S1 EP1 - R(1) Price of Curiosity Reeva

Even from afar I recognize the silhouette of my husband and run down with Monika and Finn. The little ones have already missed Jeff a lot. I'm no different. How nimble the two are. And there's even one more on the way. At the thought of our third child warms my heart. I can't wait... our life will be perfect very soon!

"Daddyyy!"

"Welcome back, Jeffrey. How was the journey, can we open the Guard Academy?" Jeffrey takes the two little ones in his arms overjoyed and then kisses me as well. I missed you so much.

"It was jamilon! Reeva, can you imagine? The last kingdom has finally agreed! We may!" (jamilon = fantastic)

We finally spend the day together again as a family and enjoy the time. But I know Jeff wants to tell me something else... When the children take their nap, we go to the office.

"Well, tell me." I lean over to him and start crawling his neck.

"Tentra has offered support, both financially and at the Mirhimela of the restricted zone..." (Mirhimela = investigation)

With excitement, I almost jump up from my seat.

"What?! The financial support is great, but you told the Supreme Supervisor about the restricted zone? They will now take you to Tentra and lock you up there for decades! Imagine what will happen to our children-"

"Shhh, ana arifu. But Jones thinks like me! We are also very careful and have only taken aerial photographs so far." (ana arifu = I know)

"You've already started it?! And Jones?! Who is that?!"

"Uh, Jones Tentra, the new Supreme Supervisor of the prison island."

"... Look at that. The Supreme Supervisor himself violates the rules. Who would have thought."

"It's just as ironic as when the guard's instructors break the rules."

"I'm also interested in whether the island really exists in the restricted zone on the old map. This cannot possibly be prohibited just for our own protection... There must be something fishy going on. Just please be careful and don't get played. I would love to spend my time with you until the end, and the kids I think, too!

A few months later, Jeff leaves me again to continue researching with Jones. In the meantime, I am heavily pregnant, which is why his absence does not do me any good, but what must be, must be.

Today I wake up again in the middle of the night because of some noises, but something is different. I think this time there really is someone here...

I reach for something and get ready for the intruder. When the door opens, I go off on the figure.

"Reeve! It's me!!"

"Did you scare me!!", I scream-whisper back to him and fall around his neck. His hairstyle and also his clothing style have changed a lot. He used to wear simple trousers with a shirt and suspenders. Now he's wearing these gangster clothes... dark leather jacket, trousers with many pockets... Is he somehow... I am torn from my thoughts with a sob.

"Reeva, I screwed up! I'm so sorry, so unbelievable -"

"Were you caught?!" He nods. But this small, almost barely recognizable nod causes my whole world to collapse. I can't hold back my tears, but I try to keep a clear head. That's why I straighten my head and look him straight in the eye.

"You... you have to leave. Immediately."

"Ana arifu... But I won't leave you behind."

"You have to. We would just be a block on your leg. We will be waiting for you here. I love you." We hug tightly and share our last kiss. Bittersweet.

"And so do I, Reeva! Please tell the kids, I love them and I'll be back hakada!" (hakada = soon)

"I will. Jeffrey? ... What should our third child be called?" He pauses for a moment and stares at my belly. Will he will ever see the child? Will he really be able to return, as he promised? I have no choice but to wait for him.

"Mmmm... Jaimes. And for a girl, Violet? Hach, Reeva, it's a shame to leave you like this-" I gently place my thumb on his lips and slowly clasp his head with both hands, directing him towards me. (Hach = sigh)

"Shhh, concentrate and stay alive, do you listen?" If there is a chance to get him back as a whole, then I want it. I press my medallion-necklace into his hand, in which there is a photo of our family.

"The man is a stranger. Only he who dwells in his heart..."

"... makes him a confidant," I smile at him with a sting in his heart, "You have to go."

I can't remember exactly what happened after that. I only recall how he tried to memorize the children with one last look and when he stood at the main gate, he looked back again and waved as if he was just going to buy a pack of cigarettes. Except, he was a non-smoker. In the years that followed, inspectors kept investigating him through me, but he never contacted me once. Therefore, they could not track him down, just as I could not. But in my heart I knew that he was still alive and that one day he would return. Fortunately, most of the staff remained loyal to me and helped me build the academy, but also raise the children. It has been 17 years since then.