Illusive Eden - He Pretends He's the Hero

To the Island, they sneaked out to life with the lifeboat in the cruise.

Life goes on for those who breathes. Life ceased for those who lay cold and bloodied. The sun rises again, a new day has come. Yesterday ends, memories remain.

This day closes the curse of the old year. Arrives the dawn, showers of blessings in the land.

"What's that sound?" Neva peers ahead, her ears perking up.

In the air of the Island hovers around sprinkles of happiness. The light of a new year, brings wishes and hopes to the hearts for the future to come.

The enchanting music floats with the breeze, the mixed ensemble of magical instruments creates a mystical harmony. The violin, flute, oboe, clarinet, marimba, triangle, handclap, tambourine each of them having their beautiful spell to shine.

"It's new year. New year's celebrations, a dance perhaps?" Rhett gazes at her, and Neva sensing his gaze—connects their eyes. "We need to sneak in through the crowds." He says, gesturing at their clothes stained from blood.

Neva nods in reply, her heart suddenly lightened by the atmosphere.

He holds her hand tight, stepping through, breaking and mending into the crowd. There were no tall skyscrapers or fancy restaurants. Nevertheless, the colourful tile and straw roof on the brick buildings here reminded her of one Princess movie.

The ground concrete, tiny stalls on the side of the busy streets—could easily be moved around.

The two swan sculptured fountain flowing crystal water, and the children laughing, playing around with no care in the world.

The decorations of vines and flowers for the new year's festival with an abscend of effercesent lights, natural, it made one's heart entranced, delighted and humbled.

Neva for a moment, even neglected the danger this phase of her life captured her in.

And with no wandering eyes on them, Rhett and Neva stood before a clothing shop.

Rhett had a black shirt on him, and his black jacket covered—Neva's easily recognisable blood soaken sweater.

"Welcome, welcome dear customers. Happy new year." The old lady, her eyes wrinkling with a smile of happiness of such good morning greets.

"Happy new year." Rhett greets back, the corners of his lips curved up barely.

The aged lady's eyes lands on Neva, scanning her, her eyes bleaming. In weariness, Neva sinks her teeth into the lower of her closed lips.

Rhett moves her behind, covering her frame with his looming one, keeping away the old shopkeeper's sight from her.

She frowns, her gaze narrowed, but then giggles leaves her thin lips. "What a charming couple. Are not your wife a beauty?"

Rhett smiles, tilting his head—his orbs strings with Neva's wide ones. "Indeed she is."

The old lady grins and asks, "How may I help you my dear?"

"We'd like to pursue some warm clothings please." Rhett returns.

"Sure, come in. Help yourselves." She sweetly has them inside her small cottage shop.

"Gladly." Rhett grabs Neva's hand, fastening her with him as he leads them in.

"Can we find some motel nearby?" He asks the shopkeeper—as he puts back the purse in his jeans pocket. The shopping bags in their hands, they were finally done with the pursuits.

"Motel? If you need a place to stay then just down the street, a homestay should be found." The old lady shares.

"Thank you."

Already a few steps away, the old lady aloud wishes them. "Have a great New year my dears!"

The couple over their shoulder looks back at her. "You too." He says to himself, replying with a nod to her.

---

After the cash and carry, they stopped by other shops for their necessities. The stayhome cottage was right down the street as the old lady mentioned.

Bathing off the horrible stench of the tragic night, Neva's freshened and seated on the bed, drying her hair with a towel.

She's preparing herself for the day. Her attire: a faded light lilac beautiful long fitting dress with puffed sleeves reaching, flaring at her wrist.

The climate in this Island was amazingly warm, the sun shined down generously on them. There fluttered not a speck of snow.

"Are you hungry?" Rhett asks, cutting Neva's chain of thoughts short.

She raises her eyes to glance at Rhett walking out the bathing room; dressed in a white, well fitted cotton shirt and a beige slim trouser.

They had to fit in, like the rest adorned in a kind fate.

"A bit." She murmers, looking away.

He cups her face and captures her lips in a kiss.

"You look gorgeous." He whispers, appreciating away her appearance; her who's only his.

"You look dashing." She says, her deep stare into him comforting, acquiring a gentle smile and a far down kiss from him again.

"Let's eat breakfast, and look around for a while. Shall we?" He holds her hands, helping her arise from the bed.

"Can't we just stay in the room. What if?" She asks, her features torned in anxiety.

"Don't worry. No one can find us here. We won't be long here anyway." He clears, roaming his gaze on her stiffened form.

He releases a sigh, in his heart he swears to secure her. Protect her, no matter the place or events unknown.

"No, Rhett still—" she trails off, shadows haunting her, afraid to even be seen by a mirror.

"Neva, we are fine here. I promise."

"The people are not!" She bursts, shoving him away, her body shuddering. She's barely holding herself from lashing out on him.

He sighs, his head sinking low. "I'm sorry. I couldn't save them."

Neva lines down her tautened lips, her heart clenched in remorse of his slouched shoulders. She reaches for his fisted hands, holding them close to her chest. It was not his fault all all.

He gives her a weak smile, and it slips free a droplet of water from her eye. He gave his all, regardless of him not being the reason knotted in this upheaval; she was to blame for everything.

And she could do nothing, but just stand there as hell consumed them—in it's searing fury, immuring her with the prison made from their blood.

"I-I'm sorry Rhett." She manages, her lips trembling.

"How did they find us?" She asks, her voice bareky audible.

"I'm stuck too. It shouldn't have happened." He mutters, bringing her into his embrace, and she immediately clungs onto him, clenching his shirt, while he lovingly stories her hair.

A twist formed between his brows, mind scrablling for answers, possibilities conflicted in his head. There were thorough examination about the cruise and the people boarding in it. Wherever and whenever they appeared under the scrutiny of the surveillance cameras, every bits of their traces were maliciously handled and cleared.

He made it sure the agents prepared the best route for them. So what led to such tragic fault?

Nonetheless, it's not a time to dawdle about how or who.

He needs to get Neva out in the open air and freshen up her mind, for; if she locks herself up alone in the middle of these four walls, she might succumb into sorrow. And he cannot allow that. He kisses her head, even if for a while, he certainly will have her mind strip memories from that bleak night.