User blog:Cartoonprincess/Somnium: Chapter 3 The Fountain of Youth

' NOTE : This may seem like a pointless chapter, but the things that occur in this chapter prove to be very important ''for later chapters. Also, reading it will require a little maturity on your part. :P'''

Chapter 3: The Fountain of Youth



When Isabel awoke the next morning, she found herself lying underneath the Weeping Willow tree. She groaned. Her body felt stiff and sore as she got up.

           “GOOD MORNING!” Sydney suddenly appeared with a happy smile on her face.

           Though Isabel was initially startled, she groaned again as soon as she realized who it was.

           “You’re not dead yet?” She moaned.

           Sydney scoffed, “Well, someone’s a little grumpy! Fortunately, I know just what you need!” She chirped cheerfully.

           “Can’t wait…” Isabel replied in a tired, sarcastic monotone.

           Sydney giggled, “Come with me!”

           She followed her down the hill into a small cave, hidden by the bushes. Sydney crouched down and got through the opening, as Isabel quickly followed behind her. Pretty soon, the opening expanded and connected to a large space within the cave.

           It greatly resembled a spa, with a cool, refreshing mist in the air that glistened on the walls. The mist was coming from a large, lush fountain in the center that was surrounded by a sparkling pool with twinkling tiles at the bottom.

           “Where are we?” Isabel asked.

           “Welcome to the fountain of youth, Izzy!” Sydney said with a big smile.

           Isabel blinked curiously with her mouth slightly open.

           “Well, what are you waiting for!? Strip down!”

           “Excuse me..?” Isabel hesitantly replied.

