Epilogue            She watched over the empty grounds that surrounded the small village, waves of heat blurring the view as far as the eye could see because of the sun that casted its unbearable rays on every surface in the open. Even though her surroundings were hot, she couldn’t help but rub her bare arms to calm the shivers of worry that coursed through her body.              Evidence of broken branches laid unattained at the edge of the village as a wall to somewhat protect its inhabitants from the occasional sandstorms or predators that were waiting to strike the moment the sun disappeared behind the horizon. Mina bit her lower lip when she spotted a stray vulture circling the sky, soaring together with the wind that traveled past her. Her worry didn’t settle for the predatory bird reminded her once again of him.              Taking a shaky breath, she her heels and made way to the center of the small village where a rickety wooden shack with a hay roof stood. On her way, she bowed her head at the lone villagers she passed, earning toothless smiles and waves from small mangled children. When she reached the entrance of the shack, Mina carefully pushed the hide of an animal that functioned as a door to the side to enter. Out of habit, she wanted to kick off her shoes, as it was common courtesy, but she soon caught herself in the act when she looked down and took notice of the rusty-colored sand floor that was the same as outside the shack.              Again, Mina rubbed her hands over her arms and approached the two figures that sat at the right side of the small house. A bed of wood and hay protected a small being from completely laying on the cold ground, as Yixing was crouching next to the child.                  “How’s he holding up?” Mina asked softly as she stopped next to Yixing. The latter didn’t look up but a small smile settled on his lips as he continued to heal the child on the bed. “He’s weak but I know he’ll fight through,” he answered, the light that soared from his hands brightening the tiniest bit. Mina smiled at this and kneeled next to the man as she watched him do his thing.              It had been their forty-seventh village and one-hundred-and-fifty-ninth child that had been saved—Mina had kept track of their journey. It had already been two years since they had split from their two other friends but they didn’t take this as something negative; it was a given that it was the best thing to do so Yixing and Mina took their chance when they got it and left the peninsula they grew up on. They didn’t know this back then but as they tried to find a place that was far enough away, Africa had become their destination.              Visiting various villages, Yixing and Mina set out to make use of the boy’s unfortunate power by helping the inhabitants. Word had somehow spread that there was a magical man that traveled the great island, saving people from their death on his way. Parents, who had given up their own lives long before his arrival, asked Yixing to save their children from their terrible fate so they would have a chance for a future, even if it lengthened their lives by just a day.              Deathly diseases were healed with many human beings being able to live another day.                 Watching the boy’s chest unevenly move up and down, Mina slipped the child’s fragile hand into hers, carefully the back of it with her thumb. “I can feel you,” she whispered and smiled at the warm feeling that continuously coursed through his hand. The veins that hid below the dark skin of the child were lighting up a little, indefinitely the energy of the one she knew best. “Good,” Yixing mumbled as he brought one hand to the boy’s chest and carefully pressed it against his skin. “Because that means it’s working.”              “How come I can feel you but no one else can?” Mina asked softly as she referred back to Yixing’s powers that ran through the child. At this, Yixing stopped his healing for a moment. The girl was amazed that the energy was still flowing through the child but was rendered speechless when Yixing spoke up.              “Because the moment I met you, somehow, my heart and soul attached to yours and never let go,” he answered softly and looked up from the child to meet with Mina’s widened eyes.              “Love is a powerful thing, Mina,” he smiled at her and moved to gently hold her hand. “Even for a messed up person like me it functions as an energy that pulls me through the days.”              Mina was still silent but she was sure that something was burning behind her eyes. Yixing cupped her cheek and slanted his head slightly. “You were there when I was at my lowest,” he smiled and leaned in, “you were there when I got my heart stolen.”              With his last words, he gently pressed his chapped lips against Mina’s. The worry that had settled into her mind wavered at the man’s touch and for a moment, she felt like they were as careless as two birds floating in the sky towards unknown destinations. They weren’t living on the run, nor did they have to live in constant fear of being found. It was just them; nothing more, nothing less.              “I’m yours,” Yixing whispered against her lips when he had leaned away, “be sure to remember that.”              Mina nodded, mumbling an I love you as she kissed him a last time so he could continue. Yixing smiled at her, her cheek once, before his lips pressed into a firm line of concentration and his lighting hands found their place above the boy’s chest and abdomen again. Mina had seen him do this many times but there was not one moment that she was not taken by this subtle phenomenon.                  “I’m still worried,” Mina mumbled as she nuzzled into Yixing’s neck and crawled closer to him, seeking for warmth because the blazing day had shifted into a freezing night. “I know,” Yixing answered softly and hugged her waist from under the hide, “I am too but there’s nothing we can do.”              At this, he heard Mina release a sigh and held onto her tighter. “They’ll be fine, Mina,” he said as he gently curled a lock of her hair behind her ear before he moved his forehead against hers, “we’ll be fine.”              Basking in the man’s warmth, Mina nodded faintly and she closed her eyes. “How do you think they’re doing?” she whispered drowsily against Yixing’s lips as the latter trailed his thumb over her cheekbone to assure her. “I don’t know,” he answered but when he felt the warmth of his necklace press against his chest, he smiled, “but I’m sure they are happy.”

             Six twenty-three, !, Jaemi read the time and realized she was already running late so decided to skip breakfast and grabbed a banana for on the way. Slipping into her shoes, she held the piece of fruit in as she frantically tried to push her arms into her coat and opening the door at the same time. When she finally managed to get outside, she locked the door of her apartment and got a move on.              Fall always brought foggy mornings but rather than feeling burdened by the cold, Jaemi enjoyed this London weather more than the summer. It was refreshing and always left her cheeks with a faint blush because of the cold that hit her skin. The streets were mostly empty but because she lived in the outskirts of the city, it was only logical but she liked it that way.              “Good morning dear,” an elderly woman greeted Jaemi when she exit her shop to place the flowerpots in her hands in front and spotted her walking by. A surprised smile settled on Jaemi’s lips when she met eyes with the florist, and bowed politely. “Good morning Mrs. White,” she returned her greeting and ran her eyes over the white Stephanotis she was holding. “Those are gorgeous.”              Mrs. White eyes fell to the flower in her hands, a small smile curling her thin lips. “They are, aren’t they? They’re a sign of good luck to ones that need it,” she explained and glanced at Jaemi before carefully breaking one of the stems of the bouquet and handing it to her. “I feel like you are one of them,” she continued with a small smile and waited for the young woman to take the white flower. She hesitated for a moment before reaching out for it and carefully held it between her fingers. “Thank you,” Jaemi said softly and studied the beautiful flower for a moment.              “Go on my dear, he’s waiting for you,” Mrs. White’s voice broke her train of thoughts and instantly reminded Jaemi of where she was headed.              The florist waved the woman off with a smile and continued arranging the flower after she had bowed and dashed off. After a few minutes the familiar gray stone walls came into sight, and caused a whirlwind of emotions inside of her head every time she came here. The outside was fairly normal with a few tables and seats for customers to sit when it was nice out, but even though it had a simple exterior, it still managed to pull people in.              Just like the first time her body had led her there to meet with a handsome stranger.              Unlike then, now a sign with the name of the cafe was written in swirly letters; In Medio, Latin for in-between. Jaemi smiled at the sight and quickly fished out her keys from her coat to unlock the front door. The moment she stepped onto the hardwood floor, a wave of nostalgia hit her. It had been like this ever since she found this place, the familiar calmness of back then taking over her body. Jaemi’s limbs visibly relaxed a