Chapter One - Lisbeth

“Wakey Wakey, hands off snakey!” My sister, Arianna calls as she pulls back the curtains to allow the orangey sunrise to spill into the darkness of the room. This was how she wakes me every morning. I would say I liked it, but I like sleeping much more. 

“One, i don't have a ‘snakey’, you absolute arse, and two, do I have to?” I stretch out. My toes slaying and my spine tingles. Morning stretches are one of the words most under-rated pleasures. 

“Yes, you do have to. It’s a work day, dumbass,” Arianna chuckles as I sit up on my bunk, the top bunk, obviously, and gain just enough energy to let out a great morning fart. Hey, ladies fart too! They just smell like roses, stop your judging. 

Arianne shrieks with amusement. I watch with a cheesy grin. “Lizzie, you may as well be a bloke with an arse like that.” 

“You do it too, don’t act like you’re so innocent.” I hoist myself off the bunk. I would say we have a bedroom, but that would be a lie. Our home is more of a shack. One minimalistic room; A bunk bed, a sofa, a bookshelf and a stove. Oh, and don’t forget the copious amount of plants. Some people (Arianna and my brother, Lakista) say I have a problem. I say, if it makes you happy then it’s not a problem. Right? Right?!

These beach shacks are all the same. One window. One door. One room. On Sencuba Bay your home is where you sleep and very rarely nothing else. When you live on a beach like this, you don’t tend to spend much time in your home, I mean, why would you? Even weekends are spent with the community. 

I step outside, the cool morning sun washes over my bare body. I pluck a dress from the line beside the shack and sling it over my head, allowing the thin cotton to float over me. I breath deeply, the ocean air fills my lungs, and even though the tide is out, I can still hear the comforting whispers of the waves. There are shacks either side of me. No one else seemed to be up and about, lucky for them. It’s not unusual to be naked here, clothing is an option and not a necessity. Luckily most of us have plenty of modesty. But, a body is just a body, we are all the same. Sure, some of us are a little wrinklier or marked with a battlefield of silvery scars, but we are human all the same. Our bodies are temples. No, maybe not temples, more like vessels. A temporary shell for a permanent energy. 

I shut the door behind myself after Arianna leaves, already clothed in our mother's dress. I have to jog to catch up with her. She seemed to float effortlessly down the cool white sands, the white cotton dress billowing behind her. She, in my opinion, looked like our Godess - Hersheima. The dress looked fantastic on her, maybe even better than it ever looked on our mother, and that was saying something! Once I catch up with her, our hands interlace and we stride together down the sands until the docks come into view. The soft sand under our bare feet turns to rough concrete as we walk up the side of the Dock, following the path till we enter Sencuba Bay. 

This early in the morning, very few people are awake and rearing to face the day, most of us being the shop owners, traders or cooks. One bustling body in the narrow street is our friend, Harv. Harv owns the green grocers and is outside, straining under the weight of a crateful of potatoes. 

"Girls! G'morning!" He calls and drops his crate out beside a table he has set up ready for produce. He arches his back and rolls his shoulders, trying his best to ease the tension in the old creaking bones. 

"Mornin', Harv!" Arianna calls in reply. 

Harv reaches under the potato table and pulls out a brown paper bag as he did every morning. We have a little deal going between us, that's how it works around here. We provide him books, he provides us breakfast. 

"Your breakfast! And the book! It was very good, anythin' else like it?" 

Arianna takes the bag and peeks inside. "I'm surprised you liked it, Harv. It was a romance, a good one, too!" 

"A romance, you say? I had never pinned you as a romance guy." I chuckle and take the paper bag from my sister. 

"Hey, my days of romance are long gone, I'll have you know! But I gotta' keep this old engine turning somehow." Harv winks, his old, bronze skin already shimmering with sweat in this cool morning air.  

"We will see what we can find for you, Harv." I say and begin to walk away, toward our bookshop. I throw a small wave over my shoulder. 

"See you later, girls!" Harv calls back and continues the laborious job of laying out his fresh produce for the day. Every crate rattles down as it connects with concrete. 

