Safe Harbor

| 15 |

Jack was a man of few words.

He was interesting in that aspect. As we pass by the trees and step carefully through the creek, we keep quiet most of the while; observing, thinking, feeling. It wasn't an uncomfortable silence, though--actually, the opposite. I of all people knew better than most that being quiet didn't mean you weren't saying anything. I follow his gaze across the new and unfamiliar landscape in front of us and take in everything he inadvertently had to show me, marveling once more at the magnificence of this place. It was unlike anything I'd ever seen before, unlike every place I'd ever been, unlike anything I've ever experienced. This was uncharted territory and I was an explorer, struggling to take it all in.

But amazed as I was, I was even more confused. How did Damien and Keda find a place like this, in the middle of the ocean? And why would they decide to bring kids here, taking them away from their homes? I knew the British government had something to do with it with Uncle William involved, but everything else seemed to be a mist of fog I just couldn't see past.

How many kids were here already, and how long had they been here? Our group definitely didn't seem like the first, with all of those other kids poking out of the forest to greet us after Moni had given the signal. They didn't seem strange and foreign, but rather, inviting and friendly. Had they greeted others like us before?

"We'd better catch up with Keda," Jack tells me, nodding his head towards where Keda still speed walks, almost out of sight. "We can't let her steal the big entrance," he jokes.

I chuckle a little, agreeing. We quicken our pace, careful not to let any of the gnarled roots underfoot trip us in our haste. Quickly, we manage to catch up with her.

"Where did all this energy come from?" I demand teasingly, stepping into stride with her. "I had to nearly drag you to the hut not even ten minutes ago!"

Keda turns to me with a flushed grin. "Sorry about that, by the way. And thank you," she replies, wholeheartedly sincere. "I dunno. I'm just really, really happy to be home," she continues, her voice soft. Her eyes are full of life and energy, and they glint with the light of a thousand suns. She's practically bouncing on her feet, her arms swaying from side to side casually, as if she's trying hard to contain them from flapping up and down everywhere. Her smile is undeniable; uncontainable; she positive radiates with joy.

I snort, rather ungracefully. "No, I couldn't tell," I reply sarcastically. Noticing that grin on her face, I can't help but smile a little too, feeling her happiness rub off on me.

Finally, the forest ends and ahead of us lies the beach. Keda doesn't hesitate, brushing aside the foliage and making her way across the glittering sand, Jack and I hot on her heels. There's a group of about 20 people there, the largest number of people I've seen in a while. As soon as the sun hits us, they notice our arrival.

"Keda!" A girl yells, ecstatic. "You're back!"

"Jack, what took you so long?" Someone else calls.

"Alex!" A familiar voice shouts loudly from across the beach, only this one doesn't sound as happy. "Where the hell have you been?"

I make my way over to Marco, smiling sheepishly. He's standing with a couple of people I don't recognize; some of the other kids that were already here, I guess. Once I get there, he excuses himself from the others for a second, an expectant look on his face.

"Hey, what's been going on?" I ask, attempting to divert his attention. "Where are the others? Aren't you going to introduce me to your new friends?"

He doesn't even blink. "Not until you tell me where you've been, Alex. Honestly! I was with Jean-Luc and we were talking and I went to turn to you and you weren't there! I thought you'd already managed to get yourself lost! You can't just disappear on me like that, mate," he continues, concern and annoyance mingled in his voice. His arms are crossed over his chest, expectantly. His nostrils flare a little and his eyes are hard with annoyance, but there was no mistaking the worry in them as well. But however cross he was at me, he was worried, too. Immediately, I feel guilty, and try to make amends.