Chapter 248 - The Islet Mystery 64

To avoid suspicion, the boatman pulled closer to the shore. Shiela also got the chance to look closer at the men who posted in the area. With dark and big glasses that covered half of her face and a hat with large visor, she was sure these men could not recognize her.

"Is this islet a tourist destination also?" one of the men yelled.

"Everywhere could be if the guest wants it," the boatman replied, restarting the engine afterward.

Shiela and the boatman continued to move over to the other side, far away from where those men were standing. As Shiela was focusing her gaze at the islet through her binoculars, a wooden boat under a tree caught her attention. Though her eyes never left Yanyan when he jumped off from his boat and that she could still tell where he left it, she was sure that this boat was similar to his. It gave her an idea that perhaps, this could also be another route to where Yanyan and his grandparents lived.

Shiela got excited and quickly urged the boatman to go ashore. Once they were a few feet from the stretch of sand, she jumped off and sprinted towards the tree where she spotted the boat.

"This boat is similar to the one that the boy used," the boatman's voice jolted her off to her feet. Shiela didn't expect that he would follow her.

"Yes, it is. Why do you think he left it here? It might get lost. Aside from that, this place is so far from where he dropped off."

"There's only one explanation to that. Somewhere around could be another shortcut to where he lives."

"I want to know where," she said, surprising the boatman. Why does a shabby island boy catch the interest of this beautiful and elegant woman, the boatman thought.

"I lost my son in one of these islands," Shiela answered, her desire and excitement prompted her to reveal the truth.

"What? And do you think he is your son?" the boatman's eyes grew large, a sense of thrill rose within him. That boy was the one he always saw at the shore within the hotel's vicinity, selling shells and corals

"He is. I just found it out," Shiela answered without looking at him, her eyes were searching for a path around the area.

Despite the heat of the sun, a chilly sensation ran through the boatman's skin. He already understood why Shiela got the courage to explore in all the islets surrounding the hotel.

Out of the blue, the boatman's gaze fell on the rocky wall behind the tree. He strode towards it, and just as he expected, at the base of that rock, was a downward path concealed by the thick shrubs. 

"Ma'am, come over here!" he shouted, urging Shiela to come and see it for herself.

Shiela ran towards him, and a pulse of excitement engulfed her. She separated the shrubs aside and descended right away through the path, which led to a cave.

"Ma'am, wait! It could be dangerous there. We should have a backup."

"I can't wait. I have the feeling that my son is inside," she protested, the joy of the discovery overwhelmed her.

'Ma'am, I understand your feeling, but you should make a wise move, or else,  you will lose your chance. It could also cost your life since this is a cave. There might be wild animals or poisonous snakes inside."

The truth behind the boatman's words hit her. He was right, she should hold back the impulse and do wise steps, or everything would be futile. Sighing in frustration, she retraced her steps and pulled out her phone, asking for her father's assistance. 

"Shiela, you're there again! Why must you make a risky move? Why don't you trust Ryan and me?" scolded her father the moment she informed her about everything she did.

"Pa, I can't wait. Don't scold me now. If I didn't do this, I wouldn't have found this lead. Just hurry up and come."

"Alright! Wait for me and be sure to behave," came his father's reply, his voice quivering in anger.

______

Yanyan led her grandparents over a secret passageway he discovered. He was sure the island guards did not know about this yet. He had been using this exit many times, every time he sneaked away to sell his shells and corals. He was only allowed to go out within the guard's schedule and not on his preferred time.

Once he succeeded in helping her grandparents slip into a small rocky passage that only a slim body could fit, he rolled over a small rock to cover half the opening. In this way, the guards wouldn't suspect that they passed through this inlet. With only a kerosene-lit lamp to light their way,  they trudged slowly over slippery and rocky paths towards the exit of the cave.

Yanyan had to hold their arms one at a time in slippery areas, making their progress slow. Now and then, he also paused to throw crushed leaves of a wild plant that his grandparents identified as their protection against poisonous insects or snakes. It's strong and pungent smell drove these cave threats away, allowing them to stay safe inside for years. Whether or not the potency of these leaves was real, never did anyone of them suffered a bite anyway.

However, their struggles were not only at their slow pace but also in steep paths. Yanyan had to pull them one by one while his other hand groped for support from a shrub or muddy rocks. He was only a child and was sick at the moment, but his adrenaline nevertheless powered him on. The limits of their lamp against the black-as-night surroundings worsened their difficulties. Yet, the three of them didn't embrace discouragement. No matter how hard it was for them, they held on to the hope that somewhere at the end of this cave was their freedom from bondage.

Yanyan squealed in excitement the moment he saw the rays of light penetrating the cave's opening. He didn't mind his gasps for breath, as exhaustion started to wear him away. He already felt a burning heat coursing throughout his body, but because of his determination, he ignored it. They were already close to freedom! 

"Ma, Pa, stay here. I'll check first if it is safe for us to go out. I also have to prepare the boat," Yanyan said as he guided them to sit in one of the rocks below the cave opening.

The old couple chuckled as they relished the overwhelming feeling of release and near salvation. "Be careful, boy! Be back right away."

"I will!" yelled Yanyan over his shoulder as he started to sprint the short distance towards the cave's inlet. 

With heart pounding because of joy and excitement, he climbed fast over the last rocky obstacle. His eyes then beamed in happiness as he finally saw the wild shrub-covered path. He ran through it until he reached the rocky wall of the cave's opening. While his one hand grasped for the wall to support himself as he steadied his breath, his heartbeats ran a mile per minute as his eyes fell on a woman sitting down near his boat. She stared at her and right, it was her, her mother! His heart thumped louder and louder as he looked at her with great longing in his tender heart.

"Ma'am Shiela," Yanyan called out after some moments of hesitation, but suddenly, his vision blurred, and his surroundings turned black.