The temperate waters splashed against Handi’s stomach sending a shiver of coldness with every wave as the soft breeze blew against her damp shirt. On Ayn the water hit her upper thighs. They pulled at the heavy fish traps with little luck in finding food thus far. 

Silence remained, only interrupted by the giggles of Conni and Yeshua resounding across the beach. Handi tried to focus on just working. She wanted to wait for Ayn to speak first, to give her a chance to explain herself and apologize sincerely. It always took her a while but Handi knew she eventually would from her anxious glances every few seconds.

“Handi…” Ayn said so quietly she almost didn’t hear it. 

“Yeah?”

“I’m sorry.”

Handi lifted another trap to find two fish finally. She held it close against her chest. “I’m not the one you should be apologizing to,” she said. She didn’t bring Yeshua with them today just out of habit.

“Right…” She trailed off. “I want you to trust me again.”

Handi sighed, finally realizing the misunderstanding. “It’s because I trust you that I’m disappointed.” Ayn was the other one on the island who could navigate it as well as Handi did. They built their mental maps of the valleys, hills, and beaches together. But… Ayn used it for her own enjoyment while Handi used it to help the others.

Ayn couldn’t look her in the eyes. “I want you to step up. Watch out for the young ones and help out when you can,” Handi said. “Not all the time, just sometimes when it’s needed.

She could read a hint of resentment in how Ayn’s thin eyebrows knitted together. “No one looked out for us,” she said.

Handi placed her hand tenderly on Ayn’s cheek and lifted her face. Handi took a good look into her eyes as dark a brown as forest wood. When it was just the two of them on the island they went everywhere together. Handi couldn’t express the joy she felt the day Ayn arrived, both of them small, Ayn scared. Handi showed her all the wonders of the island, how they could run and play all they wanted without consequence. They found fresh fruit waiting for them beneath trees like magic. Fresh streams to splash in and drink from were never far. They could just be free, but together. After time her fear vanished and Handi did her best to ensure it never returned by always having a new fun adventure for them around the corner. “I watched out for you,” Handi said.

Ayn leaned into her hand. “Yeah,” she admitted.

“And I always will.” Even if Ayn distanced herself from the others, Handi would always be there. She just hoped she wouldn’t be the only one. Handi let go.

“Sorry,” Ayn said again, but this time it felt like she understood.

“No one got hurt this time, so all is forgiven, but can you at least promise me you’ll try for now on?” Handi asked.

Ayn groaned like the dramatic teen she was, but Handi knew that was her way of agreeing. “I’ll try,” she said. “Gods, when did you become so mature?”

Handi giggled. She only needed to be mature sometimes. She began dragging the fish trap back to shore. “Handi! Ayn! Come play with us!” Conni whined in the distance. It didn’t take them as long to clean up the debris as she thought it would. Maybe it was her island’s little gift that this beach never had much.

Handi smirked mischievously. She shoved the trap into Ayn’s hands and darted off. “Race ya!” She yelled back at her.

“No fair!” Ayn chased after her but struggled with the weight of the trap while fighting the water.

She made it to the beach before Ayn even got close. Handi pulled Yeshua up on her shoulders as she dodged Conni’s attempts to catch her in a tight hug. Ayn made it to shore and dropped the fish trap in the sand. The fish flopped out. Ayn joined the hunt to catch Handi.

This was how Handi liked it. All of them played together on the beach. Yeshua bounced on her shoulders and the others followed after her, while their laughter rose higher than the splashing waves. She wouldn’t have it any other way.

They played like that until the kids spent all their energy. Once the sky was ablaze with the colors of the setting sun they rested. Conni napped on Handi’s lap. Ayn sat next to her with her long legs tucked close to her chest. She fiddled with something in her hands. Her hands tightened around it.

Handi laid back and closed her eyes, finally life was getting back to normal. She listened as Ayn got up and kneeled by Yeshua, who was making a sand castle in front of them.

“Hey Yeshua,” she said softly.

