Over the course of months, the only thing on the news was Falicia Coblepot the woman behind the mask of fire. No one could go by a day without seeing some sort of update, conspiracy theory or hearing about crazy demands from some occult followers for the release of Falicia Coblepot.
At first the people who claimed to know the true Falicia and her could understand her suffering were the ones to bang their drums the loudest. Rallies were created, petitions started for the release of Falicia Coblepot because she was a prime example of mental illness but as the days turned to weeks and the weeks turned to months. The supporters dwindled and soon people became appalled by 'Agni's' actions.
Memes would come up showing the moment Agni's mask, the woman who was reborn from fire came off. Some people went as far as avoiding the name Falicia just in case whatever curse or illness she had wouldn't pass along to their families. While the ones named Falicia adopted nicknames or went by their middle names.
Carmen Marroquin became a house hold name. As she was the face of facts. She would always update the world with new findings and facts about Falicia Coblepot but soon switched it to other stories. She dedicated herself to informing everyone about the harm of jumping to conclusions and uncovering corrupt society while trying to make society aware of growing problems.
Robin Alegria was promoted to CEO of Steel Enterprises. He reluctantly took the position but excelled far beyond what Avery could have ever done. Maybe it was because he had a goal or he wanted to keep the memory of Avery alive it's unclear. However he is taking the company to the next level and giving more back to the community.
Edmond and Samantha were surprised with the arrival of Dante Gabriel Avery Steel, he was born at 33 weeks but he's strong just like his daddy. They had to stay in NICU and it was hard for everyone but they stay wasn't too long, he was only 5 pounds 2 ounces and they found no other complications. Best of all no one ever thought that the green eyed gene would be overpowered by Edmond's copper eyes but he ended up being a beautiful mixture of the two. Soft bronze skin, dark hair and even though he's still small his face looks like Samantha's.
Marek and Blair finally announced their engagement and are planning to have their wedding after they graduate from school. While River and Quinn actually found love with each other. She calmed down quite a bit and they both agreed to testify even though it was only in writing.
Autumn and Rodan have been doing well, Autumn has already published a book and became number 1 over night. They are planning to have their wedding this summer. While Rodan is busying himself with going to school, apprenticing with the Dokmai's and being an attentive and supportive fiance.
Laila got into her dream school and actually kept her relationship with Romeo. He broke up with his many girlfriends and helped them all move on with their lives. She also kept her job as a daycare volunteer and is happy where she is in life.
Loreley was able to get into her college. She even managed to figure out who she wanted to be with. Porter and her have been really happy together. He has become one of her muses and she has already got a contract with Mrs. Alteet. She is crazy busy right now and is very bossy but you can't get mad at her. The sparkle in her eyes when she works is so charming you can't help but listen.
Detective Bane got promoted to chief and Officer James got promoted to Lead Detective. While Dexter found true love and is planning propose to Carmen on Easter Day, infront of her whole family. We are all going to be there to support him as his family....
Falicia looked at Olivia bored out of her mind. "Are you done with all these 'pleasantries' because I rather be rotting back in my cell." Olivia smiled as she rubbed her slightly swollen womb. "Do you want to know what I'm having?" Falicia groaned as she leaned on top of the table. An officer came to their table and knocked on the countertop. "We need to see your face and hands on the table." Falicia pulled up her body and placed her hands on top of the table.
"Falicia I have been visiting you on a weekly bases, I want you to feel involved so please just listen then I will tell you what you want." Olivia said causing Falicia to roll her head along her shoulders. "Fine... please update me." She said sarcastically. "Thank you Falicia. Yes just found out this morning, I'm having triplets, two girls and one boy." Falicia started to a clap. "Amazing you must be so happy... look we only get so much time and I really don't want to see you again so please get to the point."
Olivia looked at Falicia's sorry state, her hair was messy and straw like, no longer the shimmering gold like it used too. Her intelligent, blue eyes now lacked luster, her complexion became darker and aged her dramatically. Olivia sighed as she continued to rub her womb. "Alright, you see it was planned from the very beginning....."
