by Anna Lewis
“It’s been more than a week since I have asked some trusted officers to observe them. Nothing odd yet, so far…except…”
“What?” Lindy pressed on, curious.
“Calzone isn’t our spy,” he said with conviction. “He’d been sneaking into the training grounds because he’s been sleeping with several different cleaners.”
“What?! Who?!” Now this was something that Lindy wanted to know.
She was shocked to learn that it involved some of the women she worked with, whom she considered her friends. Well, at least these were females who had never been close to Kay. She suspected that it had already been going on when Calzone and Kay were still together.
“Well, it’s none of our business,” Kristan said, shrugging to show he didn’t really care. “What’s important is that he’s not with Kay anymore and he’s not disrupting anyone’s work. But I’ve already asked someone to warn him not to sneak around in the training building.”
A thought then occurred to Lindy. “But what if…?”
Kristan read her mind before she could finish her sentence. “Yes, it’s a possibility. He may be using this as a cover for something else he’s doing. I have yet to speak with him directly and try to read his mind.”
“And Branzon, the young soldier?” Lindy wondered.
“Off the hook too,” Kristan said. “I actually talked to him and his mind was as clear as day to read! He’s just very ambitious, that’s all.”
“What about Elixir?”
Kristan was thoughtful for a moment. “So far he hasn’t been caught going anywhere else except in the servers’ area. I’ve also spoken with him, and his mind’s clear. Well, lots of other issues there but nothing to do with trying to destroy our chances of winning the war.”
“Okay, I’m glad.”
He threw her a funny look. Was it of jealousy? She ignored it and asked, “You did gather other suspects, right?”
“Yes, and they’re not our spy either,” he said, looking frustrated. “Whoever the spy is, he or she is doing a damn great job of undercover work. This past week, I have talked with almost everyone. I should have detected a dishonest mind by now. This spy must know of my ability.”
Lindy looked thoughtful.
“Anyway, we’re keeping closer watch and the spy probably knows we’ve increased all our security surveillance and even the guards. He’s lying low now.”
“Maybe it will drive him away… But I’ll keep watching out for anything suspicious or out of place,” Lindy offered.
He placed an arm around her and brought her closer to him for a warm hug. “Thank you. I can always count on you.”
***
On the day of her birthday, Lindy made it a point to wake up earlier than everyone else so she could spend time on the beach doing her favorite thing—watching the sunrise. It always gave her hope that things would sort themselves out, or that there was a beautiful future awaiting her.
Indeed things had been looking up since she’d started seeing Kristan. He’d been treating her well, and they had spent as much time together as they could.
Kristan was the icing on the cake, because she’d really begun to consider the community as her own home. She could no longer imagine her life without these people she had grown to love. And as for the prince, he seemed to fill that emptiness and longing in her heart that she’d always had while growing up.
However, she wasn’t sure where the relationship was headed. Even if she chose never to leave the island, she didn’t know what would happen when the war finally came. If the Vortons won, maybe that would mean Kristan and the others would be heading back to their planet. Would she be able and willing to live there too? She had no answer to that yet.
To top it all off, she also wasn’t certain if there was a real relationship in the first place. Sometimes she could tell that Kristan was reading her mind. She wished he would comment about it, even if it was something she didn’t want to hear. But he never said anything. And when he could sense her steering the conversation to that, he’d immediately change the topic. Maybe he didn’t care as much about her.
Another thing that bothered her was her own fulfillment. Would she be happy living this kind of life for long, even if they could possibly stay on the island forever? She’d been so career-oriented for so long that she somehow knew in her heart she’d soon be looking for that sense of accomplishment again. Though she’d been getting it from her small achievements in cooking and cleaning, she knew she was capable of so much more. But an important role in a Vorton community was probably out of question.
Sighing, Lindy literally shook her head to shake off all the negative and uncertain thoughts and feelings. It was her birthday, after all. She’d gotten so used to big celebrations that this time, she simply wanted to keep it all to herself. For the first time in a long time, she was looking forward to keeping her special day a secret and not being made the center of attention.
As she walked in the direction of the beach, she heard the inviting sound of the waves gently gliding across the ocean, and then collapsing on the shore repeatedly. She smiled, her blue eyes brightening.
Nearing the ocean, she was taken aback by the sight of a gathering on the beach—a group of people were gathered round a bonfire, enjoying a unique barbecue party. The women were all wearing pink and blue flower garlands on their heads while the men had Hawaiian-like leis around their necks.
Lindy’s eyes widened as she began to make out the figures. These were the community servers she was closest to.
They stood up as she approached and began singing a happy chant-like song while dancing around the fire.
Lindy was touched. The huge blaze illuminated something written on the sand with stones. It read, “Happy birthday, Lindy! We love you!”
Her heart constricted, the gesture was so moving. It was so unexpected she became tearful.
Kay came forward and placed a garland on Lindy’s head. “Happy birthday, Lindy!”
“How did you get here?” was all Lindy could blurt out at that moment. “I… I just saw you on your bed!”
