The Hidden Princess and Her Alpha Prince

EPISODE 5: DOUBTS

LUKE FRIEDRICH

I have been on the road for the past two days. I made stops at gas stations to get a nap, but it still wasn't enough. I'm exhausted and I need food. I bought enough fruit to last me for a few days. I just hope that they don't get spoiled. I found myself driving on a gravel road. I don't know where I am, but this is not a city. It's a rural area and I think I will be safer if I can hide in the woods.

Finding a perfect spot to park the rented car, I halt and step out so that I can stretch my body. It is late at night and I am hoping to get the sleep that I want, until morning comes.

I hear sounds of water. Could there be a sea, or a river around? Sea water doesn't sound like this, so it definitely has to be the river. Let me lock the car and walk further into the woods. It is very dark here and it looks like it will rain as the clouds are piling up.

I finally found the river. It is an exotic river to be specific. Beautiful, big and the trees make it outstanding. The deeper I walk to the river, the colder it gets, but I'm not complaining.

I am not used to this life. I feel so lonely. I am used to a full house and being served; not doing everything on my own. It saddens me that my servants were taken away from me. I want to look for them, but where do I even start? I am in a foreign country and right now I don't even know where I am. I just kept following the road until I got into the woods.

"Help me." A sincere voice cries out. It sounds hurt and broken.

I look around me to see if there is anyone, but it's only me in the river. Did the water speak? Is that even possible?

"Help me." The voice gets recognisable. It is Flower's voice.

"Flower, Where are you?" I call out, but she keeps repeating the same thing.

"Help me." It's like, she can't hear me. I want to help her, but I can't. I sigh, walking closer to the river water. I kneeled down, pulling the sleeves of my shirt higher so that I don't wet them as I splash the water on my face.

I looked down on the water and it was just too dark to even see my reflection. I was about to splash the water for the third time on my face when something happened in the water.

I saw a girl, sitting on the floor with her legs curled up to her chest, crying. She rocked herself back and forth, saying the same words I am hearing: "Help me."

I can't see her properly as her long black hair covers her face.

Why do I feel like this? Why do I feel so close to her, I mean she is a total stranger, but my heart desires her. I feel so strange and close to her.

"Who are you? Why am I connected to you?" I think to myself.

A drop of rain lands in the water, causing very small waves and now the image of the girl disappears. I scurried back to the car before the rain could pour hard.

It wouldn't be my first night sleeping in the car, but today it feels so different. I feel so lonely and I can't keep living on the run like this. I'm scared and I sometimes hate myself as I regret ever running away from my home, but if I stayed there even longer, I would have probably been starved to death or living unhappily with my father who is probably spelled by my evil stepmother. I just wish my mother was still alive. Maybe, things would have still been the same if she was still here. Happy, understanding each other, spending time together as a family, celebrating milestones or even small things. We had a strong bond, just the three of us… by three, I am including my father. Even the servants were working happily by then.

Stay positive, Luke. Stay positive.

I just remembered that I have this night only until I make it to the second day. Flower said I will see her in two days. She sounded so sure, but I feel like I am tricked into a trap. I mean, Flower could be anything but a real person. Unless she is a diplomatic witch, because there is no human being who can speak into another human being's mind. Her voice followed me from Wimbledon to Waverly.

Sigh.

I haven't heard from Flower all day today. Where could she possibly be and where do I even start to find her? Even I, myself, am lost.

***

I must have passed out while ruminating about my life, as I am woken up by the sun, piercing my eyes. It feels so hot as if there was no heavy rain last night.

Unlike in the cities; there are no public lavatories in the rurals. I cannot take a quick bath or even brush my teeth in this place. I haven't even had a proper bath in two days now.

Two days!

"I will see you in two days, my prince." I suddenly could hear Flower's voice, echoing in my head.

Oh God, I feel so nervous about today. I have a gut feeling that something might happen today. I hope only good will happen. I could do with something that'll make me happy, just until I am back on being a happy man.

I get out of the car and stretch myself from sleeping very uncomfortably in the car. But, as I am doing so; something catches my eye. It's a bag I don't think it was here last night, because if it was; I am certain that it wouldn't be this clean from the rain and mud.

