Kathryn Wilmer and the Lost Isle of Ruin

8: Allison's Story

The next morning, we decided to go back to the Isle and just...rest. We were still all so tired, so we wanted to go back. While we were walking back, Allison told me the story of how she found out that she had powers.

"So when I got home from school one day, my hands turned a dangerous icy-blue. I showed my mom, and she took me to the ER, aka the Emergency Room. The doctors and nurses did not know what it was, but they said I could have a very bad cold. But I sensed it was more than that. I felt something...I can't really explain it, but I felt that someone speaking to me...like my older sister, who disappeared years ago. I...I felt like she was calling to me. She was saying, like, 'Where are you?' 'I need help.' 'Come help me. Please.' I never got it. But I know I need to help her. She must be in trouble.

"Anyway, I came home from the ER, my mom not speaking to me for a while. Then she said, 'Allison, I have something to tell you.' 'Yes, Mom?' I had said. 'You have powers.' Then she told me all about how I was born with them, and how I never used them, and all that. I mean, she even told me how to use them!"

"Allison, I'm so glad you have powers! It's so cool that we both do!" I exclaimed.

"I know", she said, "me too!"

We walked on through the tall grass, through thick woods, across streams and rivers, and past Melody's grandmother's hut. We all decided to go in there.

"Hello, everyone", she said calmly as we all walked in. "How did it go?"

"I defeated him!" I burst out, half-laughing, half-crying. "I did it! I'm so happy!"

"Good job, child. I am proud of you. Now, I have something for you to keep." Melody's grandmother handed me a snow-globe. It had a large flame in it. If you shook it, the water would make these tiny pieces of red glitter float up and swirl all around. It was an amazing little thing.

"Thank you", I said gratefully to her. "It's so cool!"

"Oh, you're welcome, dear", replied Melody's grandmother. "Now, can I come with you to the castle? I would like to see my daughter."

"Oh, yes, Mother!" said Melody's aunt. So we all walked back to Aroma. Since it was getting to be lunchtime, Melody's uncle (which I found out whose name to be Charlie, and her aunt's name to be Valerie), Andrew, and John went to catch fish in a creek while Melody, Angelina, Allison, Chloe and I went to gather nuts. Valerie and Melody's grandmother stayed on the picnic blanket.

We came back and had lunch. The fish was delicious. Then, we walked on to Aroma. I finally saw the high towers glinting in the sunlight and the marble walls.

The guard at the door let us in, and we went into the throne room. "Mother?" Melody said quietly.

Queen Cora looked up. "Oh! My dears! Oh, how wonderful! You're alive! Oh, I've missed you so much!"

Melody and John ran towards their mother. King John came down from his throne, too. He hugged them tightly, speechless.

"It's you! Oh, I can't believe it!" Then he strode over to me. "Thank you. Thank you so much. Oh, I appreciate it."

"You're welcome, Your Majesty", I said, curtseying.

"There is no need for that. You see, you will be the queen one day."

"Oh, I know sir, but-"

"Ah, you think Melody should be the queen. Well, that would've been correct, before the Dragonfish took over our minds. When he did, he made us promise that our children would never become the queen or king. He wanted to. He took over our minds before you were born, so when you defeated him, you were destined to be the queen."

I was speechless. Me? The queen of Aroma? That's crazy! At least that's what I thought at the time. Wow.

"But don't John or Melody want to be the king and queen?"

Melody and John shook their heads. "It's too much work", said John.

"Wow! Okay, sir! But when do I become the queen?"

"Oh, now! You become the queen now, my dear."

"N...now?" I asked. "But don't I have to marry before I become queen? I can't become queen all by myself, can I?"

"Oh, yes you can. I will just have to talk to the council about that", replied King John.

"But...what about you guys? Don't you still want to be king and queen?"

"Eh, we've had a lot of years, and honestly, we'd rather spend time with our children", said Queen Cora.

"Oh, thank you! Thank you! This is amazing!" I exclaimed.

"There is one more thing we should tell you", said King John. "Allison is a dutchess of Aroma."

"Me? Oh, me! Thank you, Your Majesty! Do you mind if I call you that? Thank you! Oh, this is the best day of my life!" exclaimed Allison.

"What should I tell my parents when I get home?" I asked.

"Don't tell them", replied Queen Cora. "And when you need to come here, for example for your wedding or something, just tap on your kerosene lamp in your sitting room, and you will appear in the castle."

"Okay. One more question. How will I get back?"

"I will show you", said King John, beckoning us to follow him. He led us towards the central hallway and out the door. The sweet-smelling air was filled with the smells of flowers and leaves. The king led us to a fountain in a courtyard. He said, "Just put your hand in the water and you will be transported there."

"All right. I should go now", I announced, sighing. I hugged everyone. "I will miss you all."

When I came to hug Melody, she hugged me so tight I could've choked. "I'll miss you", she said. She looked up at me with her big almond-shaped eyes. "I'll miss you too", I said sadly. I went to the fountain and said good-bye one last time. "Byyyeee!" cried John. "Bye, Kathryn", said Angelina quietly.

Everyone else just looked at me sorrowfully. I understood that they were sad. "I'll be back", I said. "I promise." I put my hand in the water.

There was a blur and a flash of blue light.

I was back at school. The boys were playing with a ball and I was sitting on the school steps. No time had passed.

The school bell rang. I wasn't hungry. I went in and said to myself, "I'll be back."