I forgot to put this one back up. I might finish it. :) We'll see.
Disclaimer: Steph's characters... but a collaboration of several people's sick sick ideas.
BELLA... Lost, then Found.
"DAD!" I screamed, my body lurching itself forward.
My eyes flew open.
It was bright, too bright.
I blinked uncontrollably, breathing hard. I could feel the tears streaming down my cheeks.
"Dad," I sobbed again. I could see, but my brain couldn't keep up. I was panicking. Where was Charlie? Where was I?
It all came rushing back to me. The fishing trip, the boat, the ocean, the storm.
I tried to swim to him. My boots were filled with water, slowly pulling me down, the life jacket I wore, the only thing keeping me afloat. The arms of my sweater soaking up every available drop, dragging me farther from the remains of the boat, dragging me further from my father.
Water filled my lungs as I tried to scream. I did scream, but it was useless. He was lost. I was lost, to the sea.
I trusted my Dad, Charlie. He assured me that although there was a storm off the coast, it would be another day before it reached the fishing territories along First Beach.
He was wrong.
In the bright light of the room, all I could see was Charlie's face, his flailing arms, slipping away from me.
I couldn't stop the tears.
"Shhhh, Isabella. It's okay," An angelic tone tried to soothe my frantic sobs. "You are safe here." My head whipped in the direction of the voice. My arm flew up over my eyes. She was standing near an open archway, the sunlight flooding in from behind her. My body forced me to look away. It was just so bright.
"Please. You are safe," she said.
Sound of her voice silenced my cries completely. The kindness behind it filled me with a unusual sense of security.
"Where—I," I stuttered. I was so confused.
She came towards me, stepping out of the direct sunlight.
Looking at her, there was just too much to process. Her hair, her face, her clothes. Stunning, yet different. I'd never see anyone, anything, like her.
She was older than me, but not by much.
Her hair was pulled back in a long French braid, the color a deep golden brown. Her eyes were a vibrant blue, a gorgeous contrast to her dark, thick tresses. Her lips were full and pink. Her skin shimmered with a subtle tan, probably the result of being out in the incredible sunlight that filled the room.
She was wearing a… a toga? That was the only word I could think of right away. But she wasn't some drunken sorority girl. She was a goddess.
The white robe hung gracefully over her shoulder, flowing down to her feet. It was cinched tight at her waist by a belt made this golden, braided rope. On her feet she wore simple leather sandals.
"I know you are confused. Allow me to explain." Her voice was so tender.
"Okay," I whispered. My eyes followed her as she came and sat beside me on the bed.
As she sat I gave myself a moment to really look around the room.
It was circular, white marble tiled the floor. There were no windows, but large open archway like the one the woman had entered from, all around. They led right outside. In the distance I could hear voices, happy, pleasant voices.
I glanced up at the high domed ceiling to see a mural of the midday sky painted there. It was so beautiful.
The motion of the woman shifting on the bed brought my attention back down.
I was laying in a bed, of sorts, A large, soft mat a few feet off the ground, easily wide and long enough to fit four people with a little room to spare. My legs were tucked comfortably under strange, white sheets. They were not standard issue, scratchy hospital sheets. They were extremely soft, linen I think.
I gazed down looking at them and then I noticed what I was wearing or rather what I was not wearing.
I was completely naked.
My arms flew up over my chest and I could fell my cheeks flushing pink.
"When you are ready to get out of bed, I will have clothes brought for you." She said gently. "Your mainland clothes would be to warm for you to wear."
I looked towards the nearest open archway and then noticed the warm breeze that was carried the scent of fresh fruit into the room. She was right. I would have been burning up in my sweater and jeans.
Wait. Did she just say mainland?
"Where am I?" I asked, pulling the sheet up over my breasts.
She patted my leg gently. I could feel the comforting warmth of her body through the sheets.
"You are in Paradise," she smiled simply. I know she meant well, but they words started me hyperventilating. I was dead. This was heaven and I was dead. The sea had claimed me and probably Charlie too. This was Paradise and I was dead.
"Am I -," I choked.
Suddenly another woman appeared, carrying a small golden cup . The woman on the bed took it from her and immediately brought it to my lips, urging me to drink. The water was fresh and cool and sweet. It helped me breath.
