omg you guys this chapter is going to be really really short but the next chapter is the big reveal of TWO plot twists! TWO. I can hardly contain my excitement so I might start writing it as soon as I get reviews on this chapter! And I've been getting reviews and PM's about how I should publish this story and it seriously makes me so happy I could cry, you guys! Ugh I love you all okay here's the next chapter.
I woke up tangled in leaves. I sat up and looked at the forest around me as the morning light filtered through the tops of the trees. I swiped a leaf off of my cheek that had stuck to my face after I had sat up. My cheeks were wet as I scrubbed a hand over my face. I'm sure I was only making the makeup that Alice had so enthusiastically put on no better as I wiped at my face. Had I been crying in my sleep? I remember running through the trees in the dark, unwanted tears running down my face out of frustration. I had run a long while before I finally collapsed on the ground, a mess of tears and dirt, and fell asleep where I lay.
As I stand a cool breeze passes through the trees and I shiver, cursing myself for not grabbing a jacket or jeans before angrily storming out of the House. I heave a sigh and begin walking through the trees. Now I'm stuck in this dress for the rest of my eternal life.
The last thought stops me cold as I let it sink in. Not the fact that I am never going to see Cassius again. Not even the fact that I will never go back to Kansas.
I'm immortal. Cursed to be a Lost Boy here forever.
Tears well up in my eyes, threatening to spill over and I almost gladly welcome them.
But a branch cracks somewhere nearby and I whirl to see what caused it.
There is no one around, nothing. The forest is dead silent, eerily so. I can only hear my breathing and the leaves as the wind rustles them.
For the first time since I've been in this world, I am scared of the forest around me.
I start walking once more, trying to remember exactly where the Oak is. At least there are people at the Oak and the Tavern for me to spend my eternity with.
The walk is long and tiring. I must have lost my shoes sometime last night and the bottom of my white gown is tinged with dirt. How ironic that the dress that Alice thought would convince Cassius to marry me would end up being the dress I spend as a living reminder that Cassius never once picked me to be his Wife. It didn't stop crossing my mind that there were probably cameras all over these woods. Cassius could potentially be watching me trek through the forest looking for my new home. Did he see me crying? Did I say his name in my sleep? I shake the thoughts out of my head, not wanting to think of him at all for the rest of my life.
Another branch cracks, and seconds later I hear voices. They are loud and unassuming; obviously they aren't in the forest for me. As quickly and quietly as I can I duck behind a nearby tree and wait for the men to pass.
There are two of them, I see as they finally reach the tree that I am hiding behind. One is large, built like an oak, while the other is thin and extremely tall. They are decked out in piercings and colored with tattoos. They are too far for me to catch what they are saying, but I know for a fact that they are pirates.
But what are they doing in the middle of the forest? Surely Peter would have sent his men out into the trees to kill off anyone hiding out in here that shouldn't be. Without thinking, I silently follow the men as they walk.
When I am close enough, I can hear what they are saying.
"Boss man's gonna be mad that we're coming back empty handed," big guy says.
"Not our problem," tall guy says simply, seeming like he could care less. "Victor should know better than to camp all of us so close to them royals. The second Peter or his pretty little prince notice that something's wrong, we're all dead. Not our fault we're just trying to save our own necks."
"We need to be this close for the plan to take place," big guy reminds his partner.
I step on a branch and it cracks. I freeze, my limbs seizing up and my heart seems to stop completely in my chest. The two men stop walking for a few seconds, but neither turn around. What seems to be an eternity later, they begin walking again. I stay still a little while longer, scared that I will make another stupid move and get myself killed. I fall quickly out of ear shot, but try not to feel too upset about it.
Knowing that I've now gone too far to turn back now, I continue to follow the two pirates as they venture through the forest and chat. I am now too far to hear much of anything, but I catch one or two words, though they mean nothing to me. One of them mentions Maxim's name and my heart contracts for a moment as I remember the day he and the other pirates broke into the House and tried to kill the royals.
He's dead, I remind myself.
Finally the two stop at the bank of the river that runs through the forest, the very same one that I was first thrown into when I arrived here. There is a rowboat anchored in the water. As I tried to imagine how the two of them would both fit comfortably in there, I also realized that I could no longer follow them. The current of the river was too fast for me to keep up with.
I look up, trying to figure out if there's any way I can climb a tree to better gather my surroundings, though it might be an impossible task with this dress on. My safest bet would be to follow the river until I come across familiar territory.
Something yanks me backward and I let out a startled cry.
"Told you I thought someone was trailing us," the thin one says as he drags me backward by my arms.
The big one saunters up to me as I struggle to break the other's grip on me. "You were right, Rene. And she's got a pretty little dress on. Looks like we've found ourselves a bride."
"I'm not a bride," I say, "I'm a Lost Boy, just please let me go."
"Hey, Rich, isn't the blonde one the princess favorite?" Rene asks.
"I believe you're right." Rich smiles at me. "I bet underneath all that dirt you're a pretty thing."
"Just let me go," I say, trying to sound brave. "I'm of no use to you."
Rich smiles, none too kindly. He nods his head toward the boat. "Ladies first."
What do you guys think the plot twist is gonna be? Can you guess? If you get it right then I'm not doing my job well enough but I'm interested in what you guys have to say! Till next time!