I hesitate. "I’ll try."
Fred studies me closely. "You should see the way Salt looks at you sometimes. I don’t know what’s forcing you to leave, but if it’s something between the two of you, don’t give up. You have a kind of chemistry I haven’t seen between anyone on this island in a long time."
I hesitate again, unsure how to respond. Strangely enough, Fred seems to have very sharp intuition.
"We’ll see how things turn out on the mainland. Right now, I don’t know what will happen in a month. But for that month, Salt will definitely remain on the island. If I don’t come back, he’ll be transferred to a state prison once the contract expires. That’s simply how it works."
"I hope whatever you’re planning works out."
"So do I. Take care, and thank you." I lift my hand in farewell and walk away.
I feel a sense of relief, but I know this is not the end. There are still a few things I want to take care of before I leave the island.
The opportunity presents itself almost immediately. In the distance, I spot Roman and Evan walking together, holding hands. I know this is one more thing I should do for Salt before I go.
I approach them.
"I have a favor to ask," I say, seeing the surprise and immediate caution in their eyes.
I repeat essentially the same thing I told Bashir, adding, "Salt is going to be very lonely here. He’ll probably be in a bad state emotionally because our last conversation wasn’t easy. I know our relationships cooled after everything that happened, and if anyone is to blame for that, it’s me. All the chaos around me caused it. Salt did nothing wrong. I’m the problem here. Would you be willing to support him while I’m gone? Maybe even be his… friends?"
They both stare at me in shock, as if they cannot believe what they are hearing.
"Seriously? You’re leaving the island? That doesn’t happen often. Most alphas only leave for a few days, not a whole month."
"Well, the contract allows it. We’re free people, and the program gives us that option, so I intend to use it."
Roman nods. "Of course, of course. We’ll do our best. We’ll keep him company so he doesn’t feel alone."
"Thank you. I really appreciate it, and I’m sorry if my presence ever made you feel unsafe here. That was never my intention."
That is when Evan speaks up.
"It was never about you, Eliano. We don’t have anything against you. Everything that happened just overwhelmed us. It made us doubt the program itself. We considered withdrawing and contacting Second Chance to live off the island, in my house. But if Drax and Sidorov are truly gone for good, we’re starting to regain some of the hope we lost."
"Well, I wish you both the best, in case we never see each other again."
"Wait, do you think you might not come back?" Roman interjects. "Is what happened between you and Salt really that serious?"
I still don’t want to talk about the True Mate situation or the fact that I might be forced to go back whether we both want it or not, so I give them a different answer.
"That may depend on what I manage to accomplish. If I want to be with him with a clear conscience, I need to take certain steps on the mainland. There’s nothing more I can do here."
"I’m really sorry to hear that. Still, I hope everything works out. I’m sure Salt will miss you."
I don’t answer. I swallow hard and look away. I am not sure he will, at least not right away, but I have no control over that. All I can do is focus on action and not let myself drown in it.
"Take care," I say shortly, turn around, and walk away.
There is one last visit left to make.
I enter the recreational building and head down the corridor toward Harvey Bram’s office once again.
At the sight of me, he lets out a loud huff, twists his face, and says, "What kind of problem does the ‘human problem’ have now, twice in one day?"
"I’m solving this problem now. I’m leaving the island."
Bram gapes, his mouth falling open.
