Epiphany 

By Kerry Ferguson
kerry_f84@hotmail.com



Prologue 

It was a sweltering summer's night in Trinity, particularly stuffy in doors 
Gail thought, even with the air conditioning on and all the windows open she 
couldn't get enough air on her body. Gail Emory was perched comfortably with 
her legs by her side on her armchair in the living room wearing nothing but a 
loose, thin strapped, maroon tank top and a tight, low cut, pair of denim shorts 
and reading a Stephen King novel when she heard a noise come from the hallway. 

"Hello...who's there?" Gail asked curiously, but no answer came. 

"Hello" she asked again, this time reaching for her metal baseball bat and walked 
quietly to the phone to call the Sheriff's Station when suddenly a smooth, calm, 
southern voice came from behind her... 

"You're not gonna hit me with that thing are you Miss Emory? ... assaulting an 
officer is a crime here in Trinity ma'am, maybe I should take you into my own 
personal custody" 

Gail lowered the bat and sighed "Will that include handcuffs sheriff?" she said 
in a sweet voice. 

"Only if you want them Gail" he replied with a smirk on his face. He put his 
hands tenderly on her hips and pulled her towards him. Gail could feel his 
erection on her leg. 

"I think I'll pass" Gail said as she pulled away from his grasp and went back 
to her comfy spot on the chair. 

Lucas Buck wore a deep, dark blue, long sleeved shirt with a black vest and pants. 
Although the humidity was rising Lucas remained untouched by it, while Gail's 
long, brown, sweat soaked hair clung to her face, neck, and back. How does he do 
that she thought, reaching for the clamp to clamp her hair up out of her face. 

"So what do you want?" Gail asked curiously as she went back to the position she 
was in on the chair and picked up her book. 

"I thought I'd come and see how you are" Lucas said as his eyes stared her up and 
down paying a considerable amount of attention on her long, lean, sweat soaked legs. 
He smiled to himself, "I thought you might be a bit restless with the lack of work 
you've had lately." 

"Oh, and you thought you'd come and see if I needed any help keeping myself
entertained?" Gail asked seductively as she got back up out of her chair and moved 
closer to him until the front of her shorts were pressed snugly against his crotch 
and her lips were an inch from his mouth. 

Gail looked deep into Lucas' eyes and put her hands around his waist. Lucas gently 
caressed Gail's cheek with his hand and, staring into her eyes, let his fingers 
travel slowly down her neck, past her bra-less chest, down toward the zip of her 
shorts. As his fingers reached their desired location Gail gave out a low moan. 

Lucas began to slowly unzip Gail's shorts and let them drop to the floor to reveal a
very wet pair of red panties.  Following her eyes as much as he could Lucas slowly 
walked round behind her, placed his hands on the side of her hips and brought his 
mouth to her ear and whispered. 

"What do you want Gail?" 

Moving his hands lower to inside her panties he repeated softly. 

"What do you want?" 

Gail could feel his erection on her leg as he lowered his hands to her clitoris and 
started to finger it softly. 

"No." Gail moaned softly, she could feel the fluids pouring out of her. 

"Yes!" Lucas whispered with a smile, his penis was throbbing in his pants. Gail 
could feel it expanding, it was so hard. Gail had never felt like this before.

Gail leaned back into Lucas who held her tightly to him with one hand across her 
stomach and playfully fingered her clit with the other. He was sucking on her neck, 
making patterns with his tongue on her soft, delicate flesh then began to kiss it 
softly. 

"More" Gail moaned "Please, just don't stop" she begged in a low, aroused voice. 

Lucas' fingers rubbed faster.harder.he leaned back on her armchair and pulled 
her tenderly to him, still rubbing and kissing her. 

Gail began to breathe.louder, her panties were soaked. 

"Yes!" she shouted, "Yes...yes!" 

Lucas' fingers rubbed even faster. 

"Yes!" she screamed. 

And with that he sunk his teeth into her neck .blood came gushing out of her 
as she screamed in agony. 

"Lucas!" Gail yelled as she awoke in a sweat. 

Just another dream Gail thought. 

Knock! Knock! Knock! 

"Gail!" Caleb shouted in a worried voice. 

Knock! Knock! Knock! 

"Gail! Are you ok?" 

Knock! Knock! Knock! 

