The New year's Celebration

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.

Neva peers ahead, her ears perking up at the magical sounds.

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.

Rhett gazes at her, his heart solemn at an astray looking Neva. Her eyes were red and puffy. She didn't sleep the whole ride, drowning in agony, while he could do nothing—and only offer her a shoulder to lean on.

"We need to sneak in through the crowds." He says, gesturing at their clothes stained in blood.

Neva gazes up at him briefly, looking away—she nods in reply.

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 of an old childhood 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.

But Neva was sunken too deep in misery to notice any of them.

Fortunately, 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 aged lady's eyes lands on Neva, scanning her, her eyes bleaming.

In weariness, Neva sinks her teeth in her lower 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 raises his brows, he tilts his head—his orbs stringing with Neva's shallow ones.

"Indeed she is." He thinly smiles at her.

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

"We'd like to pursue some clothes please." He 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. They were done with their pursuit, the shopping bags brimming in their hold.

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

"Thank you." He says.

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

Rhett looks back at her over her shoulder, and replies with only a nod to her.