Disclaimer: I don't own Harvest Moon.
Begin Flashback:
Third person POV
"Hmm duh duh duh da," Chelsea absentmindedly beat to herself as she finished pulling weeds and started watering her turnips.
Today was a hot day for spring. Most people were at the beach, frolicking in the sand, relaxing under an umbrella, or splashing the still-cool-from-winter water at each other, but Chelsea was dedicated. She arrived at the island by accident, sent by the winds and waves of a tropical storm, but she said that it felt more like fate or destiny. Ever since then, she's been learning the ropes of ranching and farming from Taro, the hot headed but grandfatherly like weather forecaster/farmer. Actually, today was exactly one year and ten days since her first day on the island.
"Hey, Chelsea!"
The brunette, who was sporting a red bandana over her messy hair, turned around with the water still pouring out of the watering can.
"Oh, hey Julia. Is that a new bikini?" Chelsea asked, flashing her friend a smile before moving the can to the next plant.
"Yeah, isn't it adorable?" Julia said, walking over to her friend while flaunting her baby blue swimsuit, matching her eyes perfectly.
"Adorable is a term you use to describe puppies, not clothes," Chelsea said, wiping at the perspiration forming on her face, "Anyway, what are you doing here in this weather?"
"I could ask you the same thing. Why don't you come to the beach with the rest of us?"
"You know that work comes before fun, Julia. Besides, I'm almost done. Just give me fifteen minutes to clean up and change, OK?" Chelsea asked, secretly happy about this break and headed toward her newly remodeled home.
"Fine, but I'm not waiting for you in this heat. I'll send Vaughn over in ten so be ready," Julia said as she turned back for the beach, her long strawberry blonde hair swishing behind her in her signature loose ponytail.
Vaughn's POV
This was my first day back on this stupid island and I had to go fetch Chelsea in one hundred degree weather. Did I mention it was one hundred freakin' degrees? Anyway, I've made it to her house, which seemed to have gotten bigger overnight. My hat gets pushed down farther for more shade against the burning sun as I knocked on the wooden door.
No answer. Not even a loud girl's voice, which definitely couldn't be missed.
"Chelsea? You in there?" I asked, knocking again.
She'd better not be playing with me. I tried again and again, but still received no response. That was it. I tried the door, but found it locked so I went to the back of the house to find an open window. I pulled myself up through the opening and landed gingerly in her room. Just kidding. Actually, I landed in a loud heap on the ground, my hat flying half way across the room in the process. What do you expect from a five foot eleven guy; for me to be a silent ninja? Yeah right.
I looked around her empty room, which led me to search the entire house to find nothing. No Chelsea, or in other words, this is not good. Everyone on this island counted on Chelsea for produce, friendship, or even a wave in the morning and if they found out that she was gone… I'll just repeat it: this is not good. I was about to run out of her house, using the front door this time, before I heard a knock on the door.
"Chelsea? Vaughn? Are you guys in there?" Julia. I've never been happier to hear her voice. Literally. Apparently she also had the same thought as me because I then see her through the window.
"Vaughn? What the heck are you doing in her house? And didn't I say to bring Chelsea back an hour ago? What, did you two go on a secret date or something?" She teased as I scoffed at the thought. Me and Chelsea on a date? Never.
"Sorry, Cous (short for cousin…), but this is an emergency. We didn't run off together; Chelsea's missing," I said, reaching up to adjust my hat but found it missing. It was most likely still on the floor. I could tell that she didn't believe me at first, but her expression switched to a panicked one when the fact that I don't lie set in.
"What do you mean?" Julia asked in a small, scared voice. Her eyebrows were scrunched together in concern.
"I mean that when I came to get her, she wasn't home. I went in through the window and found her house empty," I explained slowly, making sure she got this.
"No, Chelsea would never do this. She'd never leave without telling anybody," Julia defended.
"Then how do you explain the fact that she's gone?" I retorted.
I knew that I've gone too far when she shoots me an angry look, tears starting to form, and I wished that I could take back what I said.
"Hey, what'cha doin' here? Shouldn't ya be at the beach?"
I start to panic as I see Julia look to her right. It was Gannon, the ape-like carpenter of this island.
"Um, I was just taking a walk. What are you here for?" My cousin asked Gannon.
"Me? Jus' here to tell Miss Chelsea that her order o' farmin' tools have arrived," Gannon said. "Chelsea?" Before I could hide myself, the gigantic man saw me through the window. "Vaughn, you better've not hurt Miss Chelsea. Let me in!"
I obeyed his demand, opening the front door as he stormed in.
"Where's she?"
"I don't know, sir," I responded.
"Don't know or won't tell?" He asked gruffly.
"What are you trying to say?" Julia asked from behind him. He was so big that I didn't even notice her presence. She eventually made her way next to me.
"I mean, he took 'er!" He said, pointing a big, deformed finger at me.
"What makes you think that?" Argued my cousin.
"You saw Miss Chelsea before leavin' for the beach, right? And then you send him to go get 'er and he doesn't come back with 'er. We then come here to find the door locked and the window open. He was the only one inside so he must've taken 'er!" Gannon said, stating his accusation loudly.
"I would never do something like that… sir," I said, trying to hold in my anger. One rule that I learned while doing business with lots of grumpy idiots is to be a gentleman, even when being threatened.
"Well, then would'ya like to tell me what happened to 'er then?"
"I've already told you, I don't know, sir." Inhale, exhale, deep breaths.
"And I'll tell'ya what I do know. You're a criminal!" Gannon yelled and I lost it. I charged at him, needing to defend myself from his lies.
"Vaughn, stop it! Mirabelle! Taro! Help!"
Julia's voice faded farther away as my mind did the same.
Here's chapter one :) I'm still not positive about what I'm going to do in later chapters so if you guys have an idea (cough, cough... like how Chelsea disappeared… cough, cough) that you want me to consider, then I'll be happy to try to incorporate it in with my ideas. Credit will always be given for the ideas that I use. Please leave feedback if you have some.
9-14-11
E person :)
