After the graduation ceremony, a grand party was held in the University Gardens in the evening.

John and Jarad shared a drink together at the bar, just like old times. They refilled their glasses and clanked them together.

“So tell me,” Jarad said. His swarthy skin glistened with a light layer of sweat. He wore a stylish white goatee and a long scar ran down from the upper tip of his nose to under his right eye.

John knew where Jarad was heading, and just said, “I don’t know. You tell me.”

Jarad shrugged innocently, “What would I know? I just read what’s in the news.” His voice softened, “I hear there may be another fiasco like ‘33.”

“Oh come on. Where’d you get the info?”

“Just rumors, here and there.”

John was surprised. Since when did Jarad Hameed pay heed to rumors? “I hear rumors too, you know. Like the others in the Council—”

“Richard,” Jarad blurted. “He’s not here, is he? What’d he say? Had some work, didn’t he?”

John raised an eyebrow, “Richard? He wouldn’t—” “He’s in on it.”

“People talk. Forget it.”

Jarad protested, “You’re holding Leader’s Chair. You have to put a stop to it.”

“If something did come up, I’d know. Believe me.” John emptied his drink and savored the strong taste of the whiskey. “Now, let’s forget all this. It’s my nephew’s graduation; let’s get drunk.” He let out a hearty laugh.

Jarad smiled.

John approached an idle bartender, “You there. Two more. Straight.”

The bartender nodded.

John turned to Jarad, “By the way, how’s Hassan?”

Jarad said, “Good. He sends his regards.”

John nodded, took the glasses from the bartender and handed one to Jarad. “Listen, I’ll see you in some time. Let me make sure Mom’s alright.”

Jarad said, “Yeah, sure.”

John left him and Jarad’s eyes followed him with suspicion.

Alex looked around the garden at everybody enjoying themselves and spotted Angel in one corner and approached her. “Hey,” he said and kissed her on her cheek. She smiled but Alex could see through her expression. Inside she hid a deep sadness. He looked at her for a moment, sipped his wine and waited for her to speak. He could tell from her eyes that something was urgent. “You okay?” he asked.

“Alex,” she said slowly, “we need to talk. Something has happened.”

“What?” he said, leaning forward to make sure that he could hear her properly.

She sighed and averted her gaze. “It’s difficult to say it,” she said. “Maybe now’s not the right time after all.” She cringed and bit her lip.

“You just said—” “Look, I know I have to say this but I’m sure you’ll go crazy if I do.”

He touched her hair, “Just tell me already.”

Alex saw from the corner of his eye Uncle John and his Grandma talking. From his uncle’s face, Alex could tell that he was nervous. His grandmother had her hands clasped together and was rocking them back and forth in a pleading motion. His uncle John was shaking his head. “Wait a minute, Angel. I’ll get back to you. Maybe we should talk later. Say the Flamingo, tomorrow? Lunch?” He started to walk away to see what they were talking about.

“But Alex—”

He had already left. Angel exhaled and rolled her eyes. She held back her tears and used a napkin to wipe her eyes. With her head down and her arms folded, she wandered away to be alone. She found an empty bench and sat down.

Alex went to meet his guardians. They did not notice him coming and so he overheard part of their conversation. “But John, you have to tell him,” his grandmother said.

“Mom! He wouldn’t be able to handle it if he knew everything,” John protested.

Alex walked a little slower and eyed the two with interest. Uncle John suddenly turned his head and noticed him. “Alex! Come here!” he said, affecting a cheerful tone. He went to shake his nephew’s hand and hugged him. “Congratulations! You’ve made us all proud!”

His grandmother kissed him and said, “I’m so happy that you’ve accomplished this. We all are, and I know your parents would have been as well.”

Uncle John took a long meditative sip of his drink and nodded.

“Yes,” said Alex, turning once more to John, “I believe we have much to talk about tonight.”

It was about 2:00 AM when Alex, John and Grandma Howe reached the Estate. Apart from when John spoke occasionally to the driver of the limo, the ride home was a silent one. The limo pulled up into the garage where many other vehicles were parked. When they got out of the car, the silence discomforted Alex even more. He was eager to know everything and say something but, seeing his uncle’s solemn face, he remained quiet. His grandmother looked at Alex and placated him with her kind gray eyes.

Inside the manor, John sighed and sat down on the leather chair. “Okay Alex,” he said. Alex sat down on the sofa facing his uncle. Grandma wandered off into the kitchen to prepare some coffee. “What I’m going to tell you,” continued John, “is just the beginning of what you really need to know.”

Alex remained silent.

“Now, you do know that you were the last human to be born on the Earth. In fact you were born on the day of the last battle. Of course you were too young to remember anything.”

“Okay,” Alex said. “What are you getting at, Uncle John?”

John exhaled, “I’m not the one to tell you this story. Your mother is.”

Alex looked confused. “My mother?” He felt foolish even thinking it. “Is she still alive?” he heard himself ask.

Alex’s grandmother came in with three hot cups of coffee on a tray which she placed on the table. “Well, where have you gotten till?” She asked, sitting down on the sofa next to Alex.

“Uncle John mentioned my mother.”

“What have you told him?”

“I told him about the day of his birth and I was about to tell him its significance.” John turned to Alex. “Your mother wrote you a letter and it’s this letter that reveals the truth.” Uncle John stood up and walked over to the library in the hall. He began to root around the cluttered book shelves. His fingers finally rested on an old tome which he pulled out. Suddenly the library slid open, revealing a silver door. “The letter is in here,” he called out to Alex, gesturing toward the silver door.

Alex got up, more baffled then ever. “What the hell...”

Grandma Howe took Alex by the hand and led him to the library. “Come and see what your mother left for you,” she said.

Alex felt queasy as his palms sweated. He eyed his uncle with apprehension. “Look, I...I...” he stammered.

“We have time. You want this or not?” John’s sharp eyes stuck to Alex’s.

Alex nodded, silent for some time. Then, with more confidence, he said, “I want this.”

“Now, this is a test to see if you are what we think you are,” John said.

“What test?”

“Put your hand here on this knob,” John pointed.

Alex did as he was told and heard a whirring noise from inside the entrance. He felt a tiny shock and let go.

“The first part of the test was a fingerprint scan and a small nanopin pricked your hand to check your blood,” John said.

“Why would it need to check my blood?” Alex asked.

“You’ll see,” said his uncle, smiling. His eyes glimmered with the excitement of a little child.

The door slid open, leading to a long passageway. As he approached it, the ground lit up with a pure bright light, illuminating the walls.

“Now you’ll have to go inside and see for yourself.” John said.

“You mean you’re not going to come with me?” Alex’s voice trembled.

“No,” said Grandma. “We promised your mother that you’d do this alone.”