text: Alfred wakes up with a slight smile on his face. It has been the first time in years that he has truly slept well. No back pain, no joints on fire. The mattress is softer than any other he has ever had. He opens the curtains and looks outside. The dark wood that almost every house is made of stands in stark contrast to the bright sunlight that is illuminating the island. A small group of people exit the church, empty buckets in their hand as they each go to their own home. They all wear the same black scarf they were wearing when the ship arrived yesterday. Amelia’s head appears through the door. “Ah, I was wondering if you were awake yet. Breakfast is ready. Jared and Finn are already downstairs.” Alfred drops his smile. “I’ll come.” The dinner table has a large assortment of all kinds of sweet and salty food. There are bowls of different fish pastes and a basket with three types of bread. “Alfred! Come join us. My Amelia has made us a lovely morning meal.” Jared throws up his arms when the old man enters the room. Finn looks up. “Good morning, sir.” &#x200B; Alfred finishes his meal in 10 minutes. “Listen, brat. I’m going back to shore. You can either come with me now or stay here.” “Oh, I was hoping to return with you after a couple of days.” “Now or never.” Alfred stands up. “Now, I guess.” Jared stands up too. “Surely you aren’t leaving us so soon.” “I am.” Alfred leaves the room, Finn behind him. “Leaving already?” Amelia is standing in the hallway, a big smile on her face. He opens the front door. Cold rain hits him in the face. Wind blows the door wide open. He closes it again, adjusts his raincoat and goes back outside. “Sir, are you sure about this?” Finn raises his voice to shout over the wind. “Now or never!” Alfred bends over slightly to balance out his weight against the wind. The rain flows off his jacket and into his boots. He looks behind his back and sees Finn struggling to move forward. He sighs and takes the boy’s hand. The planks of the docks groan and creak. Gigantic waves wash over the quay. Augusta rocks up and down like a wild horse, scraping against the pole she’s attached to. “I don’t think we can sail in this weather. “ Finn leans on his toes to reach Alfred’s ear. “What?” “I said, I don’t think we can sail in this weather!” The old man grumbles and turns back. With the wind in their backs, they stumble over the streets back to the mansion, trying to not trip as the gusts push them along. &#x200B; “I was worried you were seriously going to leave in this weather,” Jared says as Alfred and Finn dry their hair with a towel. “Guess we’re going to stay a little longer.” Finn hands the towel to Amelia. “I’ll prepare your rooms again.” She walks upstairs. Alfred stays indoors for the rest of the day. The weather remains the same throughout the day. Only late in the evening does it seem to calm down. He looks up from a book he found in the library of the mansion.