WONDER ( Twisted Forbidden Tales ) Book Three

Two Worlds and Two Faces Part Three

HANK

“I know Tilly’s my cousin and all, but sometimes she is really………..” Anfim's expression looked conflicted as he couldn’t even finish his sentence in describing Tilly. I got it though as her look made me uncomfortable, but my instincts were stirring that I had seen her somewhere before, but How and where? I knew nothing of this world and the people in it until I landed here through the Elder Portal, with the Mad Bandit and the Mastermind.

“I was glad Tilly was smart enough to leave before blows had started to fall. The tension between Alissa and Tilly was boiling past the point of falling over the edge. Anfim had made himself at home inside our room, taking a seat in the dining area in one of the cushioned chairs upholstered in a cheerful floral pattern at the quaint wooden table set for three. I guess he decided to let the matter go for now, but I would be keeping an eye on this said cousin of his.

Alissa sat down next followed by me as I looked at her being lost in thought and I knew just from her eyes that she was planning something. More like a counterattack against Tilly if she makes any underhanded moves. My words were not just air for I meant what I said. An eye for an eye or tooth for a tooth. Bastards like them needed not to exist in this world, just like Christine, their concupiscence would be arriving real soon. Not just because of what they had done to Alissa, but all the other victims still trapped in their maze of torture.

Anfim ate with relish, while Alissa ate mechanically, I sighed thinking at least the food wasn’t tampered with that much was a relief. We didn’t need any more problems after all food was essential. As I picked up the fork to dig in myself, a flash of memories consumed me gripping the fork hard, bending it out of place from the sheer force that exuded from me.

This time they were clear and ordered rendering me speechless. I did know Alissa before, back in a place called New York City Manhattan, My brother Danny a.k.a. Doc needed my help with a certain drug floating around the human world that was quickly leading to a pandemic. It carried magic elements from our realm and somewhere unknown, but who knew this had all been a conspiracy from the start leading me to save someone a young woman caught amid that conspiracy, and that woman was Alissa.

She had looked so different now compared to my memories, more mature and grounded with a hint of rebellion in her. Not wanting to think too much on these matters for now, I found myself still lost in thought and eating mechanically as well. We had to head out soon to obtain the Euphoria Orchid with the assistance of Anfim and two-faced Tilly.

An hour later, the three-headed down to meet Tilly at the entrance of the Purple Pansy Bed and Breakfast. Of course, things would not be easy for us after we were hit with unexpected news. The Orchid Sanctuary now resided on Fuschia Island after the shift last night. This Island was magical and did not appear for just anyone. Reigned completely under Tilly’s mother, Queen Rainbow Rose‘s control demands were bound to happen once we gained access to this so-called Fuschia Island.

“What games are you playing here Tilly?! Didn’t you say we only had to wait til daybreak to enter Orchid Sanctuary? It has always been so until now. What are you keeping from me, cousin? You are starting to look untrustworthy in my eyes with whatever you going on about!” Anfim stated firmly after hearing her report about the change of plans. It was clear he did not like Fuchsia Island despite it being his aunt’s territory. This was a rare sight to see Anfim so keyed up from his normal playful and flamboyant persona.

Tilly looked at him and smiled, shrugging off his ranting words as if it made none any difference because it wouldn’t change the new direction we were headed to. I frowned sensing something amiss as Four carriages arrived in sync one behind the other at the edge of the pathway leading from the entrance of the Purple Pansy Bed and Breakfast.

“Oh, come on cousin, don’t you know me by now? I would never play games with you. See, look I even brought along extra protection sanctioned by Mom to assist your Orchid Guards. Crossing between the islands is no easy feat you know. It’s not clear that they can enter on their ability, so backup is the Plan B alright.” Tilly said with a sincere expression on her face. But once again her eyes told a different story. If I had to bet, that so-called extra assistance was none other than her minions. The more moves she made in plain sight, the more familiar Tilly became to me.

“Well, said and well played Tilly, but if I find out your scheming against the three of us, you will pay a hefty price family or not. My goal is to help Alissa and her friend in pure unselfish sincerity. You owe her that much anyway and so do I. I will ride in the second carriage with you to keep tabs and Issa and Hank can right in the first one. Now, come on, we don’t have all day, and that Orchid is waiting.” Anfirm said with a disdainful look at Tilly as he headed off to occupy the second carriage just as he said he would.

Tilly’s hands balled into fists at her side, as she let a sigh and then one of her fake smiles, then followed behind him to occupy the second carriage as well. Alissa and I shared another look with a tacit understanding flowing between us. Just what didn’t she want to hide inside the second Carriage? Anfim unknowingly or knowingly put a damper on what she was obviously up to.

