Chapter 2 Remains

"That's a remote island. He'll reflect on himself for now, and once he comes back, he'll accept you for who you are."

Harold's face froze. The moment he looked at Yvonne, the edges of his eyes went red. "Really? I wish he could understand where you're coming from. All I want is to be his family."

Harold rested against her body, and she smelled his cologne. She froze for a moment and patted his nape.

'Harold's a kind soul. I have no idea why Christian keeps going after him,' she thought.

…

Six months had gone by since Harold was taken home, and she was thinking about me very differently.

Still, she couldn't forget how I choked up during the call. After she sent Harold away, she called Rachel. "I thought you're developing that island into a tourist spot. Christian said there are beasts there."

Rachel snickered and answered nonchalantly, "He's living his best life sans any human company. I bet he was lying to you so you'd take him back. Honestly, I don't get why you go out with that liar. Harold is so much better."

Yvonne heaved a sigh of relief and felt more displeased about me. Still, she was stern with Rachel. "Enough. He just walked down the wrong path. The fact his family took in another child doesn't sit well with him. It'll be better once he changes his attitude."

…

I couldn't understand why Yvonne would rather believe Rachel and Harold than me.

I walked around the island barefoot, holding back my fears as I tried to find shelter. Rachel bought this island. It was filled with sand and stone, and the silence was unnerving. There was no food or water.

I felt my heart clench. I tried calling someone, but there was no signal. I kept trying, but my phone went dead before I could make another call.

The sky was getting dark. I kept my fears down as I climbed up a tree, then I swallowed a dry, sour fruit, and I hugged the trunk like my life depended on it.

The moon was shining over the sea, but its gleam was heartlessly cold. I was reminded of my graduation thesis, or to be precise, the things that happened during that time.

When I couldn't sleep, I would grab Yvonne, and we'd watch the moon.

It was a cold winter, and we shared the same down jacket, leaning against each other on the balcony. She would hum lullabies quietly and sleep in my arms, sweet and beautiful. The sight of her filled my heart with warmth.

The sea's breeze bit me.

I stared at the moon, and my mind replayed the lullaby, yet my whole soul felt so cold that I couldn't sleep.

I carefully skirted around the crocodiles, and when I finally found a cave that could shelter me, I ran into a skeleton. It looked like a male's skeleton, and strips of fabric hung over its bones. His face had rotted so much that I could see the bones.

I noticed the signs of bite marks on his remains. Those were made by beasts.

And there were words carved into the wall. Vague. He used a multipurpose knife to carve those.

"Dad, Mom, I'm sorry. I love you."

The sight of his remains told me of my future. I held down my urge to throw up, then huddled closer and covered him with my jacket.

After that, I picked up the multipurpose knife and left.

Tears tried to spill, but I clenched my teeth and held them in. Even tears were precious on this island. I couldn't afford to waste any water I had. No matter what, I had to survive.

…

Back in Imperia, Yvonne was in a bustling night club. She stared at her empty call history and frowned.