Jasmine  

XV 

As we step into the diner, we are engulfed in the sounds of cheery conversations, and the smell of freshly ground coffee. It’s actually... quite nice.  

We head to the nearest table, and sit down. It seems to be made of a pretty resin-like material, with beautiful swirls throughout.  

“So,” Cairo begins. “What’s the plan?”  

 “Alright here it is. So we need to get off the island, right?” He raises an eyebrow in confusion.  

“Why?”  

“Well... we can’t just roam free here. Zaro and his minions are probably already aware that we set them off on the wrong path. They’ll find us soon if we don’t leave... trust me.”  

He bites his nail in concern.  

“But...”  

Oh great. He has complaints. The nerve of some people. I make up these amazing plans that get us out of highly dangerous situations, and he still wants to complain?  

“What? Spit it out. We don’t have all day- as I said before, they’ll find us soon. So hurry up!”  

Before he can answer, a waiter glides over to our table. She’s a young girl, perhaps even younger than me. She speaks with a raspy, low voice.  

“Hey, welcome to Island Diner, the only diner on the island, where you can dine on the island in the only island diner!”  

...Okay...  

“What can I get you guys today?”  

We both hastily place our orders, and she quickly speed walks away, yelling them to the chef in the back.  

I look back at Cairo, expectant of his answer to my previous question . 

“I... I can’t.” He nervously whispers in a soft voice.  

“Can’t what?”  

“I can’t... I can’t leave this island. I have to stay. I’m... sorry.”  

Oh great. Now he doesn’t want to leave? He really is stupid.  

“Did you not understand what I said?! They will find us. Better yet, let me just state the obvious: if they find us, Cairo, they will kill us both. Can you not get that through your dense head?!”  

He straightens his posture, and stands, now towering over me. An angry expression spreads across his face, and he raises his voice.  

“I understand that. But I told you, I can’t leave. If you want to go, then go. Nothing is stopping you. But I can’t leave this island. At least... not yet.”  

“But why?” I’m getting annoyed at this point. Of course he can leave.  

“Because of my goddam family, Jasmine!” At this point, I can see tears forming in his eyes, as he sits back down, and his face returns to its typical nervous, soft expression.  

Oh. Oh no.  

“I... I’m going to step outside. We can talk when I get back.”  

Your only friend, and you ruined it.  

Jasmine, what did you do?  

Cairo  

XVI  

I rush outside, and almost hit my head on the doorframe on the way out.  

I... I can’t think. I feel lightheaded, like when I’m about to faint.  

I’m not mad at Jasmine for pushing for answers, but... I also didn’t want her to know my reason why. I don’t know why I didn’t, but I didn’t. I just... need to clear my head. She’ll come up with another plan, I know it.  

I sit down on a wooden bench outside of the diner, and look around at the beautiful scenery, trying to calm down.  

This is nice. I feel my heart rate lower, and I no longer feel lightheaded. That’s progress.  

Before I can gather the courage to step back inside, my eyes land on a poster stapled to one of the decorative plants outside of the diner. I step closer to it, to read what it says.  

As I read the poster, the world seems to stop.