I walked over to the rock, where the bag is and picked it up. It isn't heavy or light weighted, but it has a little weight, proving that something is in it. Maybe I shouldn't open it, because it might belong to someone who might come back for it soon.

My gut says something else. I should take the bag with me. Is it my gut, or is it just me being curious?

Damn, I'm taking the bag!

Getting into the car, I put the bag in the back seat and started the car. There is enough fuel to last me for a few days. I cannot keep using my credit cards, swiping now and then because my father's trusted men might end up using that to track me down.

Let me go for a drive and explore this village.

AGATHA BUYS

Why don't we have wings to fly like birds and butterflies? Look at how happy they are. They are fortunate that they are not like us – human-beings. We are just a sad generation with happy faces. Look at me, locked up in a house and guarded like a hawk. My father was not quite happy with what I was doing at the river. He thinks I'm going crazy if I'm not Bewitched. You know, he took the bag with all my things that I was given by the woman who said she is my messenger at the river. I don't know if he hid them or really threw them away. I am just scared that I might never get them back.

"Looking out the window won't help you with your chores." My grandmother says.

"I don't understand you. Why would you hurt my father like this? Firstly, you killed my mother, secondly you robbed my father twenty years away from his family and as for me, you denied me everything."

"I don't know what you are talking about, sweety. What I know is, someone out there is trying to break us apart." She almost sounds so hurt.

"If so, then why am I treated like a prisoner, as if, if I go out there, you are scared I might find out the whole truth." She sighed.

"I am not scared, because there is no truth to find. I'm scared that I might lose my granddaughter. Don't always listen to strangers out there. They are just like vultures who try to break families apart. The question is, are you going to listen to them, or are you going to stick with the family that fed you, loved you and protected you from day one? Think about it." Why does she sound like she is threatening me?

"What about my calling? I have a calling and I need my bag. I want it back!" I spit.

"I'll call my friend. She will help you. She is one of the best diplomatic wit-… I mean, she is the best seer in this village. Are you not hungry, my child?" She is hiding something from me and I can see it.

"No, I need to get out of this house. I am sick and tired of doing nothing!"

"Be my guest, Mbali! But, if you leave this house, never bother coming back."

I gasped, looking at her shocked. I cannot believe she said that to me. She is not serious, is she?

After she stepped out of the house, she locked me inside and left.

I'm a big girl, I'm not going to cry. I cried a lot the other day when my father reprimanded me for telling him the truth.

The truth! Which one is the truth? My grandmother's truth or my Messenger's truth? I am starting to have doubts now. I was a happy girl with my small family. Now, ever since I fell into a deep coma and ever since I met the messenger, I am messing all of that up.

"Don't do that. Do not doubt, because if you do," I turned around to see who was talking to me and how they got into the house without me hearing them.

It is the messenger.

"How did you get in?" I asked.

"I have my ways." She smiled at me. "As I was saying, if you doubt everything, then you are giving them the power to use you. I understand that this is confusing and believe me, your calling is special and you have powers that are stronger than any seer in this country. You are going to have people fighting for your powers. It's not going to be an easy journey, but I can assure you that all will be well. You will have a happy ending with your father and your husband. Your mother will finally rest in peace. Your grandmother will return later with someone. It's not going to be a friendly visit as they have an agenda on you. Do not get tempted by everything they will tell you. Life never comes in a golden spoon. You have to work very hard to get whatever you want in life. Pray, work, pray, work. Only the above will decide for you, not anyone. God is the answer. Remember the colours of the candles you need to use to pray with?" I nod at her.

"I do, but…"

"Do not worry about the bag. It is safe where it is. Your father was sure that he got rid of it by throwing it into the river, but unfortunately and fortunately for you, you were initiated underwater. Your spiritual guides and God's are water spirits. They made sure that the bag would be found by someone who they could trust."

I somehow knew who it was. I know there is someone I have to meet today, but ever since my father took my things away from me, I don't even know how to communicate with him anymore, but I can feel him.

"How will Prince Luke and I help each other? What will he benefit from me? I have nothing and I live in a poor home."

"Sometimes, it's not about material things or money. It's more than that. You will figure it out as time goes. I will look out for you, always. I have to go now."

"What is your name?" I asked. She smiled at me so beautifully.

"Call me Mamsy." With that said, she started fading away and I was left dumbfounded. She has superpowers? She could have helped me out of here!

***