Third Person's POV

This was Halle's go-to move, and it always worked—until today, when Darlene finally found her.

Hearing the approaching footsteps, Halle turned toward the sound and saw Darlene walking toward her, holding a compass. Their eyes met, and Halle saw a flash of relief on Darlene’s face.

As Darlene got closer, Halle’s gaze shifted to the object in her hand. Her breath caught. That compass—it was identical to hers.

Instinctively, Halle touched the one hanging around her neck, but it was still there.

As realization dawned on her, a bitter laugh escaped her lips, her thoughts heavy with self-mockery. 'So it wasn’t one of a kind,' she figured.

Darlene reached her, ruffled her hair, and sat down beside her like she was comforting a child.

“Don’t cry anymore,” Darlene said softly. “Terence’s temper hasn’t changed in ten years.”

Her voice was calm, almost nostalgic. “But it’s that sharp, relentless nature of his that’s gotten him to where he is today.”

Halle blinked in surprise. 'Ten years?'

She hadn’t known they’d known each other for that long. She thought Darlene had only rejoined the team last year, brought in as a newly appointed officer. She hadn’t realized she was an old friend of Terence’s.

The silence between them lingered as Halle’s thoughts raced. Her eyes wandered to Darlene, who was staring at the compass in her hand, lost in thought.

“What’s that…?” Halle hesitated, unable to suppress her curiosity. The compass seemed to gleam mockingly under the moonlight, almost bringing tears to her eyes.

Darlene snapped out of her reverie and smiled, a look of fondness crossing her face. “This? This is my treasure. It’s been with me for ten years.”

'Ten years. Again,' Halle flatly thought.

The realization hit her like a punch. The compass she’d been cherishing wasn’t unique. It was just a replica of one Terence had made a decade ago.

All his talk about a “custom-made, one-of-a-kind” gift? It turned out they were just lies. She shouldn’t believe a single word from him anymore.

As Darlene casually toyed with her compass, Halle instinctively hid hers beneath her clothes, as if shielding a counterfeit from being exposed.

She then looked at Darlene and a mix of admiration and resignation filled her chest.

The night deepened and the moonlight fell softly on Darlene’s face, giving her a serene and graceful aura.

'What a perfect match they make,' Halle complimented bitterly in her heart.

One was like a hawk—bold, fierce, and unstoppable, while the other was like moonlight—calm, steady, and quietly strong.

The thought spilled from Halle’s lips before she could stop it. “Captain Benson, you and Terence… you’re like a match made in heaven.”

Darlene laughed upon hearing the latter, her eyes crinkling with warmth. “We’ve known each other for over a decade. I know him inside and out. We were comrades-in-arms. Of course, we seem compatible.”

She paused, then added with a smile, “If there’s anything you want to know about Terence, feel free to ask me.”

The words stung more than Halle expected. Her ears burned as a wave of heat swept through her.

'It's crystal clear that they love each other. Darlene’s so kind and understanding as well. What reason do I have to hold on anymore? Just one more week, Halle,' Halle thought to herself.

In seven days, she’d leave this place without looking back. It would be her way of giving them her blessing—and finding her own freedom.

Her life had been stuck in limbo because of Terence for three years. It was now time to get back on track.

“By the way,” Darlene interrupted her thoughts. “Do you want to hear about Terence when he first joined the team? Back then, he was even more intense than he is now. Poor Captain Howell could barely handle him.”

Halle hesitated, her mind screaming at her to disengage, to stop letting herself get dragged into anything involving Terence. The less she knew, the easier it would be to move on.

But her body betrayed her, refusing to move. Instead, her head nodded ever so slightly.

Darlene smiled knowingly and began recounting the past, her voice tinged with fondness.

“When Terence first joined, he was just a rookie, but he had this unshakable energy about him. He was ambitious, a bit cocky, and had a perfectionist streak a mile wide. If there was a chance to take first place, he wouldn’t settle for second. Honestly, his arrival saved the rest of us a lot of effort. Captain Howell even said he was a natural talent, someone with real potential.”

