Lotte woke up back in Everet's arms. The dark sky was now bright and the beach had been replaced by housing and people. All male people. It was loud, and everyone was staring at her.
"We're here."
Just as Lotte thought she might finally have the strength to run, it was too late. She was here now and there was nothing she could do.
"Bring her in here," a deeper voice called. "Let's not waste any time."
It took Lotte's eyes a minute to adjust to the bright sun. Around her, it looked like a hospital room. There was a bed with restraints with some sort of medical equipment on the walls. The entire room was pale and bleak. The bed creaked as Everet placed her down on it.
"I'll get her some new clothes."
Just as Lotte sat up the door quickly shut. Everet was calmly leaning against the wall, his arms crossed against his chest.
"This will go a lot easier if I don't need to hold you down."
Lotte froze, trying to hide her trembling hand from sight. The door opened again and a man tossed a white shirt and black jeans to Everet, which he caught. The door had closed as quickly as it opened but still, Lotte made a run for it. No matter how hard Lotte yanked on it, the handle wouldn't move.
"It's locked," Everet said, painfully obvious.
Lotte rested her forehead against the door, trying desperately not to cry in front of Everet.
"I'll turn around so you can change," Everet said, placing the clothes on the bed. "And I highly recommend you do."
Lotte whipped the tears from her eyes and walked to the bed. Making sure Everet still had his back turned she took her jacket off and soon after her dress. The black jeans surprisingly fit her and the white shirt was baggy but comfortable. Lotte kicked her dress under the bed and put her jacket back on. The one article of clothing she was not willing to part with.
"You can turn around now."
Everet's eyes examined Lotte, "they'll want your arms free."
"I'm not taking off the jacket," Lotte said, pulling it closer to her.
"Fine, but roll your sleeves up."
Without giving Lotte a chance to do it herself Everet walked over and rolled the sleeves up to Lotte's elbows. Making it snug but not tight.
The same man who brought the shirt and pants now walked back into the room, holding a pair of white slip-on shoes. He placed them next to the bed before going over to a sink and started washing his hands.
"Once this is done take her to shower. She's filthy. Get her some food and water too."
"Once what is done?" Lotte asked. No one answered her.
Her pleading eyes looked at Everet who was making a point not to look back. Lotte watched the man finish washing his hands. He reached into an overhead cabinet and pulled on some gloves. Next to him was a silver container. He opened and it pulled out the biggest needle Lotte had ever seen. It was about as wide as a chair leg and filled with something she couldn't make out.
"Whatever that is, you're not putting it in me," Lotte pushed herself farther back onto the bed, preparing herself for a fight.
"Lotte doesn't fight them," Everet warned. He had now uncrossed his arms from his chest.
"Hold her down," the man said. "She isn't going to make this easy."
Without missing a beat Everet was now over the top of her. His legs pinned down hers and he held her arms above her head. Lotte screamed as the man tightened the restraints around her wrist. After both of her hands were tied Lotte felt something tighten around her ankles, and she could no longer move.
Everet released most of his weight from her but kept it so that she couldn't thrash her torso.
Lotte's arm felt like someone had just ripped a chunk out of it. Her screams now turned to sobs. Pulling it out hurt no less than it going in. Lotte stopped screaming when the guy bandaged her arm and only because there was no air left in her lungs. As her body collapsed to the bed Everet quickly got off of her.
"Keep her there for at least twenty minutes," said the guy as he threw his gloves in the garbage.
He walked towards the door, stopping when Lotte said, "Fitz is going to kill you all."
The man let out a sinister chuckle as he turned around. " Fitz won't be killing anyone. But you will."
Lotte started crying again as the man left the room.
"You won't turn me into a monster," Lotte spat at Everet through sobs. "I won't let you."
"Don't worry," said Everet. "The worst part is over."
Lotte refused to talk or look at Everet for the next twenty minutes. When she was finally released she had no blood left in her arms or feet.
"You'll feel a lot better after a shower and some food," Everet assured her.
Lotte had almost forgotten what it was like to wear shoes. The feeling of memory foam felt like walking on pillows. It was heaven to Lotte's blistered and cut feet.
