*This is the origin of a character from my “Claudia of the sea” stories. This story is under my folder titled “Claudia of the sea”. Gacha Club character designs are on my wall. Enjoy!*
Introduction
FLASHBACK
Alanna and Caden played by the shore, showing each other seashells they found and sharing secrets of their dreams.
“Can I play with you?” A voice asked.
Alanna and Caden turned around. Standing behind them was none other than Princess Adeline, the daughter of the King and Queen. She wasn’t with her family, she was all by herself.
Caden looked to Alanna. His eyes were wide, filled with fear. He didn’t trust Adeline, not one bit.
Alanna clasped her hand around Caden’s. Adeline was just like them. All she wanted to do was play.
“Yes! Join us!” Alanna said.
Adeline smiled, running towards them.
She was just another person, that was all.
Chapter One
PRESENT DAY-SIXTEEN YEARS OLD
Alanna was walking down the streets of her town, Lynette Beach, off to get milk. It was an errand she was supposed to do, a mundane thing, but somewhat relaxing.
The buzz of the civilians was all white noise to her, background noise of her life. It wasn’t too loud, but at just the right amount.
Whatever was Adeline doing in her cream-colored castle by the sea? The castle that Alanna was walking past? She couldn’t enjoy the day-to-day activities that life had to offer. Everything was silks and jewelry, a repeat of royalty.
Speaking of which, it sounded like Adeline was screaming. No, it couldn’t be…
Alanna looked up. Falling ungracefully from her bedroom window was none other than Adeline herself, dressed in common trousers.
Alanna stopped walking and waited for Adeline to land in her arms.
“You should really be more careful.” Alanna said once Adeline plopped in her arms.
It wasn’t the first time Adeline jumped out of her bedroom window. She was always looking for an adventure, even if it cost her life.
“What are you doing jumping out of windows anyway?” Alanna asked.
Though it was regular for Adeline to jump out of windows, it was a wonder that her family didn’t catch her yet.
“I just wanted to get out.” Adeline murmured petulantly.
Did Adeline think that she was immune to getting in trouble? Perhaps, but there was no need to burst her bubble. Adeline was a good person, deep down. Who was Alanna to judge?
“Don’t do that next time. You could die.” Alanna warned. She wouldn’t always be there to catch Adeline.
“So? At least I’d be free.” Adeline sniffed.
She really didn’t care if she died, did she? Well, that wouldn’t happen anytime soon. When Adeline grew up, she’d know to fear death.
But she still had years ahead of her.
“Want to get Caden?” Alanna sighed, letting Adeline stand up by herself. If they were to go on one of Adeline’s “adventures”, then it was only fair that Caden was involved.
“Sure.” Adeline said with a smile.
Off they ran, to Caden’s house.
Chapter Two
Alanna took hold of Adeline’s hand, making sure to avoid the rough areas, where criminals and those with evil intentions lingered. Adeline didn’t need to see the unsavory parts, her heart was too pure for that.
After much running, and much road turning, they finally made it to a white, homely beach cabin with inviting flowers on the windowsill.
“Here we are!” Alanna exclaimed happily.
They had made it to Caden’s house, the house of a boy far more naive than Adeline herself.
Chapter Three
Adeline ran as fast as she could to Caden’s house, falling flat on her face in the process. Alanna rolled her eyes and walked at a slow pace, for she was careful not to fall.
Caden opened the front door and peered down at Adeline, his eyes far off into somewhere else.
“What?” Caden asked absentmindedly. He must have heard Adeline fall, what other reason was there for him to ask such a question?
“Want to go to the beach?” Adeline asked, picking herself up from the ground.
“The beach? What if our parents catch us? How do you know-“
Adeline cut him off and took hold of his hand. She ran past Alanna, holding Caden’s left hand tightly.
Alanna didn’t even have her say.
Chapter Four
AT THE BEACH
Caden and Alanna lay in the sand, each with a hand clasped to the other’s. Adeline was staring at the ships, thinking of who knew what.
“Are we ever going to tell our parents?” Caden whispered.
Many people thought that the two of them were friends, and they wanted it to stay that way. People like them didn’t get married unless it was to someone who had a decent amount of money. They were poor enough. To be with each other wouldn’t change a thing.
Though Caden had more money than Alanna, it still wasn’t enough for the both of them.
“One day, Caden. One day.” Alanna replied.
It was no promise, but she still had hope that one day, she’d get the courage to tell them.
Chapter Five
FLASHBACK
To Alanna’s surprise, Adeline quite liked playing with her and Caden every day. She liked collecting seashells and playing in the sand before her family found out and called her over.
