Ashelyn 27

"Tom!" Maya screamed.
Suddenly, a rustling in row bushes behind us made us jump. Vanessa had followed sum and was now staring in confusion at the rippling water.
"Maya's brother, he fell in!" I gasped.
Without another word, Vanessa jumped into the water.
I gasped. I knew that unless Vanessa came up soon with Tom, the cold night take the little boy, if not the water.
For about fifteen seconds, we waited.  But it seemed like hours.
Finally, a gasping Vanessa rose abruptly out of the waves, Tom draped limply over her shoulder.
We rushed over, as Vanessa put Tom down on the shore.
He lay there, motionless.
Suddenly, he gasped.
He was alive, but we weren't out of trouble yet.

Ashelyn 26

We threw open the front door, staring out at the chaos. What had once been our lawn was now a shallow pond, and the road was a mutilated stretch of mud.
"Oh my gosh!" Maya exclaimed, "My house! Look, it's sunken a few feet into the ground. It's a good thing we left."
We splashed through the watery swamp land, formerly my lawn, and raced across the former road to the shore.
"The water is so high!" I marveled, staring at the loch.
"Come one, we have to find Tom!" Maya said.
Overhead, thunder boomed and lightning struck somewhere on the horizon.
As soon as we reached the old ruins of the cottage, I glimpsed a small figure standing near the loch, gazing at the rapidly rising waters.
"Tom!" Maya shouted.
Her little brother turned to us, but his face was suddenly a look of alarm as the mud he was standing suddenly slid.
Maya screamed as her little brother tumbled in the loch.

Ashelyn 25

I woke up to Maya poking me in the arm, looking distressed.
"What's...what's up?" I yawned.
"It's Tom! He got out of the house, somehow, now he's out on the moors!" Maya exclaimed.
Tom was Maya's two year old brother, and was rather known for getting into as much trouble as he possibly could at the absolute worst time.
"Come on, everybody else is already out there!"
"Wait, if everyone else is out on the moors, we should check out in the front, he might be there. Do you have any idea where he would even go?" I asked.
Maya's eyes widened. "Um, well earlier he really wanted to go and see the ruins of the old cottage. Maybe he's there!" She said.
I nodded. "Let's get going!"

Ashelyn 24

At eleven thirty that night, most of the house'a inhabitants were still sitting in the living room. Maya's little brothers were asleep, all of them huddled on the guest bed upstairs.
My dad was in the he corner, fiddling with the old radio we kept atop a bookshelf.
Finally, it crackled to life. "I've got a signal!" He announced.
Everyone rushed over to him, gathering around the radio.
Once the static cleared, a prerecorded voice said: "A flash flood warning has been issued for..." Several cities were listed off, including our own. The messege continued: "Move to higher ground if rapidly rising water is seen or heard. Low lying areas should be avoided..."
The adults gazed around at each other.
"Well, off to bed!" My mum announced, attempting to add a cheerful note to her voice, "Maya, I'll bring up a sleeping bag and some pillows for you in a moment."

Ashelyn 23

My mum rushed in, saw the dripping Carson's and ran to get towels.
Once they were wrapped up in the biggest towel mum could find, they sat and Explained.
"The rain is causing the loch to overflow, and our house is already flooding! Luckily, you're on higher ground." The Carson's explained.
"Well, you can stay here as long as you need too,  don't worry!" My dad said.
Vanessa was looking pale, sitting with her knees pulled up to her chin.
"Vanessa, what's wrong?" I asked.
"I...I've never really been in a situation like this. In New York, the worst a storm could do was keep us out of school cause the roads are flooded, but you're always high and dry in your apartment!"

New characters!

Check out the Characters page, which is now featuring Maya's many little brothers!

Ashelyn 22

"I think we should be getting back..." Mr. Carson (Maya's dad) said, peering out the window at the storm.
"Alright. Goodness, I hope this storm lets up soon." My mum said.
The Carson's gathered up their children, and made for their home.
"I hope they're all right. After all, their back porch almost hangs out over the loch, and their house is only one story."