Gerson stepped over Carmen's body as he made his way to the door. Waiting on the other side were two gentlemen that were polar opposites of one another. One young, the other old, the younger one was bronze skinned, the older one was fair as snow. Tall, short, built, round, dark hair, white hair but they both had a pleasant aura around them. "Sorry to intrude on the both of you but we are here to pick up a Ms. Carmen Marroquin and her cousin Gerson? We are supposed to go to the train station by Cohen Park but are waiting for further instructions from Eli Delmira. It seems he is still negotiating with an Officer Felix about a bracelet."
Gerson looked horribly confused. He moved aside to let the men in and when he was about to ask them some questions. The older man started shouting. "Cheese it and wine! What happened to her?!" Gerson started rubbing the back of his neck as he awkwardly looked at the laptop then his cousin's smiling face. As Gerson was going to open his mouth the younger man placed his hand over it and started feeling around his pants.
Gerson started to panic but the look in the younger man's eyes kept him quite. "We got to rush this poor woman to the hospital, she might have a concussion! Quickly, quickly help me lift her up!" The older man yelled. The younger one pulled out Gerson's phone and nodded his head as he removed his hand. Gerson looked at the older man and clued in. "Yes sir, I think that's a good idea. See the blood rushed to her head and she fell backwards, I have no idea if she is okay or not."
The younger man face palmed himself and shot Gerson a dirty look. "That's awful, okay now what's your name?" The older one asked and started to move his hands in a circular pattern as if encouraging him to continue the conversation. "Ah my name is Gerson, I'm Carmen's cousin." The older man gave Gerson a thumbs up and pointed at the phone. "Okay we need to leave to make sure she's okay from the fall. Gerson grave the door, then help me care her downstairs. Oh and grab her purse, we need her ID and medical card." He said as he kept pointing at the phone.
"Should I grab my phone just in case Mr. Delmira tries to contact me?" He said awkwardly but the other man quickly spoke up. "No time man! Every second counts, so move, move, move!" Gerson ran around collecting what he needed and the opened the door. The younger man slowly placed the phone down next to the laptop and silently followed the men out the door with Carmen slung over his shoulder.
They quickly ran down the stairs of a shabby looking apartment building and rushed towards a black sedan just parked by the stairs. The older man held the door open and helped the younger man carefully place Carmen in the backseat before they took their places at the front. "Sorry we made it awkwardly difficult for you back there but it's part of Eli's plan." The older man said as the younger one drove the car.
"So what is your story." Carmen said as she adjusted herself into her seat. "Carmen! Don't tell me you have been faking this whole time." Carmen rolled her eyes at her cousin then leaned forward towards the men. "So who are you and how is this all going down?" She asked excitedly but Gerson wouldn't have it. "Seriously Carmen why would you fake being blacked out?! This one carried you like a sack of potatoes down the stairs! A sack of potatoes!"
Carmen smacked his shoulder and gave him a 'shut up' face as she hissed his name. The younger one started to laugh. "My goodness Gerson relax, it looks like your sweet Carmen somewhat figured it out. What do you think Reenie?" Reenie started to smile and turned around to pat Carmen's head. "Why don't you tell Edmond and I what you think has happened?"
Carmen smiled back at Reenie, she didn't feel offended being treated like a child by someone who looked so much like Santa. "Mr. Delmira sent me an new phone and laptop, then sent someone to check my apartment for any listening devices and gave me strict instructions to not let anyone I don't know personally in. So I'm thinking Falicia has some sort of team that spies on the enemy and I can see why! I mean with everything I read that was in that package I would probably do the same to keep my life the same."
Reenie nodded his head as he clapped his hands. "Ms. Marroquin, you are a bright one! Autumn's judgement about you was spot on!" Gerson looked at his cousin and pulled her back. "What are you talking about? And who the hell is Autumn?!" Edmond slowed down the car and stopped infront of a giant wooden gate. A guard rushed up and knocked on the window. He jumped back when he saw Edmond and quickly yelled to open the gates.