Gail grabbed her silk, navy blue night gown and rushed over to the bedroom door 
and unlocked it. 

"I'm fine, Caleb" Gail said, and stroking his face she told him to go back to bed. 

"I heard you yelling.I got worried" Caleb said with a smile while moving his face 
into Gail's hand even more. 

"It was just a bad dream, I promise.I'm fine" Gail said returning his smile. 

"Ok `cuz, I'll see you in the morning" Caleb said with a yawn and hugged his cousin. 

Gail kissed his cheek and watched as he departed to his room. 

"Sweet dreams" Caleb called back to her with a smile and disappeared into his room.

Gail smiled to herself and went back into her room. Why can't I get him out of my 
head? She thought to herself as she lay back down in her bed. 

Gail lay awake for an hour or so thinking about her dream until she drifted off to 
sleep, unaware of the dark figure standing in the street staring up at her window. 

-----------------------------

Macy Brown was walking her dog at 6am in the morning. This damn dog she thought, why 
do I have to look after it Stupid dog! 

The Cresent park was always completely deserted until about 8am when the children 
started to walk to school, Macy hated bringing the dog out this early. 

"Ok, Timmy. Go do your business" Macy said as she let the dog off his lead. She 
turned her head to see where the dog was headed when she saw a tall, dark figure 
in front of her. 

Macy went to scream but was struck on the head before she had a chance. As Macy 
fell to the floor, the last thing she ever saw was the dark figure unbuckling his belt. 








Chapter One 

It was 9am when Gail arose from her room. Caleb was sitting at the dining table in 
the kitchen drumming his fingers to a tune on the radio when he saw Gail still in 
her PJ's. 

"You're late!" Caleb said with a little grin. 

"Late?" Gail asked with a yawn. 

"I should've been in school 5 minutes ago." 

"Oh my god, what time is it?" Gail said frantically when she noticed the time "I'm 
so sorry, I must've overslept" 


Picking up her keys and slipping some sandals on Gail said "Come on, I'll shoot you 
to school quickly. Gail was half way down the path before Caleb even got out of his 
chair. 

"Ok, Gail, I'll just get my bag" Caleb shouted after her. 

When Caleb came outside Gail already had the mustang out of the driveway and parked 
up waiting for Caleb. Caleb Quickly hopped in and Gail drove him to school 


Lucas Buck stood staring at the 16 year old girl. What a pretty thing he thought 
to himself, pity she had to go like that.hit over the head with a blunt object and 
raped. 

"Well Sheriff" started Billy Peele "It looks as though the girl had a brain hemorrhage, 
which was the primary cause of death.the blood on top of her inside thigh leads up 
to her vagina indicating she was raped. We'll know for sure when the coroner has done 
an official autopsy." 

"Ok boys" Lucas commanded "Let's get her to the hospit." Lucas eyes slid away from 
his men to the blood red mustang parking up by the curb.

"Damn!" Lucas cursed "Ben, handle this will you.I've got some business to attend to."

Ben nodded and turned to the men, "Come on boys, leys get her covered and outta here." 

Lucas strolled out of the park towards he figure approaching, he noticed she was 
wearing a pair of satin blue pj pants and a red, thin strapped top with no bra 
underneath and her hair loosely draped over her shoulders and down her back, he smiled 
"Good morning Miss Emory, how are you this fine morning?" Lucas could help but stare 
at Gail body, she was so beautiful.innocent, not like Selena, Selena had nothing on 
Gail. He let his smile widen as the flashbacks of Gail cumming and performing flowed 
through his head. 

Gail flashed her reporters badge; thank god Caleb had picked up her bag for her. 
"Cut the sweet talk, Lucas, what's going on?" Gail said in a serious professional 
voice. She hated it when he mixed business with pleasure. 

"Pardon ma'am?" Lucas said in an innocent sarcastic tone, "I don't know what you're 
talking about.my men and I were just taking a stroll on this beautiful morning" 

Gail glanced behind him just in time to see the ambulance leave. She looked back at 
Lucas and with a smile said "Oh, really? Well if you'll excuse me I'm gonna take a 
nice "stroll" over to that park" and began to walk past him, as she did Lucas put 
his hand across her stomach to bring her to a halt and a sudden flash back of her 
dream came to her. 

"Ok, enough games" Lucas said seriously "This is a crime scene and you're not 
allowed here." 