She handed the cup back to the other woman who promptly disappeared.
"I apologize. I forget that you mortal have many names for Heaven."
Mortals? Where the hell was I?
"Isabella, You were rescued by one of the princesses of this island. This is the Island of Themyscira"
"What?" I asked. I realized my tone was a little rude, but she wasn't exactly helping with the confusion.
"When you are ready we will show you. But for now should know you are safe. And so is your father."
"Charlie! Where is he?"
"The coast guard brought him to safety. He is in the hospital in Forks. News has been sent to him. He knows you are okay."
"But –" I started. I was so relieved, but still confused. Why wasn't he here with me?
"I promise I will explain soon. First, how are you feeling? Your muscles, are they sore?"
I looked down my body and readjusted the sheet around me. My legs, my arms, there was not a single sore muscle. I'd been pulling through the water with all of my strength. My arms should have been mush. It should have hurt to wiggle my toes, but my body felt great. Relaxed, better than it ever had before.
My hand absently hovered over my neck. I had swallowed seawater before. The salt tore my throat apart so bad I couldn't talk for days, but now there was no discomfort.
"I feel—good."
She glanced at me for a moment before she spoke.
"I am Esme. I am what you would call a doctor.
"What would you call it?" I asked.
"I am the island's Healer. I cared for you after you were brought there. And this is my daughter, Alice" I turned in the direction of her outstretched hand.
Standing there was another beautiful young woman. She'd appeared out of thin air.
She looked around my age, with her tiny frame. Her hair was short, but elegantly styled, black with olive leaves crowing her head. She wore a robe similar to Esme's, but it was much shorter, stopping just above her knees. The leather laces of her sandals were wove their way up her calves.
She smiled a wide bright smile at me. I couldn't help but smile back.
"Hello," Alice said. Her voice was high, but light and full of energy.
"Hi," I whispered back, bashfully. Her beauty was intimidating, but the way she carried herself, the way she was rocking anxiously on her heals gave her this childlike quality. She seemed happy to see me.
I glanced at her once more than back to Esme.
"We age differently here. Alice is truly 19, but I am much older than that," Esme told me. I knew better than to press her about her true age.
"Oh." I could barely hear my own voice. I was still confused. There was just so much going on.
"I can have food brought for you, but I think you are ready. Alice can show you around."
She was right. I felt fine and there was no need for me to stay in bed. I wanted to look around, see what really made this place a paradise. Well besides its beautiful women, ancient architecture and perfect climate.
"I'll give you the grand tour," Alice chimed. The woman who had brought the cup before came back and handed Alice a small pile of blue cloth and a pair of sandals.
"Okay. Will I –will I be able to go home soon?" I said to Esme.
"Of course Isabella. Princess Diana will return from the mainland in a few days time. When returns she can bring you home if you want."
"She won't." Alice giggled. Esme shot her a look of warning, which Alice ignored.
Esme turned back to me, explaining Alice's cryptic comment. "A lot of our guests choose to stay. Alice thinks you will like it here enough to stay—"
"I know she will," Alice smiled at me again. I didn't know how to respond. Her confidence was a little daunting. How could she think I would never want to see Charlie again?
The thought of wanting to remain on the island drove my curiosity even further. I had to get a look around.
Emse stood and Alice took a few steps towards the bed holding the garments in her hands out for me. Without thinking I pulled the sheets back and stood up quickly.
Alice giggled, but didn't look away.
"Sorry," I said blushing wildly, trying to cover the most embarrassing bits with my hands.
Esme gently patted me on the shoulder. "Alice will tend to you, but if you need me I will be here."
"Thank you." I said
"Don't worry Mother. I'll take good care of her," Alice beemed. I didn't miss the hint of a double meaning in her tone.
As Esme left the room, Alice came and sat down on the bed, placing the sandals on the floor.
"Here," she handed me the blue item. I unfolded the long piece of cloth. There was no distinct pattern to it. "Let me," Alice offered. She stood up and took it out of my hand. She stopped as she caught me looking down at my body.
I was completely hairless from the neck down. Not that I was growing an award winning bush, but there had been hair there and I had at least a days worth of leg stubble when Charlie and I set out. It was all gone.
