by Nikki Lewen
“Anna, you look beautiful. Your parents would be proud.”
Anna’s eyes close briefly, threatening to overflow, and she blinks back the tears.
Sadie pauses, waiting for the moment to pass, before continuing. “This is all yours now.”
Anna remains gazing into her own reflection. For the first time in her life, she’s not sure who’s staring back. Her world has shattered, and no longer does she feel like a child.
Sadie speaks, breaking the spell, “Anna…it’s time…you ready?”
Anna nods, and both women leave the house, holding hands. They make their way up the slope as Jose joins them. He’s self-conscious approaching them and nervous about meeting Anna as Sadie introduces them for the first time face-to-face.
“Anna…this is Jose…and Jose…this…is Anna.”
The two kids barely acknowledge one another before turning immediately back to Sadie. Together, they continue up the hill stopping only when they’re under a huge oak tree. Two large wooden crosses mark the spot. One’s erected towering over a mound of stones and the other over a freshly dug grave. From their hilltop perch, they can see the entire homestead below, as well as a partial view of the ocean. Sadie agrees with Anna; it’s the perfect place.
Anna’s hands finger her mother’s pearls while she stares at the empty grave. They continue nervously caressing the necklace as her vision sweeps across to the mound where her father lies. Slowly, her eyes travel up the crosses and finish by darting over to Jose. She’s only brave enough to sneak a quick glance at him, before returning her gaze to the gravesites.
As she suffers through the sorrows of her parents’ death, knots and butterflies fill the girl’s stomach. Mixed in with these emotions, and adding to her unease, are feelings of gratitude and appreciation. She’s attending her parents’ burial, standing in a spot they loved, with two people she’s only just met, and one of them—on his own—happened to pick the absolutely perfect location. Making it even more incredible was he acted all alone while still under Splitter control.
Jose did more for Anna than just pick a beautiful place. He managed to get her father up here on his own, when he could have easily buried him some place easier to access. Instead, the boy acted honorably, taking the time and effort to do it properly. Now, Anna’s mother will be joining her father’s side, and she finds it comforting to think about them resting on this hillside together, forever. She’s thankful for Jose’s actions and steals another look at the boy, but catching him watching her causes both to quickly turn their gazes downward.
Anna turns her attention to Sadie, who nods. When Anna returns the gesture, Jose and Sadie lower the woman’s body into the grave. When it settles, Sadie returns to Anna’s side, leaving the boy standing alone across from them. Sadie pulls from her pocket a folded sheet of paper with her prepared eulogy. She checks her notes, looks up, and begins using words that penetrate Anna’s heart, making her weep once again. They’re beautiful, and Sadie’s sentiments will stay with the young girl.
With Sadie’s closing remarks, the three of them each throw a handful of dirt in the grave. After a long pause, Jose and Sadie grab the shovels. They work alongside one another, maintaining an even pace without stopping. They smooth the remaining dirt, cleaning up the area, and then start piling on the rocks as they carefully fit each stone, making sure the mound is solid, even, and done with care.
Anna, who is sitting nearby, on a giant stone, has been watching the process in a complete daze. For her, time’s standing still, and the girl has no idea how long she’s been up on the hill. Anna realizes she’s been staring at the work without actually seeing anything. She doesn’t even remember sitting down, or how she got the blanket that’s draped over her shoulders.
Still watching, she notices they’re nearly done. When there’s one rock left, Anna walks over to pick it up. She puts it on the mound and places both of her hands on the grave’s stones. Her head remains bowed and motionless for a very long time. When she finally moves, it’s to do the same at her father’s. This time, she stays even longer, and when finished saying her goodbyes, the poor girl feels completely drained. Backing away, she notices Jose, who’s holding two wreaths made of fresh redwood cuttings and dried foliage.
Jose, embarrassed by Anna’s staring, avoids her eyes and places a wreath over each cross, then returns quickly to his position. Sadie, watching them both, continues thinking about how much everything’s changed. She’s gone, from being completely alone, to saving Caleb, to discovering she has neighbors, and ultimately, adopting two orphaned kids. Dismissing the synchronicity of what it all means, she puts her arm around Anna and motions to Jose. He stands at her side, and Sadie wraps her other arm around him.
