There was nothing he could do but run to find out. First, he snapped a long length of thick branch off of the tree that had saved him. He held it up in both hands, weighing it, judging it. With no other choice, it would do.

He then left the tree behind, sprinting toward the bridge. Toward Roxy.

My name is Minho, he thought. It gave him strength.

Trish and Sadina had yet to let go of each other, kissing and hugging then kissing and hugging in a loop that might last another day or two. Old Man Frypan had been the last to arrive at the bridge, breathing so hard that Jackie had to look away, terrified he was going to collapse with a heart attack. Maybe if she didn’t watch, he’d be okay.

Instead, she focused on the woman and strange man sitting at the foot of the bridge, the people who’d taken Isaac and Sadina. At least she assumed that’s what had happened. The strangers didn’t say a word and Isaac was too busy greeting all the friends he’d probably thought he’d never see again. Or maybe that wasn’t the case at all. This hardly seemed like a rescue and she was very confused.

Dominic had given Isaac a good old-fashioned bear hug, lifting his friend off the ground and swinging him around three times until both of them were probably nauseous. Now Dominic came up to her, and then Miyoko joined them as well. The three of them watched the ongoing reunions as Sadina finally realized that her own mom was waiting to get a hug herself.

“A half hour ago it seemed like the world was ending,” Jackie said. “Now it’s like we’re back on the island about to have the midsummer festival. Our lives are not normal.”

“I don’t get it,” Miyoko replied. “I mean, who are those people?” She gave a stiff nod at the strangers who looked on with faces devoid of expression. The big man was not pleasant to look upon.

“Why don’t we ask them?” Dominic didn’t wait for a response before walking toward the spot where the man and woman sat. Jackie and Miyoko had no choice but to follow him. “Who are you guys?” It wasn’t the best of greetings but certainly got to the point.

The man, one of the largest people Jackie had ever seen, was the one to respond.

“I’m Timon, this is Letti. You want answers, ask her.”

“Okay,” Dominic replied. “Lady, can you give us some answers?”

The woman didn’t respond, just looked up at the sky as if she were bored.