Everything went according to plan. Anna and Desiree, along with several other gypsies lucid enough to work, gathered up the camp and readied the horses. At first dawn, they would depart, making a three hour long trek to the south safely tucked away in an isolated valley. When it came to the dangers of encountering furious customers, gypsies were willing and able to spend a day off of regular work activity and ride out the storm. Desiree covered for Anna as she took her horse and wagon and returned back to the bluff.

The pirates had returned prior to Anna's arrival to threaten the gypsies and regain their valuables, despite Edward's warning not to, as he chastised them for their conduct the previous night. They did not put up much of a search fortunately and soon returned to their restocking duties literally minutes before Anna arrived.

The time went on and the sun rose higher in the sky, and with each passing second, Anna grew increasingly anxious. What was delaying him? Had they been forced to leave early? Or was Edward just using her? Had he perhaps, no intentions to spend the day with her? Each second provided room for yet another doubt, and with each doubt, Anna believed them more and more until soon she was so upset she was tempted to urge her horse back to the clan. Suddenly, a faceless voice interrupted her thoughts.

"Excusez-moi, mademoiselle?" The sound came from behind the cover of the wagon inside of which she sat.

"Oui?" she tentatively replied.

A face to the voice! Edward! Her heart soared. "It says here, painted on your wagon," said he, "That you tell fortunes."

She was beaming. "C'est vrai, monsieur!"

He hoisted himself into the wagon, seating himself at her side. "Could you tell my fortune, mademoiselle?"

"Hmmm..." she cooed, peering into his eyes. "I am not working today." She waited until he responded in silent understanding before she hooked him. "But," she said, causing his eyes to glow once more, "I could make an exception…just this once." And this time she leaned in close toward his lips. "For you!" His eyes closed before he came in to kiss her. Anna seized the opportunity and waited until just before the moment of bliss to...leave. She darted to the back of the wagon, leaving him utterly bewildered.

"These things must be done delicately," she said, still beaming. She quickly pulled aside a beaded curtain and placed a flat tray on the wagon's floor at her feet. She pushed aside countless satin pillows that made up the interior of her wagon and made a seating area for herself at the rear of the space. Finally, the finishing touch! A crystal ball that even Edward couldn't help but comment on.

"My what a show you put on, Mademoiselle Anna!"

She let a smile form at the corner of her lips, although she was now trying to remain solemn. "If you please, Monsieur, sit opposite to me."

He obeyed, laughing to himself quietly. She leaned over the crystal ball and grabbed his hands with hers. This was not her usual practice, she mostly just wanted an excuse to hold him. She waited a few moments, and then began. "Your name is Edward."

He laughed. "How did you know?"

"You captain a ship."

"Yes I do."

"You hail from the Caribbean."

"Incredible how you know all this!"

She opened her eyes and released his hands. She now peered into her crystal ball, rubbing it mysteriously. She didn't look up at him, but continued to rub. "I see in your future...a gypsy!"

He leaned in close, looking into the crystal ball as well. "You do? How dreadful!"

"Mmm...it is a gypsy girl!"

"No!" he cried dramatically.

"She is beautiful!"

"Well then I must find her!" he cried out, pounding on the wooden floor dramatically.

She looked up at him, smiling seductively. "I think I know where she might be!"

Their eyes met, unblinking, unafraid. He murmured, "I think do too."

Such was their relationship; unpredictable and alive. Neither knew much about the other—where they were born, who their parents were, what they liked and disliked. They just knew that they belonged with each other in that moment, that each of them filled a void, present for even just a moment, in the other's life. Their love was in mid-bloom, but the time that they had left was dwindling hour by hour, minute upon all-too-brief minute.

Hours passed, and the sunset arrived. Conversation had died between them because they both knew what misery the sunset would bring. Anna laid there in his arms, both of them facing the opening of the tent. This wagon was pointed in the direction of the open ocean, with no land visible as far as the eye could see. They watched as the orange glow of the sun shined its final warmth on their faces and began its descent behind the horizon. Anna tightened her grasp around his waist. "It's nearly sunset," she murmured.

He in turn also increased his hold on her and closed his eyes, trying to take in as much of this moment as he could. He wanted to remember this moment with Anna for different reasons than she did. In many ways, this interaction with her was more valuable to him in the recent past than all the riches he had acquired in the year. "You know," he said, trying to lighten the mood. "Have you ever really watched a sunset?"

She furrowed her brow. "I do not really know."

"You would know if you had," he said softly. "You would have seen the green flash."

She looked up at him. "The green flash?"

"It signals when a soul comes back to this world from the dead."

She smiled, wanting to take in every word he said, regardless of whether or not she believed it. "And have you seen it?"

"I think I did. Once. Maybe it will flash for us tonight."

Anna sat up and leaned her head upon his shoulder as they waited in silence. The sun sank lower...lower. As the last beams disappeared behind the distant waves...flash.

Anna gasped and sat up with a start. Edward was beaming. They looked at each other with surprise, and then extreme sadness. Edward kissed her again, and then gathered himself and climbed out of the wagon. Anna followed suit, though every step she took towards her final goodbyes weighed heavily upon her.

He turned to her. "Well, I suppose I must—"

"Must you leave?" she blurted, her voice cracking with her increasingly upset state.

He swallowed before speaking, putting a hand to her cheek. "I must."

"When will I see you again?"

He thought carefully. He pulled her into his warm embrace. "I reckon in four or five months time," he said. "If I return around then, would you be waiting for me?"

"Of course," she said. Even if her caravan were halfway across the continent, she would find a way to get back to this spot to see him once more.

Little did she know as he kissed her again that this kiss would their last. Little did she know that the emotions they felt today would never be felt again free from the ties of worry and fear. Little did she know what their brief encounter had created...little did she know.