The three stand in silence, creating the perfect ending. Anna rests her head against Sadie and surprisingly, Jose does the same. She lightly kisses the top of their heads, overcome with the comfort and ease in which these two have taken to her. They’ve been through more than their fair share of tribulation and have been incredibly resilient. The kids stand a little longer until Sadie moves them back to the house.
Inside, it’s eerily quiet and the atmosphere between them returns to being awkward. Sadie knows it will take time for the two youngsters to become comfortable with one another. For now, she fills the void by getting Jose to help her with lunch while Anna changes clothes. Sadie and Jose talk in detail, in an almost business-like manner, speaking in hushed voices, until Anna returns. With the girl back in the room, Sadie shifts the conversation to Jose and his boat. She gets him to talk about various things, allowing Anna to simply listen.
When they eat, Sadie takes over the conversation, talking about both Caleb and Clara, deciding that the more these two know, the easier their transition will become. She shares details, locations, and how she’s traveled between them, along with her route here. As she speaks, both kids listen intently, especially as she reminisces about her childhood and building the cave. Talking about her brothers with the kids makes Sadie happy. It’s been so long since she’s spoken about them, and her words from earlier ring true—by living, she’s keeping their memory alive.
Anna, sensing what Sadie’s feeling, fondly remembers a camping trip, and speaks for the first time in Jose’s presence. Initially, she’s hesitant, but as the memories flow, so does her spirit. She tells stories from over the years about her parents and their secret site. Her tales are happy and fun, but as the memories shift to more recent times, she grows sullen again. The campsite is where they hid, in fear and uncertainty, when Anna and her mother fled the Splitters.
Sadie, reading the girls face, makes the connection, “Anna, is that where you and your mom went?”
Anna looks at Sadie and whispers a reply, confirming what Sadie thought.
“Where?” Jose asks, so curious he actually braves a direct question to Anna. “Where’s your…campsite?” He asks again.
Anna is unsure how to answer and Jose takes the delay as a sign to elaborate.
“I’ve hiked around and…didn’t see anything like that. Is it far?” he tries, hoping she’ll say something.
This time, Anna’s able to reply. “No, it’s not too far,” she answers, and for the first time, they’re looking at each other without turning away. “It’s sorta hard to…describe, but…” she hesitates, thinking about her next words, “it’d be easier to show you. When…I take Sadie. You could…come, too.” Suddenly, she’s embarrassed, doubts inviting him, and looks away.
Jose, almost too quickly, responds, “Yes, I…I’d like…that.” He too, feels a little awkward and is grateful as Sadie joins the conversation.
“Anna, is there enough time to go now?”
“Uh-huh.” Anna says, looking forward to the distraction, and hopping off her chair, more than ready.
She puts on her shoes and coat, Sadie grabs her daypack and bow, and Jose follows behind. At first, they head towards the boat, but then, they veer farther north towards the rockier section of the little cove.
The trail becomes less apparent as they make their way among fallen trees. As they travel deeper into Anna’s property, the terrain grows steeper, stones jut through the ground at odd angles, and the footing becomes difficult.
They continue following Anna as she navigates through the last of the fallen debris. The passage becomes narrow and crowded, and they’re able to squeeze through, but before moving too much further, Anna stops and turns, smiling at them. They look at her, but she doesn’t say a word. Anna’s not giving away the hidden local, so they begin to look around, trying to figure out what they’ve missed.
“What, already?” Jose asks. He’s got his hands on his hips, and it makes Anna laugh.
Laughing feels good, and she lets it continue until she’s able to answer. “Sadie, it’s like your cave…it’s hidden.”
Sadie looks past Anna, and then realizes the girl means behind them. They all turn and start back the way they’ve just come, with Anna returning to the lead. This time, when they climb through the debris, Anna pushes aside an armful of foliage along the cliff wall, and then disappears. Re-opening the passageway, she sticks her head back out smiling beautifully.
