The Ugly Duckling

I

"There you are." A voice rang out. Eloise was sat in the sand facing the vast waters of the ocean. She did not need to turn around to know that voice belonged to her older brother Aaron. Shiny black boots appeared beside her. The sand sprayed out when flopped down beside her.

"I've been looking for you everywhere." He said. He leaned back on his hands while stretching out his legs. Eloise stayed quiet. Even though her older brother was the only one she really talked to, she did not feel like at the moment. She was still upset from her parent's harsh treatment earlier and did not want to take out her frustrations on him by accident again. "Silent treatment, huh?" when he did not receive a response he sighed obnoxiously. "Alright." Instead of trying to coax her more, he just sat there. Knowing his little sister, if he pushes anymore it will only lead to an unnecessary argument.

He always hated when she would get like this. Shutting everyone out. Especially him. Between them and their three other siblings, Eloise and Aaron were the closest. Which is why when things get tough for Eloise, Aaron is usually the one she feels most comfortable to confide in. She let out a deep sigh and looked down. Her feet deep in the sand due to how long she's been there. The salty water from the flowing shoreline waves reached just passed her ankles. "Hey look, they're hatching!" Aaron points out. Some feet away were newborn sea turtles making the trek into the ocean. The mon had already risen while the sun started to set. The affect that the moon has on the ocean is very special, especially in the Kingdom of Alluria not only does it create the flow of waves but the purity aspect of it appears. Blue sparkling dust seeps up through the water and floats just above the surface.

Seeing it at sunset and sunrise felt like extra luck being bestowed upon you.

Aaron looks at his little sister once more. Not able to keep quiet for much longer. "Are you still not going to talk to me?" He asks. "Me of all people?" Eloise gives in.

"What do you want me to say, brother?"

He scoffs. "How you feel?" he countered.

"I don't feel anything." She retorted. Aaron scoffs again at her stubbornness. "Liar."

"What do you want brother?" She says picking up a pebble.

"What I always want. For you to speak and stand up for yourself." She refrained from rolling her eyes. He was starting to sound like the therapist. Eloise lifts the hand holding the pebble. Focusing on something flying about in the sky, she rears back her arm and then quickly flings it forward releasing the small rock. The a loud surprised squawk echoes through the air. Sea crows. It strikes the talons of the large white bird that held a turtle in its clutches. It released the little turtle, that fell in to the water with a plop.

This side of the beach was located not too far from the palace garden. When walking around Eloise stumbled upon a path to what she now calls her secret beach. So far only her brother knows about it. She visited it almost everyday since she was little. That was how she found out about hatching season. "What's the point? They never listen, because they don't care." She says.

"They're family, of course they care."

"Right." She mutters striking another bird. Aaron chuckles. "Your aim has gotten better," he says trying to humor her. However he was simply met with an annoyed glare.

Once the sun had finally set and all of the turtles were safely in the water, Aaron managed to convince the young princess to come back inside. The two siblings made their way to the dining room. Already there in their respective seats were their other three siblings. The second eldest after Aaron, Olivia, who looked almost identical to him. If one did not know any better they would assume the two were twins. The same can even be said for the next two. Ashton and Leila. Instead of their father, the two more resemble their mother. Although the children of King Noah and Queen Ava were various mixtures of them, they all somehow managed to look very similar. The main aspect being their eye color. Light charming amber eyes. Their exceptional looks allowed them to be very recognizable.

Their mother, Queen Ava, felt it right to have all of her children at least two years apart. That way everyone received an equal amount of attention. But also because she and the King needed a break.

"You know Duck," Ashton started. He was the first to speak since she and Aaron arrived. "Mom's going to start getting hysterical again if you don't start talking. She's going to burst and that means someone is going to lose their job." Eloise snorted internally. If anyone would lose their job first, it would probably be the therapist. He was brought in when Eloise first started closing herself off. He was hired mainly for her, but would have appointments with her siblings as well. Now, it is just Eloise who sees him.

His sessions went very smoothly with her siblings, however, he has yet to get her to say anything. Ever since she was little, she made it a personal mission to not let the man get to her. She found it very amusing to see the vain appear on his forehead when one of his attempts to finally have a successful session dramatically fail. It has become the highlight of her days.

"You i***t!" Leila yells breaking Eloise's train of thought. "No one does that anymore. Nowadays its a knife to the heart." She states factually. Eloise props an elbow on the dark mahogany table as her siblings' banter ensues. The entire time the eldest sister, Olivia had been on some sort of device, Eloise did not recognize. A bright glow emitted from it while she tapped and fiddled around with it. Aaron then interrupts, joining the conversation. "You're both wrong. Nowadays, people are locked up til' death. And if they did something really bad...then they're probably starved, beaten, whip-"

"Hello children." The familiar, deep, commanding voice of their father, interrupts his son before he can tease the others any further. Following close behind was their mother. She wore a frown on her face. It seemed like she had an argument with the King before entering. "It's good to see you are ALL accounted for." he said stealing a glance at his youngest daughter. As Eloise grew older, King Noah found it even harder to connect with her. Even though they continue to grow further apart, he still made a conscious effort to try. That being said, as of late, he has decided to step back and leave the work of dealing with her to Aaron.