My dad went into the kitchen to wash up the dishes, and my mum tidied up the living room, my aunt Maggie helping her.
My uncle was upstairs, and Vanessa was on her sleek white smartphone. Suddenly, the lights flickered off, and Vanessa gasped.
"Power outage." My mum realized.
"Because of the storm? Wow, I didn't realize it was so powerful." Aunt Maggie said.
My dad came out of the kitchen. "I need help in the kitchen! We need to fill up as many pots and pans with water as we can!"
Me, mum, and aunt Maggie rushed into the dark kitchen.
Vanessa trudged after. "Why do we need to fill up on water?" She asked.
"With a storm like this, I wouldn't be at all surprises if it's damaging the plumbing. It won't be long before we run out of water from the taps." My dad explained.
Vanessa gulped. "I'll go fill up the bathtub upstairs." She rushed away.
A loud pounding at the front door made me jump. I opened the door to find the Carson's dripping wet, standing on our porch.

Additions!

A really good friend of mine just contacted me with an awesome addition to the story: combining the flood option with the storm, there's going to be really awesome posts in the following days. By awesome I mean, chaos, excitement, etc!
By the way, you should check out my friend's blog: katietauthor.blogspot.com
You should really check it out, it's a great story blog!

Ashelyn 21

We were all still sitting outside, chatting, when the first drop of rain splashed down on my hand.
More droplets came raining down, rushing us inside.
"Well, I suppose we Carson's should be getting home." Maya's mum said.
My mum shook her head. "Oh, won't you at least stay for desert?"
The Carson's agreed, and we found ourselves chatting and laughing in the living room.
Outside, the rain pounded down, and wind swept across the loch, stirring up large waves, which crashed against the land, bringing down weak chunks of the bank.
The rain continued on for hours, and didn't stop. Twenty minutes after the rain started, the dirt road was a mutilated stretch of mud.

Votes

Well, it seems I'll be referring to my own opinion: 'A. a big storm, causing lots of chaos, maybe some fire.'
So get ready to receive an awesome Ashelyn post!!!

Hmmm.....

I've been thinking: the story needs more excitement, so I'm going to add some stuff. But I'm not sure on I what to add...
So here are some options-

A. A big storm, causing lots of chaos, maybe some fire.
B.  a flood, coming up from the loch that they live right next too, obvious chaos.
C.  A storm, but instead of taking shelter they try to outrun it with their car. Yeah, all three families shoved into some bus/car. Maybe not...

Just vote in the comment section, and if I receive no votes, I'll revert my own personal opinions. :)
Oh by the way, I can't put in the next post until I know which disaster to put in, so you'll have to wait a bit for it!

Ashelyn 20

At dinner, I sat with Maya on one side of me and Vanessa on the other, so it was kind of awkward, trying to talk to each of them. I felt like I had a responsibility to talk to Vanessa, cause she's a guest and my cousin, but Maya is my best friend....ugh.
And Maya's little brothers were surprisingly well behaved. Well, as well behaved as little boys can be, I guess.
After dinner, we sat out on the porch, the boys running around the grass (chasing fireflies?), and the adults talking about boring adult things. Politics, maybe?
"So, how long have you known Ashelyn?"  Vanessa asked Maya.
"Since we were...three, I think." she said.
"Two, actually!" I corrected, smiling.
"That's nice," Vanessa said, I honestly couldn't tell if she was being sincere or not.
"So, what about you? Who's your best friend back in the states?" I asked.
"Kealyn Green. We go to the same school, obviously, but we've known each other longer, since she only lives a few blocks away."

Ashelyn 19

The next morning, Maya and I took Vanessa into town, where we saw a movie got some ice-cream, and basically had a great time.
Vanessa was obviously surprised by the wide selection of entertainment, and she did admit that some of the shops (although they didn't measure up to New York) did slightly appeal to her tastes.
Maya was surprised by Vanessa's change in behavior since they had last seen each other, and she seemed slightly skeptical of my cousin.
When we got home, I found that my mum had invited Maya's whole family over, including her five little brothers. Sounds lovely.