Jose and Sadie make it through, discovering the way. They squeeze around one boulder and then climb over another, finding a trail that heads up the cliff. There are handholds and steps cut along the way, helping them to navigate the more difficult sections. They continue to climb, until emerging atop the cliff on the northeastern point of the island, where the view is stunning.
The more they see, the more Sadie’s impressed. It’s the perfect place to scout from, offering incredible vantage points. On the side they hiked, there’s an impressive view all the way to the cove where they can see part of the boat, the sea stack blocking the harbor’s entrance, and other stacks dotting the coastline. Further along, in the opposite direction, offers a view down the coast towards the south.
Gazing in that direction, Anna speaks, “This is why my dad thought we were on an island. He’d stand here…all the time, trying to convince my mom…and me…that this view proved it. We’d argue, it only proved water was here, and…we still didn’t know what was further south…or…on the opposite side.”
Over the years, Anna grew tired of hearing her dad talk about whether or not they lived on an island every time they came up here. Standing there now, she misses hearing his argument, and realizes, she’ll never hear it again. She closes her eyes, as his words echo through her mind, making Anna feel his presence. Returning her attention back to Sadie and Jose, Anna’s emotions transition from sadness to excitement, as she wants to finish giving them the tour.
“Come on…let me show you camp.” She turns inland, and they follow.
Quickly, the trees become thicker, offering better shelter, and they’re walking on a well-worn trail. It curves around one last boulder, and then the campsite comes into view. It’s gorgeous, complementing its surroundings like it’s a national park. Sadie and Jose keep staring in awe, as there are many little features that add comfort and usefulness.
Anna, walking them around, shows off the small shelter house, a raised platform for tents, the fire pit, and a huge table with redwood plank benches. There’s even an outhouse and past it, another small structure Anna calls the camp shed. When they get to it, they’re shocked at what’s inside.
“No way,” says Jose, giggling a little.
Sadie looks beyond the shed and turning to Anna, inquires about the possibility of driving from here to the girl’s house.
“Yeah, but it’s the long, long way.” Anna answers. “My dad worked for years puttin’ in a trail, but it’s really rough…we haven’t used it in a while. This is our camp quad,” she says, turning back to the shed. “It’s for work around here…but…my dad only ran it occasionally.” She taps one of the steel drums lining the back wall, while continuing, “Cuz…we’re almost out of gas.”
Jose, thinking back, finds that it all makes sense. When he first arrived on the island, there were two large, work quads near Anna’s house with all kinds of extra parts and accessories, some of which didn’t match. Now, he recognizes some of those parts, as he runs his hands over the small four-wheeler. He suddenly realizes Anna is talking directly to him and turns his attention back to her.
“I learned on this one. The other two at the house…” she remembers, one’s gone, and looking at Jose, a question forms in her mind. “Why’d they only take one?” she asks him.
Sadie, still curious about the road, hears the question and looks straight to Jose. He removes his hands from the machine and stands up. A sly look sweeps across his face and Sadie recognizes it. He looks at Sadie, then back to Anna, before answering.
“Only one started.” His mischievous grin reappears. “I got to ’em a few minutes ahead of those idiots. But…I didn’t have enough time.”
Anna, confused, turns to Sadie, who’s smiling at Jose.
“Again…huh, kiddo,” She says, tousling his hair.
His smile is gigantic and as Sadie’s hand returns to her side, he finishes explaining.
“I made sure it wouldn’t start and then convinced them it couldn’t be fixed.” He pauses, as his smile fades and he grows serious. “I didn’t want ’em to…find anyone else. With the quads, they were able to travel further…spreading more of their…terrible ways...” he pauses, building courage, “Anna, I’m…I’m sorry. I’m sorry…they…your parents. I wish I could’ve…stopped ’em.”
Sadie puts a hand on his back and an arm around Anna.
“We did,” she says. “We did stop ’em.” She lets go of each and gets them moving.
