DarkEmpress
Dark Lady
- Joined
- Apr 30, 2009
- Posts
- 2,163
OOC: This thread is closed for CGRaven and myself. We hope you will enjoy the journey with us.
“Wait!” Saskia screamed as she ran along the short pier. The ferry was a good 100 metres away already and there was no way they could have heard her over the noise of the engines. She came to the end of the pier and threw her hands in the air, exasperated. It was the only way to get to the mainland … and the ferry was scheduled to return next week Friday only.
The wind was playfully blowing wisps of her long raven hair about her face as her violet blue depths followed the ferry that was rapidly disappearing into the mist. What am I going to do? The thought crossed her mind. She wrapped her arms around her slender form as she absently traced her hand through her hair to tuck the wayward strands behind her ear, her pale skin in sharp contrast to her dark hair.
Saskia had arrived earlier that morning to take water samples from four different locations around the small and secluded Island of Soledad. She worked for the Department of Waterworks and they were monitoring the water quality surrounding the mainland. Engrossed in what she was doing, Saskia was sidetracked by unusual plants she noted along the shore and landed up spending entirely too much time exploring it. She lost track of time and now had to deal with the consequences. She had the grand total of one small backpack in her possession that contained an extra set of clothes and her swimming gear … nothing more. The possibility of being stranded on the island for an entire week never even crossed her mind.
She absently fished her cell phone from her backpack and dialled a number. “David?” She said. “I have managed to miss my ferry …” she halted as he exploded with laughter on the other end.
“I have been telling you to take some leave, a bit of forced leave will do you no harm,” her boss said in a voice that dripped with mirth.
“Thank you for your support, David,” she said agitatedly.
“Will you be alright, or must I come fetch you?” he asked more seriously.
“I’ll be fine,” Saskia grimaced. “I saw a house up on a hill a bit earlier. I will try to organise something there, even if it is just for tonight. If I run into any trouble, I will let you know,” she said as they said goodbye and rang off.
Staring back at the horizon one last time, the ferry not in view anymore, Saskia turned and made her way back to the main road. It was a quick walk up to the house she noted earlier. It appeared to be forlorn and rundown. A thick mass of creepers covered a large part of the front façade of the building. She had to wonder who would want to live on a secluded island, completely cut off from civilisation … if there was even anyone there.
Taking a deep breath to steady her nerves, she walked up to the front door. Lifting the heavy brass knocker, Saskia let it fall against the wooden door surface. An almost deafening ‘boom’ echoed through the building. She patiently waited, absently wondering to herself how long she should give for an answer. “Hello?” she asked tentatively.
To her surprise, she could hear scuffling on the other side of the door almost immediately. She vehemently hoped that whoever it was would be willing to help her for the night at least. If worse came to worst, she could always try to arrange someone to fetch her the following day. Stealing a glance over her shoulder at the ocean, her eyes widened as the mist descended on the island, engulfing it in its eerie white swirls. She knew there was no way that any seafaring vehicle would be allowed into that.
She sighed dejectedly as she turned in time to see the door open. A warm smile touched her lips as she tried to place a disarming look on her features … she was desperate.
~~~~***~~~~
“Wait!” Saskia screamed as she ran along the short pier. The ferry was a good 100 metres away already and there was no way they could have heard her over the noise of the engines. She came to the end of the pier and threw her hands in the air, exasperated. It was the only way to get to the mainland … and the ferry was scheduled to return next week Friday only.
The wind was playfully blowing wisps of her long raven hair about her face as her violet blue depths followed the ferry that was rapidly disappearing into the mist. What am I going to do? The thought crossed her mind. She wrapped her arms around her slender form as she absently traced her hand through her hair to tuck the wayward strands behind her ear, her pale skin in sharp contrast to her dark hair.
Saskia had arrived earlier that morning to take water samples from four different locations around the small and secluded Island of Soledad. She worked for the Department of Waterworks and they were monitoring the water quality surrounding the mainland. Engrossed in what she was doing, Saskia was sidetracked by unusual plants she noted along the shore and landed up spending entirely too much time exploring it. She lost track of time and now had to deal with the consequences. She had the grand total of one small backpack in her possession that contained an extra set of clothes and her swimming gear … nothing more. The possibility of being stranded on the island for an entire week never even crossed her mind.
She absently fished her cell phone from her backpack and dialled a number. “David?” She said. “I have managed to miss my ferry …” she halted as he exploded with laughter on the other end.
“I have been telling you to take some leave, a bit of forced leave will do you no harm,” her boss said in a voice that dripped with mirth.
“Thank you for your support, David,” she said agitatedly.
“Will you be alright, or must I come fetch you?” he asked more seriously.
“I’ll be fine,” Saskia grimaced. “I saw a house up on a hill a bit earlier. I will try to organise something there, even if it is just for tonight. If I run into any trouble, I will let you know,” she said as they said goodbye and rang off.
Staring back at the horizon one last time, the ferry not in view anymore, Saskia turned and made her way back to the main road. It was a quick walk up to the house she noted earlier. It appeared to be forlorn and rundown. A thick mass of creepers covered a large part of the front façade of the building. She had to wonder who would want to live on a secluded island, completely cut off from civilisation … if there was even anyone there.
Taking a deep breath to steady her nerves, she walked up to the front door. Lifting the heavy brass knocker, Saskia let it fall against the wooden door surface. An almost deafening ‘boom’ echoed through the building. She patiently waited, absently wondering to herself how long she should give for an answer. “Hello?” she asked tentatively.
To her surprise, she could hear scuffling on the other side of the door almost immediately. She vehemently hoped that whoever it was would be willing to help her for the night at least. If worse came to worst, she could always try to arrange someone to fetch her the following day. Stealing a glance over her shoulder at the ocean, her eyes widened as the mist descended on the island, engulfing it in its eerie white swirls. She knew there was no way that any seafaring vehicle would be allowed into that.
She sighed dejectedly as she turned in time to see the door open. A warm smile touched her lips as she tried to place a disarming look on her features … she was desperate.