Epilogue
PARADISE ISLAND
ATLANTIC OCEAN
The midafternoon sun was hot. A humid breeze rustled through the thick trees, stirring leaves and a few flowered vines. Frogs croaked in peaceful contentment. A big green snake sprawled lazily across a wide branch. Further south, two parrots were squabbling over a choice bit of ripe fruit.
It was a normal day, very much like every other day inside the Barrier.
Perhaps tonight it should rain. The trees could use some rain; they always enjoyed stretching their branches wide and letting the water tickle their thick bark.
The last strands of a sturdy vine net tied between two rocks disintegrated and washed away with the rolling surf. Colorful fish, released from their unexpected prison, wriggled out into deeper water and resolved to avoid the shall
