Chapter 18

Aster:

Aster stepped out onto a beach. She remembered it from her childhood. Their last family holiday in South Africa. Her mother and brother were still alive. In the distance, the blue silhouette of Table Mountain rose up from the sea. She always wanted to come back here one day. To this beach, where the azure water was so clear you could see the seabed.

It was different here. She could feel the wind lift her skirt, the soft cotton candy sandy tickling her feet, taste the salty sea spray that misted her face, hear the seagulls squawking in the distance and the break of the waves on the shore.

But she was still alone.

For now, she didn’t mind. She waded into the ocean. The water was cold, just like she remembered, but it felt good. Maybe she was in heaven now. Maybe that’s the choice she made. But it didn’t feel like heaven. Just like all the other stops on her way, this place felt temporary too.

In the distance, she saw a w