Closing the shed door, the three leave, and on their descent, Anna talks a little more, giving them small insights into her family and the area. Nearing the cove, she asks Jose about the boat. Sadie, seeing it as a good sign, jumps at the opportunity for them to interact alone.
“Jose, why don’t you give Anna a quick tour?” She suggests.
Both kids stop to look at Sadie.
“Be fast, though…I’ll go ahead…and start dinner.”
They don’t move and remain silent.
“It’s almost dark, so hurry…be quick. Okay?” Sadie says.
Neither responds.
“Okay?” she repeats with a little more authority.
“O-kay,” they finally reply in unison.
When they both answer, Sadie walks away feeling a tingle of pride.
TWENTY-SIX
Over the next week, things become routine. It helps Anna and sets a tone of normalcy among them. They eat every meal together, explore and map the area, and spend evenings either in the house, or on the boat. Sadie takes them hunting every morning and with each outing, she adds to their education. Both are fast learners and equally impressive in their own ways.
Besides providing ways to spend time together, Sadie makes sure to interact individually with both kids whenever possible. They speak at length on a variety of topics, until they’ve gotten the lesson being offered or until Sadie’s satisfied with their progress. Both Jose and Anna have witnessed and experienced life in ways kids should never have to. Sadie can’t imagine growing up the way Jose was forced to or witnessing her mother’s brutal attack and murder like Anna. It’s heartbreaking, and Sadie catches herself reflecting on her own youth and the privileges she took for granted. These two kids are growing up in the new world—one Sadie still has much to learn about.
They work well together and a welcomed transition is taking place. They’re becoming a team and Sadie continues to nourish and encourage this development. It’s not just their conversations, or even the sharing of words that the kids need, it’s just all of them being together that matters. They’re not alone, and for the youngsters, having this basic need fulfilled lays the foundation Sadie hopes will support their recovery and growth. Life has brought them together and with each day, their bond grows a little stronger. Sadie fuels their curiosity, gets to know them, and feeds them heartily. Both are undernourished, and
she’s just as concerned about their physical well-being as she is with their mental health. Continuing to think ahead, Sadie does what she can, and understands, that time is really what they need and she doesn’t want to rush the kids.
Sadie never planned on staying this long, but finds herself in a unique position that is forcing her to take everything into consideration. She’s become a teacher, leader, surrogate parent, and friend, all through an interesting web of connections. All three of them have lost, suffered, and survived, and Sadie plans to see they continue to heal and grow. The kids sense it, too. They look to her, follow her lead, and most importantly, feel safe with her around. They inherently know she’ll take care of them.
Over dinner one night, Sadie outlines sections of her plan. Anna and Jose listen, taking everything in, while understanding the seriousness of it. She prepares the kids for their parts and confirms their comprehension. At the end of the meal, she takes out her map, so they can study its features and talk travel distances. The island’s outline is complete, and most of the interior is mapped, as well. There’re still unfamiliar spots, but Sadie plans on getting to those areas as soon as the chance arises.
For now, though, the focus shifts to tonight’s preparations with Jose, as he and Sadie leave for the cove for their grand finale. They’ve been manipulating the radio, continuing their charade with the Nation, and tonight, it will end. Part of the Splitter fleet continued scouting south and believes their former asset—now, Jose’s boat—is far from its current location, and running low on fuel. Jose and Sadie plan to radio the fleet, after the craft fails to arrive at its scheduled refueling location. By now, the boat is several hours late and the awaiting crew should be concerned and realize something’s wrong.
In broken radio signals, Jose will inform the vessel waiting for him that his boat has gone adrift and, in the thick fog, has wrecked on a sea stack. While making the distress call, the fatal accident, which will be thought to have sunk what remains of the boat, will conclude when the radio cuts off for the final time. Hopefully, the Nation’s followers will buy it, thinking all aboard have been lost. Splitters aren’t known to shed many tears—for anyone, including their own—and Sadie hopes the militants won’t waste the time or energy to come looking for a few that must be, by now, lost causes.