It was another day at the beach, playing in the sand, when Adeline, the only one sitting on the sand, asked:
“Why don’t we go in the water?”
Caden froze. Alanna sighed. She hoped that Adeline wouldn’t ask that question, that the issue would never have to be brought up, but it was, and there was no stopping it.
“Caden doesn’t like the water.” Alanna said.
It sounded so simple when she said it, that he merely wasn’t fond of it, but it was much more than that. Even if his foot so much as touched the water, he would scream bloody murder, and then begin crying. Alanna hated to hear his distress, to see him so helpless. Usually, if she hugged him and spoke softly to him, he would stop, but sometimes, that didn’t work, and she herself would be the helpless one.
Adeline frowned.
“Why not?” She asked, crossing her arms. She didn’t want to believe or accept what Alanna said, that much, Alanna knew from looking at her.
“I just don’t.” Caden replied. His voice was a tad hoarse. He stood still, his skin already paling. No! No! He couldn’t be scared, not then! They weren’t in the water.
Alanna ran over to him and squeezed his hand comfortingly. One thing she hated to see in life, besides the hatred of humanity, was Caden crying. He was too wonderful and sweet to cry.
Adeline got up from the sand and walked towards Alanna and Caden. They both backed away, for Adeline had a clouded look to her eyes.
Adeline grabbed Caden’s arm, Alanna grabbed the other.
“Let him go! He wants to go in the water!”
“Stop it! You’re making him cry.”
Caden’s screams and cries penetrated Alanna’s ears. She tried bringing him to her, but Adeline kept protesting. Why did she want him to go in the water so badly? What was her deal?
The blaring of trumpets played. Adeline’s family was coming.
She let go of Caden and ran off, but not before sending a glare to Alanna.
Alanna held him close, as though he were a child of her own.
Chapter Six
The very same fanfare that played whenever Adeline was caught by her family at the beach played again. Adeline looked towards the noise in fear, and made quite the protest as her sister, Marbella, pulled her away.
Alanna took hold of Caden’s hand and ran off, to their own world, a world that did not have satin, silks, or much protection.
Alanna had no doubt that Adeline was seething at them, but she didn’t look back. It was Adeline’s own doing to run, and it was her fault in the run.
Alanna and Caden had no obligations to stay.
Chapter Seven
Caden pulled Alanna’s wrist as they ran throughout the street, past the starving orphans who couldn’t always be saved, the lonely women who drowned in their own rags and sorrows, and the lost men who didn’t what the purpose of life was.
There was spoiled food and brown milk in the streets. From where, Alanna didn’t know. The homes were either one-roomed for a family or shelters for many families. It wasn’t an ideal life, but the life they had to live.
Caden stopped at the end of the road, to a gazebo with peeling white paint and slightly dying flowers. It was secluded by weeping willow trees, and the only spot where they could truly be alone.
Alanna took time to admire the faint, subtle beauty of it before going inside.
Chapter Eight
Inside of the gazebo, the two of them shared a soft, sweet kiss with one another, free from the tumbling ocean and the never-satisfied Adeline.
Alanna brought Caden close to her, wrapping her arms around him. The mere thought of letting him go worried her, for the world didn’t know him like she did. She had to protect him, they would tear him apart. He was her soul, her heart, her everything.
Running her fingers through his long, black hair, feeling his desperation as he kissed her…it fed Alanna.
Not a single girl looked his way. Nobody wanted him like she did. Nobody loved him like she did.
“A-Alanna…that’s enough…” Caden gasped between kisses.
But no, she wasn’t done yet.
Chapter Nine
Caden roughly pushed her away. Alanna stared back at him in disbelief, slightly disoriented.
“I said stop. Why didn’t you listen?” Caden asked.
His mournful green eyes looked like they were on the edge of crying. Alanna wanted to say something that would soothe him, but even more so, she yearned to hold him again, to keep from drowning in the fury of the world.
Caden, disappointed, stormed off, his tear-stained eyes poison in her heart.
Chapter Ten
FLASHBACK
Alanna couldn’t believe it. Her parents said yes! She could play in the water!
Alanna made sure to not go too far, so that the waves wouldn’t wash her away. The coldness brought a welcome chill to her bare feet, her light, lavender sundress made her feel like a Princess.
Speaking of which, did Princess Adeline get to play in the water all of the time? She must, she was a real Princess.
Maybe one day, Alanna would get to meet her. Then, they would be best friends and play with each other every day!
