9 odds (stray kids)

Arrival

NOTE: purely fictional story, words in bold are said in English words by the person speaking
without a bold effect is said in korean language by the speakers.

The river was dark and bleak. The quiet sounds of the water entered my ear followed by the sounds of nature. It was peaceful, a little too quite.. I had travelled to escape my death of a country yet I ended up stranded along the way. My map was of no use to me, the wet unreadable map I had thrown out long ago.

The canteen of water was dry, my lips felt cracked and likely my face was that of a old dried sponge.
To wake up in a unfamiliar place felt odd, I would be lucky if I'm not beheaded.
I don't even know where I am, nor if my language studies would match the people of the region.

I felt my boat hit the edge of the bank and slightly threw me forward. I peeked over the boat to see the grass spread out on land for some miles.

Great. To walk alone, in the dark , some country as a foreign weird alien.

I tied my boat to a stick I managed to press down into the slightly wet mud. Incase I needed to retreat later I would be assured the boat was here.

I stepped out the boat with my bare feet on the wet mud. It didn't bother because my dress was already ruined from escaping.

I had no choice but to walk and see where it leads me. My water was out , I can't trust this river water god knows what it contains. Either way I would die here or die being found , I would rather not suffer.

After some time walking in the woods I saw lights ahead faintly. My footsteps became quieter, as a I approached the lights.
I came to find a wall, what it contained inside was beyond me. It looked like China but I didn't feel like I was in China. Then again; I've only seen picture books...

Japan? No.. can't be, this feels off.

Either way it didn't lessen my chances of being hated.
There was a big red gate with two doors, no one was standing outside of it so this could be my chance to look around.

I slowly arise from the trees to walk closer to the gate. I heard slight chatting in a language I barely understand. It's ... korean. Korea!? How did I end up in Korea?....
I only understand Minimal language because I would read books a servant sneaked to me about languages. My father prohibited it he thought it would arise weird ideas inside my head. Like brainwashing almost but I defied against him. He found the books before and made me burn them myself, I remember crying for every night until I smuggled a new one. My fathers book burning was the reason I escaped though..

"Ahh will he ever let us go home? Isn't our shift over!?" One guard spoke sounding distressed.
"Yah! What if one of the princes hear us badmouthing your highness , have you gone insane?" Another yells at him slightly.

Princes? Highness? King? I'm in a dangerous territory.

Could this be worse then my country!?
Should I just go back? Or hope I end up in China..

No no I can't I have no sense of direction anymore.

I moved closer to place my ear against the door.
"Did you hear that?"

My foot accident snapped a twig.. I quickly rush over to a tree to his behind as the gate swings open.

"There is nobody here , are you crazy?" Guard 1 says slapping the back of his partners neck.

"No! I'm certain I heard someone!" He says rubbing his neck.

"This crazy bastard really lets go back before we get yelled at!." He says pushing the other guard back inside with the gate closing.

That was close... but what am I doing? I can't just stand here there is no where else to go..

"What?!" I heard a voice near the trees walking toward the gates.
"He's going to kill us for being so late!." Another voice followed. I stood still not Making any noise behind the tree.
"He can't kill us, we are his sons come on let's go."

I hear footsteps draw further away and I peek from the tree to see two men's backs.
He knocks on the gate 3 times as if it's a pattern, it opens without question and they disappear inside.

Now is my chance to find a entry way. There has to be a crack or hole something outside the walls.
I slowly creep out from the trees , I started on the left side of the wall and went around trying to see any opportunity.

There was a stack of wood against the wall, I slowly unstacked the wood trying to not make a sound. There was a hole just big enough for me barely in the way, it was a bit risky I didn't know where it led nor what I would do after. I slowly creep down and place my head through the hole first, I push my way inside the hole to the other side successfully. My dress became even more dirty with mud along with my hands and face.

I looked like a deranged woman... not the best in a royal palace..
I'm lucky if I'm not beheaded.

When I stood up I noticed a small lighted pathway near a small pond, infront of the river was a small house, the lights were on inside signaling people awake.
I carefully crept across the path to the house, I hear small chatter within.

"Your majesty you cannot stay out so late anymore! My life is as well on the line you know it's forbidden to exit these walls!" A older mans voice spoke concerned.
"The guards didn't notice it was me calm down." A younger mans voice spoke similar to the one I heard earlier.

Highness? Perhaps a prince?
Was it only one prince inside this house? I found it quite strange.

"I'm going outside for some air before I sleep." The young voice spoke followed by the sliding of the wooden door.
I panicked and ducked down hoping the dark would conceal me.

I heard footsteps walk down the wooden freaky stairs, a figure walked toward the pond staring at it intensely.

I could only see his outline of the face due to the darkness of the lights.
He sighs heavily and began speaking to the stars.

"My wish...my wish has not came yet, but when my wish had come you will be the first to hear it."

Is he talking to the sky as it's a person?
He seemed so serious in his tone I would actually believe it if I didn't know any better..

My knees felt weak from walking and being crouched made the pain more intense.
He walks over to the wooden stump and sits down.
All he does is stare out into the abyss and back down to his hands fiddling with them as if lost in a endless thought.
No more words were spoken.

"Your highness, your bed is ready you should sleep soon." The old voice came from the slidden door.

"In a minute." He replies back but not moving.

I looked around to see I could crawl under the house to sleep. It was cold muddy and dark yet I had no other option.
I slowly got on my knees and crawled under the house.

The house was risen up from the ground so high I could still see him sitting there.

His head turned slightly at the direction I was in.
Did he hear me? No way I was quiet he couldn't have..

He stands and begins to walk back inside , the sound of the door sliding shut signaled I was safe for now.

I laid my head down on the cold ground and attempted to rest.

Eventually my eyes fluttered asleep listening to the sounds of crickets.