Chapter 13 They Had To Escape

• The first rays of dawn unfurled across the sky, painting it in breathtaking hues of orange and soft pink, as Belle, Mikay, and Zeph (Nero) stepped aboard the small fishing boat. The air was crisp and filled with the salty tang of the sea, invigorating and alive. Mikay, Belle's exuberant younger sister, buzzed with excitement, her voice a constant stream of chatter about the bustling market they were heading to. Meanwhile, Zeph (Nero) stood at the bow, his gaze locked onto the horizon, a childlike wonder illuminating his features.
• "Belle, why is the water so blue?" he asked, his voice gentle and somewhat tentative, as if he was afraid of the answer.
• Belle's heart swelled with affection, yet a pang of sadness pierced through her. He was still navigating the fog of confusion that enveloped his memories, desperately trying to grasp the elusive remnants of his past.
• "It's the reflection of the sky, Zeph," she explained, her tone soft and nurturing. "The sunlight bounces off the water, and that's what gives it that beautiful blue color."
• His brow knitted in concentration, contemplating her words. "Oh," he replied, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. "But why is the sky blue?"
• Belle couldn't help but chuckle at his innocent curiosity. In many ways, he resembled a young child, endlessly inquisitive, his mind a whirlwind of questions and wonder. This aspect of him, so untouched by the harsh realities of life, made her heart ache.
• As the boat chugged steadily towards the market, a knot of anxiety began to tighten in Belle's stomach. The market was a vibrant hub of activity, a place rich with memories from her childhood, where she had spent countless hours wandering through stalls overflowing with colorful produce and freshly caught fish. But now, as they approached, it felt like a minefield, a labyrinth of potential danger where she could easily be recognized.
• For months, she had been hiding from her family, ever since the incident that had shattered her world. Her father, a powerful and influential politician, had been furious with her for defying him, for daring to choose a life outside his oppressive control. Her twin sister, Alexa, was caught in a tumultuous struggle between loyalty to their father and her love for Belle, a conflict that had driven a wedge between them.
• Belle had hoped that by escaping to this remote island, she could start anew, free from the shadows of her past. But with Zeph (Nero) in her life, she felt a renewed sense of responsibility, an overwhelming need to protect him from the dangers that lurked in the shadows of her family’s influence.
• As the boat nudged up against the dock, Belle's heart raced. She scanned the bustling market, her eyes darting from one face to another, searching for any sign of familiarity. And then she spotted them.
• Her father was there, his face plastered on countless campaign posters that adorned the nearby stalls, surrounded by a small group of supporters. His smile, usually charismatic and confident, appeared strained as he listened intently to their concerns, a politician in his element yet visibly weary. Beside him, Alexa stood with an expertly crafted smile, distributing pamphlets and shaking hands, her posture rigid with the weight of expectation.
• A gasp escaped Belle’s lips, her breath hitching in her throat. The urge to flee surged within her, a primal instinct to escape. She seized Mikay's hand, urgency coursing through her veins, and whispered urgently, "We need to go."
• But Zeph (Nero), blissfully unaware of the looming danger, was already peppering her with questions, his voice laced with confusion.
• "Belle, who are those people? Why are they looking at us?" he asked, his eyes wide with innocence. "Do you know them?"
• Belle’s heart sank at his questions. She realized that she could no longer keep the truth hidden from him. Yet, the weight of her family's secrets pressed heavily on her, and she struggled with how to explain it all. How could she reveal the tangled web of her life, the family she had been running from, without shattering his fragile understanding of the world?
• Her gaze flickered to Alexa, who had now locked eyes with her. A tumultuous mix of anger and sadness played across her sister's face, betraying the complicated feelings that lay beneath the surface. Alexa had seen Zeph, and she was aware of the implications of his presence.
• With a sudden rush of adrenaline, Belle knew she had to act fast. She tightened her grip on Mikay's hand and pulled her towards the boat, her heart thudding loudly in her chest, each beat echoing the urgency of the moment.
• "Come on, Zeph," she urged, her voice trembling slightly as panic began to swell within her. "We need to go."
• "But why? Why are we leaving? Who are those people?" Zeph continued, his voice filled with innocent curiosity that felt like an anchor pulling her down.
• Belle couldn't spare a moment to answer, the instinct to protect them overtaking her thoughts. She could feel the weight of eyes upon them, the awareness that they were being watched. The urgency of the situation propelled her forward as she pulled Mikay and Zeph (Nero) towards the boat, her mind racing with possibilities and fears.
• They had to escape. They had to get away from the market, away from the prying eyes and the danger that loomed like a storm cloud overhead. The sense of urgency tinged the air around them, making every second feel like a countdown as they dashed towards the safety of the boat.
• With each step, the market around them buzzed with life, oblivious to the turmoil brewing in Belle's heart. The vibrant stalls filled with fresh fruits and colorful textiles contrasted starkly with the fear that gripped her. She could hear laughter, the chatter of vendors, and the calls of customers, but none of it penetrated the haze of her determination to protect Zeph and Mikay.
• As they reached the boat, Belle glanced back, her gaze catching Alexa's once more. This time, her sister's expression was unreadable, a mixture of concern and something deeper—perhaps understanding. But there was no time to ponder it.
• "Get in!" Belle urged, her voice rising above the sounds of the market. She helped Mikay and Zeph aboard, her heart hammering in her chest as she turned to untie the boat from the dock. The knot felt impossibly tight, as if it sensed her urgency and was resisting her frantic efforts.
• "What's happening, Belle?" Mikay asked, her innocent voice cutting through Belle's racing thoughts.
• "Just hold on, okay? We'll talk later," Belle replied, forcing a calmness into her voice that she didn’t truly feel. She finally managed to loosen the rope, and with one swift motion, she pushed the boat away from the dock.
• As the engine sputtered to life, Belle’s heart raced, every sound amplified in the tense silence. She turned the boat away from the crowded market, her eyes fixed on the open water ahead, a vast expanse that promised both freedom and uncertainty.
• Behind them, the market faded into the distance, the laughter and chatter becoming a mere echo. But Belle knew they were not out of danger yet. They had escaped the immediate threat, but the shadows of her past were relentless, and she could feel them closing in.