           “Go on, girl! Make a splash!”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%;">           Isabel squinted suspiciously at her. “Hmm, why do I feel like you’re not telling me something..?”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%;">           Sydney chuckled nervously, “N-No time for questions, just get outta your jammies and into the tub!”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%;">           Isabel rolled her eyes and put her hand on her hip. She sighed in aggravation, “Look, I’m not getting in there until you tell me what’s going to happen…”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%;">           Sydney groaned in defeat and reluctantly gave in, “Okay, so I just thought that since you’re going to be here a while, you deserved to look,  well…” she stared in disgust at Isabel’s messed up hair, slouchy posture and slept-in attire, “not like that.”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%;">           “What? So, it’s just a bath..?”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%;">           “Not just a bath. Once you come out, you’ll never age in your fantasy world; you’ll stay the same age you are, now.”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%;">           Suddenly intrigued, Isabel raised her eyebrow, “…Really!?”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%;">           “Yeah, but…”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%;">           “But!?” Isabel repeated anxiously.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%;">           “Well, in the slim chance that you ever get outta here, you will continue to age naturally, once you hit reality.”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%;">           “Oh…” Isabel was disappointed. “Well, in that case, I don’t know if it’s worth it…”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%;">           “Come on, Izzy!” Sydney smiled and elbowed her gently.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%;">           “But like what if I stay here for like, decades and once I finally get out, all my friends and family would have outlived me..?”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">“Izzy, sweetie, I’m going to level with you; you’re probably never going to get out of here…you might as well look hot!” Sydney raised her eyebrow with a selling smile.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">Isabel thought deeply for a moment. “Can’t I get like a day or so to think about it?”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">“NO, you gotta get in NOW!”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">Isabel groaned, “Oh, my god…”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">“Besides, if you get in, you can eat as much as you want and never get fat! So, that means you can have all the cheddar cheeseburgers, fettuccine alfredo, fried shrimp with the cocktail sauce, beef hot dogs with relish, cheesecake, apple crumb pie, grilled cheese, potato chips, nachos and salsa, bacon, Papa John’s pizza…”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">Getting annoyed, Isabel reluctantly gave in. “Okay, okay, I’ll get in the stinking tub!”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">“But, wait!” Sydney urgently grabbed a hold of her shoulder. “You have to promise me you won’t tell anyone about this place, and you won’t show it to anyone. The fountain can only be used for emergencies.”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">Isabel tilted her head in confusion, “Emergencies? What kind of emergencies?”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">“Well,” Sydney’s voice squeaked nervously, “The fountain has healing properties and can technically be used to save someone’s life…” she mumbled under her breath, “but don’t even think to do that…”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">Too exhausted to argue, she shrugged, sighed and stripped down. As she dipped herself in, the pool swallowed her entire body. It was deeper than it appeared. Though not usually a very strong swimmer, she found herself easing into the water quite effortlessly. The bubbles fizzed on her skin.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">Isabel didn’t know how long she was in there, but once she got out, Sydney was gone. Dripping wet, she realized she didn’t have a towel and opted to search for one. After walking a few steps, she noticed her reflection on a mirror that was conveniently placed in front of her. She was positively stunned at what she saw.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">Lifted, youthful eyes stared back at her. The fine lines that had started to show had disappeared. The lashes surrounding them appeared slightly more voluminous. Though they were already fairly long, the length seemed to be more defined. Long, soft, silky hair flowed from her head. Rosy cheeks flushed her face, and her overall complexion had an even, luminous glow; not a single flaw or blemish to be seen. Beneath her nose was a pair of lush, plump lips that vaguely pouted. She licked her teeth. Her braces were gone. All that was left was a set of straight, pearly white teeth. Her once gnarly, bitten nails were now grown out beautifully to a reasonable length. Her breasts were lifted and supple to the touch. Long legs and a lean but still curvy figure further graced her appearance. Overall, her entire body felt smooth and baby soft. All dents, scars and fractures from previous injuries were completely gone.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">As Isabel stared with her mouth agape at her transformation, she didn’t look or feel as though she had undergone drastic plastic surgery. She still looked like herself. It was as if all the high points of her appearance had just naturally improved. She blinked in shock as she slowly touched the mirror to make sure it was her.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">Suddenly, Sydney showed up behind her in the reflection. “Pretty impressive, huh?” She grinned.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">“Yeah…” Isabel chuckled in disbelief.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">“And the great news is, you only need to bathe in it once and you’re set! That’s ideal for lazy people, like you.” Sydney added. She handed her a bathrobe. “Come on; let’s go find you something cute to wear!”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">“Honestly, I would much rather stay in my PJ’s.” Isabel said.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">“N’aw, you need to show off that stunning new bod of yours!” Sydney beamed.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">As they got out of the cave, Isabel noticed something peculiar. There seemed to be a point far in the horizon where the land ended and there was a huge, black hole of space. “What’s that?” Isabel hesitantly pointed.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">Sydney looked over, “Oh, you’re fantasy world gradually fades away as you get older.” She said nonchalantly.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">“WHAT!?” Isabel was shocked at how casually Sydney was taking this.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">“Hey now, don’t wig out, it happens to everyone eventually. You’ve probably already noticed that it’s starting to get more difficult to come up with new ideas and characters, right?”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">Isabel nodded.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">“It takes innocence to create and maintain a fantasy world, and as you know, we start to lose innocence as we age.”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">“Well, if I’m going to be living here from now on, what’s going to happen to me once my fantasy world finally completely fades away!?” Isabel asked frantically.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">Sydney smiled, “Ah, but you’ve already forgotten that you just bathed in the Fountain of Youth! You’re not going to age any further than this, and therefore, you’ll retain your innocence. Besides, your mind doesn’t even have control over your fantasy world, anymore!”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">“Oh, right…” Isabel felt stupid.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">Sydney giggled, “Come on, I want to show you something…”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">“What about my ‘cute clothes’!?”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">“Oh yeah, one sec.” Sydney snapped her fingers and a cute but comfortable outfit appeared on Isabel.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">Sydney wiggled her fingers and beamed with pride, “Magical powers,” she said.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">She grabbed Isabel’s hand, “Now, come with me!” She dragged ger to the very top of a high hill.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">Isabel was out of breath, “Why did you drag me up here!? You’d think this new, athletic body would work in my favor…”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">Sydney just smiled, “Look over there,” she pointed.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">Heroically sitting at the top of the hill, looking down upon the entire fantasy world was a throne.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">“Sit,” Sydney said.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">Upon sitting, Isabel laid eyes on the most spectacular view she had ever seen.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">“Wow…” She was breath taken.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">“Just think,” Sydney said softly as she got closer, “that is all yours…”

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">Isabel’s eyes twinkled in fascination at the world that she created.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">“Here you go,” Sydney handed her a plain, gold crown.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">“Ohhhhh, I get it!” Isabel realized ecstatically. She slipped on the crown.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">“I’ll leave you here alone, for a while…” Sydney winked and then left.

<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: 200%; text-indent: 0.5in;">Isabel took a deep breath and beamed as she gazed down at her kingdom.