Handi opened her eyes to watch the interaction. Yeshua looked up at Ayn with his big curious golden eyes that seemed even brighter in the light  of the setting sun.

“Are you having fun?” Ayn asked.

Yeshua nodded. “Yep, my castle is tallest,” he said, proudly.

“It is tall…” Ayn agreed, looking at his structure of sand pillars without shape. Handi supposed her hair was a better sculpting medium for him. “Hey, I want to apologize to you, Yeshua,” she continued.

“Ayn, sorry?” He asked, looking confused. He’d likely forgotten the entire event by now.

She nodded. “Yeah, Ayn is sorry.” Yeshua nodded along with Ayn like he understood. “I should have never left you alone yesterday.”

His nodding continued even though Ayn’s stopped. 

“Being alone isn’t that fun,” she tried to explain. “So I wanted to give you a gift, to say I’m sorry.”

She handed Yeahsu a little wooden bear. His small fingers traced the crevices. He stared at it expressionless for a moment. He looked at his castle and placed the bear on top. He clapped with an ecstatic smile. “Beary king!” He yelled in glee.

Ayn smiled softly at him. Handi was proud to see her and Yeshua getting along. Ayn stood back and returned to her usual spot next to Handi. They let Yeshua continue building his small kingdom around the bear king. 

“See I knew you had it in you,” Handi teased.

Ayn rolled her eyes. “I learned from the best,” she said. She playfully punched Handi’s shoulder. They both laughed and layed down on the cold sand. They watch the sky slowly fade into purple. The start of stars blinked into existence above them. Handi’s nimble fingers combed Conni’s dark hair as she slumbered in her lap. This felt like the perfect night. 

Handi exhaled softly into a sweet hum. “Today was nice,” she said. It had been a while since they’ve had one of these tranquil days. They didn’t even have a spout.

“It almost felt like the old days,” Ayn commented.  

When it was just the two of them, everyday was a new adventure. They’d wander the forest discovering frightening caves, fruitful trees, friendly creatures, fantastical ships fallen from the sky. Even the spouts didn’t dare harm them then. But at some point that changed. Handi tried to have faith in her island but she could sense a wedge forcing them apart. Though it had never harmed her, others hadn't been as lucky.

“If only we could sleep under the stars like we used to,” Ayn said.

“As if Fiu would explode,” Handi said, she tried to laugh off those thoughts sinking her happiness, but it was still there in the back of her mind, and she knew she couldn’t ignore it forever.

The conversation went quiet for a moment. “What do you think about Vince?” Ayn asked in a small reluctant voice. “Like actually think about him.”

Handi pressed her lips together. Her head swayed in uncertainty. She didn’t know what to think of him. If her island brought him here for a reason, it was likely a reason she didn’t like. 

“I don’t know,” she admitted. “I- I  just don’t understand why he’s here.”

They were both silent in thought. Ayn took a deep breath and let out a soft, “hmm.” She looked at Handi with a knowing look. Her hard eyes reflected a semblance of pity. “Maybe I know,” she said with full seriousness.

“Oh really,” Handi teased, attempting to lift the mood, but she desperately wanted to know. She wanted an answer that would comfort her uncertainty. “Why is he here then?”

Ayn smirked and the serious mood vanished. “I won’t tell,” she said. 

Handi rolled her eyes and they both looked up at the glittering stars. Handi remembered how dull they had been in the land beyond the island. Only here they could see such a bright sky.

Ayn sighed. “I guess we should be going back, huh?”

Handi nodded, not looking away from the beautiful view. “Unless we want Fiu to throw a fit,” Handi agreed. She looked down at Conni’s heavy head on her lap and she gently nudged her slim shoulder. Conni wiggled awake. “Time to wake up, sunshine.”

Conni sat up still drowsy. She rubbed her eyes and said, “But, it’s night…” She didn’t look like she’d be interested in walking back. Handi gave Ayn a playful pleading look. She sighed, but smiled. They wrangled the young ones and began walking back each with a sleeping kid on their back. 

Handi sucked in the warm night air, enjoying the end to their perfect day.