Chapter One: From Good Day To Bad Day And Back Again
A rooster crowed as the early light of a new day peeked in through a window of a bedroom before falling across the sleeping form of a young woman. She yawned and sat up, stretching before her eyes blinked open. She smacked her lips a few times before stumbling out of bed. She felt her way over to her washstand, eyes still heavy with sleep. She poured some cool water into a bowl from a pitcher and splashed the water on her face and neck, effectively waking herself up. She wiped her face before going over to her window and pulling the curtains aside and opened the window to the fresh morning air.
"Well Hel, it's another day and another long day of work." She spoke softly to herself as she gazed out over her home. Montressor Port was a seaside town that was the trade center for all of Deephaven. Rather than their usual bustle, the streets were quiet as the shops weren't open yet and the residents weren't awake. But Hel knew that wouldn't last long. Soon people would be up and about and Hel knew the breakfast rush would begin. Today would be a good day for business as Captain Amelia had returned with her crew late last night and they always stopped by the inn for a few days before setting sail again. Even now she could see people beginning to come up on deck. She smiled as she caught sight of two men and quickly moved from the window to get dressed. The other patrons of the inn would be waking up soon and Hel needed to get downstairs to help her mother out. And it wouldn't do if she was caught hanging out her window in her underdress.
Unknown to Hel, the two men she had seen had seen her at her window. John Rolfe and Proteus were eager to get to the inn to see Helene. It was well known in town that both men were in love with Helene and she at least held some deeper affection for them. Only problem was the group was oblivious to the other's feelings.
John had lived in Montressor all his life and loved sailing. He had been about 8 years old when Helene's basket had washed up on shore so in a way he and Helene had grown up together despite the rather large age difference.
Proteus had moved from Syracuse when he had been about 20 to escape an arranged marriage to Princess Diaspro. Only the crew of Amelia's ship knew he was a prince and he prefered it that way. He remembered the first time she had seen Helene 3 years ago. She had been 17, her brother only 12 when their father had left on a ship to leave forever. He remembered watching the young lad scramble down from the inn towards the docks, falling a few times and reaching the end of it just as the ship with his father began sailing away. Helene appeared a few minutes after and quietly held her brother close before leading him away. Proteus had felt his heart ache for the siblings as he couldn't imagine his father just up and leaving, though Proteus had done so to him. He had followed them to the inn sometime after to have a meal and rent a room. Helene had been his waitress and she showed no signs of what had happened earlier. She held herself with quiet strength and ignored the pitying glances and whispers. Even at 17 she was beautiful and Proteus couldn't help but fall in love with her sweet temper and hidden strength. He felt like he had seen her somewhere before but couldn't remember. The two became friends soon after he arrived
So John and Proteus became regulars at the inn whenever they came home and Helene always greeted them with a smile and their favorite meals ready. Once they were clear with Amelia they quickly made their way to the inn, bidding Mrs. Hawkins good morning as they entered. They sat down at their favorite table and waited patiently for Helene to appear.
Upstairs Helene was brushing out her hair with some difficulty as it had decided to make a horrid nest. Once it was in order and tied back with a blue ribbon, she quickly slipped on her dark blue skirt, her white blouse and then the over corset that matched her skirt. She was about to slip her shoes on when a bad feeling came over her. Known to very few, Helene had...some strange gifts. Lao Shi said she had a sort of premonition when she would get feelings. She could never tell what caused said feelings but she could tell they when they were good or bad and sometimes who they were connected to. She also could sense emotions from people and sometimes hear flickers of their thoughts and just...know things about a person just by looking at them. Helene had grown used it but it didn't make it any less unnerving. If she felt too much from just one person she sometimes fainted or had a headache. She usually went to Lao Shi if the feelings were really bad or if she got too much at once. Lao Shi trained her to block out her powers and to use them when she wanted to. She couldn't stop the premonitional feelings and if they were really bad she'd go to Lao Shi. Today's wasn't too bad but she knew it was connected to her brother. She hated when she got those feelings. It was no secret her brother was a troubled lad of 15 who constantly got in trouble.
