AllFreeNovel
Share Us
After another half an hour, Marlow walks in and stops at the entrance.
Our heads turn in his direction as we sit up on the couch.
“What’s up, fool?” Ty asks, and after Marlow doesn’t respond or move from the door, I sense something’s up.
I’ve spent more time with Marlow than anyone else on this island and have seen his sad moods, which are rare and short.
What I see on his face is panic.
“Marlow?”
He licks his lips, his hands smoothing his hair, again and again. His eyes aimlessly roam around, but he doesn’t move away from the door.
Did someone die?
“Is it Archer?” I murmur, exchanging looks with Ty and Dani, and the three of us rise from the couch.
“Dude!” Ty says, all of us suddenly anxious because Marlow looks scared or lost or about to have a meltdown, and I don’t understand it. His silence can be a sign of horrible news, and I’ve had enough for a decade.
“Marlow!” I shout.
Then I seeher…
What I register first is blond hair cut to a bob with straight bangs as the girl slowly steps through the front door behind Marlow and into the hall. Big eyes, filled with the same panic as Marlow’s, full lips, slender figure, long-sleeved shirt with street logos, jean shorts, black leggings, and Converses.
Who the hell is she?
The villa is silent as I stare at Marlow and the girl at the entrance.
“Oh, God.” That’s Dani’s whisper, followed by a choking sound and a whimper that comes from Ty.
I turn my head to look at him, and my hair stands on end.
I spent several weeks on the Eastside, and one thing I know is that I never saw Ty without a smile. He’s famous for his smile. Notorious for his jokes and fooling around that can make even the dead laugh.
Except now, his eyes are wide open like he saw a ghost and full of tears. His parted lips are trembling, and his chest is rising and falling rapidly like he’s having a panic attack.
Dani touches his arm, and a sob escapes him, tears spilling down his cheeks.
“Ty?” I whisper.
“Ray-Ray,” he echoes, the name sending shivers down my spine, then starts walking—a broken stumble like a zombie.
The girl who just walked in starts smiling. I want to say it’s a happy, hopeful smile, despite the tears that now stream down her pretty face.
She’s the most beautiful girl I’ve ever met. Ty’s the most shaken I’ve ever seen him. This moment is heart-wrenching as I hear Ty break down into loud sobs when he reaches her and sweeps her into his arms.
Love. Hope. Family. The Change ruined so many beautiful words but also filled them with a much deeper meaning. Nothing compares to the overwhelming feeling of witnessing people who never hoped to see each other reunite.
There are sobs first, then crying, then laughter as Ty holds his sister in his arms, her feet dangling in the air a foot above the floor.
Marlow finally walks up to us, still avoiding eye contact. His red eyes are an indication that for some reason, he’s too invested. My eyes shift between him and Ty, who sets his sister down and strokes her hair, smiling, crying, whispering something, kissing the top of her head, and sobbing again.
I should look away, but I can’t. My heart explodes from being happy for them, proud of my dad for finding Raylin Reyes, and grateful to Archer for making this happen.
“Let’s go to the terrace,” Marlow says and walks out, Dani and I following, leaving Ty and his sister in their happy bubble.
Dani sniffles, a smile flickering on her lips.
