Saving My Broken Ice Princess

Báine gently swung her legs as to not jostle her mother. Melonie’s practised fingers wove through Báine’s thick curls, pulling the locks into a neat fish-braid. Melonie leaned away when she had finished. She overlooked her daughter’s restless form and the cute sunny mini sundress that hugged her body. She smiled and picked up a frilly ribbon and tied it in a bow at the end of the braid. The golden satin glimmered against Báine’s deep, copper brown hair.   “I’m chuffed to bits!” Melonie chuckled, “ma little duckling’s so lush, like.”   “Ma”, Báine laughed at the praise.   “Up you go. We best be getting on.” Melonie stood to her feet.   Báine gazed at her reflection contemplatively. Her eyes settled on the streaks of white within the sea of brown. She had long gotten used to the patch of white hair she was born with, the white river tucked pleasingly into the braid. After surveying her mother's handiwork, Báine slipped on gold-rimmed sunglasses to hide the radiance of her icy-blue eyes. She chose a wide brim, straw sun hat to hide her peculiar hair, being sure to tuck the braid upward. She hadn’t left the room when the doorbell rang.   Báine watched the chauffeur bustle about as he loaded their transport. She took a last look at her bedroom. It was simple, stripped of the personality that made it her comfort zone.   “Sweetie, our lift is here!” Melonie called.   Báine finally descended the stairway. The elderly man smiled at her kindly, “alright Young Miss?”   Memories flooded back, “you look well, Sir Fodor”. She smiled at the man.   “You are too kind, Young Miss”, he took his hat off and rested it on his chest to show respect. Báine smiled at his balding head. It cemented how much time has passed. The chauffer fixed his cap on his head and continued to smile, “the estate hasn’t been the same without you, Young Miss.”   Melonie felt Báine’s eyes fall on her, but kept her face passive. “I’m sure the estate has been just fine”, Melonie turned away. “He’s not an incapable person.”   Báine watched her mother disappear outside the house and pressed her lips into a firm line. Two weeks ago, her mother received a call. Báine had been in her room, filling out applications for sixth-form, when a loud crash startled her. When she rushed to the kitchen, Melonie held the phone in a white-knuckled grip. The devastation in her mother’s eyes shook Báine. When she recovered, Melonie sombrely told Báine they would move back to New Neysa. It had been nine years since they left the estate and Melonie has never breathed the reason for their departure.   It wasn’t as if she hadn’t asked.   “Young Miss?” Fodor held his hand to collect her backpack.   “It’s fine”, she shook her head, “lead the way.”   Wordlessly, Foder lead Báine. An overwhelmed breath passed through Báine's plump, coffee-painted lips. The black Mercedes-Maybach S-Class glistened in the morning light. The limousine was a rather peculiar sight in their rather humble neighbourhood. Seemed the neighbours agreed. Eyes peered at them from every corner. Báine dipped her head, sensitive to stares, and lacked the courage to meet anyone’s eyes. She hurried into the car when the elderly man opened the door and leaned into the plush white leather, clutching her backpack.   “Buckle in duckling”, Melonie smiled, already comfy with a novel in hand.   Báine quickly did as her mother said before sinking further into the plush seats. As Foder pulled out of the driveway, Báine watched the moving scenery through tinted windows. The identical housing schemes blended into the bustling center. Bian filled her eyes with the Romanesque buildings and red payphones, but her mind drifted up north. Bridnorthmid, her birthplace, is a town and civil parish in Northumberland, England. It was roughly five thousand kilometres away, far enough to make padded chairs uncomfortable. Báine was not looking forward to this six-hour drive to the Scottish border. Báine remembers learning in elementary that it was once a part of Scotland. Apart from her hair, her speech made her stand out when she moved to London. Accents are thicker up north. The car jostled a bit, crossing Tweedmouth. The nostalgic feeling arrested Báine’s attention. She peered out the window as the afternoon sun coloured the town she once knew. A café now occupied the spot by the harbour, a couple pizzerias and a pet store also got her attention as they neared the Bridnorthmid Royal Bridge.   “Blimey”. Her eyes widened as they entered Raundsrith, Bridnorthmid’s capital. “Ma! It’s so fancy, like!” Báine rattled excitedly as she pressed herself against the tinted window.   It transformed the weathered white and russet city to colourful, crowded streets. The two-lane roads became four and the sidewalks beautifully brick paved. Rustic diners were overflowing with customers, couples chattering happily under the pinstripe awning. Cute flower shops and open concept cafes. Bright, eye-catching signs that passed by too quickly for her to guess the establishment. Melonie closed her novel and watched Báine absorb her world with enthusiasm. Bright blue eyes moving wildly behind thick sunglasses. A small, satisfied smile tugged at Melonie’s lips, but dissapaited quickly by an incoming thought.   “Take us to the hospital first”, Melonie called. Foder responded accordingly.   “Hospital?” Báine looked up at her mother.   “Be patient”, her mother said simply.   “Hard to be patient when you're confused Ma”, Báine finally sat properly. Melonie simply smiled as she returned to her book.   They turned away, straying from the city to a less populated area. Báine took in the low-rise buildings with much confusion. She doesn’t remember the name of this clearly renovated co-operate area. She watched men and women move about in expensive suits and expensive cars were parked in the garages of these business places. There was a glint in her peripheral and her head snapped forward. Báine held onto the passenger’s seat in the front to get a clear view of the windscreen. There was a bright blue sign with “Sodcrook General Hospital” printed on white text. A part from being the only mid-rise building in the area, it was eye-catching as one of the few Art Deco designed buildings in the Romanesque town.   “Oh, it’s lovely,” Melonie closed her novel. Báine looked at her mother. “You wouldn’t remember,” Melonie ruffled Báine’s hair. “This is where you were born, a wee bairn. It was Sodcrook Infirmary and was many times smaller.”   “Yes Madam,” Foder joined the conversation, “some years back, the MP pressed for more facilities to be added. In the end they renovated the whole thing.”   “Good thing too, I guess”, Melonie agreed offhandedly.   As they neared the building, rows of Wych elm trees casting playful shadows onto the road greeted them. In the front, there was a large circular driveway that was colourfully decorated with pruned flowers and manicured lawns. After turning onto the premises, by the direction of the sign, Foder parked in the underground garage.   “This way, Young Miss”, Foder opened the door for Báine.   The teen left her backpack in the car and followed the chauffer towards the hospital’s entrance. Automatic double doors opened its arms to welcome them in. The rush of conditioned air went unappreciated. The serialized air stung her nose. However, she willed herself to adjust since she was unsure how long they’d be here.   “Hey up!” Foder greeted the nurse at the front desk.   “Foder you old chap!” they seemed rather close, “didn’t expect you back so soon.” She looked at the two standing behind him. “You brought company?”   “They’re the boss’ family”, he explained covertly.   Báine recognised the look in the nurse’s eye. It was the same as the passers-by glanced at them. She kept her eyes glued to the ground, and took a step back, only to bump into someone’s leg. “Oh, I’m sorry”, she quickly spun to face the person.   The man was tall and lean, donning a doctor’s coat. She could see he was rather pale from his wide hands and perfectly manicured nails. Long fingers were wrapped around a clipboard. As her eyes travelled upward, his features struck her as odd. His thick dark brows furrowed as he continued to scan the files, long lashes trembling as his focused onyx eyes moved back and forth on the page. A sigh passed through his narrow nose. His pale, thin lips twisted into a displeased line, accentuating his sunken cheeks and defined jaw.   “It’s okay”, the man responded, unperturbed. His eyes finally left the files and landed on the teen. Báine felt her muscles tense up when they locked eyes. His dark eyes were a magnetic abyss, pulling in light rather than reflecting it. Its darkness concealed his pupils, but Báine saw a spark of emotion. “Oh”, he turned to the teen, “aren’t you interesting?”   