I press a button on the EcoPan control board and the stone walls open into a staircase leading lower into the earth. I look back and see my friends and family behind me, accompanied by a nervous-looking Lachlan. Nervous but not doubtful.

Rook, Ash, Mom, and a few others who we love follow behind as I lead them into the chamber with the tubes inside. There are futuristic glass tubes that are meant to be entered horizontally. They practically stop time for the people inside as long as the EcoPan allows it.

The people entering are, Rook, Ash, Angel, Lark, mom, and to our surprise, Flame. It hurts, knowing that Iris, Carnelian, Rainbow and so many others aren't able to come. They have people here to care about. Carnelian has his brothers. Iris has all the children to think about, and their lives that they've created here. Taking away Iris would be taking away the only mother they've ever known. When Iris found out our plan she cried, wishing she could come too. But she knew she couldn't. Losing me, Iris could bear. But Lachlan? He was her best friend, honestly. But Iris, of all people, understands that people grow up. And Lachlan is now a man, choosing to be with the woman he loves. We will remember her forever. Carnelian, Iris, Rainbow, and all the second children will forever be in our hearts. But we can't take them with us. And it will be goodbye now.

"Have these been tested?" Ash asks skeptically, realizing that if these fail and he continues to age, he will die. I admit I'm scared for that same reason. But if the EcoPan chambers work, so will these.

"They're EcoPan approved," I say optimistically.

"Is that supposed to make me feel better?" Flame asks in her usual dry tone. I admit I can see problems with her in the future. But if she chose to give up everything to stay with us, I guess that says something.

"I wasn't expecting to see you here," I say, quickly adding on, "But I'm glad you'll join us."

"Well, you kids are the closest thing to family I have. And I've helped save your lives more times than I can count. So I might as well stay to make sure you don't go messing everything up," she says with a shrug and I smile. I realize that she's grown an attachment and a sense of loyalty to us. The feeling is mutual.

We all look at each other for a second, struggling to find our words. What can I say?

"Don't start saying your goodbyes now," I insist. "It'll feel like five minutes have gone by. We'll be saying hello before you can finish listening to your favorite song. It won't matter." But truthfully I just can't bear to think of all the goodbyes. When we step out of this chamber everything outside of it will have changed. And everyone we loved outside of here will be dead. I feel as if I need to warn them. Everyone will be gone, even if nothing initially feels different.

"Is it true it only feels like five minutes?" My mom asks.

"I don't really know. When I was EcoPan I could tell time had gone by but that's mainly because my conscience was awake during that time. My body itself couldn't tell the difference. I felt shaky at first but that was mainly because my body had been in one position for so long. But I promise it won't feel like long." She still looks scared and I take her hand. I think this is the boldest thing she's ever done in her life. Besides, hide an illegal second child for sixteen years and betraying all of Harmonia to save Lachlan. "You've done crazier things than this. And you're an Elder for a reason. You can do this. You'll be okay."

She kisses me goodbye and with one last nervous glance, they start to take their seats in different capsules where they will be for the next few thousand years until the world doesn't need the EcoPan anymore. It feels so strange, knowing it will be so long until I speak to them again, and yet feeling like I can't say goodbye. Something so huge will feel so small soon.

"Will you miss us?" Ash jokes as I get ready to close the glass over him.

"Every moment until I see you again," I promise, and with a small tear in my eye, I shut him away. This isn't even close to the end. Once everyone is inside their capsules Lachlan and I look at each other. Lachlan looks scared but I know he's ready. We go back up the stairs, leaving everyone we love most behind us. He hugs me tight and I can feel him shaking.

"We'll be together the whole time," I assure him, kissing him lingeringly. He sits in the capsule, watching me until I sit in my own and he can't see me anymore. Once again, the wires jump up, digging into my skin. I hear Lachlan call out my name in fear. Before I can respond, I'm the EcoPan again.

Rowan?

Lachlan's scared voice calls out to me. I hear him through every tree and every creature on this planet. I also hear him through myself. Through each other, since there is no difference, calling out to me. I can feel him entirely now like I never could before. Every fiber of his soul mixes with mine. Every thought, every fear, everything that's ever happened to him is laid upon me. There is no better way to know a person. I can feel how overwhelmed he is with the overload of knowledge and connectivity with the planet. I felt that way too at first.

Lachlan, I whisper gently. We're safe. We're the EcoPan.

I feel his soul light up with joy as he realizes we will never be apart again.