Slipping on her shoes she quietly made her way to her brother's room and slipped in. She opened the curtains only to find his bed was empty. She sighed and tidied up his room before slipping out again. She creeped down the back stairs into the kitchen where her mother and Tiana
Helene slipped over to her mother and whispered in her ear. "Mom. I had a feeling again and Jim isn't in his room."
Sarah Hawkins sighed in defeat and patted the hand her daughter had on her shoulder. "He'll show up again when he gets hungry. He's probably out on his solar surfer. Come on. The guests will be waking up soon and we already have customers. Today will be a busy day."
Helene nodded and went to put on her apron
"Morning sugar. Your boyfriends are here and waiting for you." Tiana teased gently. She smiled when the girl's face burned red.
"Come on Tia! You too? We're just friends!"
"Mhmm." Tiana raised an eyebrow.
Helene huffed and carried her trays out the door. She didn't have to look around to see where they were. They always sat in the same spot. She smiled brightly when she saw them and wove through the rapidly filling tables with ease. "Morning John! Morning Proteus! It's good to see you two again! Anything exciting happen?" She greeted as she handed them their food.
They smiled back happy to see her as well. Proteus spoke first. "And a good morning to you too Helene. We're happy to be back and see you again."
John nodded his agreement. He had watched Helene grow up from a child who enjoyed playing in the dirt to the beauty standing before him. His heart beat quick whenever she was near.
"Nothing too interesting happened on our voyage though we have heard talks of pirates being seen in these waters once more." He said gravely.
"Pirates? But there hasn't been a pirate ship in these waters for 20 years. You don't think it's Hook do you?" Helene asked wondering if these pirates had something to do with her brother.
Hook had been notorious in his heydays despite being known as a gentleman pirate. He had disappeared without a trace one day and some speculated his ship had gone down in one of the rare sea storms Deephaven had. It still rained on occasion but a massive sea storm that churned the seas into a raging boil with howling winds to pull down trees was very rare in Deephaven. It was practically suicide to sail through one of them.
Proteus shook his head. "No it wasn't the Jolly Roger. It's supposedly smaller but still with a deadly crew. We have reason to believe they're looking for something. We set sail again in a few days to see if we can track them down."
Helene's heart sank at the news. "So soon? But you just got back!"
John took her hand in his and rubbed it soothingly. "I know Nellie but we have to do this. We have to keep you and our home."
Despite herself Helene laughed. "You haven't called me Nellie since we were children. I used to hate you for it."
John smiled as he chuckled. "You used to call me Johnny in return which you knew I absolutely hated. So I suppose fair is fair."
Proteus felt a small twinge of jealousy as he watched his friends. He felt envious that John knew Helene as a child, had grown up with her. He didn't have that level of friendship with her. But it wouldn't deter him any.
"Well if it isn't my little spitfire! Don't I get a warm welcome home too?" A voice spoke from behind Helene.
She sighed rolling her eyes as she already knew it was. She turned and faced Sinbad as he smiled cockily. "Well if it isn't Sinbad. Little early for you to be up and about."
Sinbad clutched his heart. "Aw you wound me!"
Helene shook her head. "You'll live."
Sinbad and Helene had dated for a month when Helene was 18. They both quickly realized that it wasn't going to go anywhere and settled off as friends. Still Sinbad took the opportunity to mess with Helene whenever he could. She bore it because despite his flirty nature Sinbad really was a good man and loyal too; even if he did have the habit of getting into trouble.
One of the other patrons called for Helene and after bidding her friends goodbye, she went to take care of her job.
Sinbad wandered off to do his own thing, most likely mess with Marina and the other two enjoyed their food while watching Helene.
Elsewhere Jim was out on his solar surfer near the mines. It was a restricted zone but he didn't care. He went right in and started doing complicated tricks on the machinery and he knew one wrong move would give him a serious injury or worse land him in trouble again. He didn't care much about the police force but he was more scared of his sister.
But he just couldn't help it. Flying on his solar surfer made him feel feel free and alive.
He cringed when he started hearing sirens behind him. "Oh great."
Back at the inn, Helene was serving a family while her mother was serving Doctor Delbert Doppler. He was a sort of canine like humanoid who lived up on one of the cliffs with a huge house and observatory. He came to the inn every day for meals since he wasn't much of a cook.