Everet took Lotte by her uninjured arm. Everet led her out of the bleak-looking room and back into the sunlight. At the very back of Looter's property was a wooden hut. It looked like it belonged on a beach somewhere in a Hawaiian resort. The inside was strange, with electricity and running water.
"How?"
"Island Magic," Everet said calmly. "We're way more proficient than where you come from."
Normally Lotte would have growled. But she was still too starstruck to even glare.
Everet locked the door they had walked through. "The windows don't open and that's the only door. Do whatever you want, I'm going to bed."
Everet walked off to another room, leaving Lotte to explore on her own. The kitchen was stocked with food, there were proper beds and a bathroom. It almost felt like home.
The feeling of hot, clean water nearly caused Lotte to collapse to her knees. It was so wonderful she started to laugh, cupping the water in her hands. The water near her feet was a dark brown. Lotte scrubbed until her skin was raw. The dirt seemed to come off slowly and in layers. Some are faster than others. But when she looked at herself in the mirror, Lotte almost didn't recognize herself. It was the first time she was able to properly brush her hair in days. She smelled like lavender. To Lotte, her skin was so clean it almost sparkled.
After putting on her clothes Lotte left the bathroom to air out.
The sound of sudden footsteps was enough to cause Everet to quickly sit up from the bed. The sight of Lotte rendered him speechless. Lotte's hair was no longer a ball of frizz. She had glistening blonde hair with perfectly defined curls. The dirt no longer washed out her tropical blue eyes. He opened his mouth but no words came out.
"Are you having a stroke?" Lotte raised her brows at the gaping boy.
Everet shook his head in silence, causing even greater confusion.
"You look nice," the words came tumbling out.
Everet's words didn't settle any confusion. Lotte shrugged before she sat down at the foot of the bed. "What did they put in my arm?"
Everet laid back down, no longer wanting to look Lotte in the face. When he didn't answer, Lotte continued.
"I want it out."
"I have no control over that," Everet looked at the ceiling.
Knowing Lotte was getting nowhere with this she stood up and walked to the kitchen. Everet sat propped himself up on his elbows, watching the blond. He was determined not to leave his bed unless he had to.
Lotte looked back to see Everet watching, but that didn't stop her from pulling out the biggest steak knife she saw.
"No! No!" Everet shouted much louder than Lotte had expected. Causing her to jump a little bit. "Put it down!"
"Or what?" Lotte held the blade to her wrist. "You'll kill me?"
Everet wasn't sure if Lotte had the guts to go through with it. But he couldn't afford to test it. "How do you think Fitz would feel knowing you died slitting your wrist?"
Lotte laughed, "My death is on your hands, not mine."
The truth was the image that broke Lotte. But she couldn't let Everet see that. Lotte bit her bottom lip as she sliced the bandages off. Without hesitation, her skin came next.
The pain was much stronger than Lotte expected. The scream she thought she could compress came out as a loud shriek. Her body froze as the blood poured out of her arm in a steady stream, causing her hand to drop the knife. Before Lotte even had the chance to look up again she felt herself being thrown backwards. Her back hit the wall of a cupboard as Everet placed his hand over her wound. Keeping Lotte pinned with his weight, Everet grabbed a towel off the counter. He quickly swapped his hand with the towel and pushed it hard against Lotte's skin.
Everet kicked the knife away as he stood up. He rummaged through the overhead cupboards, causing numerous objects to fall to the floor. Lotte heard the sound of something ripping before Everet kneeled back down. Forcing Lotte's arm in front of him Everet duct taped the towel to Lotte's arm, tight enough to cut off blood circulation. Without stopping Everet put one arm underneath Lotte's legs and the other around her back.
Lotte put up an effort to wiggle herself free from Everet's arms but it was clear he wasn't letting go. Everet picked Lotte up and quickly ran to the front door, somehow managing to unlock it with one hand. Once outside Everet ran faster than Lotte had ever seen. The truth was it was the only time she had seen him run and he could run even fast. Maybe even faster than Fitz.
Everet ran straight across the site, back into the pale room Lotte had been in before.
