Escape Under the Veil of Night

"Dear! Where are you?"

Fabio burst into the hut, his chest heaving, sweat glistening on his brow. Dacey and Luciana were at the hearth, preparing the evening meal, while Nemesis sat cross-legged on the floor, happily munching on guava slices and mammee apple.

Dacey turned at the urgency in his voice, wiping her hands on a cloth as she walked toward him. "Why are you in such a hurry, dear?"

Fabio swallowed hard, his breath coming in gasps. "Our daughter… our grandson…"

Dacey froze mid-step, her fingers tightening around the cloth.

"Could it be... the villagers?" she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Fabio's silence confirmed her fears. He clenched his jaw, his expression grim. Ever since the festival, rumors had spread across the detached islands like wildfire. And now, the decree had come from the main island—the Greater Priest had ordered Luciana to be brought before him.

Luciana, who had been listening from across the room, turned pale. A sharp pain twisted in her abdomen. She gasped, clutching her belly.

"Mama!" Nemesis cried, rushing to her side as she staggered.

"Oh, great deities!" Dacey exclaimed, hurrying over. She helped Luciana ease onto a feather-stuffed pillow, worry etched deep into her lined face.

Luciana tried to steady her breathing. "I-I'm fine, Aunt Dacey," she insisted.

"You shouldn't be straining yourself like this," Dacey scolded gently, pressing a hand to Luciana's forehead. "The Ah Kin'e Akna said the child is not due for another fortnight."

Fabio's concerned gaze lingered on Luciana before he spoke again, his voice low and firm. "We leave."

Dacey turned to him in horror. "Dear, have you lost your mind? Where would we even go?"

Fabio sighed, rubbing his forehead. "If we don't leave, we'll all be in danger. I've seen the unrest growing in the other islands. The whispers have reached too far. They won't stop until they find her."

Dacey's lips pressed into a thin line. "And what of Luciana? What of our grandchild? She's in no condition to travel!"

"We just need to find a safe place for her to give birth—anywhere but here," Fabio argued.

Luciana watched the growing tension between them, her heart tightening. She couldn't bear to be the cause of discord. "Aunt, Uncle," she said softly, gathering her strength. "I can travel… Please, don't worry about me."

Dacey turned to her, disbelief flashing in her eyes. "Child, do you even hear yourself? You would risk your life and your baby's?"

"Dacey, enough!" Fabio's voice rang sharp in the small hut.

Dacey's fists clenched at her sides. "I will not hear another word of this!"

The rising voices startled Nemesis, and he burst into tears, his small shoulders shaking.

"See?" Fabio grumbled, rubbing his temples. "Now you've frightened the boy."

"Me?" Dacey snapped.

Luciana struggled to her feet, steadying herself. "Please, listen to me."

The room fell silent as she took a deep breath. "I know a safe place."

Dacey and Fabio turned to her, their expressions unreadable.

Luciana hesitated before speaking again. "Amanecer."

A long, heavy pause followed. Dacey and Fabio exchanged glances. Then, without a word, they turned and stepped out of the hut.

Luciana's stomach twisted. She bit her lower lip. "Will they turn me away too?"

A small pair of arms wrapped around her waist.

"I'll protect you and my little sister, Mother," Nemesis whispered, his voice trembling.

Luciana knelt and kissed his forehead. "You are so brave, my little knight."

Moments later, the elderly couple returned. They sat in front of her, their faces solemn.

Dacey exhaled deeply, her gaze shifting to Fabio. He gave a slow nod.

"We will go with you," Dacey said at last. But there was no joy in her voice, only the quiet sorrow of leaving behind a life they had built.

"Don't worry about us," Fabio added, his voice rough. "We are still strong enough to take care of ourselves. You must focus on yourself now."

"We leave tonight," he finished.

---

When the moon hung low, its silver glow kissing the restless sea, they prepared to depart.

Dacey packed only the essentials—food, water, blankets—while Fabio made final repairs to his boat. Luciana stirred at their urging, though she had offered to help earlier and been gently but firmly refused. Dacey had grown more distant, her usual warmth replaced with quiet resolve.

Something had changed between them.

When they stepped out of the hut, Dacey did something unexpected—she left the hearth ablaze.

"This will delay them," she murmured. Then she gripped Luciana's arm and urged her forward.

Fabio lifted Nemesis into his arms, shielding the boy from the cold sea breeze as they made their way to the shore. The boat rocked gently in the tide, waiting.

"We take the northwestern route," Fabio instructed as he pushed them off into the water.

Luciana looked back one last time. In the distance, a faint glow appeared between the trees.

Torches.

They had come for her.

The glow grew, flickering ominously. Then, suddenly, flames erupted—wider, higher.

Their hut was burning.

Dacey and Fabio watched in silent grief as the place they had called home for decades disappeared into smoke and embers.

There was nothing left to say.

They turned toward the open sea, sailing under the veil of night, the stars above their only witnesses.