The walk back to the villa carried a different energy than the morning's departure. Sand clung to damp skin, and hair still dripped salt water, but exhaustion mixed with satisfaction created comfortable silence punctuated by occasional laughter.
The sky had deepened more, stars scattered overhead like thrown diamonds while the ocean whispered its eternal rhythm behind them.
The villa's silhouette rose ahead, narrow and tall against the darkness, windows dark and waiting.
Klein had fallen asleep on Reinhard's shoulders during the walk, head lolling with each step, completely spent from a day of pure joy. Anna and Anasha were on both of his sides, both moving more slowly now, their earlier boundless energy finally depleted.
They entered through the main door, and people scattered to change out of wet swimwear. Footsteps creaked on stairs before doors opened and closed. The villa was filled with the sounds of movement and muffled conversation through the walls.
