The journey took Elias almost three hours. By the time he reached the outskirts of the neighboring town of Nesting Cove, his lungs were burning and his shins were raw from tripping over hidden roots.

He looked like a mud-covered vagabond, with his expensive work boots covered in clay and his hair tousled by the coastal wind.

Nesting Cove was larger than Seaside Point. It had a 24-hour supermarket with bright fluorescent lights that were blinding after the darkness of the cliff path.

Elias stepp