***
Hand in hand, Keegan and Echo strolled down Queen Elizabeth Drive toward his office.
“I’m guessing we’re putting on quite a show,” she said, looking over her shoulder at Smith and the bikers.
“We couldn’t leave them behind.”
“Hmm.” She experienced a moment of guilt. Keegan needed to know the demons no longer posed a threat. She wanted today with him, then she would tell him that while he'd made telephone calls to clients, she snuck out and closed the toran. The demons would re-enter his world again, but not for him. With her gone, Bartholomew would have no reason to come after Keegan.
She hadn’t left yet, but already she missed him. Her heart filled with sadness at the thought that at midnight she would leave him. The Almighty had granted this time to her. She’d never anticipated how difficult saying goodbye to Keegan would be. She loved him, but he must never know.
“Do you want to talk about Bonita?” she asked.
He shook his head. “She’s not important.” He pulled her against him so their hips rubbed when they moved.
“Have you lived here all your life?” She realized how little she knew about him.
“Yes, and my parents and their parents before them.”
“Are they all still living?” She could get this information herself, but from this moment on she would treat Keegan as someone she wished to get to know better.
“Yes.”
“Your grandparents must be in their eighties.”
“Mid-eighties, and they’re just as spry and active as my parents. In fact, Grampa Gene golfs three times a week.”
“Are you all close? Do you see them often?”
“Not as much as I’d like, but we’re all close and keep in touch.”
“Do you have any siblings?”
“Five sisters.” He grinned.
She stopped and repeated what he said. “What are their names?”
“Patti, Rose, Laurie, Mae and Heidi.”
“Do they look like you? Are you the youngest? Do you have nieces or nephews?”
“This is sounding like an interrogation.”
He’d caught on to her. She covered up with a chuckle. “It suddenly dawned on me how little I know about you.” She hooked her arm around his. “Tell me everything. What you were like as a child. What mischief did you get into? Who your favorite teachers were. How you came about a career in law. Don’t leave out anything. I want to know everything there is to know.” His memories would be her memories, sufficient enough to last her an eternity. It had to be that way. She couldn't stay, and he couldn't come with her.
A car horn blared, cutting off her next question. Echo didn't think anything of the sound until Keegan looked over his shoulder. Surprise and fright registered on his face. He reacted with startlingly rapid precision and speed by pushing her away from him. She stumbled a few steps before catching her balance. Everything seemed to happen at once then: Smith and the bikers running toward Keegan, yelling for him to watch out; car horns blazing; tires screeching; pedestrians gasping and shouting; a half-ton truck climbing the curb; the sickening thud of Keegan's body being struck; Keegan flying through the air; her shouting, "Oh dear God no."
With her heart pounding, Echo ran to Keegan laying battered and broken on the sidewalk. She knelt beside him and took his hand in hers.
"Keegan," she said softly.
His eyes fluttered, then opened a slit. "I love you, Echo."
She watched his eyes close and felt his energy slipping away.
"No," she exclaimed. She clasped his hand tighter and whispered, "Stay with me, Keegan. The EMTs are on their way. You're going to be fine."
"It's … too late," he said, wheezing.
Smith and the bikers rallied around, telling her Keegan would be all right, even though they knew as she did their friend would not make it.
Echo raised her head upward and telepathically communicated with her superior.
Stop this. Punish me. I broke the rules, not Keegan. Let him live. She hung her head. Please, let him live. He's a good man and deserves a good life. Help him.
Echoangela, it was always meant to end this way. In your heart, you know it. Keegan's fate has been foretold. The Lord's will be done. This is His prophesy.
You can make an exception. I know you can. You've done it before.
Echoangela –
Do not attempt to pacify me. Save him.
I cannot.
"Help is coming, Keegan," she said, sobbing. "Hang on."
A solitary tear slipped from the corner of his eye.
She could feel Keegan slipping away farther. Please. He hasn't much time. Give him strength.
I cannot.
Echo thought back to the alley and the events that had led her to this moment. Keegan's misplaced soul; Henry and Lena; the bikers; her commission to Keegan's aid; Bartholomew; Bonita....The assignment made sense to her then. They'd both been given the chance to put right the wrongs of their past and to experience everlasting love.
Police sirens and emergency response vehicles sounded in the distance.
Show him the way, Echoangela. He's waiting for you.
She bent and touched her lips to his. "I love you, Keegan."
He smiled.
For the few seconds remaining for Keegan, Smith and the bikers said farewell to their friend.
Moments later, in the afterlife, Echo took Keegan's hand and together they walked his predestined path.
Together forever.
The End
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