"She slit her wrist!" Everet shouted at the man who had injected Lotte.
The man's eyes looked at Lotte, then Everet and back at Lotte. He stopped mid-action of whatever he was doing. It took him a couple of seconds to get over what Everet had just shouted.
"We can't waste any more time then."
Lotte didn't know what that meant, but what she did know was being strapped to the bed again.
"Don't touch me!" Lotte attempted to shout, but what came out was a tired groan.
Lotte heard the sound of tape being ripped off the towel but was soon distracted by a sharp pain in her neck.
"Count back from ten."
When Lotte woke up, she felt different. Like something inside her shifted.
"Everet?" She asked out loud, slowly pushing herself up. Her body felt heavy like someone had buried her. But Lotte was no longer restrained to the bed, and nothing was weighing her down. Lotte could make out the room she was in but her eyes couldn't focus.
"Everet?" Lotte called out again, fearing the silence she was met with.
"I'm here," Lotte felt a squeeze in her arm. The features of his face slowly came together as her vision cleared. "You need to lay down."
Ignoring Everet, Lotte looked around. She had five unknown liquids pumping into her. Her body was covered with wires and different stickers. She was connected to a monitor trailing her vitals. Lotte looked down at her arm which had been stitched and re-bandaged.
"What is all this?"
"How do you feel?" Everet asked, ignoring the question.
"Fine," Lotte said genuinely, still poking at the stickers.
Everet slowly lowered Lotte back onto the bed. Lotte gripped his arms for support.
"I'm going to go get the doctor," said Everet. "I'll be right back."
Lotte nodded, relaxing into the soft pillow. Everet left the room slowly and quietly. The world felt like it was ever so slightly spinning.
"Hello, Lotte," the voice of the doctor took her by surprise. "How are you feeling?"
"Fine," Lotte repeated for a second time.
"Good to hear. I just have a couple of questions to ask you."
Lotte straightened her back, "shoot."
"Do you know a boy named Fitz? A bit taller than you are, blond hair, brown eyes."
Lotte searched her memory, "No." The doctor looked strangely pleased with himself and so did Everet. "Why?"
The doctor hummed, looking through sheets of paper. Unknown to Lotte, they were blank.
"He's a menace, keeps hurting our people. Including you. We have the opportunity to make you stronger, strong enough to fight him and win. But we only have enough for one person. So if that's not you then—"
"I'll do it," Lotte said without hesitation. "Whatever it is, I'll do it."
The doctor smiled before putting down his empty chart, "That's my girl."
"I'm proud of you," Everet said, creasing Lotte's cheek with his thumb.
"When can we start?" Lotte sat up. Whoever this Fitz was Lotte didn't like him.
"Are you sure you're feeling ok?" The doctor asked as he shined a bright light into her eyes. "He nearly killed you."
"I'm positive," Lotte said, "I feel fine, great actually."
The doctor hummed again, more displeased this time. "That's probably because of the pain medication. We should wait a little longer."
Everet reached down underneath the blanket and pulled out Lotte's arm. It was covered with purple bruises and cuts. He clasped his hand over his mouth, "Oh my god Lotte."
"You don't remember?" The doctor asked again.
"I've never even heard the name before."
"That could mean a head injury," the doctor said.
"What if he tortured her with magic?" Everet asked, "And he made her forget everything."
"It certainly is possible."
Everet squeezed Lotte's hand, "I want to fight with her."
"No!" Lotte argued both with the doctor and Everet. "From what you're telling me this guy is dangerous. If we can't prepare Everet, he shouldn't fight. I don't want to lose you. I love you."
Everet kissed Lotte's forehead, "I love you too. Which is why I can't just send you out alone against some monster. You can't even remember, you don't know how dangerous he is."
"I trust that he can prepare me."
"And I don't argue, but—"
"You can go with her, Everet. But I don't want you fighting against him without protection."
"Fine," Everet let go of Lotte's hand. "But if she's in danger for even a moment, I'm stepping in."
"Keep him in line, Lotte," the doctor winked at her. "I'm going to get the medicine. By tomorrow morning Lotte, you'll be the best warrior in all of Anillia."
