But the boy didn't give up. He slipped into the kitchen and grabbed some food for Wesley.

In the cabin, Wesley moved his fingers and croaked, "Water." He was in no condition to eat now.

The sweet boy fetched the glass of water, used most of his strength to

Lift Wesley's head up, and tipped the glass to his lips.

It was a miracle. Wesley was alive.

But there was no way to call out. No communications equipment. They didn't even have electricity.

So without radio, TV, or phone, there was no way to know what was going on. ALL he could do was sit tight, and be patient. He would recover, and then he could get off the island.

After the boatman discovered he survived, he brought Wesley a bowl of rice at every meal.

When Wesley was almost at 100%, he asked the boatman to help him leave.

At first, the boatman refused. It was too far from the island to the

Dreles docks, and the only way there was by boat. The rowing alone would be exhausting.

However, Wesley convinced him at Last and promised him that he would repay him generously.

Once he was back in the city, Wesley had thought about calling his family, but he never got the chance. As soon as he came ashore, he came across Malcolm's people.

To make sure he would get home before dusk, the boatman rowed back the minute Wesley left the boat.

So when those men came upon Wesley, he was alone. He told them he was off visiting family in his hometown. Despite being skeptical by nature, they bought it.

They all thought Wesley died in the explosion. Malcolm thought he was a mole and took it out on his men. He had a short fuse anyway, and that just made it worse.

When he reappeared before their eyes, Malcolm suddenly wasn't mad anymore. They were convinced that Wayne was one of their own.

He had proven himself, and so Malcolm and his right-hand men all put their trust in him. The mission went even more smoothly than before.

Less than three months later, he was able to take advantage of that trust. Wesley gathered his men and mounted an assault on the gangsters base. The operation lasted all of three days.

Right now, since the mission was over and he was back, Wesley didn't understand why Blair was trying to avoid him.

“I jumped into the ocean right before the ship exploded. The pendant you gave me saved my life.

But I Lost it." The jade Lion pendant was supposed to shield its owner from harm. Maybe that was how he survived.

Blair wasn't with him, but she knew it had been difficult and dangerous, maybe even beyond her ability to imagine.

"Where did you get that outfit, anyway? And the pendant?" She had thrown them away.

“I saw you when I got out of the car. I figured I could always use a change of clothes," Wesley answered with a smile.