More than Just a Dream

by LikeTheCoolKids

Lėja is a young girl who was sent to Cairnholm by her tutor for a project on the second world war. There, she meets girly-girl Aaryn Waters, lovable Annie, kooky Sephtis, and annoying Jonathan. When John is taking them on a tour of his island, the five accidentaly stumble apon a time loop on the verge of breaking. They go to greet a group of strange children- and the bomb lands.

2. Chapter 2

Chapter Two- Cairnholm!

I gazed up at the towering cliffs and wondered how in the heavens we were meant to get up to the top. I had just started to reach the conclusion that we were going to have to climb up when the boat turned. The cliffs dropped steeply until they met the water, where a sort of harbor had been built. Before long, the boat was bonking on the side of the pier and a crew member was telling us to watch our steps as we got off.

I swung my bag over my shoulder and gingerly stepped off the boat onto the wet, creaky wood. I thought I was fine until I put my other foot on the pier and my knees buckled. I probably would've fallen into the bay if someone hadn't caught me, but that didn't keep my top hat from going. I looked into the water and saw that my hat had become a bobbing black lump of ruined silk. It would never be useable again.

My rescuer steadied me up on my feet. I turned around and saw the dark skinned boy, his hands stuffed into his pockets and his teeth biting down on his lip in a poor attempt at concealing a smile. "Ewe alright?" he said, and I immediately noticed his welsh accent.

"Fine," I muttered as I frowned into the water. "I liked that 'at."

The boy laughed and started walking down the pier. I hesitated for a bit, then went after him.

The boy glanced back and said. "So, wut brings ewe to Cairnholm, miss..."

"Lėja," I mumbled.

"Lėja," he mused. "Odd name fer a Cocknay."

"Liverpool," I corrected. "and my parents are Lithuanian."

He raised an eyebrow but didn't say anything.

"I'm 'ere ta study," I explained, "My teacher sent me 'ere ta learn 'bout the war. What 'bout you? Why're you 'ere?"

"My pap," he said, "He's a novelist. Wanted teh learn about life on Cairnholm. He's writin' some sorta book."

We walked in silence for a bit. Then he said, "Where're ewe stayin'?"

"My mudder found this place call'd de Priest 'Ole," I replied, "Only room ta let on the blinkin' island."

"Hmm," said the boy. "I think I was gonna be stayin' at a place called the Priest Hole."

"Erm..." I mumbled dubiously, "It's only one room. Either we're gonna share, or yer wrong."

"No, I'm right," he frowned, "Or maybe we're both wrong."

"Nar," I muttered under my breath, "Mam said I was ta stay at de Priest 'Ole."

The boy glanced up at one of the signs on the building. "This is it," he said, and he held the door for me while I walked in.