Let her mind float away any sorrow–New year's Celebration

"What's that sound?" Neva peers ahead her ears perking up.

In the air of the Island hovers around sprinkles of happiness. The light of a new year brings wishes and hopes to the hearts for the future to come.

The enchanting music floats with the breeze, the mixed ensemble of magical instruments creates a mystical harmony. The violin, flute, oboe, clarinet, marimba, triangle, handclap, tambourine each of them having their beautiful spell to shine.

"It's new year. New year's celebration a dance perhaps?" Rhett looks at her as Neva sensing his gaze on her connects their eyes.

"We need to sneak in through the crowds." He says gesturing at their clothes stained red from blood. Neva nods in reply her heart suddenly lightened by the atmosphere.

He holds her hand tight, breaking and mending into the crowd. There were no tall skyscrapers or fancy restaurants. Nevertheless the colourful tile and straw roof on the brick buildings here reminded her of a Disney movie. The ground concrete and tiny stalls on the side of the busy streets that could easily be moved around.

The two swan sculptured fountain flowing crystal water and the children laughing and playing around with no care in the world.

The decorations of vines and flowers for the new year's festival with an abscend of effercesent lights naturally made one's heart entranced, delight and humbled.

Neva for a moment even neglected the danger this phase of her life captured her in.

Surely, with no wandering eyes on them, Rhett and Neva reaches a clothing shop.

Rhett had a black shirt on him and his black jacket covered Neva's easily recognisable blood soaken sweater.

"Welcome welcome dear customers. Happy new year." The old lady, her eyes wrinkling with a smile of happiness of such good morning greets.

"Happy new year." Rhett greets back the corners of his lips curving up a little.

The aged lady's eyes scans Neva's face having her teeth sink into her lower lips in weariness. Sensing her uncomfort Rhett slyly covers her frame with his large body, keeping away the old shopkeeper's sight from her.

She frowns but then giggles, "What a charming couple. Ain't your wife a beauty?" She comments, her query to Rhett, he smiles and connecting his eyes with Neva's. "Indeed she is."

The old lady smiles and asks, "How may I help you my dear."

"We would like to pursue some warm clothings please." Rhett declares.

"Sure, come in my dears. Help yourselves." She sweetly haves them inside her small cottage shop.

"Gladly." Rhett grabs Neva's hand leading her in. The old lady smiles at her as she passes by her, having Neva return a small smile.

Some time later, their pursuit for clothes were finally settled. Now the only thing to worry about was the currency of the money.

Presuming the different currency, he would likely need to find a bank or a private money changers.

Nonetheless, preferably the worry disappeared as they followed the same currency as theirs. Rhett paid for the soft goods in a reasonable price.

"Can we find some motel nearby?" He asks the old shopkeeper.

"Motel? If you need a place to stay then just down the street a cottage homestay should be found." The old lady shares.

"Thankyou." Rhett smiles gladly offering gratitude to her.

As they turn to leave and already a few steps away, the old lady aloud wishes them. "Have a great New year my dears!"

The couple over their shoulder looks back at her. "You too." He says as Neva smiles back at her.

---

After their cash and carry they stopped by some other shops for their necessities.

The stayhome cottage was right down the street as the old lady mentioned.

Bathing off the horrible stench of the tragic night, Neva seated on the bed dries her hair with a towel.

Neva readies herself for the day. Her attire a faded light lilac beautiful long fitting dress with puffed sleeves reaching, flaring at her wrist.

Surprisingly the climate in this Island was good. Amazingly warm as the sun shined down blazingly on them. No hints of specks of snow at all.

"Are you hungry." Cutting Neva's chain of thoughts short Rhett comes out the bathing room dressed in white well fitted cotton shirt and a beige slim trouser.

"A bit." She responds, he nears her cupping her face and landing a kiss on her lips.

"You look gorgeous." He appreciates away her appearance, her who's only his.

"You look dashing." She gazes deep into his eyes acquiring a far down kiss again.

"Let's eat breakfast and look around for a while. Shall we?" He holds her hands, helping her stand up from the bed.

"Can't we just stay in the room. What if?"

"Don't worry it's a secluded Island. You can be rest assured. We won't stay here for long anyway." He clears, in his heart he swears to secure her well being. No matter the place or events unknown.

"No Rhett still.." her doubts still haunting her she feels afraid to even be seen.

"Neva we are fine here I promise."

"I was fine on the cruise as well but the people were not!" Anxiety clawing her bones, she barely contains herself from lashing out on him.

He sighs, "I'm sorry I was not able to save them."

Seeing his guilt filled orbs Neva feels her heart clenched in remorse. Of course he did his best, it's not his fault. She was to blame for everything.

"I'm-I'm sorry Rhett." She lowers her eyes.

"How did they find us?" Her voice barely above a whisper appeals.

"They probably did not find us through surveillances. I'm positive about it." He declares, deeply conflicted in his head.

'How did they really find us?'

There were thorough examination about the cruise and the people boarding in it. He made it sure and his agents prepared the best route for them. There cannot be a mistake.

Nonetheless, it's not a time to dawdle about how or who. He needs to get Neva out in the open air and freshen up her mind, for if she locks herself up alone in the middle of these four walls, she might succumb into sorrow.

He'll not allow that. Even if for a little while, he certainly will have her mind strip memories of that horrible night.