As the days stretched into a seemingly endless cycle of suffering, Duncan and Artemis found themselves teetering on the brink of despair. Their bodies weakened by sickness and exhaustion, they lay helpless on the unforgiving sands of the island, their dreams of a new beginning fading with each passing moment.
On the third day, when it seemed as though all hope was lost and their lives hung by a thread, a glimmer of salvation appeared on the horizon. Strange figures emerged from the dense foliage of the island, their faces obscured by shadows as they approached the stricken couple.
At first, Duncan and Artemis could hardly believe their eyes, their minds clouded by fever and delirium. But as the strangers drew nearer, their intentions became clear. They were locals, inhabitants of the mysterious island, and they had come to the aid of the desperate travelers who had washed ashore on their shores.
