The Compass to His Heart

Third Person's POV

Terence always seemed so composed.

Halle once thought it was because his job had trained him to handle anything with unshakable calm. But now, she realized it wasn’t composure—it was indifference.

After all, when you truly love someone, how can you remain so unbothered?

Lowering her gaze, she couldn’t bear to watch the sweetness unfolding inside the room any longer.

Quietly, Halle placed the small gift box on the wooden table by the door.

Inside were two things: the Maasai beaded ornament she had strung as a blessing for him and a goodbye note tucked beneath it. The note carried only a single sentence: [Terence, I’m leaving. I wish you happiness, and I hope we never meet again.]

Originally, she had planned to give it to him the day she left. But now, today felt like their true farewell as Terence was on a mission that afternoon and likely wouldn’t return anytime soon.

The sun was low in the sky, casting a golden hue, by the time someone picked up the box.

Terence smiled as he recognized it—he’d seen Halle holding it before. It was probably the gift he had jokingly pestered her for.

Before he could open it, the sharp sound of a car horn interrupted him.

“Captain Bacchus! Get in the car! We’re running out of time!”

Glancing at the carefully wrapped box, Terence gently slipped it into the inner pocket of his coat, making sure it stayed clean and untouched by dust.

Hidden behind a tree, Halle watched him leave, letting out a quiet sigh as tears streamed down her face.

“Goodbye, Terence,” she whispered.

This was likely the last time she would ever see him.

Tanzania to Washington was thousands of kilometers apart—a distance too great to cross again. Once missed, it would be forever.

Wiping away her tears, Halle turned and walked back toward the camp. On her way, she ran into a group of newly arrived support doctors.

“Dr. Dolton!” one of them called out excitedly. “Could we get your autograph? We both came here because of you!”

Halle froze, caught off guard.

“Me?” she asked, pointing to herself in disbelief.

“Of course!” they gushed. The two normally serious doctors had transformed into starstruck fans.

“Your three years of service here in Tanzania have been such an inspiration. Your story is posted on our university’s honor board—and even made it onto social media a few times! And everyone online is obsessed with your love story with Captain Bacchus!”

Hearing that, Halle managed a faint smile, though she could feel how bitter it was. She accepted the pen they handed her and signed her name on their white coats.

“Thank you, Dr. Dolton! We’ll treasure this forever!” they said, their eyes sparkling with excitement.

Seeing how thrilled they were, Halle couldn’t bring herself to tell them she was leaving soon. She didn’t want to dampen their enthusiasm for volunteering in Tanzania.

If only they knew—she wasn’t as strong or brave as they imagined.

When Halle returned to the camp, Captain Howell stopped her.

“Halle!” he called out. “Your transfer application was approved. You can start packing.”

She turned to accept the papers he handed her, meeting his slightly regretful gaze.

“Oh, come on, Captain Howell,” she said, patting his shoulder in a playful attempt to lighten the mood. “It’s not like we’ll never see each other again. Don’t get all sentimental on me!”

Captain Howell, one of the first people to join the station, was now an older man with graying hair that reflected his years of dedication.

“Will we, though?” he muttered softly, almost to himself. Then he shook his head. “Anyway, thank you for sticking it out here for three years. It’s not an easy life,” he said with a sigh. “Your contribution has been a huge help to the team.”

Halle smiled faintly, though guilt tugged at her heart. She didn’t feel nearly as deserving of his praise as he made her out to be.