“This doesn’t make any sense,” I said, my voice trembling. “What kind of person would do that to someone? How is that supposed to help?”

Granny Chan’s expression softened, but there was a sadness in her eyes. “Dear, I’m afraid we can’t tell you more about your aunt,” she said gently. “I’m sorry, but there are things we’re not allowed to share. It’s beyond what we’re here to do.”

“But why?” I pressed, my voice cracking under the weight of frustration and confusion.

She let out a heavy sigh, as though carrying a burden too great to explain. “Some truths aren’t ours to tell,” she said softly, her tone firm but not unkind. “I’m sorry, Aria, but that’s all I can say.”

Her cryptic response only made the chill in the air feel sharper. A prickle of unease spread across my skin, as though even the world around us was keeping secrets. The silence that followed was heavy, each unanswered question pressing down on me harder than the last.

Granny Chan hinted that I should drop the topic and head inside, but I stood my ground.

“No,” I said suddenly, my voice cutting through the thick silence, stubborn. Granny Chan looked at me, her surprise momentarily flickering across her face. “I... Granny, I need to know. What exactly did my aunt do? Why would she suggest something so cruel? Is she...” I paused, my voice shaking. “Is she a bad person?”

Granny Chan’s eyes widened at my directness, her lips pressing into a thin line. For what felt like an eternity, she didn’t speak. The only sound was the gentle creak of the ship as it swayed in the water.

I braced myself for whatever truth—or unspoken answer—might follow.

Granny Chan finally said her tone heavy with regret. "I'm sorry, dear. I shouldn't have said it like that. I wish I could tell you everything, but, you see, we islanders have our roles to play. When we step outside those roles, consequences follow. I shouldn’t have said anything in the first place."

Her words weighed on me, and as much as I wanted to press for answers, I didn’t want to be responsible for whatever consequences might come from it.

But... outside their role? What did that even mean? It was just another question to add to the pile, and all I was getting were vague answers. Was that what the conversation with Jim was about? Each of them had a role to play?

Then by miracle, Granny Chan glanced at me again, and I must’ve looked grim or really troubled because she sighed deeply before speaking again.

“Okay, I’ll tell you one thing, but that’s it. Any other information, I’ll have my grandson fill you in. He’s the one who has the privilege to dispose information. I’ll introduce him once we’re on the island. After that, no more questions while you’re on the boat, especially with Jim here, okay, Aria?” I nodded eagerly in response.

She pulled me a little closer and asked, “Have you seen the tickets yours and the others?”

“Do you mean Casandra and Gideon?” I clarified.

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“Yes, them. Before I went outside the trunk cabin, I grabbed this to show Bill and tell him that Marie sent you, but you beat me to him.”

“I’m sorry,” I apologized again.

Granny Chan showed me the tickets. Mine was a little bit different from Casandra’s and Gideon’s—mine was printed in red.

Granny Chan leaned in and whispered, "You see, Aria, Casandra and Gideon are what we call visitors."

"But I'm a visitor too, right? I have a ticket," I said, still confused.

"Shh... dear, lower your voice. Jim might be listening," she warned, her tone urgent.

"You're different, Aria," she continued, barely audible. "You're what we call... a trespasser." She whispered the word like it was a very grave thing.

"A trespasser?" I repeated, feeling panic rise in my chest. I knew what that meant. Its entering without permission. "But doesn’t the ticket make me a visitor too?"

"No, child," she said seriously. "I’ve illegally allowed you to be on board. It’s a favor to your aunt, a kind of payment and respect. So, if any islander finds out about this, Bill and I will have to pay a great price."

Illegally? What is going on?

"Aria, this is for your safety," Granny Chan warned, her voice lowering. "Never mention that the ticket came from your aunt or speak about this, especially once you reach the island."

That’s why Casandra had asked about my ticket, and why Gideon seemed to be on edge. But I had already told them everything. I stiffened.