She paused, her expression turning more serious. “But then came his first real mission. He pushed himself too hard, got severely injured, and had to be carried back. That’s when Captain Howell realized Terence’s relentless drive could end up costing him his life.”

Third Person's POV

Halle’s expression shifted to disbelief.

A young man in his early twenties charging headfirst into danger, even when faced with bullets, defying every instinct of self-preservation—it seemed unreal, almost inhuman.

But Darlene’s next words unraveled the mystery.

“That boy,” Darlene said, “had nothing but hatred in his eyes when he looked at those poachers.”

Her voice softened as she continued, “Later, we found out it was tied to something from his childhood. Terence once had a pet dog named Lucy. After his parents divorced, it was just the two of them, relying on each other to get by.”

With a sad smile, she continued, “He was malnourished back then—thin, pale, and an easy target for bullies at school. One day, those bullies set their sights on his dog and when it was finally found, it was already too late.”

Darlene paused, her tone heavy. “Terence told us those poachers are no different from those cruel people. They skin innocent animals and take their lives for profit. To him, they’re monsters who deserve nothing but death.”

A cold wind swept past them, but Halle’s heart felt warm.

So that’s why Terence threw himself into this dangerous line of work with such reckless abandon. She’d been wrong. Someone as brilliant and driven as him wouldn't stop for her.

The realization stung, but it also brought clarity.

Suddenly, a thought crossed her mind. She turned to Darlene and asked, “Captain Benson, you keep saying ‘we.’ Who’s the ‘we’ you’re talking about?”

Before Darlene could answer, Terence’s voice sliced through the stillness of the night, startling them both.

“Halle!”

Halle barely had time to react before Terence grabbed her arm, his eyes flashing with a warning.

“Don’t ask questions you shouldn’t,” he said coldly. “You don’t need to know about these things.”

Quickly, Darlene stepped forward and positioned herself between them. She shook her head gently and said, “It’s all in the past, Terence. It’s fine. Halle isn’t an outsider anyway.”

But Terence’s gaze was sharp, like an arrow tipped with barbs. The look he gave her pierced her heart, and when he finally turned away, it left a chill behind.

His message was clear: Halle was an outsider to him.

Those shared memories, the history between them—they weren’t hers to know.

The days passed quickly. Each morning, Halle buried herself in sorting through her belongings.

With only three days left before her departure, it was time to decide what to keep and what to leave behind.

Her hands then paused over a bracelet. The wooden beads shimmered faintly in the light, and a wave of nostalgia washed over her. She’d gotten it when she first came to Tanzania, a blessing for safety and smooth journeys.

She’d bought two, hoping the red thread connecting them would symbolize a bond. One was hers, the other she’d given to Terence.

But she’d never seen him wear it.

After a long moment of hesitation, Halle sighed and slipped the bracelet back onto her wrist.

'Forget it. I paid for it, didn’t I? I’ll wear it for the blessing, nothing more. The whole ‘red thread of fate’ thing doesn’t matter—he never wore his anyway. What difference does it make if I wear mine alone?' she decidedly concluded in her head.

Just then, a sudden memory struck her—she’d made a wish to wishing well once. Before leaving, she needed to fulfill it.

Driving to the wishing well, she was startled to see Terence there as well.

“What are you doing here?” she asked, her tone sharp as their eyes met.

“I should be asking you that,” he replied, his brows furrowing slightly.

“I’m here to make a wish,” she snapped, brushing past him.

His hand instinctively moved to the bracelet hidden beneath his sleeve. Anxiety flickered in his chest.

“What wish?” he asked, his voice low.

Terence knew the last time she’d made a wish here, it had been for their relationship—to pray for a bond that would last forever.

Ignoring him, Halle tossed a coin, closed her eyes, and bowed her head in silent prayer.

The wind tugged at her hair, scattering it around her face. Seeing it, Terence found himself unable to look away, mesmerized by the quiet determination etched into her features.

In her heart, Halle whispered, 'I wish Terence a life of peace and happiness. May he and Captain Benson find their happily ever after.'

