CHAPTER 2 — LEAVING THE ISLAND
751 Words
The next morning came quietly.
It was Alison’s last day on the island.
She woke up without rushing, laying in bed for a few seconds before sitting up. There was nothing pressing waiting for her, nothing immediate she had to attend to. It was just another morning, except this time, she was leaving.
She got ready at her own pace, packed her things properly, and made sure everything was in place. By the time she was done, the room already looked like no one had stayed there.
Her chopper was on its way.
After breakfast, instead of waiting inside, Alison decided to walk around the resort one last time. She could have used the resort car, but she didn’t feel like it. Walking felt better.
The air was calm, the breeze from the sea light against her skin. Staff greeted her as she passed, and some of the children she had spent time with waved at her from under the palm trees. It felt normal. Easy.
She moved slowly, just taking it in for the last time.
On her way around the resort, she passed by the hospital.
That was when she remembered The man from the shore.
She stopped for a second, then turned and went inside.
The nurses were at their stations, moving around as usual. Alison walked up to one of the doctors.
“The patient that was brought in yesterday,” she said. “How is he?”
The doctor, a woman, recognized her immediately.
“He’s stable,” she replied. “His breathing is steady, but he’s still in a coma. We’re waiting for him to regain consciousness.”
Alison nodded.
So he was alive.
That was enough.
“Do you know who he is?” she asked.
The doctor shook her head. “No identification, no records. We’re still trying to figure it out.”
Alison paused briefly.
“If he wakes up, try to find his family or anyone connected to him.”
“We will,” the doctor assured her.
Alison glanced briefly toward the room where he was being kept but didn’t go in.
“I’m leaving today,” she said. “I won’t be here when he wakes up.”
The doctor nodded.
Alison reached for her necklace.
It was a fine silver chain with a small teardrop-shaped sapphire pendant, simple but striking. It was one of the few things she actually cared about, not because of how expensive it was, but because she had always seen it as her lucky charm.
She unclasped it and held it for a second before handing it over.
“Give this to him when he wakes up,” she said. “It’s a good luck charm.”
The doctor took it without hesitation. “I’ll make sure he gets it.”
Alison gave a short nod. That was enough.
She turned and left.
By the time she returned to the front of the resort, the sound of the chopper could already be heard in the distance.
It was arriving.
But something else was happening too.
People were gathering.
The same children she had spent time with, the women from the community, some of the workers—everyone slowly came together near the landing area.
Alison frowned slightly, confused.
Then one of the older women stepped forward, smiling warmly, holding out a basket.
“For you,” she said.
Alison blinked.
The basket was handmade. Carefully woven. Not perfect, but clearly made with effort.
Behind her, the children rushed forward, some holding smaller baskets, others carrying flowers they had picked.
“You’re leaving,” one of them said.
Alison let out a small breath.
She hadn’t expected this.
“Thank you,” she said, taking the basket.
More were handed to her. Flowers, little crafted items, things that had no real value in the world she came from—but here, they meant everything.
For a second, she almost laughed at the thought of carrying all of this back to the palace.
But she didn’t refuse.
Instead, she accepted every single one.
“Thank you,” she repeated.
The chopper landed behind her, the wind from its blades lifting her hair slightly, the noise cutting through the moment.
It was time.
Alison took one last look at the place.
Then she turned and walked toward the chopper.
She didn’t look back again.
As the island disappeared beneath her, Alison leaned back into her seat, the basket resting beside her, the flowers still in her hand.
- Writer