Oops!

You'll probably hate me for this, but no post today! Stuff came up, now I'm too tired for a late entry!

Ashelyn 18

That night, I sat on my bed, reading.
Vanessa was lounging on her cot, perusing a magazine. "So...sorry I kinda 'insulted' your town earlier, I guess I don't really know what it's even like yet anyway. Maybe we could go out there tomorrow, with your friend, Maya." Vanessa sighed.
I smiled. "Sure. We can show you the shops. It may Not be  a glamorous as New York, but it can be pretty fun."

"G'night Ashelyn."
"Goodnight Vanessa."

:(

Sorry for no post yesterday, the website was acting up!
Just as an FYI, there will be no Sunday post. I won't have time to post in the morning, and my afternoon and evening is pretty much booked!

Ashelyn 17

"It seems like there's a lot more things to do in New York than there are here..." Vanessa sniffed.
Maya glared at my cousin. "Oh yeah? Have you even been out of this house since you got here?"
Vanessa stood. "Excuse me. No doubt I can find something better to do than sit here and talk it you two." She strutted away.
"Ugh,  Maya, I don't think I can stand another day with her, much less the rest of summer."

Later, Maya went home, and aunt Maggie laid out what she had prepared for dinner.
"Well, I obviously couldn't find all I needed to make this right here in kitchen, so I had Anne here take me to that store in town- Morrison's, wasn't it. Well, anyway, here it is- fried chicken, baked beans, and cheesy casserole!"
"Wow, this certainly...isn't what we're used to!" My dad said, staring down at the meal.
"Poor chicken!" My little sister Ella said, looking like she might decide to cry, which she likes to do in front of newcomers.
"Ella, we eat fish that dad has caught all the time, this isn't that different!" I said.
"Oh. Okay!" She said, taking a big bite of the fried chicken.

Ashelyn 16

I invited Maya over for a few hours to meet Vanessa, and the results were...interesting.
"Hi. Vanessa, right? I'm Maya." May said with a smile.
"Mmm hmm? Yeah, I'm Vanessa. So, what kind of things do you guys do for fun around here." She said, with a look on her face as if our answer would make her laugh.
"Well, we go around town, go to the movies, shop a little...a lot of stuff. What about you? What do you do in America?"
"Well, we live in New York, so there are a lot of fun things to do around there."

Ashelyn 15

Vanessa slept in until noon, as did aunt Maggie. Uncle Artie only slept in 'till ten thirty, which was an accomplishment compared to his female family members.
Maya and I went out with our dads on Maya's dad's bigger boat. The two actual fishermen caught plenty, Maya and I, however, were out of luck when it came to reeling in fish. Unless you call one tiny minnow 'lucky'.
When we got home, aunt Maggie had gotten mum to let her make an American dish, so my mum was sitting in the living room, catching up with uncle Artie.
Vanessa was sitting next to her dad on the couch, a smartphone in her hands.

Ashelyn 14

"Artie, Maggie!" My mum shouted. My aunt and uncle looked over in our direction. My mum waved excitedly.
My mum ran happily over to her brother, giving him a big hug, followed my a hug for my aunt Maggie.
 Vanessa stood with a hand on her hip, looking over at us. I took Ella's hand and walked over.
"Hi, Vanessa. Um, welcome to Scotland." I said.
"Right, yeah. So...it's been a while, huh?" She said, looking bored.
"I guess you could call twelve years a while." I said. My dad came over and picked up a giggling Ella, and said to us, "Come on girls, we should be getting all of you back to the house. Vanessa, you're probably tired."

When we got back to the house, Aunt Maggie and Uncle Artie got the guest room, and Vanessa got a a newly purchased cot. Which was placed in my room.
Vanessa and I would be roommates for the rest of the summer.