"We remove the pubic hair to check for disease. And well, the leg hair is just gross," she giggled. I chuckled back, grateful for the free wax. "They—add something to the water to keep it from growing back."
"Oh!" I replied. "That's convenient."
"Yeah." She stepped closer. Her hands worked quickly as she wrapped the garment around my body, adding a silver chord around my waist as finishing touch. It was short like hers, covering my thighs. "Visitors wear blue. Helps us spot you better," she said winking. I just nodded.
"Do you like you hair? I hope you don't mind. I trimmed the ends," she asked cautiously. I grabbed a handful of hair from my shoulders. It was clean, really, really clean and shiny. And it had been curled, styled in big full waves.
"Yeah. It looks – awesome," I told Alice honestly.
"Great. I knew you'd like it."
I sat back down and she was in front of me quickly. She crotched on her knees, lacing the soft leather up my legs. I looked down at her feeling my eyebrow rise. Her fingers lingered for a moment as she gently caressed my calf with her fingertips.
Then she sighed, moaned almost, releasing my leg. The sound was intoxicating, but strange. I felt a small knot tie in my stomach.
Her gaze met mine. "I'm sorry," she whispered. I swallowed the lump in my throat, willing the knot away.
She stepped away, holding her hands behind her back, like she didn't trust herself. Like she wanted touch me again.
"Come. I'll show you around," she said.
I stood and followed her through one of the archways.
After few moments my eyes adjusted to the powerful rays of the sun.
The lush greens of a tropical island hung gracefully from the marble columns of the buildings surrounding the hospital. There were three that I could see. They were large clearly serving some sort of communal purpose.
Soon I was able to put faces to the pleasant voices I'd heard before. Three young girls were sitting on the steps of the hospital, talking lively about things that were still foreign to me. Between them there was a large book. On their laps were half filled books. They appeared to be studying.
They all smiled and waved at Alice and I as we passed. I waved back hesitantly. They smiles were so sincere, so welcoming.
"That," Alice pointed to building closets to us, "is the banquet hall. Do you enjoy cooking?"
"Yes. I cook for my father all the time." I followed Alice as she continued walking.
"Well if you decide to stay, maybe you can work with the chefs. Everyone contributes something. We have no use for money because we all give for each other. Those girls," she motioned back to the three we had just passed. "They are transcribing that book for our library, making copies. They have the best handwriting."
I blinked at her, shocked.
"Our world is a little different from yours," Alice smirked at me.
"I'm starting to see that."
"Come on," she giggled.
"What do you do?" I asked as we walked past a large fountain.
"What you're wearing?"
"Yeah?"
"I made that."
"From scratch?" I almost yelled.
"Yes. From spinning the cotton to selecting the dyes."
A hushed "Wow," was my only response.
Alice was extremely nice and funny. She made me feel very comfortable in the unique surroundings. I didn't have friends like her back home.
We circled the whole island in under two hours, walking slowly. It really was beautiful. All the building made of smooth ancient marble. She showed me the school, well the place that was most similar to a school. It was near the banquet hall.
There were fields with grain and fruits and vegetables and pens that held livestock. They had cows for milk and chicken for meat and eggs. Waterfalls and deep lagoons and colorful wild birds littered the center of the island. It was amazing
Then Alice showed me her sleeping quarters. Her room was at the far end of a one story open air dormitory. It was beautifully decorated, flowers and vines hanging from the open arches. Her bed was large, like the one I woke up in. It seemed so big for such a little person.
She caught me eyeing it.
"You can sleep in the hospital until Princess Diana returns. Or – you can sleep hear with me."
I felt another lump in my throat. I nodded, swallowing.
Finally she brought me back to where I could now see was the main center of the island city.
Alice stood next to me, silent for the first time since we'd left the hospital. I think she was letting it all sink it.
It was a paradise. Lush and beautiful. A utopian society where everyone knew their role and served their purpose, happily.
But something was off. We had been past nearly every inch of the island and something, something big, was missing.
Alice looked up at me, hearing my urgent gasp.
I looked around, looking at the young girls chasing each other around the trees, the older woman talking by the fountain, girls like Alice and I carrying bushels of crops towards the kitchens.
In that moment it all came together, why I was here, being cared for and Charlie was back home.
There were no men, no boys, no infant sons, anywhere. The entire Island was completely inhabited by women.