Kristian rode up the lane on his reindeer, Bae, once more. He was still on the lookout for his sister Summer, and so far there was no sign of her since early yesterday morning. He'd been riding all over town this morning after finding his mother crying quietly in his sister's room. She had been staring out the window and holding one of Summer's favorite pink dresses, and every so often she would bury her face in it, and inhale the smell of her daughter. Mama wasn't taking it very well. None of them were, but Mama was taking it the worst. She tried to look hopeful, but they all saw the pain she was in, and tried to not let her know they saw it.
But he couldn't erase the image of her shaking shoulders, and searched harder than he had before.
Oh, how could I have been so stupid?
He should have known something was wrong. Summer always showed up on time whenever there was chocolate involved.
Where could she be?
Kristian scanned the forest around him, searching for any clue that could lead him to Summer.
There was nothing.
His heart sank, for what seemed to be the fifth time that day. He had searched this forest twice in the past three hours, and there was no trace of his bubbly sister. He nudged Bae, and the reindeer turned back towards town.
Perhaps she went to town and I've just missed her?
But that would be nearly impossible. Kristian had scoured the streets of Arendelle, poking his nose in places he'd never think to look, and there was nothing. Not a scrap of pink ribbon could be found; she had vanished under their very noses.
The question was who? Who would do such a thing and why? Kristian didn't think Arendelle had any enemies. Sure, the Southern Isles weren't really considered their friends, but he didn't call them enemies. And if anything, it was the Southern Isles' fault for the way things were between them.
Over the years he had gathered that it was something to do with betrayal and almost murder, but he didn't know who or what or when or why or how. He did know that it had been very bad. So bad, that even Mama got quiet whenever it was mentioned, and Mama was never quiet.
Kristian let out a frustrated sigh and looked down at the town. He was up on a little hill near the forest that had a magnificent view of Arendelle. He and Summer would often come here when they were younger, and have picnics and watch the clouds. Remembering those days, he glanced at the sky and saw dark clouds forming on the horizon.
Looks like a thunderstorm.
Rain would hinder and possibly even put a stop to his search if it rained hard enough. A crash of thunder sounded, and Kristian looked to see if the rain was soon to follow. He seemed to have a little time before the storm hit him, and he decided to get home to his family. Summer would need him-
His thoughts stopped abruptly when he remembered why he was out in the forest in the first place.
Oh Summer.
She hated thunderstorms and would always come running to him whenever it could be heard.
Was she alright now?
Summer sat at the table finishing her meal when a clap of thunder startled her. The pitter patter of the rain had just begun to hit the window when she dove for the nearest sheltered place. Thunder boomed again and she burrowed deeper into the blanket on the bottom bunk in the captain's cabin.
Of course, it would storm while she was away from her family. Thunderstorms were her absolute least favorite thing in the entire world. They scared her out of her mind, and the only remedy was being held by her brother or father. Since neither of them were there, she was left to wrapping the blanket tightly around herself, hoping to block out the noise.
The thunder crashed again and Summer let out a small cry.
Oh, if only this thunder would stop!
As long as she could remember, thunderstorms had frightened her. The story that she'd heard of her grandparents death hadn't helped either. They'd been enjoying a nice journey when a storm had unexpectedly taken their ship...
Summer squeezed her eyes shut and tried not to think of the similarities between her situation and theirs. She tried to think of other things, like the crew, whom she had been introduced to that morning. Well, almost all of the crew. She hadn't met Alma and Allisa Hollingberry, they'd been busy with something when Summer had been allowed out.
The crew seemed decent enough. Even gruff Khrones seemed okay. He was rough on the outside and played Mr. Tough Guy, but Summer was sure he had a soft side hidden somewhere like her papa. Tears welled in her eyes at the thought of home.
Stop it. That's not going to help your situation.
She returned her thoughts back to the crew. There was a whole line of men who came after Khrones, and Alex had just rattled off their names without any information as to what they were like. "Tyge, Birger, Willarmar, Grainger, and Travon," he'd said, each name in rhythm with the next.
Then there was eleven year old Sam, who had scowled at her the entire time, as if she had wronged him in some way.
Last had been the man called Uncle. He had smiled at her with surprisingly straight, white teeth. His skin was weathered, probably from spending so many days on the deck of a pirate ship, and his grey eyes had twinkled with mischief as they bounced from her to Alex. Alex hadn't noticed, and it left Summer confused.
What was he thinking?
When Uncle's name was called he had leaned over to Alex and whispered something in his ear, causing Alex's cheeks to redden. Alex had sent a look Uncle's way, and a bark of laughter had burst from Uncle's mouth at the sight, then he'd clapped the young pirate heartily on the back. Uncle had looked straight at Summer then, and a wide grin had spread across his wrinkled face.
He had winked, then cut his eyes at Alex.
What did that even mean?
Summer was clueless, but she hadn't wanted to make him feel bad since she hadn't understood so she had just smiled politely.
Thunder pounded once more and she pulled the blanket tighter, as a tear slipped out. How she wished she were home, with Mama's hot chocolate, Kris' hugs, Papa's stories, Auntie Elsa's little snow sculptures and—
Her thoughts were interrupted, again, by a knock on the door. Unfortunately, the thunder pounded at the exact moment as the knock, so she didn't hear it. She let out a little shriek, because that last one had been really loud. The door flew open and a worried Alex burst in. At the sight of him, Summer sat straight up, slamming her head against the top bunk as she did so.
"Lacey, are you all right?" He took in the sight of her wrapped tightly in the blanket and rubbing her head. He walked over, his face even more wrought with worry the longer he studied her.
"Uh, yeah, I'm fine." She began untangling herself from the blanket, all the while trying to ease the throb in her head.
"Let me see that. You bumped it pretty hard, and these bunks are solid." Alex gave the bed post a little thump with a silly little grin on his face that spoke of memories from long ago.
"Did you bump your head once?" She asked, her curiosity getting the better of her. Surprised, Alex laughed, a sound Summer had not yet heard. It was a nice laugh, she decided.
"Yes, many times. But those are stories for another time. Right now I have to look at your head." Leaning closer, he peered at her forehead.
"I, uh, I'm good. You don't have to check it." She pulled her hand away from her head, attempting to show him she was quite alright.
"Yes, I do." He responded almost immediately.
"Why?"
"Would you stop questioning everything? Because I need to make sure you aren't seriously injured."
"I'm not seriously—"
"Just stop talking and let me look." He sounded exasperated, and Summer didn't protest when he touched her head gingerly with his fingers. He carefully prodded the place she had bumped it; his fingers soft and gentle, and not as calloused as Summer had assumed they'd be. After a minute, he stepped back, satisfied.
"You're fine." A little smile tugged at the corner of his lips.
"Well, I could have told you that." She crossed her arms and stared at him, long and hard. He stared back.
They would have continued staring, but suddenly the thunder boomed so loud and so close, that Summer forgot where she was and who she was with. A frightened cry escaped her lips, she threw her arms around Alex, and buried her head in his chest.