We enter the bookshop. Technically, it is Arianna’s bookshop, I simply help out for spare change (and also so I could use the computer.) 

The building is bigger than our home. Maybe even bigger than four or five of them together. The front of the building is fitted with sliding panels so we can open up the shop front and set out tables and chairs so people can grab a coffee and a piece of cake while they read. From the shop front, you can see the bright blue of the ocean if you look to your right, down the narrow hallway of buildings. Harv is just a few shops away and flicks us a quick wave as we set out the chairs. We waves back. 

The books inside are in crates, the same ones that Harv uses. They are side by side along the walls. People could buy books, or trade old ones for new ones. 

'Between The Pages' is just one other community hotspot. Especially for the weekends where the community often gathers here to trade books before the big feast. 

By this point, the morning has warmed up and Arianna takes a seat beside me as I boot up the computer. It whirs and groans into life. Arianna hands me a huge pre-peeled orange and puts the punnet of blueberries on the table. The orange, as usual, is the sweetest thing I had ever tasted and goes down a treat. I sign into the big, clunky computer and open my most visited website. 'Lucky You' is a free dating website, and I spend far too much time on it. My sister simply gazes up, rolls her eyes, and sinks back down into her book. 

The idea behind 'Lucky You' Is getting matched with people with the same interests as you instead of basing your feelings upon pictures. I'd be lying if I told you it didn't make me anxious, and trust me, I've opened up my fair share of messages with nothing other than a picture of their stiff, ugly cock, like what woman finds that attractive? What woman looks at a picture of a willy and thinks ‘Well, this is the man for me!’

I click to open my inbox and throw a handful of blueberries into my mouth while it loads. I scan for the username I’m eager to hear back from, only to find five unread messages from him. I quickly make sure there are no customers before I open it. 

DAV1L.69: Why don't you come to Uryburg City? The city awaits you! 

DAV1L.69: It's a money issue, isn't it? 

DAV1L.69: You know I can help you with money if it's a problem, right? Not to brag but I have plenty spare. 

DAV1L.69:...??? 

DAV1L.69: Have I said something wrong? 

DAV1L.69: Maybe a picture of my 🍆would cheer you up? 

I giggle to myself and feel a flush of excitement. I want to go to the big city, I really do, and money is one of the reasons why I can't. Another reason is…  well…  I'm a coward. Sencuba is home. It's familiar and comforting. I can’t afford to go to the big city, even if I save up for a year. 

LizCox.311: Definitely Do not send 🍆 pics! 

DAV1L.69: There you are! I was worried! 

LizCox.311: Really? 

DAV1L.69: Of course. You're the realest woman I've spoken to here. 

DAV1L.69: How much money do you need? I'd like to see you, Liz. 

DAV1L.69: Liz?? 

I watch the messages come through one after the other and swallow my bubbling nerves. 

LizCox.311: I can't, I'm sorry. 

DAV1L.69: Don't make me come find you. 

LizCox.311: I just want to feel independent. I can't take money from you, It wouldn't feel right. 

DAV1L.69: Well, if you change your mind

LizCox.311: Yeah, I'll let you know. Thanks Dav1l

DAV1L.69: Please, call me Davon. 

I smile to myself. I'll make it one day. One day I'll step foot into the city and find myself there. No, not find myself, I know who I am! I'm Lisbeth Marylue Cox. I am a 30 year old woman from the coast of Sencuba who's been working in a book shop for five years. That's me. But I'm lacking…  purpose. Yes…  that's it. I'm lacking purpose. 

A breeze rolls through the open shop front, a humid, dry breeze. I like Davon. He understands me. I think so, anyway. I look across to my sister who looks deep in thought at something she had just read. 

"Darn it. No dick pics today." I close the dating website page and chuckle to myself. 

"No? Not even one?" Arianna asked and turned the page of her book. 

