Part 3 (2/2)

What else indeed?

I lie back in the sand, and Bastian joins me. He wraps one arm around my shoulders and brings me up against his chest. His other hand rests against my hip, and he tosses one leg over mine, holding me closely and securely.

You got me? I whisper quietly as I close my eyes. I feel disoriented and my head fills with a dizzying fog. I can barely feel the sand on my back. The only clear sensation is Bastians limbs wrapped around me.

I got you, babe. Always. We all do.

All? I try to open my eyes but only manage to flutter my eyelashes. The images flicker from the warm reds of the fading sunset to bright, sterile white walls.

All of us, Kandace. His voice is beginning to fade. We all love you.

Im leaving.

I close my eyes, no longer able to hold them open. I feel Bastians grip on me tighten, and I hear him whisper soft words to me again, but he sounds so far away.

Not leaving”waking up. All of this is a dream.

Maybe it is. Maybe none of what happened on this island is real. It doesnt matter. Each moment will live inside my memories, and that can never be taken from me. As Bastian said”life is made up of experiences, and there is no doubt that Ive had quite an experience.

An experience I will forever cherish.

~~The End~~

Authors Note

Thank you for supporting this effort. Please check out Team Kandace, Kandaces support group on Facebook, to get updates on how everything is going and offer her a few words of encouragement. In addition, please consider donating to her GoFundMe page to help with her medical expenses.

Kandace: Ive got you.

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