Screams resounded somewhere in the ocean. Alanna listened close, to make sure that she wasn’t imagining things.
No. There was somebody screaming. Further off, arms struggled to swim.
Alanna jumped into the water, swimming against the current. She was so small, and the ocean was so big, but her desire to save the person was bigger.
Her legs felt like they were being pulled towards the bottom, a vortex of water surrounding them, but she kept going….going…
Alanna grabbed the person’s hands just as the saltwater rushed in through her ears and nose, giving off the unpleasant sensation of sneezing.
By what seemed like pure luck, the waves landed both her and the person on shore.
The person coughing was a boy around her age, with long, black hair framing a pale face, and green eyes filled with tears. He shivered in the gray cotton shorts he was wearing, as though he were a cat plunged in water.
“T-t-thank you.” The boy stuttered.
“You’re welcome! What’s your name? I’m Alanna.” Alanna beamed. She didn’t know if she would ever see him again, but it would be nice to know his name.
Once the boy was done coughing, he brought his legs close to his chest, as though he wanted to ball himself up, and said:
“I’m Caden.”
Chapter Eleven
PRESENT DAY-ALANNA’S ROOM
Alanna lay in bed, sleep a mere suggestion to her. She wanted to close her eyes and drift off to dreamland, but her body wouldn’t let her. The only thing that played out in her mind was Caden telling her to “stop”, as though he didn’t love her, didn’t care for her.
A tapping noise played on her window, but Alanna simply smothered her face in her pillow. She’d ignore it.
“Alanna! Alanna, come out quick!” Adeline’s voice whisper-shouted.
So the tapping wasn’t just a random noise, like a tree branch against her window?
Alanna threw the pillow aside and walked up to the window, irritation rising within her.
“What is it?” Alanna asked once she got the window, covering her hand with her mouth as she yawned.
Adeline’s eyes had more zeal in them than usual, a sure sign that she was delirious. Why didn’t she just sleep?
“Get Caden and meet me at the beach.” Adeline said.
Oh no, another one of her adventures? There was absolutely no way Alanna was about to be dragged into it, and furthermore, bring Caden into the mess!
“Adeline, I’m ti-“
“Do it. Now.”
Well, Adeline needed sleep more than her for the interruptions.
“I-“
“Do it!”
Alanna grabbed the rope and climbed out the window, joining Adeline.
There was no point in trying to tell her differently.
Chapter Twelve
Adeline pulled on Alanna’s wrist, just like a child would. She went down the “smooth” path, because that was the only path she knew.
Goodness, but Alanna couldn’t escape! Adeline had her tightly under her grasp, which never happened before.
She’s just overzealous, that’s all. Nothing to it. She’ll calm down eventually. Alanna thought soundly to herself.
Her thoughts about Adeline calming down were as insane as her desire to cling onto Caden, which wasn’t insane at all. It was absolute certainty.
Chapter Thirteen
“What’s going on?” Caden asked, rubbing his eyes.
Adeline forced Alanna to drag Caden from his house, the boy himself sadly tired out, like a little weakened corpse. Alanna stroked his hair softly and gently, in an attempt to quell his fears.
“Just get in the canoe. We don’t have much time.” Adeline said shortly, her eyes tinged with annoyance.
“Get in? You want us to leave? You said you’d explain everything at the beach, now we’re here. Do you even know how to sail?” Alanna asked.
She had enough. Adeline had to explain herself, or else she and Caden would just leave.
“I never said I’d explain at the beach. Get in the canoe now.” Adeline said, narrowing her eyes.
“Adeline, give me five good reasons why.” Alanna said.
Nothing. Only the stillness of the waves.
Alanna was about to leave with Caden, but Adeline took them both by their wrists, dragging them to a lone canoe on the water.
Chapter Fourteen
Alanna held Caden close to her as the water rocked, as Adeline sailed on.
“Do you think that we can just swim away?” Caden asked.
“You can’t swim. How would it work?” Alanna asked.
“It wouldn’t. It’d just be better than this.” Caden said.
“Maybe we’ll be fine.” Alanna replied.
Hopefully, her words came true.
Chapter Fifteen
Alanna had a restless night, Caden didn’t sleep at all. Morning had come, a sign of hope on the horizon.
“Why are you doing this?” Alanna asked Adeline, who rowed the boat without a care in the world.
“I want to get out of here. I want to find adventure.” Adeline said with a smile.
Adventure? Was that what she called it?
“Do you even know where you’re going? How are you sailing this boat anyway?” Alanna asked.
