“So, what’s the plan?” Freya asked.

“Plan?” Barry looked at her while stuffing his face with another cherry.

Both of them picked cherries from the Garden of Eden. The garden was always a shade brighter in the rain. It was as if the gift of the skies wasn’t water, but liquid magic, washing our world to show what was there all along, nature in her in humble brilliance. The buttercups became gold, the grass the shade of every dreamer’s meadow, roots quenched, soil renewed. And after the patter of the rain came bursts of birdsong, their hearts rejoicing the occasion of the rain.

After Freya realized she wanted to leave the Island with Barry, both of them were at peace – at least for now.

“Yes? Plan? What’s the plan to get out of here?”

“Mhm, I thought you had one?” Barry said unfocused,

“What makes you say that? A few minutes ago, and I wasn’t even agreeing on leaving?” She rolled her eyes as she took another bite from the delicious, red cherry.

“Yeah but,” Barry put the cherry pit at the side, “I knew you’d come with me,”

Freya laughed, “Really? Even I didn’t know that”

“Yep, I had an idea, I guess,” He shrugged,

“I’m sure you did,” She rolled her eyes again, “Concentrate!” She smacked his hand and dropped the cherry, “Now, what’s the plan?”

“I don’t have any!” Barry protested, “I’m serious. It’s your stupid island, you tell me how to leave! I mean, if we were back home, I would’ve asked you to unlock the door and walk out, but that’s not the case here, is it?” He stated the obvious,

“Right,” she looked at with and smiled sarcastically before dozing off to think about how they could escape.

It was weird for her to think about something so… rebellious.

A few years ago, she wouldn’t have even thought of thinking about leaving the island – such an idea would never exist in her mind but right now, sitting beside Barry, she couldn’t help but think about ways to leave the island and whatever happens after that.

“Hmm, how to leave the Island…” she mumbled, lost in her thoughts,

“Should we ask the Banshees?” Barry asked,

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She gave him a look which said, ‘are you serious?’ but clearly, he was.

“Ask the Banshees?” Freya repeated, “Really? You wanna ask the people who told me not to believe you?”

Barry looked at her and nodded slowly, “Oh yeah,” he smiled, “forgot about that,” He passed her a cherry, “Why did they say something like that, though?”

Freya thought about what to answer because, honestly, she didn’t know too. Her eyes wandered behind Barry as clouds formed a perfect line-up in the blue as if they were boats safely moored in the celestial harbor.

Today the sunshine is their bones, its heat radiating outwards into the bright day. It’s as if the island was glowing, and Barry and Freya’s aura was so happy on these summer days.

Barry rested in the shade, his eyes on the foliage above, on each green leaf in that vast canopy. She watched him reclined in that dappled shade, a cherry resting on his raised knees, his eyes following Freya’s every move.

Before Freya had entirely chosen what to do, her feet had taken her under that same tree; perhaps they longed to feel the coolness of the grass around him. And as Barry ate, she thought of the things, and the moments stretched out into a medicinal ambiance, made all the stronger for the heat, the brilliant light, and the blessing of such company. After last night’s blackness, Earth’s star rises on the horizon, spreading her gold in every direction. She comes in the way that natural forces do, needing no invitation yet feeling her welcome. The light is her gift, bold and free, for anyone who cares to open their eyes in the dawn and watch the world awake. This is our sun, a fire ignited to bring warmth to the creation and inspire us to seek our own beauty within.

Humans were a far more sensitive animal than current culture suggests. We evolved our emotional intellect to keep us together as families and communities. Our ancestors survived because of their deep feelings and their ability to read emotions in others. They were not lone wolves yet family “packs” who loved and defended one another.

“I’m not sure,” she said in all honesty, “Probably because you’re not one of the Island,” She shrugged her shoulder,

“Maybe,” he shrugged his shoulders as well.

Freya smiled. Barry’s skin was that story of summertime told in heavens browns, elevates the loving gaze.

“Wait, I have an idea!” Freya jumped,

“Whoa, calm down!” Barry threw his hands in the air, “Calm down, jeez!”

“Why are you so calm suddenly?” Freya asked,

“Because,” he popped another cherry in his mouth, “I have you.” He smiled, showing his teeth.

Freya’s eyes widened, and it felt like someone had opened a jar of butterflies in her stomach. She could feel the blood rush to her head and her cheeks turning red.

“I – Shutup,” she rolled her eyes and tried to remember what she was talking about,

“You were saying?” he winked, causing her to blush even more.

“I was saying,” she threw a cherry at him, “The Interdimensional Bestiary!”

“The Inter – what?”

“The Interdimensional Bestiary!” Freya nodded, “Of course, how can I forget!”

“Okay, calm down, soldier,” He held her by her shoulder, “Calm down, take a deep breath,” He took a breath with her, “Now, what is Interdimensional Bestiary?”

“It’s a book!” She squeaked.

“A book?” Barry looked at her with a smile, “A book will get us out of here? I – I don’t think so, love.”

“Love?”

“Yeah,” He nodded, “It’s an expression of love. You call someone that when you like them,”

“Do you like me?” Freya asked,

Barry looked at her innocent face. She genuinely did not know about it. It was evident through the confusion on her face.

“I do – I do like you. Do you like me?” Barry asked,

“How do I know?”

“What do you mean?”

“I’ve never liked anyone, but I know I like being around you. I know I care about you and feel deeply for you – so much so that I’m ready to leave this island for you. Is that – does that mean I like you?” She smiled,

“You know what?” Barry got on his knees, “We’re going to find that book and get the hell out of here! You and me, together. We’re leaving this island,” He laughed, and Freya joined, “Tell me where the book is.”