Ashelyn 13

My dad was the first to notice them when they came out. He pointed, and mum hoisted Ella up onto her shoulders to wave.
"Hey mum," I asked, "how come their last name is Parker? Wouldn't it be Boyd?"
"Well, your aunt Maggie wanted to keep her maiden name, and my brother wanted there to be one family name, even if it wasn't his, so he changed his last name to Parker."

I caught sight of Vanessa before she saw us. She had sleek, straight shoulder length blond hair, and blue eyes. She wore a T-shirt with a big old American flag on it.

Ashelyn 12

Early The next morning, we borrowed Maya's family's big van, picked up my little sister Ella from her summer preschool, and then drove down to the nearest airport to pick up the Parkers.
We didn't have to wait long, but when we first arrived we sat on the plastic black seats overlooking the terminal they were due to be arriving from.
Ella sat in my mum' lap, nearly asleep, and dad's eye were drooping as he sipped coffee.
I appeared to be the only one not falling asleep. I was texting Maya on my mum's phone:

Me: bored, waiting for Relatives to come out of customs.
Maya: pretty slow here too, at least I'm not in a stuffy airport. When will I get to meet your cousin?
Me: probably on the second day their here, once their jet lag has worn off. Got to go, people starting to come out of terminal!

I held up our sign that said Parker, waiting.

Ashelyn 11

That night, I sat on the rocks overlooking the sea, breathing in the foamy spray,  and relishing in the cool breeze that pushed my hair back from my face.
The sun was setting late, as it does in Scotland. It was already nine forty at night, and the last few golden rays were still spilling over the mountains, and lighting up the water.  Better than any fireworks display.

"Ashelyn! Time to come in! We wouldn't want to lose you to those sharp rocks!" My dad called from the house.
"Okay dad! I'll come in, in a few minutes!" I called back. I stood and walked a short distance down the road to the ruins of an old stone cottage on the shore. Maya and I liked to have picnics there, among the ivy and the crumbling stone columns.
Walking back to the house, I saw Maya on her tree swing, reading a book.
"G'Night, Maya!" I called.

Ashelyn 10

That night, I sat on my bed and and looked over a few pictures of my cousin Vanessa. A letter I found from my uncle to my mum mentioned how 'Vanessa is the image of her mother- blonde hair, and big American blue eyes!'.
Another letter recounted how well Vanessa and I got along when we were babies, and I wondered if we would get along this time too.
My mum called from the hall, "Good night sweetie! Remember, my brother and his family are coming in two days!"

The next morning I escaped my mum's tornado of house-tidying by going out with Maya and my dad on his fishing boat, where we did our best to catch as many fish as possible, which turned out to be three tiny ones between Me and Maya.
My dad, however, had more luck, reeling in tons of salmon.

After a lunch of (surprise, surprise) salmon, mum forced me and dad to participate in house cleaning.
I dusted, vacuumed, swept, polished and scrubbed my heart out before two in the afternoon.

Ashelyn 9

After fish and chips, our parents brought Maya and Me to an ice cream shop, and we all sat on the shore and talked.







Sorry for extremely short post!! I'm going to do a longer one later!!

Ashelyn 8

My family and I went out with Maya and her family for fish and chips out in the town. 

Maya and I sat together, listening to our parents talk about fishing and stuff. Finally, the conversation turned to my relatives. 

"Oh, the last time I saw my brother and his wife was...oh, years ago!" My mum exclaimed. 

"How did he end up in the states anyway?" Maya's dad asked. 

"We moved there with our parents when we were young teens, and when we moved back here a few years later, he stayed back with our aunt and uncle, for a sports scholarship in American football." 

Ashelyn 7

I went back over to Maya's house to tell her the news.
"Really? Have you ever met them before?" Maya asked when I told her.
"Not really. When I was a baby they came and visited, but I don't remember them, obviously. I've only seen pictures really." I sighed, absently pulling my hair back in a messy bun.
"What about your cousins?" Maya asked.
"I've only got one- Vanessa. She's very....American." I said with a weak chuckle.

