Chapter 24. Epilogue

It had been many years now since Birdy last hiked. The last time she did, she had fallen on a rose thorn, which had sparked and unfurled a story she never knew would be part of her life.

The mountains were now steeper, and since it was the rainy season, the stepping stones were more slippery. Officer Michael, now the county officer in Robben Island, accompanied her. He held on tight to Michael, Birdy’s 8-year son, a cute blonde-haired boy, who was full of energy and would run all over the place if left alone.

“Mommy, why do I have the same name as this officer?” little Michael asked when he first arrived in Robben Island with Birdy.

Michael asked many questions about everything and was smart enough to understand the answers despite his age.

“Honey, it’s complicated. But this officer was your dad’s very close friend, and your dad’s name was Michael too, so it’s a coincidence that you bear the same name as this officer.”

“I thought dad’s name was Lycanthr