Kay laughed. “My trick worked. You had no idea, huh? Those were just pillows under the sheets!”
“You got me!” Lindy laughed. Then she gave her friend a warm hug. “Oh, thank you, thank you…”
The song ended then and everybody shouted, “Surprise! Happy birthday!”
Lindy hugged each of them and couldn’t stop saying thank you. By this time, she could not hold back her tears any longer. It was just moving to see such new friends making an effort like this for her. “You guys!” she cried out. “You didn’t have to go to all this trouble. We still have work, and we’re all going to be late!”
“Naaahhh…” Kam, Kay’s sister, answered. “We got special late passes.”
Everybody laughed.
“What do you mean?” Lindy asked.
“From the one who planned this all!” Kay quipped, excitement apparent in her eyes.
Lindy gave her a questioning look.
Their other friends were grinning and hooting.
Suddenly, to her surprise, she felt a warm hand on her shoulder, a familiar touch. Her jaw dropped open even before she turned around.
“Hey, you…” Prince Kristan said with a lopsided grin. “Like my little surprise?”
“You planned this?!” Lindy could not believe it.
More tears fell down her cheeks. He reached over to gently wipe them away. “Yup, I’m the culprit,” he admitted.
“Thank you!” Lindy said, hugging him. He surprised her by hugging her back in front of everybody.
Quickly she pulled back, gasping. Then she looked toward the others who were all looking delighted at the scene unfolding in front of them. She turned back to Kristan with an accusing look.
He threw up his hands in the air. “I didn’t do anything!”
She laughed despite herself. “What did you tell them!” she hissed.
“Nothing, I swear!” He was
laughing hard by now.
Everybody else had gathered near the bonfire again, gladly munching on their breakfast on sticks as they watched the sun rising on the horizon and painting breathtaking strokes of color onto the sky.
Kristan took Lindy’s hand and squeezed it. He led her to a spot that was more private and there they sat beside each other, watching the sunrise with Lindy’s head leaning on his shoulder. She couldn’t have asked for a better way to celebrate her 36th birthday.
“How did you know it’s my birthday?” Lindy asked after a while.
“I got some info from my secret source…” he said mysteriously with a smile.
“What! That’s not a good enough answer!” Lindy protested, punching him playfully on the shoulder.
He laughed. “Alright, alright. Someone on the island saw your ID floating on the water… I happened to pass by so he surrendered it to me.”
“Really? What a coincidence!” she exclaimed, sounding suspicious. “Maybe you were really trying to find clues about me!”
“Okay, fine,” he said, giving in.
“But why?” Lindy asked, suddenly bothered. “Don’t you trust me?”
“I completely trust you, Lindy. And I can read your thoughts. I’m telling you they’re just figments of your wild and certainly not-to-be-trusted imagination.” He placed a friendly arm around her shoulders and pulled her closer. His voice dropped to a whisper. “I’m just like that, you know… when somebody becomes special to me…”
Her heart started beating faster again. But before she could react, one of the boys came to offer them food. They joined the others for a fun-filled morning.
The hour passed by quickly and everybody had to head back to prepare for work. Lindy was about to follow them when Kristan stopped her.
“Just because they now know doesn’t mean you can give me special treatment,” Lindy pointed out. “It’s now even more important for me to show them that I’m no different than I was before.”
Kristan smiled, his brown eyes intensifying with admiration and respect for her. “I understand that and I admire that in you, Lindy. But please just stay a bit longer…”
“Okay, what is it?” In her head, she knew she really wanted to be with this man for the rest of the day.
“Hmmm… I can grant that,” he said, referring to her thought. “It’s your birthday, anyway.”
Lindy crossed her arms on her chest and gave him a pretend glare. “Stop reading my mind,” she said.
He only laughed. Then without warning, he pulled her closer to him and started kissing her in broad daylight, with nothing to cover them. He seemed not to care, and she was totally fine with that. They kissed passionately, their hearts soaring together.
She pulled back consciously when the kiss was deepened. “Kristan!” she said playfully. “I don’t want their respect of you to be affected because of this…this…whatever we have.”
“I don’t think their respect will be lessened. They’re going to be very happy for me, I think. And everybody loves you, anyway!”
She smiled haughtily. “Well, I’m certainly lovable, am I not?” she said with confidence, flipping her hair in effect.
He laughed. “Now that’s the real Lindy who washed up on shore and graced us with her presence.”
She suddenly grew serious at the mention of that fateful day. “It’s destiny, maybe,” she whispered, thinking about the purpose behind it all. “Among all of us, why was I the one singled out? Why was I brought here? Perhaps it’s to discover the new Lindy, the real Lindy…”
Kristan nodded in agreement. “The old Lindy was a pain in the ass and was so full of herself. The real Lindy… is just plain beautiful inside and out.”
“Thank you, Kristan.” She was moved by his words. This time, she really felt he was genuinely beginning to care for her. And he was opening up more and more too.
He took her hand and led her toward the far end of the beach that was partially covered by dunes.
