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“I know. From the moment I arrived, I sensed there was something about Kaikare. And the way we connected was different to everybody else.” I shrug. “I’m going to miss her.” My voice is hoarse, and I stop myself from saying more. “I’ll send the photos I have on my phone to you.”
Dad peers up at me and smiles. “What’s done is done,” he says, putting on a brave face. “We have to get on with our lives. Let me know how you do finding Brenda. If you meet a dead end, I might be able to help.”
“Thank you. I’m heading out to see Yasmine and Amy tonight. So I won’t need any dinner.”
“Before I leave, I can help you fit the baby seat from my car to yours,” Faith says and stands. “Mum, can you watch the boys for me?”
“Sure.” Mum takes James into the lounge where Seb is lying with Faith’s phone.
“I can help Faith,” Dad says.
“It’s fine. If you could watch Rose, I’ll go since I need to learn how to do these things.”
Dad takes Rose from my arms. “Hello, my princess,” he whispers.
I wait a few seconds to absorb the moment, the loving relationship between my dad and daughter to help heal my pain before I follow Faith down the stairs.
As soon as the door opens, I’m hit with the salty clean air. I inhale a deep breath. “I’ve missed the scent of the sea. I’ve missed the vista, everything about the beach. Only when I was with him, I didn’t care. I could’ve been living in a dark hole and loved every minute because we were together.”
Faith wraps an arm around me as we take the last step before the parking lot. She squeezes my side and says nothing. Right now, her support is enough.
* * *
By the time dinner time comes around, I can barely control the anxiety consuming me. The one thing keeping me from losing my mind is Rose. Babies can pick up on emotions, so I’m doing my best to control the fear. The thirteen-hour time difference between Adelaide and Canaima has been frustrating, as I wait for a reasonable time to call Asoo. I’m due at Yasmine’s at six thirty, so I hope he’s awake.
I call his number and pray he answers.
Just when I’m about to give up, a voice answers the call.
“Hello? Asoo?”
A woman speaks in Spanish.
“Si.”
A moment passes, and then my shoulders relax on hearing Asoo’s voice in the background.
“Hola.”
“Asoo, it’s Eden,” I blurt.
“Oh, Miss Eden. You home now? You safe?”
“Yes.” I close my eyes and exhale. “I’m in Australia. I received your message. My heart breaks.”
“Si. It sad. My heart break too. The shaman…” He makes a tsk sound. “Bad men still come, Miss Eden. We afraid. We can’t go near Ulara as they have men in the area.”
I swallow the lump in my throat. The one that has grown to the size of a small apple and refuses to go away, a lump that burns every time I think of Samuel and try not to burst into tears. “And Samuel?” I rasp. “When did you last see him?”
“After those men shot shaman, Samuel told me to leave and not come back. He tell me they are walking into the jungle when the moon rises.”
“They’re walking at night? That’s insane. It’s the most dangerous time.”
“Men won’t find them. They follow maps and walk night, then day. Rest on the second night. Samuel took men’s guns. Bad. Bad. I know nothing more.”
“I understand.” He has to be careful as someone may be listening to our conversation. “If you hear anything, please message me,” I plead. “I’ll then call for you to tell me any news.”
“Si.”
