Guardian Island

[Hyacinth]

We follow him onto a little motorized boat just big enough for the three of us and a small bit of luggage acquired throughout our adventures. At Bash's insistence, we collected not just the basics like clothing and personal care items, but a stuffed animal or two, and a few small souvenirs as well. Over the last week and a half, we had gathered quite a few treasures, all items Bash hoped to share with his Papa when we made it back home.

It takes us a moment to get adjusted and find spaces for everyone and everything on the boat, but then we are speeding along on the water and heading away from shore. Bash has never been in a boat before, so he doesn't know what to expect. When the motor starts and we are propelled along the water’s surface, he reaches around me and grabs my waist, holding tightly to my shirt.

“How long will it take for us to get there,” I ask Gregory as he steers the boat along on its path. We lost sight of the beach several minutes ago but I have yet t