers looked like. Regular humanoids were easy to pass off as this reality dwellers but anything else was a little harder to explain.

I wandered down to the barricade where Whitby was waiting. He still wore waistcoats, tailored for him based on the pattern of his original suit and his wardrobe of them was quite extensive. He also had a little headset we’d modified especially for him to be able to call us on.

I know, despite the success rate of our zone and the excellent training that went into the rookie agents, the Agency might well have taken them by force and tossed them into a book.

The old Agency that is.

The new Agency, with an Oversight team that was warming to our unconventional ways was more forgiving and interested in seeing fictional and factional working together.

So far only Griffin and Whitby had opted to stay but they had more than earned their place amongst us. Griffin was perfect for surveillance and stakeouts and Whitby was a brilliant scout with a nose for the unfamiliar and just plain icky.

“Thanks for coming, Sam.”

“It’s alright but I really think Casey could have handled this one.”

“You’d think so but no.” Whitby rapped on the barricade and Bluey opened it from the other side. The community loved having Whitby do scouting runs through the tunnels. He admitted their pettings were a little much to take but he suffered it for the good of the Agency. “I’m going to keep doing my sweep.”

“Let me know if you’re going to be late. We’re having carrots for dinner!” I called and laughed as he disappeared into the tunnel. Bluey looked into the shadows and gestured for the interlopers to come forward. I put on my best, welcoming and understanding expression I could. “Hi, my name’s Sam Baker and I’m…E.J.? Weiss?”

E.J. didn’t look like he’d changed much, his hair a little longer but his face wasn’t any older than when I’d farewelled him years earlier. His clothing was different and yet, they were still reminiscent of his relaxed styling. Weiss was soft in expression, wide eyed and her hand firmly within E.J.’s grasp.

I realised I was gaping at them.

“I can’t believe it’s you!” I exclaimed nearly throwing my arms around them.

“I am sorry…but do we know you?” Weiss asked gently.

The sudden surge of euphoria was whisked away and I felt like such a fool.

“Of course…you don’t remember…” I had to quell my natural desire to tell them everything that had happened since they left. In their minds, they had never been here. I had to treat them like any other innocent and ignorant interloper. “Well…there’s been a reality tear between your world and ours.” E.J. and Weiss looked at each other, confused. “I’m one of the agents who help people lost from their realities get home.”

“You are an agent?” E.J. asked. I nodded. “You’re kind of young, are you not?”

My laughter was probably unexpected and a little unnerving for them but I had to say, it felt good to laugh. “Yeah, I am but I’m good at my job.” I paused and smiled. “I had a good teacher.” I gestured for them to follow me.

Weiss turned before we left and took Bluey’s hands. “Thank you for your kindness in the tunnels.”

“It was good to see our angel again,” Bluey replied and looked at E.J., “you too.”

I waved to Bluey and led the couple to the car. They sat on the backseat, bemused and fascinated.

“What a marvellous contraption.” E.J. said in wonder. “Are you a person of great influence in this world?”

“No, no,” I shook my head then paused, “well, I suppose I am…in an understated way.” I pulled up at the front of ‘Software Solutions’ and got out with them following. “We’ll just go into the library first.”

“Beyond the page,” Weiss read, “how strange…”

“Is it familiar?” I asked with a surge of hope.

“Strange that I am able to read it.”

“Oh.”

We went inside the two storey library. Books lined the walls on both stories. The second storey was open with a balcony around it so that the books could be accessed without a steampunk clockwork system. In the centre of the room was what had been dubbed as the obelisk. It was just a long rectangular structure that reached up to the roof, also lined with books. The bay windows had comfortable window seats in them for readers to recline at and there were beanbags and armchairs scattered around.

Almost everyone there was an agent. Their job was to read new books that came in and to make notes just as Jill had been doing. It was part of their training, to understand the complexities of the job and to know the system. Of course, anyone could come in and borrow a book. That was fine. We wanted it to be a realistic part of the community.

I led E.J. and Weiss through the library, knowing that several heads were looking up. Any time I came in with strangers in tow usually meant I was helping someone get home. There was a game they’d play afterward, figuring out who the characters were and what world they belonged to.

There was a glass case against one wall, a set of three books with embossed covers resting comfortably in safety. I used my key to open the case and then looked at the couple.

