Freedom's Horizon (WLW) (Full Trilogy - Ongoing/Editing)

Book Three: Part Five: Chapter Seven

Monaco, France, November, 1928, Port of Hercule

After a day and night of nearly constant traveling, Margaret walked up one of the farthest reaching docking barges and took a long whiff of ocean air into her lungs. She let it fill her every sense with all the wanderlust she'd come to love throughout her many long journeys at sea. She closed her eyes and let it coast over her body, opening them as she gazed out into the blackened sea only lit by the stars and moon in the sky. Home... She thought as Ricky made it to her side and she spotted the same recognition practically wafting off of him. He glanced over at Margaret and fondly grinned before turning his gaze back toward the sea.

"Are you both alright?" Dulcet tones called from behind them and Margaret peeked over her shoulder as Gabby joined her at her other side.

"We are perfectly fine." Ricky answered for Margaret as she became lost in Gabby's stare. Wrenching her gaze away as her mind told her to look elsewhere, which was becoming a strange habit in spite of the obvious connection forming between them both, she peered over at Noemi as she made it to stand at Gabby's other side. Ricky placed a hand on Margaret's shoulder and she glanced over at him to find strife quickly overtaking his once blissful form. "Where is our family?"

Margaret furrowed her brow and spun around, turning her eyes every which way. Genny, Ines and their companion were nowhere to be seen. There was no indication that they had ever been there, nor was there any type of vessel she would have expected Genny to man. Then again, perhaps they were able to get a more modernized yacht and she just didn't know precisely where to look. Margaret grasped something nearby and it took her a moment to realize just what it was as she peered down toward it with wide eyes. It was Gabby's hand and she looked into the woman's questioning eyes just as she felt something familiar heading their way.

"Genny!"

There through the more lit part of the docking system traipsed the very people for whom she and Ricky searched and Margaret didn't hesitate to run to her dear friends. Genny chuckled as she jumped up into Margaret's arms and she spied Ricky embracing Ines as well, though his eyes were most definitely pulled toward their third party member. Margaret eased back from Genny as Ines moved to her side and hugged her as well, reminding her of just how slender she had always been. She still obviously didn't eat much, but that was alright with how much she glowed. She looked so healthy and Margaret poked her cheek, rubbing her thumb there before she peeled her eyes toward their new friend.

He appeared to be East Asian and smiled sheepishly at them until his gaze settled on Ricky. Both bore deep blushes. In fact, Margaret hadn't seen Ricky look at another man like that in so long, she'd nearly forgotten how happy it made her to see him finding attraction. Although, this appeared deeper by the way their stare remained locked, as if they were in a world of their own. Ricky outstretched his hand and the man took it as his brow arched. Unlike Ricky, he hadn't any facial hair and appeared rather baby-faced as he tipped his hat toward them all.

"Oh, this is our newest friend, Hyeon-Ju." Genny explained as she placed a hand on the back of his head after he removed his hat. "We met on our journeys throughout East Asia and found him floating on a piece of driftwood in the Yellow Sea. He was banished from his home and... Well, we have given him one with us."

"H-Hello, everyone."

Genny's head twitched as she met Margaret's gaze once more, lifting the Ray-O-Vac light in her hand so that the beam went right in her face and caused her to squint. "Margaret, what happened to your eye?"

"What do you mean?"

Genny cupped her cheek and both she and Ines stared at her face with ultimate consternation. "Your right eye is...crimson. Was it injured beyond repair, friend?"