"What have I said about elbows on the table, Duck?" Eloise immediately took her elbow off. She looked down at her hands now placed in her lap. She hated when her mother scolded her. The king made a gesture signaling the staff to start serving. While the food was being displayed, the head chef, Bowman, announced each dish as it was being placed. Eloise did not pay any attention. When she did she saw varieties of meats, leafy greens, and bread. Once everything was served it was just the Royal family and a select group of guards. She kept to herself while her family made conversation. She picked at her food while not realizing her father trying to talk to her.

"Duck."

"Duck."

"Eloise." Aaron said finally grabbing her attention. When she looked up at him, he directed her attention to their father. She began to feel anxious now that all eyes were on her. The king cleared his throat before speaking again. "I said how are you?" He reiterates. She shrugs. He sighs setting his fork down. He leaned back in the large matching mahogany chair. His large warn hand tapping the arm of the chair. He shared a quick look with his wife before sitting up and resting his elbows on the table. A guard standing close by quickly pushes the king's plate forward before his arms touched the table.

After a long pause he spoke. "I have something to say. Mainly to you, Duck, but I want everyone to listen as well." The rest of the family stopped what they were doing. They all gave him their full undivided attention. "I have discussed with your mother and we have decided that some changes will be made." The King cleared his throat. It was clear to everyone that he was not entirely comfortable with what he was about to say next.

"It has to do with your schooling." He continues. He grabs the queen's hand and takes a breathe. "Instead of attending the I.S.R you will be going to A.H.S this year. Alluria High School." The King's words brought collective gasps from his children. Eloise's mouth dropped. She could not believe the words that just came out of his mouth. She looked to Aaron who was equally shocked. She then looked at her other siblings to see that they had no clue as well. Aaron, of course, was the first to speak up.

"Father you can't be serious. Common school? Don't you think that's too dangerous?" he said. The king attempted to reply, but was cut off by Olivia.

"I know she has issues, but that's going too far. I mean they're going to eat her alive!" After that all of Eloise's older siblings spoke at once, questioning their parent's decision. This surprised her greatly. The one who usually sticks up for her is Aaron. No one besides him truly listens to her anymore. They all were getting on with their own lives. Which she understood to a point.

In this family, the youngest is set to be the heir to the throne. While the others are married off to neighboring kingdoms far, far away. However, three years ago, thanks to King Noah, his children were allowed to pursue any passion of their choosing if they do not accept anyone's courtship. In most cases if the heir of both families in different kingdoms were to be together they would take the throne of the kingdom possessing the higher power. The kingdom that is left behind is either ran by the two as well or the next heir to the throne takes it. Its been questioned to this day why it is not the eldest who takes over in the kingdom of Alluria, but the answer has yet to be revealed.

"Enough!" Their father bellows, silencing the room. He lent back and ran a hand over his dark brown hair. His left hand still held the Queens hand who sat next to him. She had not uttered a word since scolding the young girl. "To ease your worries, she will not be going alone. There is a group of others who will be attending alongside her." He says now directing his attention to her. "And besides Amelia will be attending as well. "Eloise cringed at the mention of her old friend.

due to the debacle that is her life. She intentionally pushed her friend away. She thought it was for the best. She couldn't allow her to continue to be best friends with The Ugly Duckling. She doesn't deserve the humiliation. Which was what she thought when she was younger. As she got older she realized the decision left her feeling very lonely.

"Eloise and Amelia aren't close anymore." Aaron spoke again for his kid sister.

"Well, let this be the time to start a new." King Aaron said ending the discussion.

And with that the royal family slowly continued on with dinner. Eloise decided to excuse herself and retire to her room early. After preparing for bed with the help of her lady's maids she crawls under her thick satin blankets. One of the maids pulled on the ribbons releasing the sheer canopy curtains on her large four poster bed. When the young woman went to release the fourth one next to the princess. She stopped. Eloise had raised her hand. Understanding, the maid nods and bows before turning out the lights and closing the door behind her. Eloise liked to leave the one curtain open so that she could look at the window while she laid there. Staring out the said window now, she thought about the news her parents dumped on her.

With all of the thinking that she did, She tired herself out and let her eyes finally shut for the night. Unbeknownst to her, a small dark figure sat at her window. It stayed there all night and watched her sleep. Its bright shining yellow-green eyes practically glowing in the night.

Her bare feet slapped against the concrete, echoing loudly in the dark hallway. Posters of various announcements and positive affirmations littered the walls. There was one large poster that grabs her attention when she nears large double doors. Senior Ball: A Beautiful Fairytale. She stops to look at it. An orange sunset with a castle in the background. A couple stood atop of a hill holding hands while facing the castle. At the top written in intricate cursive were the words announcing the event.

"This way." A voice whispers out. Her head snaps to the left. She stares in to the void of the left hallway.

"This way." The voice calls again. She looks around before slowly entering the dark hall. The more she walked, the more anxious she became. She focused on steadying her breathing. Whatever she was about to face, she wanted to be in a calm and calculated mindset.

