Zuko and Toph had been holed up in the study for five days, tirelessly searching for any records of planes, trains,
and ships entering or exiting Centrolis. They checked immigration records and reviewed highway surveillance
cameras leading to other provinces, hoping to find a clue about Melvin’s possible mode of transportation. However,
their efforts often ended in disappointment.
As the days passed, both of them grew visibly thinner, with disheveled hair and dark circles under their eyes. The
constant search took a toll on their mental state, and they dreaded the thought of losing their loved ones.
After another failed attempt, Toph’s frustration boiled over, and he slammed the table in despair. Zuko, though
expressionless, stared at the computer screen with bloodshot eyes, his restless fingers betraying his inner anxiety.
Toph turned to him, about to say something, but his voice choked, and he couldn’t utter a word. Zuko remained
blank-faced.
The service staff visited several times, updating them on the Thompsons’ tireless search for the girls and the
Hamertons’ unsuccessful efforts in finding any trace of them in Centrolis.
“I don’t believe they’re gone like this, Zuko,” Toph said, expressing his disbelief.
“I don’t believe it either,” Zuko quickly interrupted, not wanting Toph to voice his doubts aloud and secretly
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtharboring his own disbelief.
He and Lina had made a promise never to let go of each other’s hands, no matter the circumstances. They vowed
to always stay connected, no matter where they were. And now…
Zuko rubbed his temples and weakly leaned against the chair’s backrest. Exhaustion washed over him, and he
closed his eyes, envisioning a starry sky. At that moment, he recalled a conversation about reaching the stars and
fulfilling wishes.
Suddenly, Zuko jolted awake, his realization hitting him like a bolt of lightning.
“Toph, something’s wrong,” he said, his voice filled with urgency.
Confused, Toph furrowed his brow and asked, “What’s wrong, Zuko?”
“Lina will give me a signal,” Zuko replied, determination and confidence returning to his face.
Toph, still puzzled, watched as Zuko brought up a location system interface on the computer. Though it was
currently blank, Zuko firmly believed that Lina would send him a message.
“Lina will definitely give me a message,” he declared, his words deliberate and resolute. “Definitely!”
…
Meanwhile, Lina and Renee returned to their cabin after another day of work on the ship. Despite the ship’s calm
and peaceful atmosphere, they couldn’t shake off the feeling of uncertainty. They had been assigned tasks such as
cabin cleaning, laundry, and kitchen assistance.
Renee, accustomed to physical labor since childhood, found the tasks manageable, but Lina struggled to adapt. Her
delicate hands had become rough and worn from the arduous work. Despite the exhaustion, she never complained
and even helped Renee with additional chores.
Both girls lay on the bed, completely drained and unwilling to move. Their heads leaned against each other as they
stared at the ceiling.
After a while, Renee broke the silence, offering to give Lina a shoulder massage to alleviate her fatigue. Lina weakly
declined, suggesting they rest instead.
“Not yet,” Renee replied wearily, mustering the energy to sit up. “I have to go to the deck later.”
Lina’s eyes lit up, realizing that their meticulous observations and calculations were about to pay off. While Lina
focused on her duties, she had also familiarized herself with the ship’s layout and mapped it out.
Each night, Renee spent time on the deck, using wind speed and direction to estimate their course toward
Southeast Aciatic.
Lina crawled up and approached her. “Renee, do you truly believe this ship is heading to Southeast Aciatic?”
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm“That’s what my calculations indicate,” Renee replied, drawing a rough map on a piece of paper. “Based on the
wind’s speed and direction, we should reach Southeast Aciatic. Of course, it’s only our speculation.”
Lina’s eyes dimmed as she made connections. “I’ve heard that countries in Southeast Aciatic excel in certain
fields… and there are many drug traffickers too. Madame Krys and Justin, involved in human trafficking and drugs,
would fit right in.”
Renee whispered, reminding Lina, “But the most crucial thing now is to send a signal.”
Restlessness crept over Lina. Although Krystal had returned their phones, the vastness of the sea left them without
any signal.
Lina glanced at the ship’s internal structure diagram she had drawn, focusing on a circled area—the
communication room.
“The communication room,” Lina said, pointing it out to Renee.
“The communication room?” Renee echoed, puzzled.
Lina nodded. “It’s the only place on the ship that can establish contact with the outside world. But three groups of
guards are stationed there, making it challenging for us to access.”
She continued, furrowing her brow. “And even if we manage to get in, we wouldn’t know how to operate the
equipment.”
Lina’s gaze shifted to a five-minute gap she noticed during the shift handover of the guards. That would be their
opportunity to make a move.