Piper’s POV
Unable to contain our excitement and curiosity, we came to the police station in the morning right after we got the information from Tom last night.
Tom took us to the secret room next to the investigation room and what we saw were the same three people who were caught and investigated a while ago. Tom said their names were Kelly, Tia, and Andy. However, this time Tom had got Kelly to confess and would cooperate with the police to solve the case and get Megan, Zac and their accomplices tried and jailed.
“I’ll give you more good news,” Tom said. He had a happy and excited look on his face.
“Say it quick, Tom,” Jay replied impatiently.
“Please have a seat and then I’ll tell you the story over tea. I’ll make a nice and fragrant tea. Now sit down and listen carefully,” Tom said as he poured hot water into a glass and put a tea bag into the glass filled with hot water. After that, he gave the glasses to us. Then, he took and served several pieces of fragrant chocolate cake with tempting shapes.
“Please taste the cake made by my wife. You’re going to love it,” Tom said as he cut the chocolate cake and put a large piece into his mouth.
“Hmm, this is good. Let’s taste it,” he invited us both.
I, who had been tempted by the fragrance and shape of the chocolate cake, took a fork and cut the cake and put a small piece into my mouth.
“Umm, it tastes so good. I want to eat this cake repeatedly,” I said, while putting another piece of cake into my mouth.
“Hahaha, whenever you want my wife’s cake, just tell me. I can make sure she makes and delivers it to you. Oh, about the good news, we’ve found the coordinates of Palaca Island and now we’re preparing the equipment to head there. Kelly told me the same thing you told me, Piper. They put your kids on the island and we’ll be enlisting the help of fishers to get there. So, you can rest easy now because soon, the twins will be brought to you,” Tom said.
“Really? Thank you, Tom. I’ve missed the twins so much. My days are lonely without them. Please bring them to Valdirra as soon as possible,” I replied, wiping away tears.
“I will. You have my word,” Tom replied.
“Is there anything else you need? Can I come with you?” Jay asked.
Tom seemed to think for a moment, his eyes staring at the tea glass in front of him.
“I want to take you there, but the area around the island is very dangerous. I want nothing bad to happen to you. Keep accompanying Piper at home, and I’ll bring the twins to you soon. All the arrangements are ready. Thank you for the offer,” Tom replied.
“Piper, can I come with Tom and the others? Is it okay if your mom and friends accompany you?” Jay asked me as he touched my hand. I nodded twice.
“Ah, thank you, love,” Jay replied.
Jay turned to Tom as he said, “Tom, I feel like I should come with you. Please.”
Tom let out a long sigh. “Ok. We leave this afternoon. Get all your things ready.”
“Nick, my assistant, will go with me,” Jay said.
“Ok. Everything is decided. Let’s enjoy this delicious cake and tea,” Tom said.
Jansen’s POV
“Rose, is your village still far away?” I asked. Jessie looked exhausted. Her breathing was labored, and she was sweating profusely. I felt sorry for her, but I couldn’t walk in the forest while carrying her because I found walking through the forest very difficult.
“We’ll be there soon,” Rose replied.
“Jansen, I can’t walk anymore. I am exhausted,” Jessie whined.
“Hold on. I can’t carry you. We’ll be there in a minute,” I replied. Luckily, Jessie understood.
Suddenly, Rose looked back and knelt in front of us. “Jessie, get on my back. Let’s hurry.”
“But, I’m heavy,” Jessie replied.
“I’m used to carrying heavy things. It’s okay, get on,” Rose replied as she pulled Jessie’s hand.
Then, we continued our journey, and it wasn’t long before my eyes widened and I hoped I wasn’t dreaming.
From where I stood, I could see simple houses lined up neatly to the edge of the sea, and on top of each roof was a sizable chimney. There were plantations to the left and right of the settlement and what amazed us even more were the mini gardens on each terrace so that the settlement looked beautiful even though it was by the sea.
“Rose, is that your village?” I asked to make sure.
“Yes, it’s beautiful, isn’t it?” Rose replied proudly.
“Exquisite. Are they friendly and willing to accept us?” I asked.
“Hahaha, of course. Let’s go there,” she replied.
We hurriedly walked down the hill and along the path to the settlement. I saw many children our age playing around the house. Although their house looked simple, it looked cozy.
When the children saw us walking with Rose, they yelled, “Rose!”
Rose waved at them, then said to us, “Wave to them.”
“Oh okay,” Jessie and I replied. We waved and smiled. The kids waved back at us. Umm, somehow we felt happy to be among them.
“The one in front is my house. Let’s rest there while I ask the fishermen,” Rose said.
“Ok,” Jessie and I replied.
Long story short, we sat in the living room of Rose’s house accompanied by her mother, who had been going from the kitchen to the living room just to serve food and drinks. The middle-aged woman looked friendly, and she kept smiling at us as she asked us to eat the food and try the tea she made.
Despite being in a strange village, we didn’t feel lonely or afraid. However, we still had to get back to Valdirra as soon as possible. I was anxious about Mom and Dad, especially Mom, because she was pregnant.
While waiting for Rose to return, Jessie and I ate the food that Rose’s mom had provided. The weather suddenly turned bad. Heavy rain accompanied by strong winds hit the houses, making a frightening sound.
“Jansen, will Rose be okay?” Jessie asked worriedly.
“I hope so. There’s no way we’re going to follow her to the waterfront in this condition. Let’s just wait here,” I replied. Rose’s mother had heard our conversation because afterward, she asked us not to worry. All the villagers were used to bad weather and Rose would be fine.
A few minutes later, Rose appeared in front of us, gasping for breath, and her clothes were all wet. Holding on to the doorframe, she said, “The fishermen are going to sail to the Valdirra sea to fish. We’ll follow them there and you can go home as soon as possible.”