"Well what crime.murder?" 

"Well Miss Emory you're just gonna have to find out with the rest of the little 
reporters aren't you" Lucas said in a mocking tone, and with that Gail angrily 
walked away. She was not going to stand there and be mocked by that bastard. 

Lucas couldn't help but stare at Gail's thighs and bum as she walked away, he loved 
getting her riled up, Lucas let his grin widen, he couldn't wait until she came by 
the station later.

"Ok, boys, we've done what we can here" Lucas turned to them smiling to himself, 
"Lets get back to the station.

----------------------------- 

It was lunch time and Lucas was on the phone with Curtis Webb, the coroner. 

"Yes, Curtis.so the girl had a brain haemorrhage after being hit over the head .yes." 

Gail quietly walked into Lucas' open office. 

".and blood from her vagina indicates rape." Lucas turned in his chair and noticed 
Gail listening "Ok, Curtis, I got it" Lucas said in an exasperated tone. "Well, 
Miss Emory, so this is how you get the inside scoop.by sneaking up on people...how 
much did you hear?" 

"Nothing important.so is it true?" Gail asked. 

"What?" 

Gail sighed and got her note book, "Macy Brown, 16 years old, found murdered in 
Cresent Park at 8.30am this morning. That's why you wouldn't let me into the park" 

"Is that supposed to be a question?" Lucas replied with a smirk" Or is this just 
an excuse to discuss other.business?" 

"I don't know what you're talking about" Gail said getting pissed off with his 
silly games, "Enough with the games Lucas! How did she die? Was it the same as 
the other girls? The public has a right to know!" 

Lucas' eyes travelled from Gail's eyes slowly down to her legs then back again, 
"Like I told you earlier Miss Emory, you're gonna have to find out at the press 
conference like everyone else.now in the meantime, how `bout you and I have a 
little slap and tickle" Lucas said as he walked over to Gail and started to 
unbutton her blouse. 

"I've got better things to do with my time" Gail replied pulling away from his 
grasp and walking out the door just in time to miss Ben with Lucas' coffee. 

"Damn! That girl is a feisty one" Lucas said with a smile.

-----------------------------


Chapter 2 

When Gail arrived at the hospital Billy Peele was busying himself with some 
paperwork. When he looked up and saw Gail standing at his door he walked over 
and kissed her on the forehead. 

"I missed you this morning" Billy said 

"I slept in a little" 

Gail liked Billy, she had become very close to him in the last few months, Billy 
had asked Gail to accompany him on a date thinking Gail was oblivious of how much 
he cared for Selena. 

"I can't stay long" Gail said. 

"Oh, so this isn't a social visit" Billy said with a smile. 

"Well, no. I wanted to know what happened to Macy Brown, she was murdered this 
morning" 

"Gail you know better than to come asking these questions, it's confidential" 

"Oh, come on Billy" Gail said impatiently, "I'm gonna find out in an hour anyway, 
at least this means I don't have to see Lucas about it." 

Billy really felt for Gail, they were both in the same boat; both had to deal with 
loss. Gail was just starting to get over Lucas. 

"Ok, the girl was hit over the head and raped.that's all I'm telling you, and you 
didn't hear it from me ok?" Billy said with a sigh, he always gave into Gail's 
pretty face. 

"Thanks, Billy.I owe you one" Gail said with a smile and gave him a huge kiss on 
the lips and was gone. 

Billy smiled to himself, "What a woman". 

Two nights passed and for Gail it was all the same, a dream about Lucas, waking up 
in a cold sweat, calling his name.the last night Gail had thought she saw Lucas 
sitting in the chair in the corner of her bedroom watching her, but she quickly 
dismissed the thought and forced herself back to sleep. 

That morning Gail had a shadow of threat growing in her mind, for the life of her 
she couldn't figure out what was causing it. She took Caleb to school as usual, 
making sure she saw him enter his classroom just in case, then headed for the 
sheriff's station. 

"Is he in?" Gail asked Floyd sweetly. 

"Erm.I'm not sure, I'll check." Floyd replied nervously. 

"To what do we owe the pleasure?" a dark figure asked leaning against the wall 
to the inner office. 

Gail didn't look amused. 

"Why Miss Emory, how are you this morning? Looking well I can see" Lucas said 
eyeing her up and down. 

