Chapter 4: The Search is Over

Elven wakes up when he realizes someone is staring at him. His eyes transfixed to someone who's sitting on the side of the bed. His mother, Leona Sanford.

" Are you feeling well, son? "

Her eyes lovingly looked at his son's wellbeing. She gently strokes his hand whilst she holds it.

" We quickly went here when we heard about what happened, dear. "

She said and turned to look at his first older sister, Eliana who's standing on the other side of the bed. Elven doesn't realize she's there.

" You must be so devastated. "

Elven heave a deep sigh. What he is feeling right now is unfathomable. He can't even distinguish which pain he's trying to endure more. If it's the seething pain of his head injury or it is the longing for his family.

" Son, you need to go to a much bigger hos-"

"No."

Leona was cut mid-sentence by a dead straight no from Elven.

" Stop being so stubborn! You being here wouldn't make a difference! They must be dead somewhere already! "

Eliana shot at him without much of a consideration regarding his feelings.

" Shut the f*ck up! "

Elven shouted back.

" If you came here just to tell me that, suck it up and get lost. "

Eliana rolled her eyes and crossed her arms. Not feeling sorry at all.

" Son, I know how you feel. But you need to think of yourself, too. What if your head worsens? "

" I don't care. "

" Son, please. Your family wouldn't like you to be miserable. "

Elven shakes his head.

" I'm not going anywhere until I find my wife and daughter. And that's final. "

He got out of the bed, washed up in the bathroom and headed outside. He saw Josh Lambert outside. Agitated.

" Let's get out of here. "

" About that sir. A report came out around midnight. "

Elven immediately stopped walking and turned his questioning gaze at Josh upon hearing about an alleged report. He could see how Josh hesitated to speak more.

" Is it about my family? Where are they? Did they find them? Are they okay? Tell me! "

Leona and Eliana came around to know what the commotion was about.

" Sir, I think you need to check for yourself. They're here in the hospital. "

" Bring me to them. Lead the way. "

Josh nodded and started walking. Elven follows him, Leona and her daughter too. They stopped in front of a room where a few coast guards officials and police were standing outside.

" Morgue?! "

Eliana read the sign outside the door with shocked and widened eyes. Leona covered her mouth in disbelief. Elven tries to swallow. He can feel a lump on his throat. He can hear his heartbeat going crazy. The seething pain on his head suddenly numbs his entire body. Elven's eyes start to water and he can feel his knees getting wobbly.

Josh stands besides him and Elven holds on to Josh's shoulder for support. One of the coast guards slowly walks in front of them with a clear plastic bag with clothes inside.

" Around midnight, we received a call from a fisherman from the island, the ship's supposed destination. He saw someone on the rocky part of the shore. When he came to inspect, he saw a woman wearing a life vest… with a child on her chest. "

Elven tears fall. His grip on Josh's shoulder tightens and his other hand clenches and starts to hammer his own chest. He felt suffocated. Josh Lambert looks sideways and bow his head. He can't look at Elven.

" These are the clothes they're wearing. We found your wife's identification card but if you can identify them despite…"

The officer feels sorry. This is the hardest part of their job. To deliver heartbreaking news to the bereaved family. They can't get used to it.

" As I told you earlier, they were found on the rocky part of the shore. Because of that and being on the water for too long.. it is really hard to recognize them. Their faces are beyond identification… we're sorry, sir. "

He gives the clear plastic bag to Elven. His eyes can't believe seeing his wife and daughter's clothes and ID.

" Oh my. Those are Belle's jacket and the clothes that I gave to Yuffa. "

Leona says after she sees the content of the clear plastic bag. There's no doubt about it. Elven was brought on his knees. He can't take it anymore. He doesn't want to believe what was happening but there's no use for denying.

Eliana walks toward the door of the morgue and opens it.

" Go and identify them if you can. "

" Stop it Eliana! Can't you see your brother? He's already dying inside! Do you want him to lose his sanity? You're asking for too much! "

Elven can't hear anything. His mind can't process any of these. Tears won't stop. He wanted to shout so loud but he couldn't find his voice. The pain is unbearable. He just hugs his family's belongings and cries to his heart's content.

The search is over. But it ends his will to live too.