It was a repeat of questions, but she needed an answer from Adeline. Something, at least!
“I’ve been practicing. I was waiting for this day.” Adeline replied.
Caden was chewing his fingernails nervously, just like he did all those years ago, when Alanna was walking him to his house after he almost drowned.
“And call me Claudia. Claudia is more of a pirate name.” Adeline added.
So Caden was chewing his fingernails like a child, they were miles from home, and Adeline wanted to be called Claudia?! What difference did it make? Adeline was still the same Princess she always was, and it showed.
Chapter Sixteen
FLASHBACK
It was another day at the beach that Adeline had to be pulled away by her family. Why she bothered to hang out with them when she had royal duties, Alanna would never know.
But at least it was just her and Caden sitting on the sand, watching the waves lap gently.
She felt Caden’s hand slide over hers. Alanna felt all the stress of her life melt away, sink into the Earth.
“Alanna, in all the times we’ve spent together, I’ve never felt as close to someone as I do with you.” Caden said.
While his hand was on hers, she noticed that he spoke more clearly, as though his spirit had the courage to move his body’s mouth.
“I want to kiss you on your lips, I want to hold you close to me and never let go…I love you. I love you so much that I don’t understand. But if you don’t love me, then-“
“I love you.” Alanna interrupted.
God, why did he have to apologize? It hurt her heart to hear him say sorry for things that he didn’t need to be sorry about.
“I love you, Caden. I’ve loved you ever since the day I met you. Your kindness, your honesty. But most importantly, how you listen. You don’t make me feel like I don’t matter, like nothing I say could make a difference. You truly listen to what my heart has to say, and that is rare to find in people.” Alanna said.
“You mean it?” Caden asked, ever-so-caring of her feelings.
“Yes.” Alanna replied.
Caden rested his head on her shoulder, and for a moment, and it was just them and the steady rhythm of the ocean.
Chapter Seventeen
After much rowing, Adeline had made it to a small, seaside town, where no palace towered over the homes.
“We’re here!” Adeline exclaimed happily.
“Here? Why are we here?” Alanna asked.
What was the town? What were they going to do? What was the point of it all?
“You can do whatever you want here. Just come back to this boat, I’ll need you.” Adeline said.
She was expecting them to get out of the canoe? To go to the unfamiliar town?
Alanna and Caden only watched as Adeline made her way out of the canoe.
Chapter Eighteen
Alanna was about to step off the boat, but then, Caden asked:
“What are you doing?”
“I’m leaving. Come with me, we don’t have to stay.” Alanna said.
After all, Adeline wanted them to explore. Why not do as she “wished”?
“But what if she comes back? What if she needs us?”
“She doesn’t need us, Caden. She just brought us along.”
“Come on, Alanna. Please?”
Alanna turned to look at him. His eyes were pleading, an edge of worry in his voice.
“Oh, alright. If that’s what you want.” Alanna relented.
Chapter Nineteen
Only a few minutes passed until Adeline came running back to the canoe, holding a black canvas bag in her hand, a man screeching: “Get back here, you wraith!” as she did so.
Alanna rolled her eyes. The only thing that Adeline thought of doing was stealing? Why on Earth would a Princess, with all the riches in the world, want to be a pirate, stealing from those less fortunate?
As a friend, she was supposed to understand, but truthfully, the only person Alanna understood more than herself was Caden. Sweet, simple, pure Caden.
At least she had him with her.
Chapter Twenty
Alanna lay in Caden’s arms as Adeline sailed on. They’d be safe together. They’d find a way out.
Adeline pulled out a black vial from the sack she stole. No…what on Earth was she going to do?
“Caden, you’re the man of the boat. Drink this.” Adeline ordered.
She wanted him to drink that?
“I’m not drinking that. It’s probably poison.” Caden said.
Alanna grinned. She didn’t expect Caden to stand up for himself, and oh how refreshing that was.
“Or it could be medicine for us. Medicine would be useful, considering that we’re in the middle of the ocean.” Adeline pointed out.
“You brought us here. This is your fault.” Caden pointed out.
Adeline sighed and threw her hands up in the air in frustration. It was fine talk for her to mention medicine when she set them up for death.
“Oh come on, just drink it!” Adeline demanded.
Caden broke himself from Alanna, his eyes ever so heated. Alanna’s heart beat rapidly, for finally, he was breaking out of his shell.
“I’m not drinking it.” Caden said.
“Well!” Adeline cried out.
“If he doesn’t want to drink it, then he-ADELINE! STOP THAT!” Alanna screeched.