"There have been 3 murders and each victim was raped, and all you can do is hit 
on me." 

"Well Gail, were working on the case. What do you want me to tell you? I've put 
Ben in charge of this one, ok?" Lucas said. 

"Oh, I see. So you can't figure out who's killing these girls so you put Ben on 
the case. So if Ben can't solve it then his name gets dragged through the mud, 
not yours." Gail accused. 

Lucas, taking offence by this, replied "What's the matter Gail? Run out of good 
stories for your newspaper so you need to start making them up" walking around 
the counter Lucas continued "Just because you don't think about anyone but yourself 
doesn't mean everyone else is the same. For you information Benji has been having 
problems with his son so I gave him this case so Ben junior can see his father 
doing something productive for a change. Have you got a problem with that 
Miss Emory?" 

"No!" Gail said feeling pretty bad about what she said, "But what's in it for you?" 

"What do you mean?" 

"Come on Lucas, we both know you don't help anyone unless they have something 
to offer." Gail said with a quick flashback of their deal. 

Lucas stood looking at Gail. Gail looked back. 

"What?" she said. 

"You are so beautiful" Lucas said. 

"Oh for Christ's sake!" Gail said storming out. 

-----------------------------

That night the temperature rose to an unbearable height. Gail was in her house 
with Caleb, trying to help him with his homework. 

"Ok, `cuz." Caleb said collecting his things. "I better go, Miss Holt won't be 
happy if I'm late again." 

"Ok, do you want a lift?" Gails asked. 

"No, its ok, I can walk. Its only 5 minutes away" and with that Caleb got up, gave 
Gail a hug and a kiss, and was gone. 

Gail saw Caleb out and watched until he was out of sight, completely unaware of the 
stranger lurking across the road. 

-----------------------------

When Gail was inside she locked her doors and opened her windows, even the 
air conditioning didn't give out enough cool air.

By now Gail had stripped down to a tight pair of denim shorts and a maroon, thin 
strapped tank top. Gail decided it too hot to work so she got comfy on her big 
armchair and picked up her Stephen King novel.suddenly it hit her.this was her 
dream! 

Gail dropped the book and stood up so fast it made her vision hazy. 

Thud!! 

Shit.the window! Gail thought as she reached for her metal baseball bat, which 
she always keeps close to her under a loose floorboard, and the phone receiver. 
As she started to dial for Ben in the sheriffs station she realised no dial tone 
could be heard from the phone, "Damn!" she whispered to herself, "The line must 
have been cut. 

"Shit!" she whispered in an agitated tone.the only thing I can do is face 
whoever this is Gail thought. Thinking back to all the horror movies she had see 
she remembered how the bimbo would always go and investigate the noise in the 
basement. 

Thud! From upstairs. 

."and how wonderful the outcomes had been in the movies" Gail said sarcastically to 
herself as she left the living room stalkingly with her bat held high and headed 
for the front door, turning the handle confirmed what she had known, that the door 
was locked, and to top everything off, she couldn't remember where she had left her 
keys. 

Gail let out a seemingly forced chuckle, "Terrific" she murmured, "Besides," she 
continued, "if I let this person go, and it is in fact the guy whose been raping 
these girls, how many more will die before the high and mighty Lucas Buck decides 
to get off his ass and do something about it?" 

Quietly Gail moved up the stairs, "He shows up everywhere when I don't want him too 
but when I actually need him where is he?...probably fucking Selena, that's where" 
she whispered angrily. 

Reaching the top of the stairs she stared down the dark corridor and realised what 
a stupid idea this had been, "Fuck this" she muttered and turned to head back down 
the stairs when she saw a shadow coming out of one of her rooms. 

Gail quickly took refuge behind a door. Maybe it was Caleb, she thought as she 
looked through the crack in the door and raised her bat. 

The shadow started to move toward the room she was in. Stopped. Then opened the 
door Gail was behind, took a look around and began to walk out again. Gail let out 
a low sigh. Suddenly Gail realised the figure was staring at her through a mirror 
on the bedroom wall, before Gail could move the figure kicked the door so hard 
into Gail that she went flying to the floor and dropped her bat. 

Lying on the floor Gail looked up and saw an object in the figures hand coming 
down on her. 

