The following day, we set out early, determined to finish repairs and attempt our escape. The weather had turned, the sky overcast and threatening rain. As we worked, the tension between us and the island felt palpable, as if it were watching, waiting.
‘Almost there,’ Laura said, tightening the last bolt on the makeshift patch.
‘Let’s hope it holds,’ I replied, double-checking the repairs.
We loaded the boat, our supplies dwindling but enough to last the journey if all went well. As we prepared to launch, I took one last look at the island, its secrets still hidden beneath the canopy.
‘Ready?’ Laura asked, her hand on the throttle.
‘As I’ll ever be,’ I replied, my heart pounding.
We set off, the boat moving slowly at first, testing its strength against the waves. As we cleared the rocky shore, I felt a weight lift, the island receding behind us.
‘We did it,’ Laura said, a smile breaking through her fatigue.
But as we sailed further, something caught my eye, a glint of metal on the shore. It was another can, identical to the one we’d found earlier. My gut twisted—had we missed something?
We were free, but the island and its mysteries lingered in my mind, unanswered questions that would follow us home.
Note: This story is a work of fiction inspired by real events. Names, characters, and details have been altered.