Everet never left Lotte's side all night. The adrenaline from the medication made it impossible to sleep. By the second, Lotte could feel herself getting stronger, even though she didn't look it.
Everet lay beside Lotte, twirling her hair in his fingers. Lotte was his now. She had no memory of Fitz she hated him. The medicine they were giving Lotte wasn't going to make her stronger than Fitz. It was helping feed into Everet's lies. But everyone knew Fitz wouldn't be able to hurt Lotte. Fitz would see that Lotte hated him, and he would break. Everet was going to be there to make sure he didn't steal her back.
"You're beautiful, Lotte," Everet leaned in. "I won't let anyone hurt you."
Lotte wanted to kiss Everet, however, something was stopping her. Something she didn't know why.
"What's wrong?" Everet raised his eyebrow after Lotte pulled away.
"I don't know," Lotte quickly dropped her eyes. "It feels….wrong."
"Lotte we've been dating for a while now. You've never hesitated."
"I know", Lotte pulled her hands up to her head. The unknown frustrated her. It felt like she was right on the brink of remembering, but she couldn't.
Everet pulled Lotte's chin back up, pushing more of his weight onto her.
"Everet–" Lotte protested as he began kissing her neck. She sighed, placing her hands on his shoulders.
"You're acting off," Everet pulled back suddenly. "I'm getting the doctor."
"I just want to sleep," Lotte grumbled. "Not tonight."
"You haven't been tired until now," Everet stood up. "And you shouldn't be tired."
Lotte opened her mouth to protest but Everet had already stormed out the door. Lotte rolled her eyes before turning over onto her side. She didn't even get the chance to get comfortable before the door opened again.
"Everet tells me you're not doing well, Lotte," the doctor walked in.
"I'm fine," Lotte didn't look either in the eye. "I just want to sleep."
Everet mumbled with the doctor, something Lotte couldn't understand. Lotte still couldn't figure out why she was so upset. But as soon as the doctor added more medicine, Lotte felt better. This time Lotte allowed Everet to climb on top of her. She kissed him back, and it fulfilled her.
Everet couldn't have been more pleased with himself. He wished more than anything he could show Fitz that he was making out with his girlfriend. He wanted to see the anger boil within him. It would make his downfall even more exciting. He was going to make sure Fitz saw how much Lotte wanted him.
In the morning Black Jack seat foot on the ground for the first time in a while. He had spent the past few days fighting a very angry teenager. Black Jack had never seen Fitz so livid, so broken. It pleased him. And what was about to come his way was about to please Black Jack much more.
Early in the morning, Lotte was woken up by a knock on the door. Everet who was holding her in his arms groaned. The two had only been asleep for about half an hour.
"It's time for you to go, Lotte," the doctor said, turning on the lights. "Let's unhook you from all this."
After making sure Lotte had been properly medicated she walked out to meet the face of Black Jack.
"How are you dear?" Black Jack offered his hand. "The name is Black Jack, I'll be giving you a ride."
"I'm well," Lotte shook his hand. "It's nice to meet you."
"Pleasure's all mine. It's great to meet a new face of resistance," Black Jack looked at the doctor. "You've done good, doc. I'm impressed."
The doctor nodded, "She is all yours. Good luck."
Lotte boarded Black Jack's ship alongside Everet, hand in hand. Lotte had never seen a ship so big, so powerful. The crew was big and scary but welcomed Lotte. For some reason, she could hear them snickering behind her back. Although it was annoying she didn't care. She had bigger things on her mind.
"Do we know where this Fitz is?" Lotte asked as she sat across from Black Jack. The two were alone in Black Jack's cabin, a map placed in front of them. She had crossed one leg over the other, resting her chin on her hand.
"We don't need to," Black Jack said as he rolled the map tightly. "We're letting him come to us."
"That seems risky," Lotte uncrossed her leg. "Shouldn't we take him by surprise?"
"We have more advantages on our ship," Black Jack explained. " More weapons, more crew, the water."
"How is he going to know?"
"Trust me," Black Jack smirked," he'll know."