Ashelyn 6

"They're coming? You mean, here? In Scotland?" I gasped.
My mum smiled and nodded,  my dad did the same.
I went up to my room, which overlooked the mountains and nearby town.
Great, my relatives are coming. The ones who like American football and loud music and 'cheeseburgers'. Ugh, give me haggis any day! I thought, plopping down on my bed.

Ashelyn 5

Maya and I rode back down the road to our street, our few purchases stowed in our backpacks.
As we rode, we chatted and laughed, and when I saw that my family's car was gone and that my mum had left a note on our door saying "Your dad and I have gone out to the store and the post office, I've asked Maya's mum if you can stay with them until we get back!", so I hung out with Maya for the rest of the afternoon.
When my parents got home, they were laden down with shopping bags, and in my mum's hand was a brown envelope.
I said bye to Maya and walked back over to my house, pushing my bike along next to me.
When I got in, mum and dad were sitting in the living room talking.
"Oh, hi hon. Fun time at Maya's?" My mum said.
I nodded. "Yep! Hey, is that letter from America?" I asked.
"Yes, it from your aunt and uncle. Guess what, they're coming to visit for the summer, your cousin too!"

Ashelyn 4

Maya and I rode our bikes into town on the small roads, a cliff dropping to a loch on one side, and a steep rocky green hill.
Town was a few miles away, and it didn't take long to get there.
We parked our bikes and headed down the high street (the street with shops lined along it. A lot of towns have one, or multiples.).
We walked down the street, colourful clothes and scarves catching our eyes in shopfront windows.
After an hour perusing hrs high street shops, I had found and bought a scarf and a pair of sunglasses (not like I'll use them much in cloudy Scotland), and Maya bought a fedora hat and a purse.

Ashelyn 3

I scrambled up the rock to Maya.
"Summer, finally!" We said simultaneously.
"Okay, first day of not-school, what should we do?" Maya asked.
"We should go into town, and visit the shops!" I said, Maya heartily agreed.
"I'll go tell my mum we're going out!" Maya said, and I did the same, running back towards my house.
"Mum, can Maya and I go into town, and visit the shops?" I asked.
My mum, who was packing a lunch for dad when he went out fishing. "I suppose so, just as long as you get back by lunch!" She said.
"Ok, thanks mum!"

New page

I'm putting up an Archive page for all the characters and info for previous stories, so I'll have more space for the new story's characters and info and stuff.
*sniff* Still sad that Ironhollow is gone....

Ashelyn 2

I pulled on jeans and t-shirt, grabbing tennis shoes on my way out of my room.
We were maybe thirty feet from the sea in our little cottage. And in case you're thinking about a beach, maybe with a nice big stretch of sand, you'd be wrong.
The water is cold and dark, and the closest thing to a stretch of sand is the shore, which is blanket of pebbles and broken shells and rock stretching down to the water.
I dropped my shoes a few feet from the water, pulling off my socks, and stepping ankle deep into the water. It was cold, as it usually was, but I didn't mind.
Leaning down, I picked up a stone perfect for skipping across the water. Before I could spin it, I heard someone calling down me from the small cliff overlooking the shore.
Looking up, I saw my best friend Maya waving.
"Hi Maya!"

Ashelyn 1

My name is Ashelyn Boyd. I live in Scotland. My dad, Eddie Boyd,  is a fisherman, and my mum, Anna Boyd, works in our local grocery store. I have a little sister, Ella, who is the sweetest little thing in the world.
It's summer, and school is finally out, thank goodness!
My best friend Maya Carson, lives down the road from my family's cottage, where she has five little brothers. Her dad's also a fisherman, and basically my dad's best friend.
And let me tell you, this summer will be the most extraordinary summer. Ever.

