The island rose from the toxic sea like a forgotten emerald, its shores fringed with swaying palm trees and dense undergrowth that rustled with unseen life. As the small boat crunched onto the black sand beach, Evelyn was the first to step out, her boots sinking slightly into the damp earth. The air smelled different here—thick with salt and vegetation, but without the acrid tang of chemicals that clung to the mainland.
"This doesn't make sense," Yona murmured, adjusting the scanner on her wrist. "The water surrounding us is still contaminated, but the readings here..." She tapped the screen, frowning. "It's like this place is shielded."
Patrick crouched, letting a handful of sand slip through his fingers. "No metallic residue. No burn marks." He glanced up at Evelyn. "You thinking what I'm thinking?"
Evelyn nodded. "This island was untouched by the fallout."