That night Lotte danced among the pirates, having a glass of beer occasionally. They welcomed her as one of their own along with Everet. In celebration of Fitz's downfall, there was a feast, larger than Lotte had ever seen.
By the time it had reached midnight, Lotte was full and very, very drunk. But so were most people around here. Including her boyfriend. Lotte was the last one to head in for the night. Black Jack had been kind enough to let the two lovers share their private cabin.
Lotte stumbled in through the door, nearly falling down the steps. Everet was long asleep on the bed and snoring loudly. The lower half of his body was off of the bed, with his feet on the floor. Lotte chuckled to herself, she was far too drunk to put him back up. She was too drunk to even make it to bed. Lotte collapsed into the table, just barely making it into the chair. Lotte adjusted herself to sit more comfortably before resting her head on the table. By the time she had caught her breath from the short walk, she was already asleep. It was certainly no one who would be waking her up.
The rude intrusion of morning light stung Lotte's eyes.
"Everet," Lotte groaned, putting her hand up to block the light. She could almost feel her heart beating in her skull. "Can you close the blinds?"
Lotte expected a groan, but not silence.
"Everet," she whined.
No answer. Lotte huffed before sitting herself upwards. Her back ached from the uncomfortable sleeping position. But her head felt much worse. The bed Everet was sleeping in had been made with no sign of him. Lotte put her head back down, planning to sleep another couple of hours. The plan lasted for all two seconds before a feeling in Lotte's stomach rapidly changed.
Lotte got up and ran out of the cabin, barely making it to the edge of the ship before her stomach emptied itself.
"Good morning, princess," Black Jack said once Lotte had finished, collapsing to her knees. "Can't handle your rum I see."
Lotte ignored him as she whipped her mouth, "Where is Everet?"
"Eating breakfast downstairs," said Black Jack. "You should join us."
Before Lotte had the chance to answer, she stood back up. Her stomach was still very angry at her.
"Or not," Black Jack sighed. "The choice is yours. Just try to keep my ship clean."
Lotte didn't have the choice of answering him. Well, she continued her suffering she could hear Black Jack's footsteps getting farther and farther away.
If it weren't for her stomach aching for food, Lotte would have gone back to bed. Once she was certain there wasn't any left inside her, she pushed herself off the ground. The smell of fresh food was taunting, too taunting to resist. Lotte tried to clean herself up the best she could before going downstairs. When she walked through the door she was met with cheers and praise from the other men.
"There is the princess of the Dazzler," Black Jack. "Have a seat, my love."
Lotte sat down next to Everet who didn't notice or didn't care how foul her mouth tasted. He greeted her with a passionate kiss, making some of the men whistle.
"Save it for the bedroom," Black Jack warned them.
The feeling of food in Lotte's stomach helped settle her hangover. She still very much wanted to go back to bed, but Everet had other plans.
"Come on," he wrapped his arms around Lotte's waist. "Let's go for a walk."
Even though they were tied to a dock, the idea of a walk to Lotte seemed impossible.
"Later," she groaned at her lover. "I want to go back to sleep."
"We might be busy later. Besides, it will give us a chance to be alone."
Lotte rolled her eyes but finally gave in, "Ok, a quick one."
Everet kissed her before taking Lotte by the hand. The morning sun was refreshing and the forest smelt lively. The sun hadn't become unbearably hot yet, making it the perfect walking temperature.
The two walked fairly deep into the forest, far enough they couldn't be seen by any of Black Jack's crew. Suddenly Everet stopped walking. Before Lotte had the chance to ask what was wrong, Everet picked her up; pinning her back against the tree.
Lotte giggled, "What are you doing?"
"Making the most of our time alone," Everet simply answered.
Everet crashed his lips against Lotte's, taking her by surprise. Once Lotte had gotten over the initial shock, she was relaxed. She melted into Everet, putting her hands around his neck. Everything Lotte was worried about was now distant. Everet brought one of his hands down and slipped it underneath Lotte's shirt. Making her breath hitch in surprise. Lotte allowed Everet's hand to wonder where it pleased. She was so fully in a trance that the two of them almost didn't notice the sound of a twig snapping behind them. Both of them froze for a second before Everet aggressively continued.
