Chapter 620
After a short rest, Caitlin decided to stop by the sanatorium before leaving. She wanted to take care of Ida’s. situation first.
With the help of Director Tobias, she met with the girl again. The moment Ida saw her, she lit up and tried to run forward. But her weak body betrayed her, and she stumbled right in front of Caitlin. Caitlin caught her gently and smiled.
“Ida, remember last time I promised to make your wish come true? I found your brother.”
“Really?” Ida’s eyes widened, full of hope.
“Yes. He’s working out of town right now, so he can’t come see you in person. But he asked me to bring you something.”
Caitlin pulled out a tablet and played the video Black Hawk had recorded. The moment Ida saw his face, her eyes flooded with tears.
“It’s him… It’s really my brother… Her voice trembled as she touched the screen, listening to his words of encouragement, nodding over and over again.
By the time the video ended, she was sobbing openly. Caitlin gently wiped her tears and said, “You heard him. He wants you to get better soon. You have to be strong. Ida.
“I will. I promise.”
“Good. Your brother also arranged the best doctors for you. They’re ready to start your treatment, if you’re willing.”
“I am. I want to go.”
“That’s all I needed to hear. I’ll have my people take care of everything. This tablet is yours–whenever you miss him, just turn it on and he’ll be right there.”
Ida clutched the tablet tightly. “Thank you… thank you so much.”
Caitlin hugged her, then left two of her men to handle the paperwork and arrange the transfer. There was nothing more she could do–Ida’s future would depend on her own courage and perseverance.
With Ida’s wish fulfilled, Caitlin and her team set out for Ebonreach Isle.
They had done their homework before coming to Country A. The island was known as a resort and retreat destination, praised for its beauty. Black Hawk had said her mother hadn’t been mistreated, but Caitlin still had no idea what condition she might be in now.
From Sanctis Harbor, they boarded a ferry. The ocean stretched endlessly around them, waves rising and falling beneath the keel. White gulls wheeled overhead, their cries carried away by the wind. Clouds gathered in soft, cotton–like clusters across the horizon, and the view was breathtaking.
Caitlin, Sebastian, and James stood at the bow, the wind whipping through their hair as the silhouette of a
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dark island emerged in the distance.
“There it is. Ehonreach Isle.”
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Even from afar, they could see a towering white structure on the island, shaped almost like a fortress, its top crowned with turning blades of a wind turbine.
“Could that
be the white building Black Hawk mentioned?” Caitlin studied the map in her hand. “It’s marked as a power station here.”
She frowned. “It doesn’t make sense. Why would he keep my mother in a power station?”
“Don’t jump to conclusions, Sebastian told her. “We’ll know once we get there.”
The ferry drew closer. What had looked like a small island from afar revealed itself to be much larger up close. The docks alone stretched wide, crowded with ferries and fishing boats. Tourists poured on and off while locals bustled to and fro, shouting offers for rides, hotels, and souvenirs.
Once they disembarked, Tyler arranged three shuttle vans to take the group to their hotel. Only after they’d checked in and left their luggage behind did they set out to explore.
Their first destination was the power station, but inside they found only tourists snapping pictures. The place was more of a sightseeing spot than anything else. No one could possibly live there.
“This isn’t it. There aren’t any heather plants here,” Caitlin said, her disappointment clear.
Sebastian squeezed her shoulder. “We’ll keep looking. It’s not the only white building on the island.”
Tyler nodded. “Exactly. I asked around–there are several. We’ll check them one by one.”
By nightfall, they had only crossed a fraction of the island. Everyone was exhausted. Sebastian insisted they rest and continue tomorrow.
Later that night, Caitlin received a call from Zeke.
“Any luck?” he asked.
“Not yet. The island is bigger than I expected. We’ll try again tomorrow.”
“You’ll find her. If she’s here, you’ll find her.” His voice carried steady reassurance.
“How are you holding up over there?” she asked.
“Still breathing. That’s enough.” He chuckled, but behind the humor Caitlin could sense the danger he was constantly under.
After hanging up, Caitlin still couldn’t sleep. She wanted air. Sebastian walked with her, with Tyler and James shadowing them at a distance.
The island was alive with nightlife. Cool breezes swept away the day’s heat. Tourists thronged the beaches, while bars and shops along the boardwalk glowed with light and laughter.
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Vendors stopped them with trays of trinkets. Sebastian bought a glowing witch headband and slipped it onto Caitlin’s head. Then he grabbed a ridiculous mask, strapped it over his face, and started speaking in a comically distorted voice.
Caitlin burst into laughter, hitting his arm. “You’re ridiculous.”
“I just wanted to see you smile,” he said warmly, catching her hand. “Don’t push yourself so hard.”
“I know…” Her voice trailed off, the weight of the day dragging at her. She had been so full of confidence this morning, but after hours of fruitless searching, she couldn’t shake the fear. What if Black Hawk had lied? What if she never found her mother? The thought gnawed at her.
“Forget it for now. Let’s treat this as a vacation. If we find her tomorrow, it’ll be a miracle waiting to happen.”
He wrapped his arm around her shoulders as they walked along the busy street. And for the first time that day, Caitlin allowed herself to breathe.