The Tower

Epilogue

They walked in silence in the evening chill, block after block, without destination, each deep in his own thoughts.

They stopped at last, almost as at an inaudible signal, and turned to look back.

The tip of the great tower caught the last of the day’s light. Below, the structure glowed in gathering darkness. Like an ember after the leaping flames have died, it no longer seemed to writhe.

“The chief said it,” Nat said. “The best we could and it wasn’t enough. Maybe it wasn’t the best we could.” His voice was low pitched, savage. “Maybe—”

“It’s done,” Patty said. “Leave it there, and go on.”

“On where?”

“Just on.” Patty’s voice was gentle. “Ahead, not back. There is no turning back.” She paused. “It’s all—behind us. All of it.”

They began to walk again. Together.