When I became free

chapter 4

The Village was home to some of the strangest houses I’d ever seen. Granted, some were normal but others had their whole house implanted with shiny gems or somewhat oddly shaped (I swear I saw a moon shaped house.) The people were just as bizarre. Women were dressed in all sorts of getups. Some were dressed in black body suits and combat boots, looking as rebellious and strong as they possibly could. Others were in business suits of a variety of colours. A man with blonde hair bore a yellow swim suit, clearly coming back from a swim at Magnificent Waters. We had just passed a yellow and red brick upside down house, when Mr. Vanderbuilt announced, “here we are, home sweet home.”

            From the outside the home looked normal, with the exception of the changing colours of the window shutters and the singing Tulips.

            Mr. Vanderbuilt knocked the bronze knocker thrice while it literally groaned. “Not so hard next time please!” He wheezed.  Startled, I stepped back.

            A kind faced woman answered the door. Her brown hair was spilling out of her hastily made bun and she still had her apron on.  However her warm brown eyes twinkled when she saw me.

            “Come in! The boys and Aaron will be down in a moment. Aaron’s so excited to already have the boys home so soon since the start of the school year that he’s been spending every waking moment with them for the past two days. I bet the boys are counting down the hours until they can return. Oh, and Jonathan? If you could possibly tell Phillipe that we will not, unfortunately, be able to attend his dinner party on Saturday next?” She ushered us through the threshold and into the family room.

            Mr. Vanderbuilt, nodded. “I’m afraid I won’t be able to attend either, I’m rather busy with Safety and Protection at the moment.”

            The home had a cozy feel to it. It almost felt as if it was a small cottage yet I know that there are several floors. Everything in the house seems to be made from wood; the table, counter, walls, grandfather clock...

            She gestured for us to sit at her large dining table, where she hospitably offered us freshly baked pastries off a silver platter. Once she settled herself into a seat, directly across from me, Mr. Vanderbuilt started. Clearing his throat, he said “I think it is high time that the two be properly introduced. Elizabeth Van Necker, now dubbed Isla Rosemund, this is Cheryl Brandon. Mr and Mrs Brandon will be your guardians.” Cheryl beamed brightly. “Cheryl, it is of utmost importance that you remember her new name. You understand the danger of her former name?”

            She narrowed her eyes slightly. “Of course I do, do you take me for an idiot? All of Constance knows of her name. Not to mention our children are studying her ancestry in their magical history classes.” She turned to me, “Isla is a lovely name. Let me just call down the boys so they may introduce themselves as well.” She raised her wand straight above her head and a blue light shot out of her wand and through the ceiling. “They’ll be down shortly.”

            Three sets of feet pounding down the staircase could suddenly be heard. Turning to the left, I saw two gorgeous boys and a middle aged man with a receding hairline I could only assume is Aaron Brandon.

            Aaron stepped forward, with his hand outstretched. “Aaron.”

I shook his hand firmly, “Isla.”

The boys were different. The older of the two clapped me on the shoulder and grinned flirtatiously. “Isla...pretty name for a pretty girl.” He winked and I laughed girlishly. A slight blush tinted my cheeks but I know it complements my features. I’ve grown up in an environment where beauty was practically demanded from all the Elite. Since we could afford the best of treatments for skin and hair and could afford quality clothes, even the plainest of the Elite were easily made beautiful. It was the dividing factor between the Elite and the rest. So quite naturally, I’ve been made aware by my peers that my naturally platinum blonde waist length hair, aqua coloured eyes and slim built made me beautiful.