Chapter 26: Yoa’s Hideout (2)
Nova not so subtly sniffed at her armpit once Yoa left and reared back sharply, wrinkling her nose. That’s nasty. Yoa’s senses were sharper. How awful did she smell to him?! No wonder he told her to bathe!
Nova stepped further into this fantastical room with such a stunning view. She couldn’t believe how open it was, but the large leaves created an enclosed space, providing some shelter from the wind and other elements. The sun shone across the horizon, kissing the tropical seas and glittering back at her as she slowly peeled back her ratty dress. She shook her head, holding the once beautiful designer piece in front of her, and released a breath upon seeing the rips and dirt smeared across it.
It had looked so cute on her mere days ago. She let it drop to the ground and stepped into the pool, sighing at the cool water and staring at the beautiful scenery, her hands hovering above the water at her waist. It rippled the further she walked in the pool that could only be described as those fancy infinity pools one would find at a snazzy hotel.
She sighed again, her shoulders relaxing a little as she embraced the view. The wind softly caressed her hair and skin, and the sun kissed her heated body. There was something utterly freeing about standing naked in a naturally crafted infinity pool. She ventured further forward, the water trickling along the edge of the rocky formation at the end.
Nova gripped the edge and looked over it. Her breath escaped her lips upon seeing the sharp drop. Below, there was no beach or jungle. It was only the sea, and the water cascaded into the pool, trickling gently from such a height.
A wave of dizziness rushed through her as Nova gazed down at the sharp fall and took a step back. She took a deep breath and ignored that little health and safety issue. She turned to the waterfall, strolling through the water and reaching out to it, sighing as the water hit her hand, arms, and the rest of her body.
She scooped up the water and splashed it over her face with a sigh. She turned to let the water cascade down her back. The cooled liquid was refreshing, making her skin pebble a little but she wouldn’t complain. It was a far shout from a hot shower but her body already felt much better, cleaner as the stickiness and grime washed away.
As Nova stared at the horizon, she couldn’t help but feel worlds apart from her home and lifestyle. It was beyond beautiful here, and if circumstances hadn’t been so mad and literally some sort of survival game, then this right now would feel like bliss, paradise, a snazzy B&B with a cool view and a waterfall shower feature. That wasn’t the case, though, and she could feel the pang in her chest as worry gnawed at her.
How am I going to get home? Can I get home?
If it was possible to make a boat, then she could sail it- no scratch that. To get to the island, Nova had to get a seaplane from Brazil, which landed still at quite a distance from the island, meeting a speedboat that took her there. She had no idea how long sailing a boat would take to get to Brazil, how the waters were, and the main point being—she didn’t know how to sail. It would be a risky endeavour, and she didn’t particularly like the odds of dying at sea, drifting in the wrong direction, getting eaten by sharks, or dying of starvation or dehydration.
Nova shivered and rolled her shoulders, shaking her dread off. There had to be hope. She couldn’t spiral. Surely, things would be clearer once Yoa returns. He was confident that he knew this island inside and out. Although she hadn’t known the giant long, trust had been formed with him, and she didn’t doubt him. He was not a liar or a bullshitter.