A Whole New World

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I hurried between the makeshift houses and through the narrow streets until I reached Mal's old crib. The map she had drawn had survived my fall into the sea and proved invaluable as I snaked my way through the streets, losing my way more than once. She had said if I ever got lost to meet her here. Pretty ironic now that she was gone.

I scampered up to the building and lobbed a rock at the stop sign to bring down the staircase. As I climbed up the stairs I looked out over the isle... my new home. Tall pillars of smoke reached skywards, joining the dark cloud that hung perpetually above the Isle. The air was colder here and a rancid smell lingered, a combination of the grime and the fires that seemed to be the only source of light in the darkness. Nevertheless my heart beet wildly, a mix of fear and excitement for what lay out there. 

I entered the lair, a large spacey room, covered in artwork and graffiti, obviously done by those who had lived there. The lives of Carlos, Jay, Evie and Mal laid out before me. It was clear no oe had been here since they had left. I made myself familiar with the space quickly, shaking off my still sodden jacket and water-logged backpack. Finding a closet, I rummaged through clothes that I assume used to belong to Mal, not like she'll have much use for these anymore, I think to myself a pang of guilt spearing through my chest. I strip off my wet gear and search for something suitable. Purple, purple, green and more purple... until I come across a worn old hoodie that looks like it must have belonged to Jay. I slip it on, then lay my soaked clothes and boots by the fireplace to dry.

I scanned the room for something I could use as fuel for the fire before my eyes landed upon a blue leather-bound book with a heart and gold crown on the cover. Flipping open the cover I see scraps of material and sketches of hideous princess dresses, this will burn nicely. I quickly get to work tearing the pages out and tossing them into the fireplace before setting it alight. Exhausted from the excitement and pain of the day I lay down on the tattered couch. My body felt so heavy. My eyelids sagged, the sound of the Isle around me soothing any thoughts I had.  

I awoke to the late afternoon sun creeping in through the shutters. Looking around my reality came crashing down. I had done it! I was out! And mal wasn't with me. She should have been here. 

I stretched my sore body out, moving slowly to an upright position to assess the damage from the fall. Other than some stiffness it wasn't too bad. The fire had long gone out and I shivered, still only in Jay's old hoodie. Suddenly very aware of my rumbling stomach, I lifted my pants from yesterday. To my annoyance they were still damp and smelt like the sea. I sighed and looked back towards Mal's wardrobe, surely there had to be something in there.

 After a few minutes of rifling through purple and green leather, I gave up and turned my attention to the rest of the crib. After all, the others had lived here too, there had to be more options. After scouring the place from top to bottom I found one of Jay's old loose-fitting white tops, a black leather corset that must have belonged to Evie, and a dark blue skirt that fell to the floor. I never wore skirts if I could help it, but figured I should hide as much of my body as possible in a place as dangerous as the Isle. I put on a pair of wooly socks and slipped on my boots from yesterday. They had been closest to the fire and were dry enough. 

Before stepping out I pocketed my mother's necklace, not wanting anything to happen to it. Outside on the street I crept along the edges of the buildings, hiding amongst the shadows and trying not to draw attention to myself. I would have to find a weapon, and fast, but for now, my need for food outweighed my fear of whatever dangers the Isle might bring. After walking for what felt like an eternity, the smell of fried food permeated my nostrils and I looked up to see a sign reading 'Ursula's Fish & Chips.' I swung open the wooden door and sauntered in, my mouth watering at the idea of food smothered in grease and salt. This type of cuisine was a far cry from the bland meals served at Bore-adon prep, all calorie-conscious and perfectly designed to ensure no princess could ever be too fat to fit into a corset. 

I looked around at the dilapidated restaurant that greeted me. Barrels and wobbly tables supported burly sailors too wrapped up in their meals to lift their heads. The gaunt man at the table closest to the door downed the last of the amber liquid in his glass and slammed a few coins on the table before stalking past me out the door. Shit. I had no money. I backed towards the door just as the blue-haired waitress swung by the table and pocketed the coins before sauntering back up to the front of the restaurant. 

This place was too small, there was no way I would get away without paying if I ordered a meal. But perhaps there was another way to get my hands on some food. Ducking back through the doors I headed towards the back of the restaurant towards the kitchen. "Order up!" I heard a gruff voice yell. I peeked around the corner just in time to see the chef, Ursula, turn back to the fryers, a plate loaded with fries and a battered piece of fish left on the bench behind her. I took a deep breath to steel my nerves, turned my head one last time to ensure the coast was clear, then as silently as I could I darted forward into the kitchen praying the chef was too engrossed in her current task to turn around. My hands grasped the plate and I was quickly out the way I came, stumbling through the back door and into the alley. I looked down at the meal in my hands and grinned. A sense of pride filled me at how I had managed to escape unseen, it seemed as though I was adjusting to life on the Isle quickly.

I began to raise the piece of fish to my lips when suddenly I stopped cold. I felt the presence of someone looming behind me, but before I could do so much as spin around and face them, I felt the cold point of something metal pressed to my throat. 

"Well 'ello lassie" A thick Scottish voice spoke into my ear.


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⏰ Last updated: May 31, 2023 ⏰

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