well scotty, i think thats a pretty good assessment of the epilogues. thats what they want to hammer home. these kids have to grow up, for better or worse, and by god is it the worse. the trauma that has befallen every single one of them does not just go away when the credits roll, and it's not exactly conducive to making healthy choices as they fall into adulthood and total godhood.

when the epilogues first came out i was upset and angry, i didnt like the idea that the characters i was attached to would act like that. but then i stepped back from that and realized there was never any guidance for them. and they had no choice but to grow up.

the epilogues were spurned by a lot of people without a second thought upon release. it doesnt sound like it will be an easy read for you but it's definitely interesting to pick apart if you can come out the other side.