Total pages in book: 114
Estimated words: 110757 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 554(@200wpm)___ 443(@250wpm)___ 369(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 110757 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 554(@200wpm)___ 443(@250wpm)___ 369(@300wpm)
“You’re up!” Bastian, a garden worker, grins at Marcus, reaching out to shake his hand. “How are you feeling?”
“I’m good, thanks. How are you?”
Bastian grins. “It’s the best day we’ve had in the garden for a long time. Check it out.”
He points to the far end of the garden. Marcus and I go there; what we see makes me teary-eyed.
Neat rows of tiny, bright-green sprouts have broken through the dark soil. The garden is returning. Since our seeds are genetically enhanced, these plants will grow much faster and bear more fruit than pre-virus ones did.
“What kind of vegetables are they?” Marcus asks.
I release his hand and walk to the end of the row, pulling a small wood stake from the ground and reading the words on it.
“Tomatoes on this side.” I return the stake to the ground and go pull another one. “Spinach here.”
Salads, frittatas and sautéed spinach are right around the corner. The former Tiders aren’t accustomed to eating well and always having enough, but I know the newly formed, united camp will get there.
These sprouts are visual proof of the rebirth taking place here. The volcano’s destruction will be felt by the island for generations of wildlife, but hope also blooms. Now that the two factions have stopped fighting and united, everyone here is safer and stronger.
I was surprised how many people don’t want to leave. When they found out evacuation back to the mainland was possible, a few said yes, but most said no. The mainland is still at war, and women aren’t safe there.
All of us have changed. We’ve evolved for our own well-being. And I think the island will, too. Without blood soaking its shores anymore, the island can become something beautiful.
Not just beautiful to look at—the island has always been that—but a place of nurturing and growth; finally, for everyone who lives here, a real home.
47
“It’s not too much. I’m all in, for as long as it takes.”-- Decoded message from ILF undercover operative Nightingale to ILF handler Hiro Tanaka
Briar
The jungle’s restless energy has started to settle for the day, the sun beginning its dramatic descent. Vibrant gold, pink and violet shades paint the sky over the sparkling ocean, more magnificent than any watercolor.
When Marcus and I emerge from the narrow path that cuts through the jungle and opens onto a secluded, sandy section of beach, a canvas tent awaits. A campfire crackles nearby, and there’s a low table set with platters of food.
I want to admonish him about taking it slow, but I stop myself. Today was his first full day off bed rest and he worked on bridge construction all day. He sweated and hammered alongside the rest of the crew, and he feels better than ever.
He looks better than ever, too. I took several long, lingering looks at his bronzed, sweat-slicked body while he worked. I did laundry for half the day, and I was so distracted that I’m lucky I didn’t wreck the laundry bike.
“Did you do this?” I ask him.
He drops his brows and scoffs. “Of course I did. While you were showering. I’d never ask someone else to do this for me.”
“Thank you. It’s perfect.”
He knew not to cut flowers and scatter their petals on the ground. Nothing could compare to the artwork in the sky, anyway.
Waves lap at the sand as we walk over to the fire, a blanket spread out on the sand for us to sit on.
“We met on a beach, remember?” Marcus says lightly.
I pinch my brows together, pretending to think about it. “I think so. Weren’t you the tall guy who was dragging screaming people away?”
“That was me, yeah. And you were the unarmed mercenary who almost fought your way into the jungle.”
“Look how far we’ve come.”
He pulls me close. “I’m glad I didn’t leave you to die in the jungle after you fought Virginia.”
I hum softly. “You wanted to, though. The others just wouldn’t let you.”
“You didn’t like me at first, either.”
“No, not even a little bit.”
He kisses me gently. “I’ve grown on you, though, right?”
“You have. But I’ve got to say I’m not so enthused about outdoor ... affection now that I know we’re being watched.”
He grins. “We’ve never done anything out in the open. We were behind the waterfall. And that’s what the tent’s for.”
“Still. They’ll all know what we’re doing in there.”
“Wait a second. I was planning a night of deep conversation. What were you thinking?”
I back away, giving him a playful look. “I was also thinking of something deep, but maybe we should just go back to camp.”
“Oh, you think so?” He lunges forward, lifting me into his arms.
A squeal slips out of me, my feet leaving the ground. I wrap my legs around his waist, soaking in this rare moment when everything is good and warm and happy.