It was evening. The sky was gloomy and the sun obscured.
Neva watched the vehicles rushing beyond scraming the highway towards the west with their loved ones, pets and provisions.
Leaving behind their homes.
The sirens of firetrucks wailing as they flew past in a row towards the east for rescue in the right lane.
The white greyish clouds of smoke chasing.
Warning signs in big yellow capital letters were written ahead in the tall black digital signboard. She had seen smililar signboards along the way with the familiar augury.
In the distant beyond, the peak and parts below of the hazy hills were engulfed in orange flames.
The strong gale had induced the fires from the wilderness, destroying a majority of the suburbs and urban areas.
Unrestrained, further new fires had started in Vernilla and the neighbouring city Meridian and Riverdale.
As far as she knew, it was uncomfirmed anyone had been unfortunate with losing their lives in the disaster.
The investigation regarding the grounds of wildfire being an arson was still ongoing.
"So, this Miraeth does exists huh?" Sky asked, pulling Neva out of deep sentiments.
She turned and saw Sky briefly glancing at her.
Neva nodded. "Yes."
A white Audi overpassed them.
Sky was driving the Wrangler jeep in a steady speed.
The smoke was now becoming thicker.
A fire within the area closening.
"And you had no idea how you were taken there?"
"No," Neva said, almost in a whisper.
Sky hummed in response. "Strange."
Neva looked out again toward the south.
A low flying helicopter zoomed faint across over the woods.
It was quiet again in the car.
Isaiah was sleeping. Inaya was not. Wide awake she peered out the window.
Neva thought of Rhean. Were they making a mistake leaving him here?
But what if it was the people whom she indirectly contrived to come along in an unknown Island that were in the real peril?
She sighed and leaned her head back on the seat.
Debris of ashes and autumn leaves whirled by the strong brewing winds.
Clouds of smoke shrouding over.
It was another long fifteen minutes along the way that the world was quilted whole in a sombre of blackness.
With only the exception of illuminations from the white headlights and red tail lights of the cars.
The yellow glow of raised pavement markers and retro reflective sign boards.
And in a distant clear to divulge the haze of billowing crimson clouds...
A sight of horror as flames like blood on the hills raged on the north skirt of the road.
The scene nothing short of an apocalypse.
"Christ," Neva muttered under her breath.
"Wonder how worst it could get." Sky mumbled.
Neva threw her head back and heaved out.
"The hills are burning Mumma!" Inaya exclaimed.
Wide eyes observing the catastrophic wildfires.
Isaiah was now awaken too, body leaned toward the window, gripping the window sill as he looked out intently.
They showed no anxiousness in their heart.
"They are." Neva's eyes trained on the two firefighting Chinook helicopters flying over.
Water poured to extinguish the searings only to obtain minimum effect.
Some cars were halted on the sides and people stood observing or recording the fire off the boundary of the pavement.
Sky had not slowed the car and they had in a moment surpassed the wildfire.
Neva's phone rang.
She unzipped the brown leather bag placed on her lap, rummaging inside until she felt the buzzing device.
The brightness of the screen lit her face. She found Rhett's name as the caller Id.
She didn't waste a second and picked up the call.
"Yes?" Neva asked.
"Are you fine?" The familiar deep voice reverberated.
"I am. Have you reached the port yet?"
"Not yet. Niall called me.
They will be staying at a hotel. The Recreation center isn't habitable anymore."
"Why?" She frowned.
"The fire got to that region.
I'm going to get Rhean. He's being a trouble. I'll meet you at the port."
"Please do. Be safe." Neva said.
She cut the call, put the phone inside the bag and zipped it close.
A burdensome weight off her shoulder.
She breathed in relief.
Her heart lightened.
Rhean was finally allowed to come with them.
For she could not deny the intrusive thoughts threatening an awful omen in leaving him behind.
At least she could have him before her eyes. He should be safer now that Rhean had his parents close to him.
Neva pursed her lip.
How much was the child disturbed that his father adamant to refuse him had to at end go get him.
She did not dare to interfere with Rhett's decision before. For he was a better guardian to him.
And Neva feared the nudging feeling inside disparaging she did not truly deserve to oppose him, as she had been abscend for almost all her son's life.
She felt he had more right over Rhean.
.
.
.
"We're here." Sky declared, whirling the steering wheel to the left, leading inside the lane to the parking lot.
"Should we wait in the car for them or?" Neva asked.
