Epilogue

                                    

                                          
On the news, the death of Chase Shinra was reported. The police found a body three kilometres away from the old Shinra site: it had to be Chase's. Tifa was a bit shaken by the fact that she had killed Chase, but it took an hour at least to get her back on her feet.
We found out all together in the bar having breakfast. The radio blasted out traffic, news and weather reports while Tifa set down four plates covered in fried eggs, bacon and maple syrup-covered pancakes. Denzel finished his food faster than anyone else and was zooming around the room, laughing. Marlene finished and quietly doodled on a clean napkin, and Tifa would drag on about random things that she would victimise me into listening. 
I look around the room and feel warm. I don't know how long it's been since we sat all together and had a meal. It feels refreshing. Lately, we've either been racing several miles to save someone from a force that could destroy all we know, or moping around all day in bed because of injuries. Though I'm back to square one, being bandaged and covered in sticky medicine, I'm still glad to be here with my family.
I stand up, leaving my plate half full. I turn to get my sword and jacket from the bedroom when Tifa asks if I'm going somewhere. Of course, I leave it up to her imagination and don't answer her.
Once I gear myself up, I remove the coral box that I received mysteriously that night. I haven't touched it for a month, but I have no doubt that Chase sent it to me. He had probably fixed the note into my old home when we visited, too. 
I pulled the lid off and see the dog tag and the necklace tangle up inside. I pulled them apart and stared at the dog tag.
"It is the key to everything. I can't lose it," my dad once had said.
After we had defeated Chase, and Tifa and I returned home, I couldn't help but wonder what my dad wanted. Though I told Tifa that I didn't care, I still want to know if my father envisioned Shinra as what it was today. Would I have been happy with his decision? 
I hide his dog tag in my pocket and carefully hop downstairs. Tifa stops me at the small garage where Fenrir is parked. 
"Where are you going?" She repeated with more earnesty. I threw a leg over Fenrir's saddle and brushed Tifa's arm with my hand. 
"To find answers," I mumbled. Before she could ask me to clarify, the engine roared and revved it to signal my leave. Tifa stood out of the path and I rushed onto the street and on the main road to the highway.
***
I drove off-road for a while until I reached the building. It hasn't changed from the loose metal planks to the hazardous hanging cables. The unknown breeze still came out, chilling the air even more than what it already is. I wrapped my jacket around me tighter.
Some police line has resticted the building, but it now hangs long to the floor and it was covered by the dirt. I pushed pass and push the door open. A loud creek echoed through the barren land, but luckily there are no officers to take care of.
The facilities were a mess of corridors. A weak light bulb that barely hung from the ceiling was the only light source there, but the faint light from the overcast day helped my eyes.
I walked through, easily opening doors with my hands, though keypads were installed. The building was probably unlocked after the fall of Shinra. I head towards a room with streams of police line covering the door frame. As I entered, the first thing I see is a body outline in fluorescent white tape, as well as small black cones with numbers labelled. The room was covered in books and research sheets. There were two portable white boards with calculations and dot points scribbled over it.
"Where Rufus Shinra died," I stared at the spot before moving down the corridor. 
I didn't go into any other rooms. All of them were a mess inside with books or dust. I reached the end of the hall before approaching a door which was made out of brighter metal plates which have been bolted down together. The keypad for this door had glowing lights flicking on and off.
I grabbed the dog tag out of my pocket and lifted it over the scanning device. I waited for a while, but wondered if it even worked. Suddenly, it beeped and the door slid to the left, revealing a neatly packed room. A line of dust fell where the door was, so I was confident that no one has ever been inside. 
Once I took a step inside and the door slammed shut on my back. I turned around and found a second keypad on the inside. I wondered around inside staring at the shelves that covered the walls on each side. The desk was from one end to the other, attached to the walls. Boxes were stacked all over the desk like someone was preparing to leave the office. I almost didn't notice it under the weak lights, but the photo frame was the only sentimental thing in this dusty office.
I picked it up and wiped the glass window that protected a photo that was too small for the frame. The photo inside made me feel warm. It was a friendly, casual family photo. There were four people: both of my parents, my sister, Eva, and myself. 
Eva and I were captured chasing each other around, laughing and smiling. Eva wore denim overalls on top of a pink checked top. I am surprised of how short I was around her. It looked like I was a whole head shorter than her. Both of us in the photo didn't have shoes on and our muddied feet were very clear in the picture.
This photo was taken in front of the oak tree that was planted in front of the mansion. I could tell because behind me and Eva's moment, my parents hung around the tire swing attached to the low branch of the oak. My father stood behind my mother, who was holding onto the rope while sitting in the tire hole. The photo was shot mid-swing and my mother's soft brown hair flared everywhere, as wide as her smile. My father's arms were extended and he had a gentle smile as he stared at his wife. I stared at his black hair that resembled Eva's, and I comtemplated how I got blonde hair.
I place the photo frame back down and pull out the dog tag as well as the purple necklace that I don't remember carrying along. I placed them around the frame and smiled at my father's packed office. I closed my eyes, thinking about the dreams that I have had about my past. I couldn't remember anything else so I knew my memory loss would still affect me and the only ones I will remember are the ones that come in my sleep. 
I stare at the photo again, particularly my parents and say, "I hope you rest in peace,"
***