"Not even one!" I stand and head to the coffee machine, an old one that was donated a year or so back, but it works a charm, most of the time. I fill two cups of coffee; the good stuff which our brother managed to import back from a fishing trip. Which reminds me…  

"Isn't Lakista meant to be coming home today? We didn't sort out the spare bed." I put Arianna's drink in front of her and put mine beside the computer. 

"I believe so. That's OK, I'm sure he can sort it out, he's a big boy." I watch Arianna smirk and for a brief second I see mother there in her place. 

The day passes by slowly, as usual. A few customers here and there, dividing the day into perfectly predictable sections until it was time to shut everything down and take the walk back down the beach. We walk, the cool waves of the ocean gently lapping our sore, hot feet until we pass our shack, pass our neighbouring shacks until the beach opens up. The community came into view, sat talking, laughing and eating around a huge open fire. We both smell it from here. Fish. 

"Lakistas home!" I sing and pull away from Arianna and run down the white sand, my heels digging into the cool powder as I sprint toward the gathering. I'm vigilant, and within seconds I manage to pluck my brother from the crowd of bronze skin. He must have seen us coming as he extends two fish skewers out towards us. I take mine, an uncontrollable smile ablaze like a fire on my face. 

"Lakista!" I chuckle and pull him into a half hug, careful not to poke one another with the skewers. 

"Liz! How are you?" He asks and kisses my forehead gently. Lakista is a big man in his 40s, broad shoulders and long shaggy hair and yet his touch is always impeccably gentle. 

"Not much changes around here. I should be the one asking how you are. You're the one out there…  cruising the vicious oceans waves and catching fish and sharks."

"It's hardly a vicious ocean. Not unless you go around to Ubar. You think catching fish is far more exciting and dangerous than it actually is. It's cute. Hi Arianna." Lakista places a single kiss to Arianna's forehead and hands her a fish skewer. 

"Catching fish is more exciting than sitting inside a bookshop six days a week." I say and take a bite of the fish skewer. I was so grateful for the food. Tomorrow, we will feast like God's. 

"You say that like you're not happy here." Arianna cocks her head curiously. 

I sigh. "I'm content." 

"But you're not happy?" 

How could I answer that? I look to Lakista in search of an answer but he simply stares right back. 

"I feel like I lack a purpose. A real purpose. I'm thirty now, half of my life has already passed and I feel like I've achieved nothing." I say. The flames of the open fire warms the cooling air. The sound of the ocean beneath the sounds of the pops and crackles of burning wood. People talk among each other, one big, close family. The youngest member of the community was in her early twenties. The amount of women easily overpowers the number of men. The youngest man was Adane, one of Lakistas fishing team. He had just turned twenty-five. What I'm trying to say, really, was there's no one here around my age. No one I can possibly form a relationship with or start a family with, hence the dating profile. 

"You're lacking in life, I've seen it before. You're desiring a man. A family, your own family. Your own job. Your own house. You want to find yourself." Lakista takes a bite of fish like he hadn't just dropped the realest truth bomb ever. 

Arianna nods slowly. "Then, how can we help you? How can we help you get what you desire?" 

"That's a deep question, Ari." I throw the skewer into the fire. "One I don't think I'm able to answer. Not realistically. I want to go to the city…"

"Uryburg?" My sister's eyes widen slightly. 

"Yeah, Uryburg. It's not that I don't want to be here, Arianna, I do. This is home, these are my people. I…  I'm just being silly. It will pass." I offer a smile, but it feels flat and empty. 

"Lisbeth." Lakista takes me by the shoulders and stares into my eyes. "Liz…  You're feeling this call to seek something more for a reason. You don't need to settle for second best, sorry Arianna, But if you're not happy then it's worth a try, no? What's the worst that could happen, huh? You find out the city isn't the place for you and you come back home. But, what's the best that could happen? You fit right in, find your purpose and lead an extremely happy life."

"God damnit, Lakista. Stop being so right all the time." I mumble with a smile and pull myself into his chest for yet another hug. 

"Liz, you know I only care about your happiness. I can handle the bookshop by myself. Trust me. I can cope. Why don't you go?" 