"Granny Chan, what kind of danger am I in?" I asked, my voice trembling. The weight of the unknown was pressing down on me, feeding my growing paranoia.

“I truly hope your aunt knows what she’s doing, Aria,” Granny Chan said, her tone a mix of concern and reassurance. “In any case, try to relax. As long as my grandson provides you with the information you need and you stick to the rules, nothing bad should happen.”

Suddenly a door open and Jim came out.

“Ah fuck, great. Now the old lady and the kid.” He said it complaining and sounds tired.

“Not having the best time now, are we, Jim?” Granny Chan said casually, her tone as natural as ever.

I started walking, heading back into the cabin without waiting for Granny Chan. I needed space. I felt drained and overwhelmed.

“Got some fresh air, Aria?” Casandra’s voice broke through my thoughts as I passed by the table where she and Gideon still sat. Their faces were bright with amusement—they must have been teasing Jim that's why he went out. I wasn’t in the mood to join in or even respond, so I kept walking, straight to the girls’ room.

“What was that about?” I heard Casandra remark behind me. I knew it was rude to brush past them like that, but my frustration over unanswered questions was bubbling over. It irritated me to my core.

I climbed up to the top bunk and flopped onto it with a heavy thud, groaning in frustration.

If my brother hadn’t said what he did, I might have dismissed all of this as some elaborate joke.

Granny Chan’s words echoed in my mind: “I truly hope your aunt knows what she’s doing, Aria.”

“Yeah, me too, Granny,” I muttered under my breath, staring at the ceiling.

I was so looking forward to talk to bill, but what a bummer knowing he’s mute. The universe is not helping at all.

The first thing I’m doing when I see Aunt Marie is confronting her head-on. I’ll tell her straight up—she’s got to be out of her mind sending me to a place she barely explained. Why make everything so puzzling? Her vague messages haunt me, taking up way too much space in my head.

I checked my phone, hoping for at least one message, but there was nothing. My battery was at 8%, and I had two bars of signal—not great, but enough to work with.

I started typing a message to Beth, trying to strike the right balance of cheerfulness and mysteriousness:

"Hey Bestie,

I’m finally on my way to the island, and let me tell you, it’s been a rollercoaster ever since I got on board. Shocking and confusing stuff about Aunt Marie and the island keeps coming up. Honestly, it sounds like a prank, and maybe it is, but Kyle keeps telling me to stay on my toes. I’ve got so much to share, but not much time to explain. I’ll send a photo when I get there. Talk soon!"

Satisfied, I hit send and moved on to texting Mom:

"Hi Mom,

I’m on the boat now, just like you wanted. I’m lying on the top bunk, trying to pass the time. I’ve been hearing some really unsettling things about Aunt Marie—you wouldn’t believe them either. It’s all super confusing, but I’m trying not to overthink it. They’re probably just exaggerating.

Anyway, if something wild happens and I don’t make it back (just kidding… kinda), I just want you, Dad, and Kyle to know I love you. Oh, and the sandwiches you packed were a hit—I shared them with everyone. I forgot my charger, so I’ll message you when I can. Love you!"

I smiled as I sent it, realizing I might’ve guilt-tripped her just a bit. But honestly, hearing all these strange things about the island was starting to get to me. Still, I knew I needed to see it for myself before jumping to conclusions.

Next, I sent a quick message to Dad:

"Hey Dad,

How’s the business trip with Kyle? Hope you’re having a great time 😊 Love, Aria."

Finally, I wrote to Kyle, keeping it casual but filling him in a little:

"Yo, Kyle!

How was practice? You won’t believe this—apparently Aunt Marie ordered someone’s tongue to be cut off. Not sure if it’s true, but I’m piecing things together. This trip is nuts—right up your alley, honestly. Something feels off about the villagers, though. Did you know that..."

Before I could finish, the door creaked open, and Casandra stepped in. I quickly glanced at my phone, realizing I’d already hit send.

She gave me a curious look, her tone cautious but still friendly. “Hey, can we talk?”