Lotte pushed him off of her, pointing at someone behind them. Everet didn't have the chance to see who it was before he felt a striking pain to the side of his head and Lotte fell to the ground.
"What did you do with her?" The blond boy struck Everet again. He had a bandage on his right hand. But more importantly, he had blond hair and brown eyes. This was Fitz. "Get up you piece of shit!"
Everet laughed maniacally on the ground, with a mouthful of blood. Fitz stopped punching to look at Lotte. He was taken aback by her appearance. Her hair was beautiful and she was no longer in a stained dress. She might have looked even more beautiful than when he had first seen her. Lotte knew she was supposed to be fighting, and she didn't understand why she wasn't.
"Run Lotte," Everet said before Fitz struck him again.
Lotte backed up against the three, trying to put more distance between her and this boy. Fitz had stopped punching he had gotten off Everet altogether. Fitz had never seen Lotte so scared of him. Not even when she first saw him. Fitz knew better than to approach her.
"Lotte?" He asked. Lotte didn't move. "Do you remember me?"
Lotte didn't move.
"Oh, my god. What have they done to you?"
Fitz was trying to ignore the bruises across Lotte's body. But she was covered in them. He couldn't hold himself back any longer. Fitz left Everet on the ground as he rushed to Lotte, yanking out her right arm.
"No," he gasped in horror.
Before Fitz had pulled himself together Lotte punched him in the side of the head and kicked him in the chest. Causing Everet to continue laughing.
"You did this to me!" Lotte shouted. "You nearly killed me! Don't pretend like you don't know."
"Lotte you don't know what you're talking about. If you come with me, we can fix this."
Lotte punched Fitz in the mouth, causing him to spit blood. Fitz stumbled backwards, holding his jaw. "Lotte, please don't make me hurt you."
"You won't," said Lotte. "But I'm going to hurt you."
Lotte struck Fitz again, knocking him to the ground. Fitz was too stunned to block the punches that came next. Lotte quickly got on top of Fitz, straddling his waist as she continued to punch him in the side of the head.
The excessive trauma made it hard for Fitz to grab a hold of Lotte. It was her turn to be taken back when Fitz flipped them and held her hands above her head; making it so she couldn't punch him.
Fitz tried not to drip blood onto Lotte's face, but it wasn't his main concern right now. Lotte struggled against his grip but she couldn't wiggle herself free. Lotte knew she wasn't supposed to feel the way she was feeling. But her breath was caught in her throat, and her heart was palpitating. She cursed at herself, desperately trying not to let her face change colour.
"Let go of me," she growled at him. Trying to keep her mind on the right track.
Fitz choked back his tears and held his heart together by a loose thread. It was taking everything in him not to just break down.
Fitz spent every night imagining how it would be when he finally found Lotte. She would run into his arms and he would hug her and never let her go. Fitz never expected he would have to fight her.
"Ok," said Fitz. He dropped Lotte's hands and took most of his weight off of her.
Lotte knew she should have taken this opportunity, but she didn't. Something inside her was shifting.
"I know you."
Fitz's face lit up like someone had set fire to it. Lotte didn't have the chance to put the rest together before Fitz felt another blow to his head. Lotte gasped as the boy fell to the ground and didn't get back up.
"Did you kill him?" Lotte shouted a lot louder than she meant to.
"Probably not," Everet pulled her up. "Are you ok?"
"I think so," Lotte said. All previous thoughts had left her head.
She stared at the unconscious boy laying on the dirt. He had blood pooling out from his mouth and onto the dirt. A bruise was quickly forming where Everet had hit him.
"Nice work," Everet put his hand on her shoulder. "You fought well."
Lotte grumbled. Fitz had pinned her down with ease. The only reason she got up was that he allowed it. But why?
"Come on," Everet said, sensing Lotte's doubt. "Let's get back to the ship. Black Jack is going to start wondering where we are."
Taking one last look at the boy before going back to the ship with Everet. When they returned the crew had already started drinking.