I peel myself away from my brother and feel a flight of nerves. "Because, I'm a coward. That, and money. You know how much it costs, right? Not only do I need to get there but I'd need to pay for a house, travel and then find work. It just seems too much."

"But your lover-boy has offered to lend you the money.." Arianna says with a sultry purr and god dammit I hate her for being right. I hate them both for being right. 

"Wait, my Lisbeth has a lover? When were you going to tell me?" Lakista playfully nudges my arm. 

"You read my messages?" I can’t help but smile. 

"I caught a glance when I looked up to see what the time was and just happened to see the messages. Why don't you accept the offer?" 

"Because I would feel bad."

"Not if you could repay it, though. Why don't you see if you could ask for enough money to cover travel and rent for a month on the promise you'll pay it back?" Arianna has a point. "If he's as rich as he says he is, he wouldn't mind."

"Fuck it. Let's go. We are asking right now." Lakista pulls us both away from the fire and we are laughing. What did I ever do to deserve this much support? "Come on, I've dropped my things off at the shack already. I have a laptop we can use." 

I look toward Arianna and she looks back at me with a warm, almost motherly glow. Why isn’t she angry with me for wanting to step away from something so peaceful. So perfect. 

Once inside the shack, the smell of fish and seawater overpowers the room so we leave the door open to air it out. While Lakista rummages through his bags, Arianna and myself pull out the sofa bed and made it up with the sheets that were draped over the back. Then, the three of us curl up on it together with me in the middle. Lakista puts the laptop onto my lap and I'm surprised at how heavy it is. 

I click to open the Internet and type in the url of Lucky You and log on. It's much quicker at loading than the old box at the shop. Thankfully. I don't think any of us could cope with the anticipation. 

I open the messages. He has sent three messages since we last spoke. 

DAV1L.69: I guess you've left to do your work. 

DAV1L.69: Img.Jpg

DAV1L.69: Miss you already. 

I chew my lip, the cursor hangs over the link to the image. 

"Well, looks like you did get a dick pick in the end." Arianna teases. 

It is Lakista that clicks the image for me and my heart sinks. Please, don't let it be a dick pic….

The image loads and all three of us looks with wide eyes. Not a dick pic…  but twice as exciting.

The picture is centred around the chest of a man, Davon I'm guessing. He's dressed in a black suit, a smart red shirt buttoned neatly and a black tie down the angled lines of the suit front. We can see a good definition of muscles, even through the shirt and blazer. A cufflink on show. 'Liberton'. 

"Holy shit, Liz, you hit the jackpot here." Lakista mumbles in amazement. "He's rich enough to wear Liberton…" 

"My god, you lucky bitch. Gimmie that." Arianna takes the laptop for a closer look at the image. "Mad lucky…  Liz, if you don't go and fuck this man raw then I will!" 

Arianna begins to type a reply but I take it back before she has a chance to make me look bad. Or worse - desperate. 

LizCox.311: Hello, Davon. I've been thinking. 

I hit send and it flashes as 'read' within a few seconds. 

Typing…

DAV1L.69: Ooh yeah? Tell me more. 

I bite my lip and look toward Arianna. This time, it is Lakista that takes the laptop from me. He clicks away at the keyboard and I trust him enough to know he won't embarrass me. He hits send and passes it back to me. 

LizCox.311: I'd like to accept your generous offer of money on the grounds that you let me pay you back. Otherwise, no deal. 

I glare sideways at Lakista. 

Typing…  

DAV1L.69: You really don't need to do that, Liz. I own a multi-million business. I could provide for you to live here for the rest of your life and not notice a change in my bank. How much can I send you? 

All three of us read and squirm with joy on this ridiculously small sofa bed. 

LizCox.311: Well, I'd need enough to cover travel costs to get there. Also enough to cover rent while I find work. How much do you think would be acceptable? 

I pull in my siblings close, adrenaline throbs through us all. 

Typing…

DAV1L.69: 500,000 

The world stops spinning for all three of us as we glare at the figure on the screen. I had never even seen a number so large. 

