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was dense and formed a dark white veil all around me. It was not only intimidating, but also somewhat disorienting. I walked around the side of the house and squatted to do my business. It was eerily quiet. I could hear the ocean waves as they crashed against the shore below, but aside from that even sea birds were remaining noiseless. Once finished on the side of the house, I stood and listened. A wave hitting the shore in the distance. They always came in groups of three, followed by a brief lull. My own breathing. Silence. Three waves. Why I was listening so intently, I wasn’t sure. My breathing. Three waves. My breathing. Rocks falling. It was faint, but I was sure I heard rocks tumbling down the cliff face. My first thought, and hope, was that the others were returning. I considered running in the direction of the cliff to call down to them, but I knew in my heart that they would not have chanced finding the island again in dense fog. They would be settling in on the mainland for the night, hopefully secured in a building. I could barely see the house behind me and didn’t dare walk farther into the mist. Three waves. I held my breath. Three waves. I had to breathe. More rocks falling. I closed my eyes and focused my mind. Nothing enlightening. Three waves. My own breathing. Three waves. Footfalls in the distance. I held my breath again. I knew I needed to turn and run, but feared that whatever was approaching would then be better able to locate me. Perhaps it would be best to stay still and not lead whatever horror was coming my way to the baby. He’d cry. He’d be hungry and stay soiled and grow cold, but he’d be alive if I sacrificed myself. With luck the others would return and be able to save him. Three more waves. I exhaled. The ground crunching under feet. Inhale. Wave. Footfall. Exhale. Wave. Footfall. My entire body tensed as the footfalls grew louder. I didn’t want to see whatever was about to take my life. I clenched my eyes closed tight and remembered my promise to Boggs. I would always try to live. I hoped he would understand that I had chosen the life of baby Emmett over my own, but that in the end I had indeed chosen life. I clenched my fists and held my breath, waiting. There was still time to run, but if I did the creature may home in on the baby. I couldn’t allow that. Wouldn’t. I blew one last breath out, then drew one last in. I listened to the waves. One. Footfall. Two. Footfall. Three. Running. I stood my ground, holding my breath. I knew the creature was near. At the last moment I decided to face my death head-on. I held my breath in, but opened my eyes and looked into the wall of white that surrounded me. The lull between wave sets ended, and as a new round crashed against the shore below, a figure broke the mist. It stopped short as if surprised to see me. I finally exhaled and the lone figure stumbled forward, colliding with me. My blood ran ice cold and my peripheral vision went black.
    “Zoe, my God,” sobbed Gus.
    I wasn’t able to answer.
    “I wasn’t sure I’d find you in time,” he continued, overcome by emotion and barely able to speak.
    My lost lover clung to me in desperation. His hands stroked my back firmly, almost uncomfortably.
    “We have to leave, baby. We have to go, now.”
    He finally let go of me and looked me in the eyes. I stared back at him, blankly. Breathing was difficult.
    “You’re dead,” I finally mumbled. “You’re dead!” I started to shout, getting angry.
    “We can talk about it later, darlin’. Right now we have to go.”
    “No,” I said, confused and pissed off. At what exactly, I wasn’t sure.
    “Look at me, Zoe,” he said firmly. “They’re coming. We have to leave.”
    “You shot yourself, Gus. You left me and you shot yourself!” I screamed.
    “No,” he said, putting his palms on either side of my face.
    I slapped at his chest with my own hands, pushing him away.
    “Fuck, Gus! You walked away from me and shot