It is evening. The sky is gloomy and the sun obscured.
Neva watches the vehicles rush past on the highway toward the west, with their loved ones, pets, and provisions—leaving behind their homes.
The sirens of firetrucks wail as they speed by in the eastbound lane—racing for rescue.
The white–greyish clouds of smoke chase the horizon.
Ahead, warning signs in big yellow capitals flash on a tall black digital signboard. She has seen smililar signboards along the way—each with a familiar, bleak augury.
In the distant beyond, the peak and slopes of haze–shrouded hills are engulfed in orange flames.
A strong gale fans the wildfires from the wilderness, devouring a majority of the suburbs and urban areas.
Unrestrained, further new blazes erupt in Vernilla and the neighbouring city Meridian and Riverdale.
As far as she knows, there are no confirmed casualties yet.
Authorities are still investigating the grounds of wildfire, and whether if it is an arson.
"So, this Miraeth does exist, huh?" Sky asks, pulling Neva out of deep sentiments.
She turns to meet Sky's brief glance.
Neva nods. "Yes."
A white Audi overtakes them.
Sky is maneuvering the Wrangler jeep at a steady speed.
The smoke is now becoming thicker. A fire within the area closening.
"And you had no idea how you got there?"
"No," Neva whispers.
Sky hums. "Strange."
Neva looks out again, southward.
A low–flying helicopter drones faintly above the woods.
Quiet settles again in the car.
Isaiah is sleeping. Inaya is not—wide–eyed, she peers out the window.
Neva thinks of Rhean. Are they making a mistake leaving him behind?
But what if the people whom she indirectly contrived to come along in an unknown Island face the real peril?
She sighs and restss her head against the seat.
Autumn leaves and debris of ashes whirl in the strong brewing wind. Clouds of smoke shroud over.
It is another long fifteen minutes along the way, with the world quilted whole in a sombre of blackness.
Only the exception of illuminations from white headlights and red tail lights of the cars break the darkness.
The yellow glow of raised pavement markers and retro–reflective sign boards flickers in intervals.
And in the distance, a clearing divulges the haze of billowing crimson clouds...
A sight of horror—as flames like blood on rage on the hills to the north, just in the skirt of the road. The scene nothing short of an apocalypse.
"Christ," Neva mutters under her breath.
"Wonder how worst it could get," Sky mumbles.
Neva throws her head back against the seat and heaves out.
"The hills are burning Mumma!" Inaya exclaims.
Wide eyes observe the catastrophic wildfires.
Isaiah was now awaken too, his body leaning toward the window, gripping the window sill as he looks out intently.
They show no anxiousness in their hearts.
"They are." Neva's eyes, her eyes trained on the two firefighting Chinook helicopters flying overhead.
Water pours to extinguish the searing fire, only to obtain minimum effect.
Some cars are pulled over to the side, and people stand by, watching or recording the fire from off the boundary of the pavement. Sky does not slow down the car, and they have ina moment surpasses the wildfire.
Neva's phone rings.
She unzips the brown leather bag resting on her lap and rummages inside until she feels the buzzing device.
The brightness of the screen lights up her face. Rhett's name appear on the caller Id.
She doesn't waste a second and answers the call.
"Yes?" Neva asks.
"Are you okay?" The familiar deep voice reverberates.
"I am. Have you reached the port yet?"
"Not yet. Niall called me.
They'll be staying at a hotel. The Recreation center isn't habitable anymore."
"Why?" She asks, frowning.
"The fire got to that region.
I'm going to get Rhean—he's being trouble. I'll meet you at the port."
"Please do. Be safe." Neva says.
She ends the call, slips the phone inside her bag and zips it closed.
A burdensome weight lifts from her shoulder, and she breathes in relief.
Rhean is finally allowed to come with them. Her heart feels lighter, for Neva could not deny the intrusive thoughts threatening an awful omen in leaving him behind.
At least she can have him before her eyes. He should be safer now that Rhean has his parents close to him.
Neva purses her lip.
How disturbed must the child be, for his father adamant to leave him behind—had to at end go get him to travel along with them.
She did not dare to interfere with Rhett's decision before. For he is a better guardian to him.
And Neva fears the nudging feeling inside disparaging she does not truly deserve to oppose him, as she has been abscend for almost all her son's life.
She feels he has more right over Rhean.
.
.
.
"We're here," Sky declares, whirling the steering wheel to the left, leading into the lane toward the parking lot.
"Should we wait in the car for them?" Neva asks.
Sky keeps her eyes on the rear view mirror as she reverses the car and pulls up to an empty spot near the entrance.
