‘Not me, lovey. Just you.’
Mila frowned. ‘Why?’
Nanny smiled and offered her arms to Mila. ‘Ooo, look how big you’re getting! Now, Mila, I want you to be a good girl. Make sure you look after Paiga and Luca. They’re part of your family now.’ Nanny carried her to her bedroom. Mila stared at Nanny, confused and looked back toward the kitchen, wondering where Paiga and Luca were.
The kitchen had gone. The door no longer there, not even the corridor.
In Nanny’s arms, Mila stiffened.
‘Nann-’
‘Shhh. It’s all okay, lovey. We got to see each other again.’ Nanny rubbed her head affectionately against Mila’s as she opened the door to the bedroom.
The bed was gone. Just an empty spread of floor, with a large iron square.
The door, Mila remembered. That’s a door!
Nanny set Mila down next to the iron trapdoor and smiled at her, clasping her face between her hands.
‘Always remember your Nanny loves you very much, Mila. Remember that.’
Mila nodded automatically, her stomach churned. Nanny smiled at her.
‘Time to go!’
She flung the trapdoor open.
Sounds erupted around Mila, an intense wind dragging her and everything else in the room into the trapdoor.
Everything but Nanny.
‘Nanny,’ Mila reached for her, screaming. ‘Nanny NO! Come with me!’
‘Be a good girl, Mila. Know I love you so much little one.’ Nanny smiled as Mila got sucked through the door.
The door clapped shut.
Darkness swallowed her up.
‘Mila? Mila, lovey wake-up.’
Bright light pierced Mila’s eyelids. She whimpered, flailing at it. Something cool and damp covered her eyes.
‘Take it easy, you’re okay.’
‘Mama?’
‘Yes it’s Mama,’ Mama laughed. ‘Who else?’
Mila’s head spun and swayed, she gripped Mama’s hand that held hers. ‘Ooo, I don’t feel good.’
‘You will soon. It’s the effects of the between wearing off.’
With Mama’s help Mila sat up. The damp cloth covering her eyes fell off, leaving Mila blinking at the bright sunshine, so bright she couldn’t make sense of where they were.
The seat beneath her rocked one way then the next. Mila gasped.
Mama laughed again, hugging Mila tight. ‘It’s okay, we’re on a boat, Mila.’
As her eyes adjusted to the light, Mila saw that Mama’s words were true.
They sat on a wooden bench, at the outer edge of a narrow deck. The deck was crowded with everyone, all her aunties and uncles. Paiga, Papa, and Luca sat on the bench too, smiling at Mila.
‘Papa!’
Papa shifted position with Paiga, and reached out, hugging Mila tight.
‘You had us worried, Lea! You were the last to wake.’
‘I was busy, visiting Nanny.’
Papa pulled back, staring at Mila before exchanging a quick glance with Mama. ‘Nanny?’
Mila nodded. ‘She couldn’t come. She asked me to be nice to Paiga and Luca. They’re part of our family now?’ Mila asked, looking at her parents.
Mama’s eyes looked shiny with tears, but she smiled and nodded. Papa smiled at her and at Paiga and Luca.
‘Yes, yes they are.’
Mila pulled out of Papa’s arms and turned, crouching on her knees and stared out.
All around them was blue. Blue ocean as far as Mila could see.
Papa stood and helped her to stand on the box seat too, then lifted her to his hip. Paiga climbed to stand beside them, gripping Papa’s pants.
‘Papa, where is the land?’
‘Gone, Mila. Far behind us.’
‘Where are we going?’
Papa smiled at her then down at Paiga. He looked over to Luca and motioned with his head. The boy stood, climbing onto the seat beside them, his arm around Paiga. They all looked out at that beautiful expanse of blue.
‘We are sailing to Elion. Our new home.’
Mila looked at him then down to Mama, who shaded her eyes from the sun, smiling up at her.
‘Home?’
‘Home,’ said Papa. ‘A new adventure for us all!’
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About Nicole
Nicole is a thirty something New Zealander who loves to get lost in her imagination. Her favorite adventures are those lead by strong willed women/girls who aren’t afraid to get their hands dirty. Writing encourages Nicole to try all manner of things, including six months of long sword training and jujitsu lessons.
She lives in New Zealand with her partner, and two fur critters.
If you’d like to learn more about Nicole and her writing process, please visit
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