The island had never been so still.
Weeks had passed since the last attempt by Harrington and the authorities. The boats had come and gone, leaving behind only silence and the heavy knowledge that our world was now truly isolated. Daddy had made sure of that. Security was ironclad. Communication with the outside world was severed. The only voices left were ours.
I stood on the private beach at sunset, barefoot in the sand, the warm water lapping at my ankles. My belly was large and round now, the baby due any day. Every movement felt heavier, more significant. I placed both hands on the curve, feeling a strong kick in response.
You’re almost here, I thought. Into this beautiful, broken world we’ve created.
Daddy approached from behind, his footsteps soft on the sand. He didn’t speak at
