"Mother, father."

A young girl walked inside the room where two adults were busy packing their important stuff. The woman smiled and walked toward the girl, kneeling in front of her. "There's no need to cry, Magdalene," she whispered, wiping the single tear on the child's cheek.

"Do you really have to go?" Magda asked.

The man also knelt next to her, giving her a small peck on her temple. "We're going to be fine."

"Promised?"

The parents smiled at the child. It was rare to see the usual mature Magda even at a young age to show vulnerability like this. "We promised."

Magda nodded. Then she hugged them, smiling. "See you in two weeks."

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They broke their promise.

Their ship was caught in a storm. Nobody survived.

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Traditionally, when someone dies, their body will be put inside a coffin and burn at the beach until it turns into ashes. The ashes then will pave put in an empty coconut shell and set it drifted to the sea. The previous steps before that are even longer, but Magda didn't have the energy to do that. They hadn't found the body and Magda doubt they would ever find them.

She had a small campfire set on the beach with a small box burning on top of it. It had a picture of both of her parents. She sat on the sand, watching the flame with dull green eyes and clutching the empty coconut shell in her lap a bit too hard.

This isn't fair. They promised that they would be back. Magda knew that she couldn't blame anyone, but still...

She's an orphan now.

It's not fair.

She suddenly felt a cloth being draped over her shoulders, protecting her from the cold. The traditional dress she was wearing wasn't fit to be worn in cold weather, but who...

Somebody set themselves next to her. Magda turned her head and immediately noticed the familiar dual-colored hair. Jake didn't say anything he just kept staring at the fire, an unreadable expression on his face.

Magda stared back at the fire. The box slowly melted in the flame. She let out a sigh, pulling the jacket close to her. "Thank you."

Jake answered with a hum and a shrug of his shoulder. There was silence between them and Magda looked around. Since Jake was here, surely Jonah and Bree might be near too.

'You know." Magda turned to Jake. He was still staring at the fire. "I've never done this for him."

"Him?"

Jake clicked his tongue. "My... Biological father." He sighed. "He left when I was, what, five, I think?" He shrugged. "Who knows where he is now."

Magda frowned at him. "You spoke so belittle of him."

Jake huffed. "He didn't even say goodbye. I don't know if he's dead or still alive. But even if he's dead, I probably wouldn't do something like this."

"Why?"

Jake shrugged. "I was angry back then. I'm not that close to him. But you were with your parents." For the first time, he turned his head toward her. "If you need someone to chat, I'll listen. We... Sort of have the same experience, right?"

Magda stared silently at Jake for a while. Then, she let out a huff. "Are you sure you are Jacob Orion Columbus, boy?"

Jake pouted. His cheeks were red. "Aw, come on! I'm trying to be nice here!"

Magda laughed. "Well, thank you for that." She smiled at him and he grinned back.

Once the fire died down, they gathered the ashes and put them in the coconut shell, Jake stepped back to give Magda space. Whispering her final prayer, she drifted the coconut to the sea, watching it until it disappeared from her sight. Turning around, she could see Jake smiling softly at her. He turned around and Magda noticed Jonah and Bree walking toward them.

Maybe she was an orphan now.

But at least she knows that she'll never be alone.