“Alright then I guess that’s our cue, Hank. Let’s speed it up so we can make it to Fuchsia Island before it disappears again. “ said Alissa as I trailed behind her, opening the carriage door for her and protecting her head as she got in.

“How sweet!” Anfim exclaimed with his head hanging out of the window of the carriage door. He watched us with joyful interest and grinned mischievously at me after I gave him a snarky grin in return before alighting the carriage myself. Anfim was no fool, though he was a gleeful soul by nature. Now, I understand why he was in charge here on Orchid Island.

The ride took fifteen minutes to get to the other end of Orchid Island, the first thing to greet our sight was Fuschia Island, hovering like a majestic beacon of magic. From afar, it appears as a colossal mountain, cloaked in an aura of brilliance that shimmers in the sunlight. Its slopes are adorned with lush vegetation, cascading waterfalls, and sparkling crystals that seem to dance with every shift of light.

An odd feeling came over me at the familiarity of the hovering Island before us. It reminded me of an incident in Happy Town, that I thought once was the Mad Bandit’s doing, but now the carriages stopped just near the dock leading to what looked like boats in the distance. It was clear to me there was more to the story and I was about to get an answer soon while being here to a clue I’d been pondering about the mastermind.

The air becomes tinged with a hint of magic as everyone descends from their carriages, and a gentle breeze carries the faint melody of distant laughter and song in the distance. The dock pathway itself seems to shift and shimmer, built with delicate shells and sparkling grains of sand, seemingly serving as another portal to a realm of enchantment.

Tilly was awfully quiet as Alissa and I followed her and Anfim's lead, albeit they followed behind Anfim’s Orchid Guards while Tilly’s added assistance trailed behind us as if looking out for something. A fleet of boats, each meticulously crafted in the likeness of vibrant fuchsia flowers and delicate roses, bobs gently upon the shimmering waves. Their petals, fashioned from gossamer silk, flutter softly in the salty breeze, casting iridescent reflections upon the azure waters below.

The Fuchsia Flower boats were a sight to behold, their vibrant hues mirroring the vivid colors of the blossoms they emulated. The hulls were crafted from shimmering cerulean blue materials, reminiscent of the sea itself, adorned with intricate patterns of magenta and violet that danced in the sunlight. Each boat boasted a slender, elongated shape, tapering gently at the ends like the delicate petals of a fuchsia in full bloom.

Meanwhile, the Rose-shaped boats exuded a different kind of elegance. Their exteriors were adorned with soft, pastel hues of pink and peach, evoking the gentle blush of a rose in the early morning light. The hulls were smooth and curved, resembling the graceful contours of a rose petal, while delicate gold filigree accents added a touch of luxury to their design.

“Truly fascinating.” I couldn’t help exclaiming as I itched to figure out the makeup behind these vessels we were to ride in.

“I know right? This is nothing just wait until we head out,” said Anfim as she gestured for Alissa and me to climb aboard the Fuchsia boat he was on, two of his guards traveled with us while the rest of them rode in a separate fuchsia boa keeping alert and attentive to us. Tilly chose the rose one with some of her minions, while the rest rode another one.

The air was filled with the faint scent of flowers, as the boats set sail toward Fuchsia Island, the atmosphere became infused with a sense of enchantment. Soon Anfim's words proved true with a magical rowing system unlike any other. Instead of conventional oars, slender tendrils of ivy extend from the boat's stem, their tips pulsating with a faint, iridescent glow. With a mere touch, Anfim could guide the vessel forward, his movements effortlessly synchronized with the rhythm of the ocean's tide.

I looked at Alissa to find her eyes honed in on Tilly not far away in the Rose boat. Tilly wore a frown with her arms crossed over her chest. Had Anfim blocked her way again? Or was this a deception in her two-faced pretense?

The air is alive with the melodic chirping of unseen birds, their sweet songs mingling with the gentle lapping of waves against the boat's hull. Surrounding the vessels, schools of iridescent fish dart playfully beneath the surface, their scales catching the sunlight in a dazzling display of color.

“Take a look, Issa,” I said trying to divert her attention from Tilly. We weren’t out of the woods yet and I needed her calm and happy. I didn’t know what ability we needed of our own to gain access to Fuchsia Island’s Orchid Sanctuary, but I had a feeling Tilly wanted us to fail. I didn’t want to owe someone like her any favors, who knew what she would ask for let alone have Alissa and I do.

As we finally began to approach the island, a rainbow arcs gracefully overhead, its colors vivid and captivating against the azure sky. Though its beauty is mesmerizing, there's a sense of caution in the air, a whispered warning to tread carefully in this land that belonged to Fuchsia Island.

Stopping at its border a bridge appears, the singing grows louder, and the flowers seem to awaken from their slumber, their petals unfurling to reveal vibrant hues of pink and purple. They beckoned us forward, their voices urging us to enter.