My alarm clock beeped loudly, waking me from a deep sleep.
I reached over and slapped the snooze button. I fell out of bed, thinking of the coming school day. Then i remembered. Last Friday had been the last day of school.
Relieved, I turned off my alarm clock for good, and walked down the hall to our kitchen.
It was small, with simple white counter-tops, a wooden dining table in the corner, and an oven, a small fridge and a sink, no dishwasher.

The end of Ironhollow

*sniff* well, Ironhollow has ended, and now it's time for a brand new story: Ashelyn Boyd, a Scottish girl, who lives (duh) in Scotland, with her dad and her mum, and something exciting happens, something that I haven't actually planned out...
Anyway: here end the story of two Orphans, two Criminals, two Royals and a corrupt King.

Epilogue

Prescott was taken back to catacombs, and was sat down in a wooden chair in a cell. 

 

Outside the door stood Warren, Arden, Victoria, Eden, Poppy and Paisley. Arden leaned over and hugged Warren. 

"Thanks for...well, tackling your father." She said with a smile. 

"No problem, it was actually kind of fun!" He replied, smiling back at her.

"So what happens now?" Eden wondered. 

Victoria stepped up. "Poppy and I are going to stay here, and join the rebels officially. What about you Arden? What are you and Paisley going to do?" 

"I don't know, we might go to Pinecliff and see if they elect a new ruler, the we'll probably go home to Westerdale. Warren, what are you-" 

Warren was not there. They caught a glimpse of him heading down to the prison area. 

Prescott sat in his cell in silence. He noticed his children in the shadows by the door. 

"I suppose you're here to boast your victory." He said simply. 

Warren stepped forward, staring down at his father. 

"I am only going to ask this once, where  is  my  Mother?" 

Ironhollow 70

Earysta led the smaller group of rebels through a side street and down ally ways. Among them were Arden and Warren, and as they crept along towards the enemy, Warren suddenly stumbled. Arden quickly helped him to his feet,  and she draped his arm around her shoulder for support as he struggled along.

"Arden, I.. I can't do this." Warren said. 

Arden helped him stumble to the side of the line of marching soldiers. "Warren, what's wrong?" She asked.

"I can't fight my father like this." He said, his face pale. 

"Well you certainly can't join him!" Arden whispered. 

"I know, I just...I know he's a corrupt tyrant who doesn't really care about his country, nevertheless, he raised me and Eden. I can't just go in there and..." 

"I get it, I...maybe you should just sit it out then. Go back to the senate building. If you really know that you can't do this than you shouldn't try to." 

Warren nodded. "Go. You should still join the battle, just...be really careful, okay?" He said, struggling to his feet. 

Arden smiled grimly. "Yeah, I'll try. See you back at the senate." 

Arden rejoined Earysta and her team moments before they set off the first war cannon.

When they did set it off, a heavy net spread over a dozen soldiers or more. 

More war cannons were set off, and Earysta let out a battle cry. They rushed headlong into the battle, fighting for their lives. And freedom. 

Amazingly, the battle didn't last long, but it still took a toll on Arden. Bruises and cuts now decorated her arms, and blood dripped into her eyes from a cut on her forehead. 

"Rebels, remember the plan! Split their army in two!" Someone yelled. 

Arden caught sight of Poppy helping a limping Paisley out of the battle and into an alley.

Victoria was dueling with a skilled soldier, and Arden came up behind him and kicked him. He fell to the ground, and Victoria shot Arden a grateful smile, before stepping away into the battle.

"We have him! Prescott is running!" 

"Someone tackle him!" 

Voices rose in the air, and Arden caught a glance of Prescott running for dear life away from the battle. 

Arden sprinted with all her might towards him.
At five feet away from him, she wiped the blood off her face, and as she did so she tripped and fell

hard.
"That's it. Now Prescott gets away." Arden thought miserably. She didn't dare look up to undoubtedly see Prescott getting away.
Suddenly, the sound of someone falling to the ground surprised Arden.
She looked up.
Warren had stayed. He had tackled Prescott, and now he stood over his father, staring down furiously at the man by his feet.
"Sorry, Dad, but you won't be getting away so easily."