When she opened her eyes again, she noticed Terence watching her intently.

But she didn’t stop to acknowledge him. Turning on her heel, she started walking away.

Before she could take more than a few steps, Terence reached out and grabbed her wrist.

Third Person's POV

“Why are you running away?” Terence asked.

Halle sighed, her breath swirling in the cold mist.

“I’ve already made a wish. Why wouldn’t I leave?” she stated as a matter-of-factly.

Terence frowned, his expression stiff. There was a hint of uncertainty in his voice as he asked, “Aren’t you curious about my wish?”

Halle shook her head and looked at him with a faint smile tugging at her lips. “Terence, you’re not that important to me. Also, you don’t have to worry. I won’t bother you anymore.”

The tension between them, sharp and unyielding like two locked blades, lingered long into the evening.

Outside, several large tables were set up for a grand feast. A local ethnic dance troupe had even been invited to perform.

As Halle and Terence entered the camp, they bumped into Darlene, who was carrying a bowl and a spoon.

The lively atmosphere caught Halle off guard.

“What’s going on out there? Why’s it so lively?” she asked, still trying to process the scene.

Terence opened his mouth to explain, but before he could say a word, Halle grabbed Darlene’s arm and dragged her outside.

“Captain Benson, tell me what’s happening!”

Darlene chuckled, freeing one hand to playfully tap Halle on the forehead.

“You and Terence had another fight, didn’t you? Is that why you’re sulking?”

Halle stayed silent for a moment, her smile fading into something more bitter. “Just tell me what’s going on.”

“Look over there,” Darlene said, gesturing with her chin.

Halle followed her gaze to see a group of young people in white coats stepping out of an SUV.

“It’s the new batch of volunteer doctors,” Darlene explained. “Every year, a new group comes to help in Tanzania. Some volunteer out of passion, others to boost their careers. But not many stay beyond a year because of the hard conditions here.”

Halle nodded knowingly. Life in Tanzania was no joke. Even basic things like taking a shower were a challenge as one had to draw water first before one could do so. Also, at night, one couldn't sleep deep due to the massive population of mosquitoes around.

Yet she had endured these for three years.

Perhaps her love for Terence had burned so brightly that it dulled the hardship, making her believe that as long as she could see him, life felt sweet despite the bitter hardships.

After dinner, Halle ran back to her room, carefully cradling something in her hands. She rushed to find Darlene and presented her with a handmade Maasai beaded ornament—a traditional symbol of blessings for love and unity, often given at weddings, rituals, and community events in Tanzania.

Holding her present, she gratefully said, “Captain Benson, thank you for taking care of me these past few years. You made this camp feel like a warm, welcoming home.”

Darlene’s eyes sparkled as she accepted the gift. “Well, aren’t you sentimental all of a sudden?”

She smiled warmly but wondered, 'Is this meant for this kind of occasion?'

Before Darlene could say more, Terence appeared out of nowhere. His eyes landed on the knot, and his expression was unreadable.

“Why does she get a gift?” he asked. “Where’s mine?”

His words felt like a dagger, striking Halle squarely in the heart.

He knew how she felt about him, yet he still said something so cruel. Asking her for a Maasai beaded ornament—a blessing for happiness in love—felt like forcing her to acknowledge his relationship with someone else.

Tears pricked her eyes as she stood up, her voice trembling with suppressed emotion.

“Fine! I’ll prepare your gift too,” she choked out before turning and walking away. Her clenched fists trembled, a clear sign of the storm she was holding back.

Behind her, Darlene’s voice broke through the silence, scolding Terence.

“What’s wrong with you? That poor girl gave me a gift to express her gratitude, and you just had to come in and ruin it. Now she’s upset because of you! Can’t you read the room for once?”

Terence snorted, crossing his arms. “Ungrateful brat. Who’s helped her the most around here? Me! So what if I ask for a gift?”

His tone carried a petulant edge, almost like a childish complaint.

Listening to Terence’s almost teasing rebuttal, Halle felt her chest tighten. It was as if the air had been sucked out of her lungs.