❝sometimes, the people who come into your life aren't meant to stay. sometimes, they will stay by your side for many lifetimes. sometimes, they're meant to stir a hurricane and bring chaos. but, sometimes, they bring peace with the promise of a happ...
SAVIOR COMPLEX ii. HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS ❝IT'S THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR.❞
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ISLA CARTERS HAD ALWAYS BEEN AN EARLY BIRD. Though, it was something she could blame on the fact that her life had always revolved around the same schedule of a school. During her teaching days, she would get to school early to set up the classroom for the children in her class. Perhaps, she cared too much about those tiny humans that would surely forget her as soon as summer would hit. But, it was what Isla had been used to as she dedicated her life to teaching. Yet, those peaceful days were long behind her and there was no true reason for her to be up at six o'clock in the morning. Still, she found herself awake. After getting ready, she had taken Dean's keys (with his permission, of course, but he had only muttered a few incoherent words in his sleepy state and Isla had taken it as a yes) and went for a quick drive around the town.
It took some effort to find a store open on Christmas, but Isla had found a small diner run by a sweet family who had given her a discount on all the food she had bought for being their first customer of the day. 'Feeding an army, huh?' It was what the owner had said with a small smile, making Isla laugh and shrug. Knowing Dean, the man could eat the same amount as a small army. After the diner, Isla had found an ATM and cashed one of her checks to give herself and Dean some extra cash. Her monthly checks made life easier for them, but Dean tended to use all of the money to play poker. Though, thankfully, he rarely lost.
Watching the sunrise had always been one of Isla's favorite moments of the day, the promise of a new day with endless possibilities gave her hope. She sighed softly, leaning back in the seat as music filled the car. It was one of Dean's cassettes, playing softly because it was a little too early in the morning to be listening to rock and roll. Isla pulled out her phone from her purse, flipping through the contacts before she came across the familiar one. The phone rang four times before she heard the dial tone.
"Hey, you've reached Benjamin Ellison," the pre-recorded voice began, making Isla take a deep breath. "Looks like I couldn't pick up the phone, probably out designing some badass houses or out with my lovely wife. But, whatever the reason is, I couldn't answer your call. So, leave me a message and I just might call you back."
Isla disconnected the call. With a heavy sigh, she set her phone down on the passenger side and began to drive. It hadn't been difficult to memorize the streets, considering she hadn't gone too far. She had seen the beach, noticing how beautiful it had looked as the sun reflected across it. Isla hummed along to the music, parking the car in the driveway of Sam and Birdie's home.
Once the car was turned off, Isla took a few moments to herself as she stared up at the house. Snow blanketed every surface from the roof to the trimmed bushes while frost coated the windows as it warned the inhabitants in the house how cold the outside world was. Without the heat blasting, Isla could feel the cold enter through the small cracks as she shivered. She picked up the food, exiting the car before she made her way toward the front door. It was unlocked, letting her enter without making much noise. The house was warm, chasing away any chill that lingered in her bones. But, the silence bothered Isla as the crackle of the fire echoed throughout. Everyone must still be asleep.