"We wait."
Neva nods.
The port is almost vacant.
Only the echo of waves and few idle steps disturb the empty spot.
Distant ships gleam under dim streetlights, their lights glimmering ripples accross the water.
"Are we riding a ship?" Isaiah asks.
"Something similar."
"This brings back memories." Sky remarks
"How so?" Neva asks, her brows raised.
Sky has her seatbelt unfastened, lounging on the slanted seat. She sighs in relaxation.
Then she meets Neva's eyes.
"You've really forgotten everything, don't you?"
Neva's eyes dim. She dips her head faintly in response.
"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have mentioned it." She says, giving her a look of regret.
"It's fine." Neva waves a dismissive hand, signalling Sky shouldn't worry about it.
"If this memory of yours concerns me, then if you don't mind, please remind me."
"Ah well," she crosses her arms over her chest.
"It was six years ago, I think?" She tilts her head in wonder to herself. "We drove you and Czar to a port one night just like this."
"Why?"
"You were on the run from Raka." She shrugs.
Neva feels her stomach sink at the mere mention of his name.
"I see," says Neva quietly.
A pause settle between the women, accompanied by the casual chatter of the children behind. The twins climb onto the seat and stand watching, pointing at the ships tied to the dock and a few in the distance sailing through the rear windshield.
"How long have you known Rhett?" Neva suddenly asks.
Sky has her eyes closed, clasped hands resting on her stomach.
"Well," her forehead creases, seeming to calculate in her mind.
"Nine years, maybe?"
Neva nods witheringly.
It is absured that she has known her husband for less than a week.
A lump forms in her throat.
She knows almost nothing about him.
"You know, back in the days he was really popular among girls."
Sky simply evokes, unknown to the fiery ball of jealously spiralling in Neva's belly.
"Is it?? she flatly asks.
"Of course. But it was impressive he didn't indulge in their fancy."
Neva turns to her better now. Subconsciously offering Sky her full attention. "He did not?"
"No." Sky looks at her and chuckles. "He is thorough with his job."
"Then he met you. And everything was all you. This brooding, impassive men–all–about–you." She smiles at her.
Crimson heat creeps up Neva's cheek. And now she thinks Sky is pretty friendly.
"And did you too?" Neva feels her chest tighten again at her own abrasive curiosity.
"What?" Sky raises a brow.
"You know," Neva bites her bottom lip. "Kinda, a crush on him?"
"Ah," Sky chuckles.
Then to Neva's utmost relief, after what feels like seconds so painfully slow, she shakes her head no.
"He's not my type." She winks at her.
Neva smiles.
"Mumma, where's papa?" Inaya asks, now resting still on her seat.
Neva's deameanour is shadowed again.
"I don't know."
"Is he not coming with us?" Inaya puckerd her lips, almond eyes becoming glossy.
"They are here.
I'll get the luggages out." Sky turns off the engine and opens the door.
Neva looks out and sees the Aston Martin slowly pulling into a vacant space nearby.
Placing the satchel aside, she unclicks the seatbelt and steps out too, but not without telling the twins to stay still.
It is windy. The chillness at the end of October sends a shiver through her.
And a white Porsche drives in, parking a slight distant away.
The door of the Aston Martin flings open. And out Rhean sprints towards her.
"Mama," his eyes are swollen, tears trickling down his cheeks.
Neva smiles shallowly, an ache in her chest at his weary frame. She takes a few strides until Rhean, crying, collides with her. She immediately swoops him up in her arms.
"Oh Rhean..." She lovingly caresses his head.
Rhean cries his heart out. His arms cwrap around her neck, face buried in her shoulder.
How could she have the heart to leave this delicate soul?
"Enough crying. I'm not letting you away anymore."
Rhett nears them, wheeling two luggages. "Ready?"
Neva nods. "Yes."
She hears footsteps.
Looking over her shoulder, she sees Ishmael with Ace walking toward them.
A chill runs down her spine.
His foreboding eyes bore into her.
Neva immediately glancs away, guts churning as he draws closer.
Then a warm hand cups her cheek.
She glanced up, threading eyes with Rhett.
And the reassuring little smile painting his lips, the warmth swirling in his eyes are miraculously enough to fade out those invasive fears.
He tucks strands of loose hair behind her ear.
Then he retracts his hand. "Let's go."
She can only gather him a small smile.
"Papa!" Inaya's voice chimes.
Neva found both of the twins clinging onto Ishmael.
"Ace. To the boat." Rhett says, indicating.