Backwards Royalty

“You’re an absolute disgrace!” my aunt seethed in my direction.

I may have mixed her favorite blue blouse with a bunch of other colors. It was so light that some of it had shades of purple from mixing with reds and pinks, especially in the armpit area. But I did suggest for her to get a better washer and dryer, there have been ones where colors can mix just fine (usually) for years now.

“Well, it still looks as beautiful as it did with those bird droppings,” I muttered, catching a sharp glare from over her shoulder, causing me to suck my lips back in with a shaky smile.

Her auburn hair was practically flying all over the place with her head stirring about in anger. “Get out of my sight! And help the boys with the farm!”

By farm, she meant her garden that took up very little space in the large, overgrown yard. And the boys were my cousins, one older and the other younger. Both were taller than me. Though, the oldest was actually closer to my height than the youngest.

I took small steps towards the farthest exit. I'm sure the sun was roasting everything out there. I could see myself now, my skin browner than usual and actually looking like my race as my oldest cousin, Dominic, frequently mentioned.

“Ah, finally came to burn along with us, Lephy?” Dominic asked, grinning up at me from the grass.

Lephy was short for Leprechaun. It didn’t even sound right, but he wasn’t going to stop calling me that anytime soon.

“Not by choice,” I muttered, slumping down between him and my other cousin, Additicus.

He glanced my way but his attention was back on the weeds growing among the tomatoes and herbs. I wasn’t an expert in herbs but I’m pretty sure they’re supposed to be green. Aunt Jone, on the other hand, had shriveled up brown herbs poking out.

“We gotta water these suckers…” Dominic grumbled, wiping some sweat from his forehead. “Gone get some water, Lephy. Ma says only from the well so don’t try to go in the house with all that gunk on your shoes."

I gave him a look once he was occupied with the weeds again. His short sleeves were rolled up as much as they could, along with his shorts, so his arms and legs were covered in dirt. He even flung off his shoes and socks. If anything, he would be tracking dirt inside the house. All I really needed to do was take off my shoes. If I even looked like I was heading in the direction of the house, Dominic would probably be on my ass, but it’s not like my aunt wanted us in there while working anyway.

I hiked my way up the hill after finding a bucket in the shed to use. The hill may have been tiny but after a while, my feet began burning with each step. Finally, I reached the crumbling well covered in moss and who knows what else. I didn’t see why we had to use this instead of getting water from our sinks that worked perfectly fine or get a hose.

I cast the bucket down then leaned in a little to get a better shot of hearing the bucket hitting the water. For a moment I heard faint laughter and just as I was about to turn my head, I found myself falling. My grip onto the walls of the well failed me with it crumbling. A scream ripped out of me before I crashed into the water. The cold surrounded me, causing my movements to reach the surface to go slow.

How deep did this well go? Was it possible to swim back to the surface with this chill raking over my body and water filling my lungs? It was so dark, I couldn’t see or sense anything.

And suddenly, I could breathe.

A blurred sight of green and red was the first thing I saw. I felt something soft but prickly under me. I managed to sit up as my vision slowly cleared. My back arched as I coughed up some water onto the grass and poppies nearby. I breathed heavily while my eyes flew all over the place. No recognition of my surroundings registered. After a moment of sitting with a million thoughts flooding my brain, I pushed myself up off the grass and poppies I had crushed under my weight. In one direction there was a stream of water and in the other were buildings.

I may have come from the well to this stream, and then here. Okay, that may have not made the most sense but I wasn’t sure what else to think. But finding help would probably be the best option then going back to where I came from. I stumbled my way to the buildings in hopes that I could find a good human being.

I finally made it on the road. There were so many people walking about, going in and out of a bunch of stone or brick buildings. The ground under my feet was made out of stone as well, and I noticed there wasn’t a car in sight. This place reminded me of how my aunt Jone probably wanted to live. Speaking of which, a phone would be of some use. I could just call her to come get me-

I heard an aggressive neigh above me. When I turned in the direction of the noise all I saw was a hoof about to come down on me. Before I was stomped on by the horse I was yanked back, falling on my butt.

“You could have been trampled by that horse and carriage,” someone murmured as I got up while dusting myself off, and briefly rubbed my butt.