"Wow, he must really want you there, huh." Arianna rubs a hand across my shoulder. 

Typing… 

DAV1L.69: More? 

I swallow and type a response with sweaty fingertips. 

LizCox.311: I've never seen a number so large before. You're not serious, are you? 

Typing… 

DAV1L.69: If you're serious about coming, I'm serious about helping. 

Holy shit. 

"Do you think he could send it to the shop's account?" I ask Arianna but Lakista took the laptop. 

LizCox.311: Can you send it to my brother's account? 

Typing…  

DAV1L.69: If it means I see you, I'll send it. Can I see a photo of you? 

Lakista looks at us with a sly grin. "He wants a photo."

"We can't. We don't have a camera." I respond, but as I look at the laptop I watch an image move on the screen. An image of us three on the sofa bed. I blink and the me in the photo blinks back. 

"I have a camera here. Smile." Lakista aims the laptop so it covers all three of us and a timer counts us down.

The moving photo stopped moving and sends. 

Typing…

DAV1L.69: Let me guess…  you're the middle? You're much more beautiful than I had imagined. All three of you. 

I blush. Hard. 

LizCox.311: That's my sister, Arianna on the far left. Me in the middle and my brother, Lakista on the right. 

DAV1L.69: Img505.Jpg

We open the photo. The same black and red suit but this time his face is on show. His milky white skin contrasts the darkness of his suit, but holy fuck he is handsome. He has this angular face, a chin and jaw dappled with facial hair. His eyes are so dark they are almost ink-black. And his hair had been styled to swoop from one side to the other and back. He screams wealth. He screams desire. 

Arianna fans her face. "Honestly. I hope you take this opportunity, Lisbeth. It'd be a shame to waste it."

LizCox.311: We love your suit. 

Typing… 

DAV1L.69: Let me talk with Lakista. Let's get you on your way. 

I pass the laptop to him reluctantly and scootch off the sofa bed to fetch us drinks. Arianna joins me, both of us hardly fitting in front of the kitchen counter. 

"Liz…  you have to go. Please. It kills me knowing you're not fully happy here. Consider it a holiday, if you don't like it there you come right back, OK?" 

"But if I do like it…" 

"Then we will visit each other often. If you manage to hook up with this guy you won't be short on cash." She smiles and it lights up her caramel eyes. It's infectious, damnit. 

"It's a done deal, girls!" Lakista closes the laptop and rubs his hands together happily. "Money has been sent. You'll come with me tomorrow after the mid day feast. I can take you up to Uryburgs coastline. There's a little town there where someone will be waiting to pick you up. Apparently someone he trusts a lot." 

"What kind of business does he even own, girl?"  

"From what I understand he runs a very popular business." I shrug and pour water from the tap into three glasses. Even with my back turned I can feel their eyes on me. Lakista claps a hand against my shoulder gently. 

"Does it need to be tomorrow? It just seems a little…  fast moving." I scratch the nape of my neck even though it doesn't itch. A nervous tick that comes out from time to time. 

Lakista looks over me for a while, unsure what to say. Arianna sighs dramatically and takes her water and drinks if it half in one breath. "Liz, my darling sister. Please go. Just for a few days, OK? This isn't a permanent thing right now. Just a few days, a holiday. Get out there and explore. Go out there and live your damn life honey. Not many people get this kind of opportunity. 

" What if he turns out to be a creep. Or a serial killer." 

"I don't think a serial killer would spend half a million on someone who's basically a complete stranger, do you?" Lakista takes his water from the side and props up against the sofa bed.

"Maybe. Can never be too sure can you? Take the Hinksey Murders for example." I sip my water, thankful for the cool hydration but at the same time maybe its a bad idea drinking too much this close to bed time. 

"It's just natural to stay inside your comfort zone. No one is forcing you to go, but the offer is there, OK?" Lakista ruffles my hair, pops the glass into the sink and slinjs out of his clothes and into the sheets on his bed, almost elbowing off a potted plant from the window.