Promises of Gold

2. New Futures

Oliver nodded and motioned for me to come closer. I pulled my head closer so he could whisper what he was about to tell me.

"I know of a place that can transport us somewhere else. Somewhere where there's other children and people who could take care of us and make us happy. We could be young forever and have everything we need. There's a man there who brings people in and out. We simply have to go to the spot." Oliver explained quietly.

"How does this place work? Is it magical? Where is the spot?"

"Yes it is magical.  It is beyond our understanding. The spot is near Westminster Abbey." Oliver replied.

"How did you hear of such a place? Are you certain it truly exists?" Cordelia wondered.

"Yes I am certain. I heard through a friend. Believe me it is real."

"Will we ever be able to return?"  Cordelia asked.

"I'm certain we will when we would like. But I doubt we would desire to return." Oliver confirmed.

"Alright."

"You will come with me?"

"Yes, I shall. When do we depart?" Cordelia sighed.

"Tonight."

***

Cordelia combed her hair in her mirror with worry. Could they really escape? Luckily Oliver and his family were staying in her family's mansion this night. It would be less of inconvenience to meet in the night and then make their way to the spot.

"Cordelia? Make sure you have everything planned for tomorrow. You have to make great impressions on Oliver's family. Don't disappoint me." Annabelle said from the door, startling Cordelia.

"Alright. I'll be on my best behaviour and yes, Mother I will control it." Cordelia sighed in frustration.

"I want to believe you. If you ruin this.." Cordelia's father said  coming to the door.

"I will not. Now leave me alone. You have pushed me away for years. Ever since my difficulty was discovered. It was not my fault that I have blood we would rather I not have. My curse is not of my doing." Cordelia snapped in anger.

"Your curse is your doing. I did not need your birth. And as we all have discovered, your curse is only for the women in the family. If you had been a male like we had all desired.." Baron continued, angrily  stepping closer.

"Can I control my gender? How could you accuse this of being my fault? You have never loved me. You are no father to me. You never have been and you certainly never will be." Cordelia replied standing up in fury.

Baron suddenly raised his hand and slapped Cordelia across the face. Cordelia reached for her face and felt herself start to get more angry. Her father had never scared her. She knew what she could do if she wanted. Her curse was limitless. However she knew she would never go too far. She was cold after all the abuse but not evil.

"Baron, we should go to our chambers. I need a moment with Cordelia." Annabelle said breaking the tense silence.

Baron nodded and left without another word. Cordelia sat down on her chair and began getting prepared for bed once more. She did not want to give her mother any attention. Her mother was too scared of Cordelia's father, the duke. Cordelia tried not to blame her mother since she knew Annabelle had also been abused all these years.

"I am telling you once more. Do not let yourself lose control tomorrow. Your nerves have cost us much more than you know. You will marry this boy, and go into the country. Once you are gone you will stay obedient and give us all peace for once. If you do not listen to my instructions, you will not get anything from me or your father. We will not recognize you as our own. You have disappointed us too many times." Annabelle said sternly.

"Yes I understand." Cordelia replied coldly.

"Why are you not in your nightgown?" Annabelle asked suddenly.

"I do that last. If you would excuse me, I would like to change in solitude" Cordelia requested.

Her mother left with no other words, leaving Cordelia alone to ponder their discussion and the consequences if her and Oliver's plan did not go accordingly. It had to work. She had no other hope.

***

"Cordelia, you made it I see. You didn't back out." Oliver stated with delight as they met in the hallway later that night.

"How could I back out? This offer sounds too good to ignore. Shall we leave before we get caught?" Cordelia asked in a whisper.

"We shall. Hurry we also need to make sure we make it on time." Oliver agreed.

They began to walk down the cold and empty hall and towards the front doors quietly. They had chosen to meet right by the entrance to eliminate any difficulty of escaping. Cordelia held her bag tightly that included all her necessities and silently prayed they would make it. This was her new future, her new beginnings.

They both checked to make sure the way was clear before walking across the hall to the doors. Oliver opened the door quietly and let Cordelia exit first before following right behind her. They both breathed a sigh of relief before beginning to run towards the direction of Westminster. It would be a slightly far walk, making them hurry. They did not want to wait another night.

"We have to make it." Cordelia exclaimed as they both ran in despair.

"We will. It is not as far as you think. Now run. As fast as you can. We will be free."

Cordelia obeyed and began to sprint alongside him. She felt herself begin to have excitement and nerves bunched into one knot in her stomach. There was so much at stake but so much to offer. This risk could be worth taking or ruin her.

"We're close I see the church" Oliver exclaimed.

Cordelia sighed in relief as they stopped running and walked slowly towards the big abbey in front of them. Oliver led her to the yard and by a gigantic tree. Had they arrived?

"We've arrived. Now we have to sit patiently until he arrives. Then he will transport us." Oliver said as if he had read her thoughts.

Cordelia nodded and focused on breathing and being calm. She could not let her nerves get the best of her. Not this time.

Suddenly she felt a presence appear behind them. She turned around quickly to see a boy about their age standing there. He wore a smile and some green clothes. He had beautiful orange hair and freckles. His brown eyes were enchanting and she found herself unable to look away.

"It's you!" The boy said excitedly.

"Me?" Cordelia asked in wonder. She had never seen the boy beforehand in her life. What could he possibly mean?

"You're the one. The one we've been waiting for. Neverland has been anticipating your return"