“They definitely would have looked like a crushed worm,” another concluded.

I turned my body in the direction of the voices to see a lady with fair skin in a peplum dress that almost went to her ankles and an elderly man with warm ivory skin in a button up and formal pants that also went to his ankles, he gripped onto a cane tightly. There was also a guy with darker skin than me in tortilla baggy pants torn at the knees with a plain shirt. He was around my height, if not taller. The pale girl beside him was a little shorter than me, with a younger pale boy’s hand in hers, they wore similar clothing except they had on shorts and their dirty blonde hair was pressed against their skin.

“New to town?” the guy asked with narrowed eyes.

“Lost, actually. Thanks by the way.” I sighed while looking around the place. “Can I borrow someone’s phone? I need to call my aunt.”

The girl furrowed her eyebrows. “Pony?”

You gotta be kidding me. If this wasn’t heaven then where else could I be? The girl seemed close to my age, maybe a little younger, but she should know what a phone is. Even babies know what they are once they’re introduced to them.

“You youngins should show him around if he’s new. His clothing seems a little wet though..” The elderly man turned to the lady. “Garland, get him something else to wear and something warm to eat or drink. I gotta get back to my animals.” He pointed a finger at the ones closer and below my age. “You three better get back to the ranch before late, there’s still work for you all to do.”

“Wait sir! I don’t have time for that. I still need to-”

The elderly man already started walking, making Garland glare at his back. I shook my head with a long sigh, trying to process the mess I was in.

“We can show him around!” the girl piped up and the younger boy with her nodded.

“Fine with me. Stay out of trouble,” Garland replied, turning her back our way.

“Wait! I need a phone.” I balled my hands by my side so I wouldn’t grab her arm.

Her shoulders fell and she scowled at me over her shoulder with her forest eyes blazing. “I don’t have time for this, let them help you,” she replied before stalking off.

“Don’t mind her, she’s a fortress worker.” The guy rolled his eyes then let out a sigh. “Guess we’re stuck with you… Well I’m Val, she’s Carrie, and the little one is Jamie.” He gestured at them swiftly. “Now come on, let us show you around before dark.” He sauntered off with the other two following close behind. Eventually, I ran after the three when they started to get too far. They were the best help I had right now.

They showed me stores, farms, and so many other locations my head couldn’t take it. It was all just a blur, not to mention my whole body ached from all this walking. This was the most exercise I had gotten even when I was in gym class at school.

“And the fortress.” Val announced as we stood behind a large green gate, with stone walls just as tall and so long it seemed to go forever. But the fortress on the other side was on a whole new level. “There’s usually guards out here but it seems like they're taking a little break.” He pushed open the gate, causing a loud lasting CREEK.

“We can go see the inside of the fortress!” Carrie zoomed past the gates, dragging the younger boy with her.

“I need to get those two home before I get home at the very least, and before dark,” Val mumbled under his breath before trudging in.

Was I the only one who didn't want to trespass? Was the gate always open? It was suspicious, but I needed to get out of here. And sadly the other townspeople were quite far from here. I followed behind him until we got inside the fortress which also was wide open. Then I was grabbed by my arms and rose into the air.

“What the he-”

“Let us go!” Carrie cried out as Jamie shook. She and her brother were in the arms and armpits of some people whose bodies were covered with the exception of their eyes. In this heat too.

Val was also caught, squirming in the grasp of two other people. Whenever he somewhat got free another person in the same getup would come and help hold him in place.

“Be easy on the kids,” a gruff voice said. I turned to see a pale man with blonde-white like hair that seemed to be receding, walk over to me. His brown eyes narrowed as he stroked his bare chin. Suddenly his eyes grew wide and seemed to shine, before he pulled away clearing his throat. “Let the others but this one go… Escort them home.” He turned to one of the guards standing against the wall. “Get Garland and Joaquin. Have them get to her room immediately.”

“Excuse me, what?” I gaped as the guards started to drag me farther into the fortress.

The three looked my way. I figured they were frowning but I couldn’t tell as their faces only grew smaller and smaller.

A/n: This is my first try at this type of story so wish me luck and tell me what you think?