Without thought Gail's reflexes took over her, she rolled over, kicked the figure 
in the leg, watched it stagger, reached for her bat, got to her feet, and began 
sprinting for the stairs. Before she had a chance to reach them a hang clutched her 
ankle and she went stumbling down the stairs and lay still, unconscious. 

When Gail came to she looked up and saw a blurred man with what looked like a 
knife in his hand standing over her. 

As the knife came down on Gail she swung out of the way, reached for her bat and 
dashed into the living room. 

The man came charging after her with his knife raised, "Bitch" he screamed in a 
husky voice. 

As he came to the door Gail closed it as hard as she could on his wrist and 
watched the knife fall out of his hand. Before he had a chance to reach for it Gail 
brought her bat down in one swoop fell on the man head. 

Gail fell weakly to the floor on her knees and dropped the bat, she raised her head 
to see she was being offered a hand. 

Gail looked up, her hair draped over her face, to see Lucas Buck standing with her 
bat in one hand, her hand in his other. Turning her head she saw Ben with his gun 
pointed at the man unconscious on the floor. 

"You ok darlin'?" Lucas asked concerned. 

".erm." Gail replied shaking and confused. 

"You had all of us worried darlin', you've been sitting like that with your head 
dropped for about half an hour" Lucas said. 

".erm.well.I." Gail whispered.

"Come on, lets get you outta here" he said helping her up and pulling her to his 
chest, "Can you handle this Ben?" he asked. 

"Sure, Lucas. Is Gail gonna be alright?" Ben asked concerned. 

"She'll be fine. We've got a strong one here" Lucas said looking at Gail with a 
smile and headed out the door with her in his arms. 

When Gail woke up the next morning Caleb was asleep on her chest. Gail didn't want 
to wake him so she waited for him to wake up before going to the sheriff's station. 

Gail arrived as Ben was in the middle of finishing the paperwork. 

"Ben" she called. 

Looking up, "oh, hi Gail. How are you feeling?" Ben asked worried. 

"I'm fine" she said with a smile 

I knew you would be, just like Lucas said" Ben said returning her smile. 

Gail thought on this for a moment, and then dismissed it. 

"I just came by to say thank you. Speaking of the devil is he in?" she asked. 

"No he's still at home. You're welcome by the way."

Gail smiled "Ok, I better go, bye Ben.and thanks again, you always seem to be 
around when I'm in trouble." Gail said thinking of the unpleasant incident with 
the Boston Strangler copycat and left. 

Upon reaching Lucas' house Gail knocked 3 times before letting herself in through 
an unlocked door. 

"Lucas?" Gail called, but no answer came. 

She saw a light on in one of the rooms and went to investigate. Gail couldn't 
believe her eyes. She was staring directly into a painting on the wall with rose 
petals underneath on the floor and mantle piece. It looked like it was early 1800's. 

Gail gasped in horror. 

It was her in the picture in an old fashioned, net like, floral dress sitting on 
Lucas Buck's lap! 

"Well, well, well" a voice came from behind her "What do we have here?". 






Chapter 4 

Gail tried to turn and face Lucas but she couldn't take her eyes off the painting. 
Lucas walked over to Gail and gently put his hands around her waist and pulled her 
to him. 

"You look like you've seen a ghost darlin'" Lucas whispered in her ear and began 
sucking and biting it. 

Gail stood motionless staring at the painting of herself. 

Lucas' hands moved to between Gail's legs and began to rub in an up and down 
motion. Gail gave out a faint moan. Lucas smiled, "How long did you think you 
could deny your destiny, Gail?". 

"Gail?" Lucas repeated in her ear and turned her around to look at him. 

"I don't understand" Gail whispered softly, her eyes were so wide, confused, and 
innocent now. 

Lucas stroked her face with his hand gently and kissed her tenderly. 

"I told you, Gail, we are meant to be together" Lucas explained. 

Gail's legs felt weak and collapsed under her. Lucas caught her and gently lifted 
her up. 

"Ok, come on.lets get you seated comfortably, Miss Emory" 

Lucas passed many rooms and headed upstairs.towards the bedroom. Gail lay her 
head softly on Lucas' chest, unable to resist anything he had planned for her. 
She didn't understand.how could she be in that painting.with Lucas! 

"Well darlin'." Lucas began to answer, "It all started.wait! Do you want the long 
version or the short?" 

Gail stared at him. 

