Trapped in Time-Extinction by Saxon Andrew

was going to happen. Well, there was no avoiding it. He took a deep breath and turned toward Ophelia as she came up the steps and ran toward him. Three feet away she launched herself and wrapped Zeck’s head in her arms. “Thank you, thank you, thank you a million times!”
    Ophelia was weeping and Zeck softly said, “It’s alright, Ophelia. She’s safe.”
    “I’m not crying for her, I’m crying for us.”
    Zeck’s eyes narrowed and he leaned back to look in her eyes, “What?”
    “I love you, I think I’ve loved you from the moment you told me you bought me to save me. I just couldn’t admit to myself. But now I can’t hold it back anymore. Is there any way you can forgive me?”
    Zeck pulled her close and said, “I’ve loved you from the moment I saw you at the slave auction years ago. There is nothing to forgive.”
    “Can you accept me into your life, Zeck?”
    Zeck looked at Ophelia staring up at him and he smiled, “There will never be anyone in my life but you. That’s the way it’s always been.” Ophelia wrapped her arms tighter around his neck and Zeck smiled as the stiffness disappeared.
    Tyler had paused before leaving the pier and watched Ophelia and Zeck. He smiled and Olivia said, “I guess you were right.”
    Tyler looked at her, “About what?”
    “Love can make you do some unbelievable things.”
    Tyler started laughing and took Olivia out into the crowd at the end of the pier and began introducing her to the community. Tyler watched her and was once again amazed at how she handled herself. She was brave, strong, and beautiful. He sighed and thought about Mindy.
    • • •
    It was much later when Zeck and Ophelia finally left the ship. They had talked for a long time and now, for the first time, they had found peace. They walked off the pier in each other’s arms and climbed the steps up to the top of the cutout. They arrived at the steps leading down to the community and were suddenly barraged by a huge roar. The entire community had waited for them to appear. For the first time since her arrival, Ophelia was greeted with smiles.
    Tyler brought Olivia over to Andy and Melody and smiled, “Would you mind making sure she gets home safely?’
    Melody smiled and nodded. Olivia watched him leave and looked at Melody, “Why couldn’t he do it?”
    Melody stared at her and after a moment said, “Tyler has someone special here in the community.”
    Olivia jerked her head around and watched Tyler walk away. She took a deep breath and blew it out. She looked at Melody and smiled, “It would be a real surprise if he didn’t. He’s not someone that would go unnoticed.”
    Melody shook her head, “I’m sorry.”
    “Don’t be; I’m free. No one ever gets everything they want.”
    Andy leaned down and said, “Melody, we need to meet about the Destroyer defenses now!”
    Olivia looked up at Andy and said, “They really started building them about six months ago. I think they’re planning to chain the slaves to the wooden X’s along the harbor when you invade.”
    Andy looked at her and shook his head, “They’re what?”
    “All the slaves in the city were taken down to the shore and chained to the wooden fortifications. They practiced doing it several times over the last few months.”
    Melody looked at Olivia and turned to Andy, “She needs to be in this meeting along with Zeck.” They looked and saw that Zeck and Ophelia were surrounded by the community. Melody chuckled, “The meeting can wait until tomorrow.”
    Andy stared at Zeck and after a moment nodded. He looked at Olivia, “Will you come and assist us?”
    Olivia nodded, “I’ll be glad to help in any way I can.”
    Andy walked away and Olivia said, “Is he the Leader?”
    “Yes he is and he’s my husband.”
    Olivia smiled and said, “Both of you are quite impressive. Thank you for your kindness.”
    Olivia turned and went to join her sister. Melody shook her head and thought, “And you are quite impressive