“I think you’re at the point in your journey where all those who had been turned to ash by the Phoenix had been restored through Weiss’ self-sacrifice once she found a way to destroy Inferus but not at the cost of E.J.’s life. Then E.J. delved deep and dangerously into his forgotten memories and discovered the ancient civilisation that predated Inferus’ kingdom, where you knew each other thousands of years earlier and your lives were set on this path in order to bring restoration as darkness covered the world. He found the large white flower in the ruins of the old world that you’d been reborn into inside, yeah?”

“How…” E.J looked at Weiss and swallowed. “How did you know?”

“I’m pretty familiar with your story.” I took the third book and closed the case. “Right this way.” There was a door at the back for agents only that led us into ‘Software Solutions’. Inside, E.J. and Weiss looked around in wonder at the technology, the lights that blinked, the shiny surfaces and the world that was so alien to their own.

Even when they had existed in this reality before, it would have been unfamiliar to them.

“Just through here.” I said, leading them to the back where there was a locked door. I opened it, revealing stairs that we took down into the intersecting drains beneath the road. With the money we had and the Agency finally investing in our zone, the drain had been modified, new pipes going around the intersection and dealing with any overflow that occurred. The stairs were strong and well built, the intersection had been lined and a flat floor had been put it, making it a much nicer place to farewell characters from.

Hell, we almost looked professional.

“So, this is it,” I said, turning to them, “this is where we’ll generate a tear in reality and you’ll be able to return to your world.”

“Thank you.”

“Unless,” I heard myself blurting, “unless you wanted to stay?”

E.J. and Weiss looked at each other. “It is very kind of you,” Weiss said gently, “but we have only just found each other after so long and…”

“I know, I know.” I shook my head. “I shouldn’t have asked. I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be.” E.J. insisted. “It was briefly tempting. I’d even have liked to learn how to operate that large transportation contraption,” he gazed tenderly at Weiss, “however, I do not want to miss out on a single moment in a world finally free.”

“I get that. really, I do.” I nodded and opened the book, flicking almost to the end. “The light of a new day filtered into the tunnel, casting tiny shadows upon the steps as E’jay and Adeleweiss took their first steps together as promised since the beginning of time, their souls finally united.” The tear began to form, gently ripping downwards, urged into being by my voice and the words in my hands. “The stone beneath their feet had been the roof of the kingdom where their love had first begun in and now, it would be the foundation of the rest of their lives. As they came up into the light, a blanket of white flowers burst into bloom, pollen filling the air.”

The landscape was clearly visible beyond the tear. I heard Weiss gasp in awe and E.J. gave a small huff of wonder.

“That’s it. That’s our home.”

“E’jay watched as Adeleweiss walked barefoot across the blanket of grass, all cost he had borne to bring her back counted as nothing as he beheld the woman he loved, finally free of the burden she had been cast with.” I nodded at E.J. who took Weiss’ hand and helped her over the threshold. I was feeling a bit trembly and emotional at this point, knowing I was about to farewell them again.

I felt E.J.’s hand on my shoulder. “Thank you.”

“It’s not a problem.” I said dismissively, swallowing down the lump in my throat.

Then…I felt my shoulder squeezed and looked up into E.J.’s twinkling eyes filled with comprehension…and memory.

“No, thank you Sam.” He said and winked.

Four words drenched in meaning so heavy they nearly broke me.

Tears filled my eyes instantly but I blinked them away, determined not to miss a single second.

He nodded at me and I at him. Then he let go of my shoulder and stepped back into the world he had always meant to be a part of. Weiss held out her hand to him and he took it…then touched her cheek and gently turned it back towards me, whispering in her ear.

I couldn’t hear what he said but, like a flood, memory filled her gaze and her lips parted as she gasped, her eyes locked onto me.

“Sam…” She mouthed then grasped E.J.’s hand tightly. “It is Sam!”

E.J. laughed and nodded.

Weiss pressed her fingers to her lips and blew a kiss and I could see she was trembling. E.J. scooped his arm around her and drew her close, pressing his lips to hers. She sank against him, melting into his embrace and for once, I wasn’t embarrassed at the display of affection. It wasn’t sappy. It was beautiful.

They both turned to me once more and waved.

I waved back.

They took each other’s hand and walked across the field of white flowers, a new day breaking over them, whispering of a life lived together and filled with love.

I let out a shaky breath, not needing to read any further.

I knew what needed to be said.

“And they lived happily ever after,” I declared, my soul at peace as I closed the book, “the end.”