"It's still morning," Lotte said, staring at Black Jack who was leaning over the ship.
"What the hell happen to you?" Black Jack asked, staring at Everet's face, ignoring Lotte.
"Nothing that wasn't planned," said Everet when the two approached Black Jack.
The pirate raised his eyebrow but took another swig of his rum. When he washed down the burning taste in his throat. He looked at Lotte, "There is something for you on your bed, princess." This time it was Lotte's turn to raise her eyebrow. Black Jack avoided her gaze and took down another swig. "Go grab it, the men need to talk."
Lotte rolled her eyes but dropped Everet's hand without a protest. The crew greeted her with nods and head tilts as she walked. Most of them were doing chores around the ship, well others sat and drank.
Lotte almost collapsed onto her bed before she saw what was on it. It was gorgeous. A silk dress with a brown skirt and a black corset covered in jewels. By the foot of her bed were boots that reached just below her knee. Best of all, her sword clipped perfectly onto her dress. She was the princess of the Dazzler.
Lotte tightened the corset to the point where she could hardly breathe. It was the most uncomfortable thing she had ever worn but man, did it make her look good. She slipped out of her white flats and into her boots. Lotte washed her face with water and brushed her hair. Making sure no one else was in the room, Lotte picked up the sword. She started to battle her reflection in the mirror. Lotte looked fierce, beautiful and powerful. And she loved every bit of it.
Once she had burned the image into her mind Lotte clipped the sword onto her dress. Magnifying all of her traits.
The boat rocked as Lotte stepped out of her cabin. The ship's crew fell silent when she stepped out into the sunlight. Her hair looked like glittering gold. Her body was perfectly curved. Her eyes were bluer than the water. She had never looked so beautiful.
Everet felt his heart stop. He knew Lotte was beautiful but he didn't know the extent of it. A part of him wished he waited before taking out Lotte into the woods. Fitz would have crumbled to his knees to see Lotte like this. Making his plan all the more the better.
"If I didn't know any better I would say you were a queen," Everet said, kissing Lotte. "Not a princess."
Lotte blushed. She stepped back from Everet, doing a small twirl to flare out the dress.
"You look, beautiful darling," Black Jack's voice called out from behind her. "Nothing on this ship comes close to value."
Lotte had no idea she could be so eye-catching. No one had ever admired her before.
Fitz woke up to Trigger standing over him as well as Arrow and Cliff.
"What the hell happened to you?" Trigger asked as he pulled the dazed teen up. Fitz could barely stand on his own feet. "Why are you all bloody?"
Fitz stretched his arms out for balance. The forest around him was spinning in circles in all different directions. He stumbled a few steps before catching himself on the same tree Lotte had pinned herself up against, "Lotte."
"Lotte did this to you?" Trigger held back a laugh. "Fitz she wouldn't hurt a squirrel if she tried."
Fitz turned to look at Trigger with a glare. Arrow and Cliff stepped back. Fitz looked like he was going to take a swing at Trigger. Although he was sure to miss, "they've turned her. Black Jack has her."
Trigger's humorous expression dropped. All four boys were silent for a moment before Trigger asked, "Does she remember?"
"No," Fitz's head dropped. "Everet's got her memories all twisted. She's," Fitz wasn't sure he could bring himself to say it. "She's with him."
"We can reverse it," Trigger said, taking a step towards Fitz, reaching his arm out to put it on Fitz's shoulder.
"Don't fucking touch me," Fitz warned, Trigger quickly retracted his hand. Fitz knew Trigger meant well and he didn't want to punch his best friend. But it was taking everything in him not to smash his head through the tree trunk. "How long have I been out?"
"It'll be getting dark soon," said Trigger. "We came out looking for you."
"We could get Lotte when it's dark," Fitz pushed himself off the tree. "When everyone's asleep."
"You're in no shape to do that," Trigger said. "You can barely stand."
"She could be gone by morning," Fitz argued. "Or dead. Especially if Black Jack knows I've seen her. Hell, she's probably gone already!"
Trigger huffed, Fitz did have a point, "Fine. But you're not doing it alone."