Love Coming from the Least Expected

Christopher’s fever subsided at daybreak. I heaved a sigh of relief and took the strip of cloth from his forehead. At the same time, the sun rose from the horizon, covering the earth with its light.

As its golden rays pierced through the veil of night, the sea turned a beautiful shade of reddish-gold. Far, far into the horizon, the sea captured the reflection of the sun on its surface. If I didn’t look closely, I wouldn’t know which was the sun, and which was the reflection. The new dawn brought with it a gentle breeze that brushed against the ocean, sending ripples flowing everywhere.

It was the first time I saw such a gorgeous sunrise. It would have been a romantic sight if not for the hellscape I was in.

was leaning on my shoulder. “Nice sunrise,”

fingers across his face. Come to think of it, I’ve never taken a good

my response. “Someone has a glib tongue today.

against his cheek to calm myself down. Can we really

even a simple movement like that was tearing his wound open, so he shut his mouth on the spot. “Eve, do you know what it means when someone flashes his car’s spotlights three times?” he suddenly

yet. Let’s save it until

lightly, but before he could retreat, I held his cheek and returned a deep kiss. His

little tease you are. I bet you won’t be this daring when we’re alone, but please make the first move next

knew he was just teasing me to ease the situation, so I played along with him and forced a smile.

“Of course, my queen.”

again. I wanted to get enough food for Christopher, but I didn’t have enough strength to haul the big fish, while the abalones were hidden in the deeper sea. Since it wasn’t abalone season, there were only old abalones left in the shallow seas. I

since there weren’t many of us, there were plenty of clams to go around. I picked them up and placed them on my hem, but the moment I placed them