"Ok, I'll tell you what, you have a little nap." he said placing her between the 
covers of his bed gently".and I'll explain later" 


With that Gail fell quickly asleep. 

-----------------------------

Gail opened her eyes. 

"What can I do for you Master Buck?" an old man said. 

"Well a cup of your wife's fine vegetable soup would do wonders, Cecil" the other 
man said. 

Gail looked at both men and to her surprise Lucas Buck was standing the old man. 

"Where am I?" Gail said out loud, but no answer came. Then suddenly it hit her.
"The painting" Gail said softly. 

"Rose!" the old man shouted, "Bring some of your momma's soup out for this young 
gentlemen" 

Gail watched as Rose, her mirror image, came out of the kitchen in an old, worn out, 
brown dress, with her hair in braids. 

Lucas Buck looked over as the young Rose brought his soup. When their eyes met 
Rose stopped in her tracks. 

"Rose!" the old man shrieked. 

Rose looked down and realised she had dropped the plate, "Oh, I'm so sorry" Rose 
said in a scared tone trying to clean up the mess with her dress. 

Lucas got up, bent down, and wiped a tear away a tear coming down her cheek. 

"It's ok.Rose, is it?" he said with a smile. 

"Yes, its Rose, but its not ok, sir." 

"Lucas.call me Lucas" 

Rose smiled. 

"I'm sorry si.Lucas" she said and put her head down. 

Lucas' smile grew wider. 

"Get up" he said 

"What?" she said confused. 

"Get up!...Cecil! come clean up this mess. I'm taking your daughter out for 
a walk." 

Cecil looked on dumbly, "Er.yes sir" 

"That's if you'd wish to join me Rose" he said helping her up. 

Rose smiled, "Erm.if you wish sir" 

"Lucas!" 

"Oh sorry.Lucas" rose said looking into his eyes. 

Gail couldn't believe what she was seeing. Lucas was courting Her! What the hell 
is going on? 

When Gail looked up again the three of them were in a secluded area at the bank 
of the Trinity river. 

Lucas and Rose were hand in hand together. Rose was on Lucas' knee and his free 
hand was around her waist. 

"You are so beautiful, Rose." He whispered softly in her ear. "The most beautiful 
red rose would come nowhere near your beauty." 

"I love you, Lucas" Rose said shyly. 

Lucas tightened his grip and pulled his hand out of Rose's and reached into his 
pocket. 

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to anger you." 

Lucas pulled out a blue velvet box and gave it to Rose, then started sucking her neck. 

"What's this?" Rose asked opening the box to reveal a heart shaped ruby with 
diamonds surrounding it. 

"Will you marry me, Rose?" Lucas asked. 

Gail couldn't believe what she was hearing. 

"Oh, yes Lucas!!" she shouted excitedly. "I love you" 

Lucas turned her around and kissed her fiercly and made love to her. 

With a flash Gail was standing next to the riverbank looking at Lucas kneeling 
over her dead body. 

"Rose my love, we'll be together again, on my life I swear." Lucas whispered. 

Gail couldn't believe her eyes, Rose was lying dead with her throat cut on the 
riverbank. Gail knew what the last image to go through Roses mind was, it was Lucas 
and their unborn child. 

Gail couldn't stop a tear rolling down her cheek. 

"You'll get another chance" Lucas whispered as he got up and walked past Gail. 
Gail could swear he was looking directly into her eyes. 



Epilogue 

Gail woke up to Lucas holding her hand by her side.

"Do you understand now, Gail?" he whispered. 

"Yes" Gail said looking into her eyes. 

Lucas bent down and kissed her neck.sucked on it.the suddenly bit into it! 

"Lucas!" Gail screamed. 

Knock! Knock! Knock! 

"Gail?" Caleb shouted. 

"Caleb?" asked confused, "It was just a dream?" 

Suddenly the door opened. 

"Gail, are you ok? I got the keys to your room off Miss Holt" Caleb said worried. 

"I'm fine now that you're here" she said with a smile as Caleb jumped into bed 
with her. 

"I love you, Caleb" Gail said kissing his head. 

"I love you too, Gail" Caleb replied and they both fell asleep holding each 
other. 

"Soon, Gail" Lucas said to himself as he stood outside her window on the street. 
"Soon" he repeated as he faded into the mist. 


THE END