Arriving at Craggy island later in the day, I wonder if I should just leave. I can see Lewis working on something, and I haven’t been spotted yet. Knowing Lewis is going to ask about work and the farm, the latter something that has been on my mind for what feels like forever.

“Hey Lewis,” I call, walking off the dock toward the man standing in a sea of chests.

He waves, saying something into his wrist. “Hey Sips, long time no see. What brings you to Craggy Island?”

“I came to see Simon, but I’m glad you’re here. Now that you’re back, production at Sips Co. can resume. Oh, hey Simon.”

“Hello. Are you here to call Lewis back to work?”

I shake my head. “No, I just told Lewis I came to talk to you. We’ll wait a week or two until production starts back up again.”

“Alright well, I’m sure we will be visiting the farm in a few days if you figure out when you want me back. I’ll leave you and Simon then.”

I say goodbye, watch him disappear over the hill. “Everyone is back. Just came from Parv’s place. I told him to see if he can get anything from Will as to what happened. See what you can find out but don’t let him know about the whole Hatfilms thing.”

“I can do that. Now, go have fun with Sjin.” He cackles.

~

I stand on the other side of the river, resting on the dock Lewis and Simon built. I don’t know what to do anymore, going to visit Simon and Parv was a mistake. Seeing them happy, acting like nothing happened. ..

I sit with my legs dangling off the edge, facing the farm and trying to convince myself Sjin didn’t mean what he said. It’s getting darker, and I can’t just spend the night on a wooden dock, Sips Co. too far to make the journey with less than an hour of sunlight left.

As the day draws to a close the Chili Wowas sign lights up, and I go to it like a moth to a flame. Knowing where the spare key is, I climb up the mountain, watching for any signs of movement from the house.

Knowing he has no reason to come up here until tomorrow, I get comfortable on one of the booth seats and close my eyes.

~''~.

I’m half asleep, sunlight streaming in and hitting me in the face. Trying to shift so it isn’t in my face and I can go back to sleep, I almost don’t hear the sound of the lock. Bolting upright, I start to panic when the door creaks open.

Trying to think of an excuse while at the same time trying to figure out how to get out of here without him seeing me, I’m surprised to see someone that isn’t Sjin walk in the direction of the kitchen.

Making my way toward the back door as quietly as I can, I try not to let the curiosity get the better of me. “I don’t know why I had to come get it, it’s his place. How am I supposed to know where chili. . .” His voice gets quiet as he goes further into the kitchen.

I sit there in shock for a moment. What the hell is Ross doing here?

A bang brings me out of my thoughts, sending me stumbling through the door. I pray nobody sees me, hoping Sjin doesn’t decide to come help Ross or look out the window.

“Sips?” I look over my shoulder at Sjin, stumbling a bit.

“No,” I shake my head. “No!”

Turning away, I run as fast as I can away from the farm. When I get too tired I walk, trying to figure out where I am.

Coming to a hill I climb up it, hoping to get a better vantage point. I nearly fall down the hill in my haste when I see what’s on the other side.

It’s the old compound. Sand free. Tower erect, not quite finished. A man in an orange space suit, flying around the top, placing blocks.