“Where are we going? I seriously need to get to work now,” Lindy insisted. “My boss is going to kill me.”
Kristan laughed. “The boss of your boss of your boss is me. And I say you’re spending the rest of the day with me!”
Lindy laughed too, her heart melting. She had to admit she loved the sound of that idea.
They were walking hand in hand on the shore when she spotted a small white yacht docked a little distance from where they were standing on the beach. She stared at it in surprise as she slowed down to a stop. “What’s that?” she asked.
He smiled at her. “That’s my surprise for you,” he said. “That boat can take you home, Lindy.”
She couldn’t believe her ears. Knowing she could finally go back to her old life filled her with a mixture of confusing emotions.
He pulled her gently in the direction of the boat until they were standing almost in front of it. Then he faced her and held both of her hands. “I had to contact several other connections and threatened to contact the US President himself if they didn’t get me that boat in time for your birthday!”
She was beginning to tear up, her heart constricting with a fusion of anxiety and excitement. Yes, she was very eager to see her best friend Belinda and to inform her other friends and colleagues that she was still alive. But somehow, the tinge of sadness that crept in her heart was fast spreading across her entire body, dampening her spirit.
This was the news she’d been waiting for all this time, and now that it was here, it wasn’t such great news to her after all.
“Is this why you want us to spend the day together?” she whispered, her face suddenly draining of color at the thought of having to leave him now that things were going so well between them.
He nodded. “I care about you, Lindy. I want you to be happy.”
“But—”
He placed a finger on her lips. “I know you’re afraid you’ll never see me again. All those racing thoughts in your head are making me dizzy!” he joked.
She made a face at him and gave him a playful slap on the chest. He caught her hand and held it tightly in his. “I don’t know yet how, but I’ll find a way to visit you, Lindy.”
She was doubtful about that. “But the war is so near already.”
“Then it’s even more important for you to go now,” he said with concern. “I don’t want you to be involved in a war, Lindy. It’s not your battle to fight. You have another life that you deserve to live and I want you to have that.”
She nodded, trying to hold back her tears. She wanted to stay longer or at least have the assurance that they would see each other again. But there was nothing else she could do.
“This boat cannot wait long, Lindy,” he told her. “It’s leaving tomorrow morning. You have to be on it.”
A tear finally rolled down her cheek. I want to be with you, Kristan. I love you.
She knew he could read her mind, but at that moment, these were the words that were going through her head. She didn’t care anymore.
He opened his mouth to say something, but then changed his mind and looked away. Then after a few seconds, he faced her once more with a wide smile. “How about, just for the next few hours, let’s just try to have fun together?”
More tears fell from her eyes, but she still nodded and forced a weak smile.
He reached over to wipe her tears away and then leaned down to kiss her on the forehead.
That day, they played like little kids on the sand, went swimming, and attempted to do some fishing for their lunch. But since they ended up catching nothing, the prince had to call on a cook to fix a picnic feast for them.
After lunch, they rested for a while before challenging each other to go into the woods on a hunt for fruits. Each of them held a basket that they had to fill up with as many fruits as they could find.
“So, what prize do I get if I win?” asked Lindy with an excited glint in her eye.
Kristan grinned at her. “It’s a surprise.”
“But
that’s unfair!”
“Well, I’m the prince so I get to decide on the rules,” he said haughtily, to which she laughed heartily as she remembered the first few weeks before she’d gotten to know him.
“And I’m the visitor here, so I have the right to know what prize I’ll get,” Lindy pressed, her eyes narrowing at him.
“Fine,” he said, pulling her closer and gazing into her eyes. “If you win, you can ask me anything and I’ll tell you what’s really on my mind.”
She paused, thinking. “That’s it?” she said in a kidding tone. “I thought it was going to be a piece of your hidden treasures or something!”
He chuckled. “Well, I know you’re already filthy rich where you came from.”
“Hmmm… You have a point!”
They both had a good laugh, then agreed to meet up after thirty minutes to see who the winner was.
***
Lindy was happily heading back to their meeting place with her basket of fruit, when she heard some voices. She halted and tried to determine where the sound was coming from.
“I only did it for you!” a familiar man’s voice drifted toward her.
She followed the sound of the voice and hid behind a cluster of trees, peeking out to see the familiar figure of Calone with her friend Kayraz.
“I’m tired of your lies,” Kay responded angrily. “Just leave me alone. I am going to tell Prince Kristan and you won’t be able to stop me!”
She turned around to walk away, but Calone grabbed her hand forcefully, his eyes flashing with anger. “Don’t you dare!”
Kay shrugged him off with all her might, surprising him and making him step aside. “Calone, please. Just don’t go through with your plans, okay? Don’t ruin this for the entire community, for the entire planet.”
“I wanted the money so the two of us could go somewhere else and be together,” he answered. “You know I never felt like I belonged to this community. I was never a Vorton at heart.”
They continued to argue while Lindy listened. It took all her resolve not to go out there and confront the big man. She figured Kay had caught him talking to their alien enemies and probably accepting money and other treasures in exchange for information.