Us Against the World

From Princess to Rouge

     Isla

For as long as I can remember I've been locked in this depressing room.
     "Stop being melodramatic. You've only been in here for twenty minutes. Also, keep your gloomy inner monologue to yourself," Ruslan, my bodyguard and childhood friend, grumbled as he leaned against the door, reading a book. I groaned. It feels like forever. I flopped onto my bed with my face in the mountain of pillows.
     A few minutes later, there was a knock on the door and my father walked in. Ruslan stood up and bowed.
     "Alpha," he said.
     "Leave us," Father growled. Ruslan stepped out to guard the door and as soon as he left, Father turned to me with annoyance in his eyes. I cringed, knowing I was about to get an hour-long lecture.
     "When are you going to grow up? This rebellious phase of yours is getting out of hand," he hissed. I crossed my arms over my chest.
     "It's not a phase and I don't know what you're insinuating," I said.
     "You won't go to your lessons! You insist on wearing those ratty old clothes that make you look like a slave girl! You don't obey any of my orders! And on top of that, you want to go out into the deadlands!" He bellowed.
     "I want to be free! I don't want to get all dressed up like a thanksgiving turkey and be sent away to live with some stranger for the rest of my life! And don't even get me started on corsets and high heels! Those torment devices should be burned! ... I ... I just want to be able to look in the mirror a few years from now and still be able to recognize myself for who I am," I said.
     "And who are you?" He asked curiously.
     "Someone who wants to experience life with all of its struggles, meet people, and travel the world. I'm an adventurer," I smiled. But Father scowled.
     "You will do no such thing. You will obey me and you will be happy," he commanded before turning to leave.
     "Like Mom?" I suggested. He flinched.
     "Oh. That's right. She left ... so she didn't have to take your shit," I snarled.
     "I told you not to speak of that! And watch your language! I will not have such rude words spoken in my household!" He snapped.
     "I've been talking like this for years. And you could always just ignore it," I said nonchalantly. He growled before storming out and Ruslan came back in.
     "You really know how to poke the bear," he sighed as he went back to reading.
     "Yep," I said simply as I flopped back onto my bed. Before I knew it, I fell asleep. I guess I shouldn't be too surprised. Arguing with Father is pretty exhausting.
     When I woke up, Ruslan was gone and according to my clock, it was past midnight; the light from my stained glass windows seemed to suggest otherwise. Then I noticed rapid shadows crossing the light in various directions while it flickered. It was then that I finally heard the screams.
     I ran to the balcony doors and flung them open to witness women and children fleeing across the courtyard as they were chased by what must be an enemy pack. I watched in horror as people I had known all my life were being mercilessly slaughtered. I felt chills crawl up my spine when one of the enemies pointed to me and started heading my way with a few of his brethren. I slammed the doors shut and locked them. I ran to my closet and shoved clothes and weapons into a bag. I sprinted to the kitchen and grabbed as much food and water as I could carry, the whole time excited and terrified as I kept repeatedly thinking, Am I really doing this?! Why am I doing this?! I can't believe I'm actually doing this!
     "Isla! Shit! Where the hell is she?!" I heard down the hall. Time's up. It's now or never. I snuck out the kitchen door and into the garden behind the mansion. My lungs burned furiously as I bolted into the forest and down the mountain. I didn't stop even though my skin and clothes were torn from running through brush and my feet stung from the uneven terrain. Once I reached the foothills, I headed southeast towards the sea. By dawn, I reached the shore and collapsed in the sand. After a moment, I rolled over and laughed maniacally.
     "I'm free! I'm finally free!" I sobbed happily. I rested for a minute longer before moving on. I was out of shape and Father was sure to send people after me. I needed to take advantage of this head start. I searched the beach until I found an abandoned boat. I looked it over and fixed it for use. I also fashioned a stick into a fishing pole since I didn't know how long it would take to get to the other shore. I pushed the boat and smiled in satisfaction when it stayed afloat. I jumped in, loaded my things onto the boat and pushed it out further into the water.
     Then I heard a rustling in the bushes at the edge of the forest near the shore and some of Father's wolves stalked out onto the beach, eyes widened in surprise.
     "See ya, suckers!" I called out as I flipped them off. They all just stared until Ruslan stepped forward.
     "Uh ... Isla?" He asked nervously.
     "What?" I asked in annoyance.
     "Turn around," he said, pointing behind me. I heard a hiss and slowly did as he said. A large serpent had risen from the water and was now glowering at me. I picked up an oar and noticed that the serpent kept eyeing it as I was waving it. A little voice in my head told me to throw it so I did just that. The serpent dove into the water and I took the other oar up and started paddling farther out to sea. A few seconds later, I felt water dripping down my back and I froze. Something hit my head and I yelped. When I looked to see what had hit me, I laughed. It was the oar I had thrown. I picked it up again and looked at the serpent.
     "Ya wanna play fetch?" I asked. I threw the oar again and it quickly dove for it.
     "I think I'm gonna name you Jormungand," I mutter to myself. I looked back to the shore and almost laughed again at the surprised looks on the wolves' faces. Even Ruslan was shocked, eyes wide and jaw dropped.
     "Well, looks like you guys won't be dragging me back home anytime soon," I said as I caught the retrieved oar and threw it again. Then I promptly sat back down and continued paddling.
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