Helene was back over by Proteus and John again to serve them coffee when the front door to the inn bust open and Phobeus and Hercules stood there with Jim in between them.
"Mrs. Hawkins?"
Helene gasped and dropped the dishes she had in her arms as did her mother. Helene hated when her feelings came true and especially if they involved her brother.
"Jim!" Her mother cried.
"Ooh wrong turn!" Dr. Doppler muttered from his table
John stood and placed his hands on Helene's shoulders to offer his support. She leaned back into him, one of her hands resting on his.
"Ok. Thanks for the lift, guys." Jim smiled and brushed off Hercules' hand, trying to saunter away.
"Not so fast." Hercules pulled him back.
"We apprehended your son operating a solar vehicle in a restricted area." Phobeus stated.
"Moving violation 9-0-4, section 15, paragraph, um…." Hercules started to recite but he forgot the paragraph.
"Six?" Jim supplied helpfully, rubbing the side of his face.
"Thank you" Hercules said some what begrudgingly.
"Don't mention it." Jim replied.
"Jim" their mother said the disappointment clear in her voice.
"As you are aware, ma'am, this constitutes a violation of his probation." Phobeus went on.
"Yes, yes. No, I understand. Um, but c-could we just-" Her mother stuttered wanting to take this discussion in private.
"Um, ahem, pardon me." Dr. Doppler interrupted getting to his feet.
"Oh no." Helene muttered knowing this wasn't going to end well.
John squeezed her shoulders consolingly.
"Officers, um, if I might, uh, interject here." Dr Doppler said walking forward. "I am the noted astrophysicist Dr. Delbert Doppler. Perhaps you've heard of me."
Sarah looked at Doppler wide eyed and just wanted him to stop.
" No? Uh, I have a clipping." Dr. Doppler said reaching into his vest.
Phobeus interrupted the doctor. "Are you the boy's father?"
The adults then freaked out a bit at that and Doppler looked a bit offended when she said ew.
"He's just a close friend of the family!" Sarah explained smiling nervously.
If the situation wasn't so serious Helene would have busted out laughing.
"Back off, sir!" Hercules and Phobeus said getting in Doppler's face as he cringed.
"Thank you, Delbert. I will take it from here." Sarah said shooing Doppler off.
Doppler straightened himself out, trying to maintain what was left of his dignity. "Well, Sarah, if you insist. Don't ever let me do that again." He added as an afterthought before continuing on his way.
"Due to repeated violations of statute 15-C, we have impounded his vehicle. Anymore slip ups will result in a one way ticket to juvenile hall." Phobeus said.
"It won't happen again." Sarah said looking at Jim sternly as he avoided her gaze.
"You take care now." Hercules said smiling pleasantly.
"Let's go." Phobeus said as they turned and left, closing the door behind them.
The inn was quiet before it burst back into sound when Sarah looked at them.
Her mother said something to Jim before turning to tend the other customers.
Jim gathered up dishes when his eyes connected with Helene's across the room. He could see the disappointment and worry in her eyes. He hated seeing that look, especially on her already tired face and that of their mother's. He sighed and disappeared into the kitchen.
"Nellie? Are you going to be alright?" John asked as he turned Helene to face him.
She sighed. "I'm alright. I'm more worried about Jim. I'm worried one day he's going to end up in prison or worse." She sighed before smiling. "But I trust Jim. I know he can turn it around."
John smiled though he was still worried about her. She just had so much on her shoulders.
"I better go and start the deliveries. It will give me a chance for fresh air and clear my head. I'll see you two around." She said as she turned to leave.
"Helene wait." Proteus stepped forward taking her hand.
She looked at him.
"The festival is coming up and I was wondering...if you'd go with me?" He asked rather nervous though he never let it show on his face.
She stared at him for a moment before she smile and nodded. "I'd love to Proteus!"
He smiled back and placed his other hand on top of hers. "Wonderful! I will have something to look forward to when we come back."
She nodded her head and bid her two friends goodbye as she walked away. She felt like her hearts was going to fly out of her chest and that she was walking on air. She grabbed a broom and began sweeping up the broken dishes. The day may have started off on a wrong turn but it turned into a wonderful day. Proteus had asked her out and she was thrilled to pieces.
Nothing could make this day go wrong. How wrong she was.
