Safe Harbor

| 25 |

Time flies by, but there never seems to be a boring day on the island. I manage to keep busy, assisting Jack, farming with Moni, studying with Keda, and even just helping out Damien, Henri, and Helen manage the other kids; especially the little ones.

"B-but, I-I don't w-wanna be h-here a-anymore," a little girl by the name of Frances tearfully chokes out, between heartfelt sobs. She's the youngest on the island; only six years old. "I miss m-my Mummy," she cries, and I do my best to console her.

"It's ok, Frances. You're going to see your Mum soon, I promise," I tell her, crouching down to look her in the eyes. I mean it; hopefully the war couldn't last for much longer.

"H-how s-soon?" She hiccups, staring at me with big blue questioning eyes.

"Sooner than you think," I reply softly. "Now come on, let's wipe away those tears," I continue, trying to cheer her up. "As long as we're all here, we can at least enjoy ourselves and have fun, right?"

It works, as she smiles softly. "Right."

"Alright then, go and join your friends over there, building sandcastles! I bet  you can build an impressive one! I'll be over in a little bit so you can show me, alright?" 

She grins. "Alright!" Then she surprises me, reaching forward to pull me into a hug. "Thank you, Alex. You're the best!" She exclaims with joy, before running off to the other side of the beach to join the other little ones.

Just then, Helen approaches me, standing by my side as we watch the children play, wistful smiles etched on both of our faces. 

"I wish I was a kid again. Everything seemed easier back then," I remark, watching Frances playing with the sand, a huge grin on her face.

Helen laughs, softly. "That's because everything was easier back then."

I'd come to know Helen quite better over the last few months. She'd come across me consoling some of the other young ones in Jack's hut, and had asked if I would consider helping her whenever she needed a hand battling homesickness.

Jack and I hadn't seen much activity these last few weeks, in terms of injury. It seemed these days, homesickness was the ailment striking most everyone.

"How are you so good with them?" I ask her, nodding over at the gaggle of kids playing to their hearts content nearby. "Do you have any siblings?" 

Her expression changes faster than the blink of an eye, as she settles for a smile that can be called nothing else but wistful at the very least. Her eyes twinkle sadly, so many emotions fluttering through them. 

"I did."

I turn slightly to look at her better, and I see tears beginning to form in her eyes. In this moment I know no words, how soothing, can console her now, so I do the only thing that makes sense to me, to comfort a friend.

I put my hand on her shoulder, staying silent. It's more than just a simple movement; it's an action-- one that I hope comforts her at least a little.

"Thank you," she says, wiping her eyes a little. She takes a deep breath, to compose herself, and when I think she's ready to speak she shakes her head says silent. "I don't like to talk about it."

I nod, completely understanding. "I get it, don't worry. You don't have to, if you don't want to," I reassure her and she gives me a grateful smile. 

"Thank you, Alex. You're a good guy."

I laugh, shaking my head. "I've heard that one before."

"OI, ALEX!" A boisterous voice calls from behind us, making me startle just a little bit.