Under the burning skies

Verne's Anker

"I heard about the island but never thought it could be real, who found it?" whispered the man as he takes another sip.

Noah didn't mean to snoop in on the conversation but he couldn't help himself. 

Whenever he came back from a long trip he would stop by and unwind at his favorite bar, "Verne's Anker".  The bartender always knew what he got when he came in, so there was no need for small pleasantries. 

"The usual Noah" he slams the drink on the counter. "How was the trip?  Did you catch anything good this time?"

He took a drink of his rum and gave the bartender a small nod.

"Nothing special, the usual catch which is good for business but I'm getting tired of the same mundane shit, ya know?" he said fatigued.

As if with new life the man next to him stood up astonished and proclaimed, "BLIMEY!"

The man next to him pulled him down by the arm and told him to be quiet. The bartender asked if everything was okay and the man waved him down.

"What is it?" Noah asked with a slight annoyance.

The two men whispered to each other laughing, as if the secret could not be revealed. Noah glances at them with bewilderment and judgement.

"Okay we'll tell ya but ya gotta make sure to keep it to ya self alright?"

Noah rolls his eyes and agrees.

"Sure, go on with it"

They began to tell Noah the tale of Naxos and the secrets that the island holds.

Astonished to hear about the island, Noah couldn't quite believe what he had heard.  Could it be possible that such an island exists?  Sure he had heard of Antillia and Atlantis but never really thought much of it.  Now it's different because he knew the man that traveled to the island and noticed how much his life had changed since he came back.  He was so transfixed that he forgot that he walked outside.

Luna Crescente, the port side town that Noah has known most of his life was livelier than ever during the festival. As he walks out of Verne's Anker he didn't realize how many drinks he had while listening to the two guys talking about Naxos. He wobbles out and sees all the people setting up for tonight, it puts a smile on his face.

This is his favorite time of year. The annual Luna Crescente Crab Fest always brings in some much needed tourism and the community comes together to make it a night to remember. On his way home he stops to talk to some of the locals, he's been a big part of the community since his father passed away.

"Dad, I miss you more and more each year around this time" he thinks aloud looking out into the sea.

His father was the life of the festival, he was a shining beacon. He would always tell Noah stories of how the crab fest first started and how people would go crazy over the crabs in Luna Crescente.

Noah makes his way home, to the place that him and his dad had built.  It was a small cottage but it was cozy and the best part was always the welcome from his dog, Petey.  When Noah was on long trips the neighbor would make sure to go and check on him daily, feed him and leave him water.  But Petey was always ecstatic when he would come home.  There is nothing better in the world than when a dog greets you; the whimper, the excited barks, the licks it all brings out nothing but joy.

"You won't believe it pal!" 
Petey wags his tail in excitement and barks as if he's interested to hear.

"There's this island and it holds the miracle I've been looking for, ugh, I still can't believe it".  He starts taking out the loaf of bread from his pantry and continues.

"Okay so remember a few years ago when I was a total mess?  When I pretty much depended on you to help me get through life?"

Petey barks in frustration.  Noah forgot to give him a piece of his sandwich like he usual does.

"Oh, sorry boy". He cuts the sandwich in half and gives it to Petey.

"So anyways going back to my story, I think I found a way to get her back, I think it's possible boy and I have to try.  It's been hard ever since we found out and I don't know how to live without her, you understand right?"

Petey shoots him a look as if he knows but then goes right back to eating his sandwich.

"Right".

As he he takes the picture, he recalls a memory that makes his heart wrench and he knows that Naxos will solve all his problems.