The Number One Star in the Interstellar Era

Chapter 702: [SERENDIPITOUS SUMMER] (III)

FOR the next few days, Jace stayed locked in his room at the Harborview Inn. He texted Abby, saying he had to focus on his paper and wouldnʼt be around much. But the truth was, he just needed time to sort out his thoughts. Every time he pictured Abby—her hand in his, the way sheʼd smiled at him—his chest got tight and his mind raced. He spent hours staring at his Terminal, not writing a single word, just trying to get his head straight before facing her again.

What Jace didnʼt expect was that after three days of hiding out, heʼd have to leave the inn—only to stumble upon a secret Abby had been carrying alone. Something heavy, something that had been holding her back all this time without anyone realizing.

***

A storm alert hit just as Jace was staring blankly at his Terminal for the third straight day. It was a harsh electronic beep that shattered the quiet of his room, followed by a robotic voice blaring from outside.

[Coastal Storm Warning. Immediate evacuation required. Potential tsunami risk. All residents and visitors proceed to designated safe zones immediately.]

Jace sat up straight, the alarm snapping him out of his thoughts. Outside, the wind had already started howling, rattling the windows of the inn. He moved quickly, stuffing his scattered clothes and notes into his bag before tapping his space ring and putting his bag inside.

Downstairs, the innkeeper was shouting over the growing noise of the storm. ”Everyone, out now! Donʼt take anything you donʼt need—just get to the high ground!”

Guests scrambled, some still half-dressed, others clutching small bags. A few looked terrified, especially the tourists who werenʼt used to Harborviewʼs unpredictable weather.

Jace put his motorcycle in his space ring before he joined the crowd spilling into the street. The rain hit hard, cold and sharp against his skin. The town was in motion—families rushing, shopkeepers locking doors, emergency workers directing people toward the mountain paths. While the ocean, usually a calm blue, churned dark and angry in the distance.

The innkeeper led their group up the winding trail, the same one tourists used for sightseeing in better weather. Now, it was packed with evacuees, all moving as fast as they could. Jace kept his head down against the wind, his boots slipping on the wet stone.

Halfway up, he finally looked back. From this height, he could see the storm rolling in—a wall of black clouds swallowing the horizon. The waves were already crashing over the lower docks.

And then, his stomach dropped.

Where was Abby?

He hoped that she was safe in her house with her parents. After all, her house was located fairly high up. But even as he thought that, the sinking feeling in his stomach still didnʼt vanish.

The innkeeper yelled at him to keep moving. The safehouse wasnʼt far now—a sturdy, windowless building dug into the mountainside. But as Jace turned back toward the path, he saw a familiar figure from a distance.

It was Abbyʼs mother. She moved through the crowd, speaking urgently to everyone she passed, her expression frantic. The sight of her just worsened the sinking feeling in Jaceʼs stomach. Without hesitation, he pushed forward, shoving past evacuees until he reached her.

Jace reached Abbyʼs mother just as she stumbled away from another group of evacuees. Her face was pale, her eyes darting wildly across the crowd. When he touched her shoulder, she jumped before recognizing him.

”Mrs. Anderson? Whatʼs happening?”

”Jace!” Her hands came up to grip his arms, her fingers shaking. ”Abbyʼs missing. She told me she was just going to the café this morning. Just for a little while, she said. She promised sheʼd be back by noon.”

The wind howled around them, nearly drowning out her words. Jace had to lean closer to hear.

”When the alarms went off, I called her Terminal immediately. But I couldnʼt connect.” Her breath came in short gasps. ”Then I saw Mr. Harlow, the café owner. He said Abby left right after breakfast. Hours before the alarms. She should have been home long before the evacuation started.”

A particularly strong gust of wind made them both stagger. Mrs. Anderson didnʼt seem to notice.

”Her father took some neighbors to check the docks and the old market square. But with the storm coming in...” Her voice broke as if she could no longer contain all the emotions brewing inside her.

Jace could feel her nails digging into his jacket sleeve through the fabric. The terror in her eyes was worse than the storm warnings.

”Iʼll look for her,” he said immediately.

Mrs. Andersonʼs grip tightened. ”But the storm—”

”Itʼs alright. Iʼll be fine. I want to help look for Abby, too.” He gently pried her hands free. He was already stepping back, eyes scanning the storm-darkened streets below. ”Get back home, Mrs. Anderson. Please tell Mr. Anderson Iʼm searching for Abby as well, and I will contact him once I saw her.”

Before she could protest again, Jace turned and ran toward the evacuation routeʼs fork—where the main path climbed to safety, and a narrower trail snaked back down into danger.

***

Jaceʼs boots splashed through the flooded streets as he ran toward the harbor. The rain came down in sheets, stinging his face and blurring his vision. Every few steps, he raised his Terminal, shouting over the stormʼs roar.

”Abby!”

But the call never connected.

The docks were chaos—waves crashed over the wooden planks, sending spray high into the air. Fishing boats strained against their moorings, ropes snapping like gunshots. Jace shielded his eyes against the wind, scanning the area.

”ABBY!”

No response. Just the howl of the storm and the groan of the docks under the assault of the waves.

Jace gritted his teeth and turned toward the coastline, where the old boardwalk ran parallel to the beach. If she wasnʼt here, where else would she go?

That was when he remembered the cove—the one they had visited together three nights before. Without hesitation, he turned and ran in its direction.