Cold sweat broke out across her ruddy skin. Her muscles found life again, shivering against her bones. It was as if he could peer beyond her sunglasses, even into her soul. His lips quirked up into an amused smile. The glint behind his lips forced Báine honoured her survival instinct. She was used to hiding, but for the first time, Báine turned and ran. The invasive sound of her own heartbeat drowned every call.   “What did you do?” Melonie confronted the doctor angrily.   “Me?” the man turned to her. Melonie immediately cooled when she saw his face. “Poor thing looked startled out of her mind. Maybe she saw a ghost?” He took a step forward, then paused. “Don’t worry. Someone will lead her back to here, she’ll be fine.” After his parting words, he continued on his way.   Melonie looked at the nurse at the front desk. The ferocity of it caused the poor woman to clam up. After a moment of stumbling, she picked up the P. A. System.   “Someone’s lost in the hospital?” Rohan looked up when he heard the announcement. It was a rather unusual case. Either way, he hopes she’s found soon. His hope came to fruition the next moment. When he rounded the corner, a body slammed into his. He quickly stabilised the person and unhanded them. A peculiar energy inhabited this person. “Are you okay?” he called softly when she further righted herself.   Curiously, the girl ensured her hat and glasses were still in place, “yes thank you.” She turned her back on him, only to freeze.   Rohan found this person a little humourous until the earlier announcement replayed in his mind: five foot three and dark-skinned. Last seen in a straw Sun hat and a matching yellow sundress.   “Are you visiting?” he asked again. “What’s the room number?” Rohan figured he could take her to her family directly.   “I don’t know”, she replied softly. The whole person was pitiful, her shoulders hunched and eyes facing the floor. He wanted to pinch her round cheeks.   “In that case, I’ll point you to the front desk”, Rohan offered. He stood by her when she nodded and pointed, “at the end of this hall make a right then go straight. When you reach the end, make another right. You’ll pass three halls on the forth to make a left.” When he looked at her again, he found that Báine watching him. Rohan became curious about the hidden expression in her eyes, what kind of person hid under the thick sunglasses. “Were you listening?” he asked.   His face was unchanged but Báine picked up the teasing in his voice. “Right, right, fourth left”, Báine relayed without hesitation.   He nodded, but she didn’t move. “Not confident?”   Her teeth worried at her full lips as she made a deliberation. “Sorry to trouble you”, she lowered her head again.   “No trouble.”  Seemed he would play guide after all. “Let’s go”, he motioned for her to move forward.   The pace back to reception was brisk and quiet, but not uncomfortable. Regularly, the staff would walk up to them to speak with Rohan. He remained considerate and promised to continue the talks at another time so Báine wouldn’t have to endure. They returned to the reception area after twenty minutes.   “Báine!” Melonie noticed them first. She rushed to her daughter, checking her over.   “I’m fine Ma”, the teen became embarrassed.   “Never run off like that again”, the mother scolded once she confirmed her daughter was indeed fine.   “Yes, I’m sorry.”   “She ran?” the boy arched a brow. The hospital was Forty-two acres wide, and he found her more than halfway across the hospital. “Excuse me?” Melonie turned her attention to him. “How long was she gone for?”   “About half an hour”, Melonie looked to Fodor for confirmation. The chauffer nodded.   His lips parted in a silent ‘O’. “She’s quite fast”, he c****d his head, “something like a bunny?” He doubted she knew that she covered roughly twenty-two acres in ten minutes.   “Is he calling me small?” Despite what she thought, Báine averted her eyes.   Melonie saw his awe and felt pride despite the circumstances. “She has always been a nimble thing.” The boy hummed chuckled. The melodious rumble caressed her ears. Báine had to stop herself from covering her burning cheeks.   “I’ll take my leave”, having finished the job, he stepped away from the mother-daughter pair. “Take care”, he reminded softly.   “I will”, she nodded. Báine kept her eyes to the floor fiddling with her fingers, “thanks again.”   The boy turned away, his figure retreat down the hall they had emerged from. After a moment she sigh, this got Báine’s attention. “Come, we have places to be”, Melonie straightened her posture