....
"Welcome to our humble house." A very sophisticated lady in a traditional kimono said as she received her guests. "Cynthia! How are you! It's been too long, where's baby Ryan isn't he usually hanging off of you?" Edmond said as he went in for a hug and kissed her cheek. Mrs. Dokmai looked proud as she puffed out her chest. "He's currently preoccuping my future daughter-in-law's attention, ever since Laila has been visiting us more frequently Ryan has refused his other grandmother's invitations to go over.... I like her!" She said as she beamed and lead them to the others.
They reached a large room, covered in tatami mats, scrolls hung from the wall and on the other side of the room, sliding doors were opened, revealing a picturesque landscape. Inside the room was a large group of people sitting together but one person stood out more then the others. "Ah!" Carmen shouted as she pointed. "The little angel that gave my the documents!" Everyone laughed as they entered the room.
"I'm so glad to see you again, my name is Autumn and I welcome you to the resistance."
.....
"Well after they figured out what you and Carl had planned the rest was easy... well kinda. I guess we didn't expect you to be the one to pick up the bracelet, so we adjusted the plan accordingly." Olivia said sadly. "You know, you didn't have to rush back to get the bracelet... if you had actually talked to Carl you would have found out that the bracelet he rigged for you was just for the warehouse. There was no way to actually link you to anything else we just wanted to get your goons and have them spill everything. Build a case on you but unfortunately you... you did all of that."
"So how did you break Carl." Falicia asked as she started to wring her hands. Olivia leaned back into her chair and looked up at the ceiling, for a moment everything was silent. "We didn't break Carl... When Edmond 'disposed' of your original team he let Carl live. Why do you think Carl was spared? Why did Carl never hint to you that you were being played like a fool or that Felix had the bracelet or tell you what was really happening on our side? Did you really think this whole thing went so smoothly because we were professional spies? But it doesn't matter now.... what Carl did or didn't do it just... doesn't matter... he chose to end it all himself. Once he finished helping us he... Once he got his answer from you he knew what his value was even though he loved you."
Falicia's jaw dropped. "Carl... Carl was in on it... since when?" She whispered as her body started to shake. "After the kidnapping attempt. You didn't care that he was hurt, you didn't care that he almost died. A man that gave you everything, swore his loyalty to you was faced with the hard truth, that you just did not care if he lived or died. Edmond could see his struggle and called Eli. They weren't any better then you, they struck a nerve and made a bet. If he helped orchestrate everything he would find out the truth about what think of him. He didn't help right away, he even hid the truth from Eli when it came to my death... to my surprise he was actually the one to come back after seeing you and took me to my grandfather but he saw the pain in Eli, he saw what love was and told Eli the truth about my death. From then on they have been working together."
"He rigged the security cameras to a loop for whenever I felt like escaping, tipped Edmond off about my kidnapping at the hospital, he supplied Loreley the tickets for us to go to the gala and even... and even acted as the Intel for Felix. By the time everything was reaching the end, he couldn't see it through... he tried to convince you to go back, he tried to get you to wait for your team, hell he even planned your escape route but he swallowed back all his feelings for you and ended his life the moment you got arrested." Olivia had giant tears rolling down her cheeks as she spoke. She started to pull out an envelope from her back pocket and handed it to Falicia.
"What is this?" Falicia said as a shaky hand reached out to grab the white envelope. "It's his final goodbye to you." Falicia flung the envelope back at Olivia causing the guards to take a step forward but Olivia shook her head. She bent over and picked up the envelope then placed it on the table and slid it forward.
"Why are you doing this?! I just wanted to know how you did it! I don't need to know what happened to.... to Carl." Falicia said in a panicked voice but Olivia kept her hand in place. "No, you need to know everything so you can start to heal."