The moon hung low and wide in the sky, watching over the tide like a mother over her baby's cradle.
Lanterns flickered in the gentle sea breeze as Ren, Elias, Thorn, Lilith, and Zuzu finished gathering the last of their supplies.
Rations were packed into sealed crates, water barrels strapped down with rope, and a bundle of tools and repair kits secured in netting.
Zuzu stood a short distance away from the group, bouncing lightly on the balls of her feet. She was buzzing with barely contained energy, her fingers twitching with every heartbeat.
When everyone was ready, she led them through the quieter paths of the island, where the scent of salt grew heavier and the night sounds shifted to the chirping of insects and the lapping of waves.
They stopped at a dock where the only light available was from the moon.
At the edge of the dock bobbed a sturdy fishing boat, longer than expected, with a curved prow and a pair of unlit mounted lanterns hanging from its sides.
