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Lach comes running down the path. “Sorry, bro. I forgot something.”

He doesn’t elaborate exactly what, just keeps running.

“I better follow him,” I tell Cipher.

“Go, I’ll wait for my dad.”

I leave Cipher and follow behind my brother, listening to my mom chastise him when I arrive. Once that is done, we move on to our goodbyes, which are not easy.

Cindy approaches and signs something. I don’t understand, but Vesper of all people comes over to translate. “She says look after each other, and that she will be back.”

“We will,” I tell her. “And please come back—I know Cipher will love that.”

Vesper signs and Cindy pulls me in for a hug. She waves to me when she spots her husband and son.

My mom is last, and this is the hardest goodbye for me. “The island is good for you, Noa. This is the happiest I have ever seen you.”

“I am happy,” I tell her.

Mom cries as she pulls me into a hug, and I wrap my arms around her and squeeze.

“She’s good for you,” she says. “All of them are. Even the looming, quiet one.” Her description of Cave makes me chuckle. “He’s really not as scary as I thought he would be.”

“He can be, you just got the well-behaved Christmas version.”

She laughs and pulls back to look at me. “Come home and visit us soon, and bring them as well.”

“I will, I promise.”

She looks past me to where Cipher and Cave are now standing. Cave still being here shocks me, and when my mom waves, they both wave back.

Both our families get in their cars, and we all stand there and watch as they leave, tears clouding my vision. I hate that they have to go already. Wiping my eyes, I turn to the last one left—Leni. She has a bag over her shoulder and a suitcase at her side.

“Ready?” I ask.

“No.” She drops her bag and throws herself at me.

Leni has become a good friend—someone I confide in when I think I have annoyed Valli too much with my questions. She doesn’t seem to mind.

Valli and Leni said goodbye earlier this morning, but I know it’s still not easy for either of them. Leni grabs her sister and pulls her in for one last hug, and they hold on tight for a long time. Valli whispers in Leni’s ear, and Leni nods. When they pull apart, Leni looks at Cave.

“You,” she says. “Look after my sister.”

“Always,” he replies, and Leni’s face lights up.

“You too,” she says, pointing to Cipher.

“I would take a bullet for her.” Valli slaps him in the stomach, and he laughs. “Too soon?”

“And you . . .” she says to me.

“You know I will.”

Leni laughs. “I was going to say, keep being yourself. You are amazing, Noa, and someone I am proud to call a friend. I couldn’t imagine my life without you now.”

“Stop it,” I say. “You’ll make me cry again.”

She throws her arms around me in a quick hug before stepping back.