She had her sight on the rear view mirror as she reversed the car and pulled to an empty spot close to the entrance.
"We wait."
Neva nodded.
The port was almost vacant.
Streetlights and ships in a distance glimmering the sullen night.
"Are we riding a ship?" Isaiah asked and undid his seatbelt.
"Something similar."
"This brings back memories." Sky remarked.
"How so?" Neva queried.
Sky had her seatbelt unsecured, lounging on the slanted seat. She sighed in relaxation.
Then she met her eyes.
"You've really forgotten everything, don't you?"
Neva's eyes dimmed. Faintly she dipped her head in response.
"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have mentioned it." She gave her a look of regret.
"It's fine." Neva gestured with a wave of a hand in the air that meant she should worry about it.
"If this memory of yours concerns me, then if you don't mind, please remind me."
"Ah well," She crossed her arms over her chest.
"It was six years ago, I think?" She tilted her head in wonder to herself. "We drove you and Czar to a port one night just like this."
"Why?"
"You were on the run from Raka." She shrugged.
Neva felt her stomach sink at his mere namesake.
"I see." Said Neva.
There was a pause between the women again along with the accompany of the children's occasional chat with each other and inquiring Neva of their marvels.
They have both climbed up the seat and stood watching, pointing at the ships tied to the dock and few in the distant sail through the rear windshield.
"How long have you known Rhett?" Neva suddenly urged.
Sky had her eyes closed.
"Well," she seemed to calculate in her mind.
"Nine years, maybe?"
Neva nodded witheringly.
It was absured she had known her husband for less than a week.
A lump formed in her throat.
She knew almost nothing about him.
"You know, back in the days he was really popular among girls."
Sky simply evoked, unknown to the fiery ball of jealously spiralling in Neva's belly.
"Is it?" She flatly asked.
"Of course. But it was impressive he didn't indulge in their fancy."
Neva turned to her better now. Offering subconsciously Sky her full attention. "He did not?"
"No." Sky looked at her and chuckled. "He was thorough with his job."
"Then he met you. And everything was all you. This brooding, impassive men all about you." She smiled at her.
Now Neva thought she was pretty friendly.
"And did you too?" Neva felt her chest tighten again at her own abrasive curiosity.
"What?" Sky raised a brow.
"You know," Neva bit her bottom lip. "Kinda, a crush on him?"
"Ah," Sky chuckled.
Then to Neva's utmost relief after what felt like seconds so painfully slow, she shook her head no.
"He's not my type." She winked at her.
Neva smiled.
"Mumma, where's papa?" Inaya asked leaning forward between the front seats.
Neva's deameanour was shadowed again.
"I don't know."
"Is he not coming with us?" Inaya puckered her lips.
Almond eyes becoming glossy.
"They are here.
I'll get the luggages out." Sky turned off the engine and opened the door.
Neva looked out and saw the Aston Martin slowly pulling two vacant spaces away.
Putting the satchel aside she unclicked the seatbelt and stepped out too, but not without telling the twins to stay still.
It was windy. The chillness in the end of October shivering. And a white Porsche already parked in a distant stowed near.
The door of the Aston Martin flung open. And out revealed Rhean sprinting towards her.
"Mama," his eyes were swollen. Tears trickling down his cheeks.
Neva smiled, an ache in her chest at his weary frame. She took some few strides until Rhean crying collided with her. She immediately swooped him up in her arms.
"Oh Rhean..." She caressed his head.
Rhean was crying his heart out. Arms circled round her neck.
Face buried in her shoulder.
How could she have had the heart to leave this delicate soul? "Enough crying. I'm not letting you away anymore."
Rhett neared them, wheeling with him two luggages. "Ready?"
Neva nodded. "Yes."
She heard footsteps.
Looking over her shoulder, she saw Ishmael with Ace walking towards them.
A chill ran down her spine.
His foreboding eyes boring into her.
Neva immediately glanced away.
Guts churning at him closening.
Then there was a warm hand cupping her cheek.
She glanced up.
Threading eyes with Rhett.
And the reassuring little smile painting his lips.
The warmth in his eyes were miraculously enough to fade out those invasive fears.
He tucked strands of loose hair in her ear.
Then he retracted his hand. "Let's go."
She could only gather him a shallow smile.
"Papa!" Inaya's voice chimed.
Neva found both of the twins clinging onto Ishmael.
"Ace. To the boat." Rhett indicated.