Oasis - Official english translation

Chapter 3 - The quarantine-city

When Aubrey's talisman activated, it brought her back to that day Ash was talking about. It brought her back to that exact city, where she and her family successfully escaped. She knew that she needed to flee before the sun rises, but she didn't know how to outwit the guards this time. Firstly, she began to look around, and tried to find a great spot for herself, but the city guards started to catch suspicion, so she hid around the corner of a nearby house. She watched the armed man as they were moving away, then she started looking for an exit again. She became one with the shadows and the pale walls, just the way she had learned back in the training fields. She hoped that her light fur isn't going to catch the moons light and make her visible for every guard around. She was sneaking around until she found a gate, where she could easily climb out, but as she started approaching it, suddenly a girl with a few troops showed up.

- Let me go now! I won't go to that stupid ball with you! – The girl screamed, but the men still tried to squeeze her into a fancy carriage.

- It's alright, let her go. – The quarantine-city's chief interrupted them, then he grabbed the young girl by her forearm, and pulled her away from the vehicle. She shoved her violently against the same wall where Aubrey hid around the corner. The furry didn't really had a choice, so she eavesdropped their conversation.

- You will go with them, no matter what, got it? You need to be there tonight. – He shook her angrily. – Now, get yourself together, and get into that chariot.

- Okay. Just give me a second- - The girl noticed Aubrey in the meantime, so as her father left her, she joined the furry. She grabbed her wrist and pulled her into a dark alley. – What the hell are you doing here? – She whispered.

- It's going to sound so wrong, but I came back from the future with my talisman, and I need to get out of here as soon as possible! I don't really have time to explain everything, but can you somehow help me, please? – She took her clock into her hands, to show the young girl that she isn't lying to her. She thought for a moment, but then she nodded.

- I'll help you, don't worry. Follow me. But stay quiet!

They walked further back towards the city center, where the girl stopped. She quickly stepped in the door, leaving the furry behind. After a few seconds, she was back with a little bag in her hand. She explained that the powder what Aubrey will found in the bag is schizo dust, which will make them change bodies. She said that they will be able to see each-others true self, but for others they will have the others appearance. They both ate their dose of it, and immediately they were transformed. She also told Aubrey that when she will get back to her reality, the dust's effect won't go away, so she needs to contact her again as soon as possible for the antidote.

- You need to leave now, or else they will get suspicious! Probably they are already looking for you.

- But wait, what is your name? How would I know who to search for when I get back?

- My name is Penelope Paul. I'm the daughter of this city's chief. And by the way, how can I call you?

- I am Aubrey Desertchild. And thank you again for helping me.

- No worries. Good luck Aubrey! You must leave now, before the guards find us.

- Take care, Penelope!

The plan was easy from now on. Aubrey would act like Penelope, and go to that ball in Meldew, but on the road to the castle, she will jump out of the carriage, and get back to the Forbidden Forest before the time runs out.

Before she did anything, she went back to the house where Penelope came out from. As soon as she stepped in, a maid was greeting her, and was ready to lend a hand to her, but she refused her help. She found Penelope's room herself. As she was entering the room, the chief stepped right in front of her.

- What do you think you are doing here?

- I will change my clothes. Do you think I will go in a dress like this? – Aubrey really tried to act like Penelope, but she wasn't sure if she could play her role well.

- Why even bother spending money and time on you. You'll always be a little unworthy rat! – As he said that, Aubrey started to feel bad for Penelope.

- Okay my father, that will be enough now, don't you think? – A boy intervened, and he stepped between them. He was quite tall, had deep blue eyes, and a scratch in his tall nose. His hair was light brow, unlike Penelope's, and he had a bun on the back of his head. He had dirty clothes, a forest green T-shirt, brown baggy trousers, and an orange bandana wrapped around his waist.

- Benjamin, who do you think you are that you can interfere? I just wanted to put your sister back into her place!

- If you only want to hurt her again, you better go back to your little toy soldiers. I'm sure that they will happily accept every one of your words. – He pointed at the door and tilted his head towards the direction of it. His father couldn't say anything else, so he stormed out the entrance door. – I'm so sorry Lope, you don't deserve anything of this. Go ahead, and get yourself ready for the ball, maybe you'll enjoy yourself a little bit.

- You aren't coming with me?

- No, I won't. You know, I need to perfect the escape plans for us and the furries. – He whispered.

- Oh, I see. Anyhow, thank you for standing up for me.

- Anytime, sis. – He smiled, then left her alone in the room.

Aubrey looked around in the room. The walls were mallow colored, and if was full of light birch furniture. She walked over to a big wardrobe and opened it. She took the very first dress she found. It was a pale gray, low-cut rhinestone tulle dress with frilled bottom. She matched it with a thin white corset, so she could get herself into the dress. After she finished with the dress, the same maid who greeted her came into the room, and braided her wavy golden hair, then put it in a big low bun. She powdered her face, then she escorted her out the door.

When she got out of the house, she got into the chariot with no hesitation. The heavy iron gates slowly opened in front of them, and they rolled out of the city. They started at a breakneck pace, so Aubrey could follow where they were at. Her thoughts started to wander around after some time. She was thinking about those who she left in the quarantine-city. She chewed on the fact that she would have had a chance now to free all of them. Then another thing came to her mind, her, and her family's past. She grew up in that city with her brother, Felix, and her parents. Then Cole came in as an orphan, so they brought him up as well. The time they've spent there was so long, so blank, and empty. It was a true miracle, that she found her watch, what helped them escape. It brought the to the Forbidden Forest, where everything has finally started, including their life.

She got so distracted, that she missed the spot where she would have gotten out of the carriage. It was too late to do anything now, so she decided to attend the ball, and then escape in the big crowd. She saw how the landscape shifted from summer to spring in the dim light of the setting sun. On a road, running in the middle of a friendly meadow, they headed straight for two tall towers that marked the site of the palace. When the building became visible, it was almost dark. They went along the main street of the beautiful city in front of the palace. She pulled the curtain of the carriage away to see the sparkling lights of the street reflected on the cobblestones below the wheels. It was a wonderful sight; Aubrey couldn't believe it was actually happening to her. It was all dreamlike, yet it all seemed so real. She couldn't have been happier to be there now. She had never been a part of something that seemed like a miracle, because for a long time She have spent in the gray monotony of the quarantine-city. She leaned against the window to get a closer look at the splendor of color. But as they got closer, the colors started to fade. The landscape became quite depressing, and everything became darker and darker. Even the light of the moon did not help to give light to this dead landscape.

The gates of Meldew began to open in front of the carriage. The ornate wrought-iron flowers were the only ones that glistened beautifully in the white light. The car slowly rolled in and crossed the bridge connecting the palace and the island. They chariot went through the front yard and then stopped softly in front of the steps leading to the entrance. A valet helped Aubrey out of the car, and she continued up the stairs, followed by two guards.