Adeline was pouring the drink down his throat, forcing his mouth open. Caden broke away from her, his skin ever so pale, his eyes lost, and fell out of the canoe and into the vast water.
Alanna could go in and save him, but that was years ago, when they were just children. She barely survived swimming in the water then, she was only a slightly better swimmer than him.
Besides, what was the point? He was gone, she’d never save him in time.
Epilogue
Alanna and Adeline had been sailing for days, thoughts of Caden haunting Alanna’s mind, until finally, they stopped at a vast, expansive cave.
“Try and get some sleep.” Adeline said.
How funny that Adeline should say that when she was the one who brought the three of them into the mess.
Alanna hugged her legs close to her chest, for the air of the cave was cold and unwelcoming.
Something rippled in the water. It could have been nothing, but still, Alanna and Adeline stared at it, studying the movements.
Suddenly, something the height of Adeline’s palace rose from the water, something rather familiar…
“Caden?” Alanna asked.
The pale, skeletal boy, with long, black locks that went past his shoulders and long, black tentacles that circled the currents, stared back at her with large, deep green eyes.
“Are you…half…kraken?” Alanna asked, for the top part of his was human, and the other an octopus.
Was there something about him she didn’t know?
“What? No! That drink made me like this!” Caden cried out.
Alanna flinched, for even in his fury, he sounded a tad frightened. Did he feel like she betrayed him?
Caden turned to look at Adeline, the simmering of a monster in his eyes.
“You made me like this. You wanted to go on a stupid adventure. Because of you, I’m trapped like this.” Caden growled at Adeline.
“I’m sorry. I know, it’s all my fault. I shouldn’t have been so reckless. I’m sorry. Really, I am.” Adeline said.
Finally, finally, Adeline admitted that she was in the wrong. Finally, she told the truth.
Alanna gestured for Adeline to leave, and Adeline followed close behind. Caden didn’t deserve to be left in such a dismal environment, but did he even want her? Did he still loved her?
A black tentacle wrapped around Alanna’s waist, tightening its grip on her. She felt her heart drop into her chest, sink into the bottom..
“You’re not leaving.” Caden said.
Alanna turned to look at Adeline, but to her grand horror, Adeline too was wrapped in a tentacle of Caden’s.
“What do you mean? Why?” Alanna asked. Didn’t he care about them? Didn’t he love them?
Caden first looked at Adeline, and said:
“Claudia, you’re going to pay for what you did. For all the ridiculousness you made us put up with.”
Oh? So he called her Claudia? That was awfully sweet of him, but again, that was what he always did.
“Alanna.” He said, turning his attention to her.
Although he was a creature, although he had them trapped, deep down, he was only a young boy, and the way he said her name so softly, so gently, only proved it.
“Alanna, my love for you has only grown on this adventure. Unfortunately we cannot quite be together like we originally planned. So I’ll have to kill you if you want us to be together.”
What? Death? Didn’t he understand not to hold onto things? Why, why must he have them both under his control?
“Caden, with all due respect, I love you, but this is crazy! Let us go. I know what happened to you wasn’t fair, but please. Do it for me.” Alanna pleaded. He had to listen to her words, he always did, didn’t he?
No. He didn’t let go.
“What are you doing? Aren’t you going to let us go?” Alanna asked. He still loved her, he said so himself.
So shouldn’t he listen?
“No, Alanna. I’m not letting any of you go. I’m going to eat the both of you. Try not to move so much, it will hurt less. I’ll be sure to put your skull at the entrance of the cave, so that all may see. You and I will be together forever.” Caden gushed.
Alanna’s stomach twisted and turned. How could he be so calm with killing them? How could he…
“That’s not how love works.” Alanna said. It was her last resort, but that one sentence could change everything…right?
“That’s how our love works.” Caden beamed with pointed teeth.
Still holding onto them both, he pulled them into the water, so that all three of them were twisted in the currents.
Adeline and Alanna screamed, but there was nothing they could do.
Caden opened his mouth, the same pointed teeth that smiled only seconds waiting to tear them both apart. Alanna knew that she shouldn’t scream in the water because it would interfere with her breathing, but what was the point? She was going to die anyway.
Oh my god. I’m going to die, and it’s Caden that’s going to kill me. He’s going to eat me first. No one will be here to save me. Not my parents, not a soul. I’m going to-
Alanna’s thoughts were silenced by the teeth that sunk into her body, crumpling her into bits and pieces of meat.
The adolescents that went on an adventure were adolescents no more.
Points: 101
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