"This way." The voices whispers again when she reaches another two-way hall path. Whoever was calling to her now wants her to go right. They continued to call out to her. Leading her down a couple more halls. When all of a sudden it stopped. She was standing in front of a door. "Janitors Closet". She took a deep breathe before turning the handle. The door creeks when it opens. It was so loud she thought the whole building heard. Fortunately for her it seems no one else was here, but her and the voice.

She felt around looking for any sort of switch. When she found it she tries to turn it on. She flicked it multiple times, but remained in the dark. Not knowing what else to do she felt around some more. Her hand wrapped around what felt like a metal pole. At the top was thicker as if made to be the part to grip. She felt long swirling indents. They seemed intricate. She could tell whoever made it really paid attention to detail. She held it and pulls upwards. It instantly locks preventing her from going any further. She then starts to push down. It moves smoothly with clanking sounds. Like puzzles that were put together, the walls lifted up and broke apart moving to either side of the cramped room. Cleaning supplies fell or dangled from the walls.

"Come in." She took another deep breath before stepping inside. The walls piece back together behind her. She jumps turning around and looking at the now solid stone wall. She presses her her hands against it. Her hands felt all around testing if there were any ways of getting out. When nothing happens she turns back around solemnly.

"Eloise." Whoever this is, knows her. She starts her unfortunate trek forward. A musky smell bounced of the damp rocky walls and protruded in to the air. Small orbs lit up the area in deep blue light. They floated about while following her down the passage. It looked like she was walking though a narrow cave. When she reached the end it opened into a huge clearing. The little orbs that helped her flew back into the passage behind her. The blue light that was once emitted was now gone.

Observing the new dimly lit area she immediately noticed a circular stone platform in the center. A lone torch was all that lit up the space. Stepping closer she saw there was no path to reach it. It was surrounded by a pool of darkness. She stayed cautious at the edge. One misstep and that would be the end.

She looks at the platform again. This time she noticed an orb hovering atop a seemingly tall cylindrical stone pedestal. Something about this dark orb drew her in. She had a feeling it had to do with whomever led her here. Without thinking she suddenly stepped forward and off the edge. A huge stone square met her foot. She noticed a familiar deep blue hue emitting from underneath. When she took another step she saw groups of small balls of light that look much like the ones from earlier. They work together to lift up the path allowing the girl to walk to the platform.

When she made it the stones immediately dropped. The glow from the orbs gave her an idea of just how deep the drop is. "Closer." She snaps her head back towards the floating sphere. She realized it was this thing that had been calling her all along. She raises her hand. Stepping closer she reaches for it. She felt a shock when the tip of her middle finger touched it.

She recoils back a few steps. The dark ball now glows a warm yellow-orange color. Now for some reason she felt determined. She had to know. She paces forward and places her whole hand on the orb. The yellow-orange hue glowed brighter. She was put in a trance.

"Hello Eloise." She jumps. The voice much closer now. Splash. A layer of dark murky water that reached just below her ankles covered the ground. The same yellow-orange hue surrounds her. Like a fadinging sunset.

"Who are you?" she asks. She tries to look around. It was a woman who was speaking to her. Being closer it was easier to tell.

"You will know soon enough."

"I don't understand. What's going on? Where am I?" She tries her best not to panic. It was better for her to think calmly and rationally.

"Do not worry child. We will meet again. It is apart of who you are. Even the sorcerer believes so."

Sorcerer? she thought. The one I met as a child?

"Goodbye for now, Child."

"Wait!" Eloise stumbles backward. Her hand was still stretched out in front of her. Then everything starts to shake and rumble. The floating sphere turned back to black. It drops down on the podium. c***k. It breaks open releasing dark smoke from the inside. The woman's cackles echo throughout as the chaos ensues. Visions of monsters, battles, and the ocean flash in front of the princess in quick scenes. Her head pings in pain.

"I will be seeing you, little girl."

Eloise stumbles back once more. Only this time a piece of the platform breaks beneath her. Her stomach drops as she begins the long fall down.

Eloise launches up in her bed. Her bed. She was back in her room. Was that really just a dream, she wonders. She immediately holds her head at the pain that was still there. She then takes notice to the extra pair of hands on her. One hand on her shoulder and the other hand was placed on top of her own that was still clutching her head.

"Breathe Ellie, Breathe." She listens to him. Focus on your breathing she told herself. The warmth from his hands gave her comfort. She moves her hands down to her lap. The large hand that was on her head fell to her other shoulder. His thumbs rub her skin in a means to comfort. The method surprisingly works.

Because of how worked up she was from her dream, it her left no room to even think about who it was that was with her. He gently pushes her back making her lay down. Then he pulls the thick satin comforter over and tucks her in. He smoothed down her hair, the motion lulling her sleep.

Eloise felt she was being watched by something else as well. She sensed whatever it was, was near her window. A pair of bright green eyes peer inside. As she drifts off to sleep, it watches her in knowing. It blinks once before standing and walking off.

Strange. She thought.