Arranged Marriage

YOU'RE Taken

Katakuri wraps you in a towel and carries you back into your new bedroom. "While you get dressed, I'll remove the mirrors." He says. You nod, staring into one of the mirrors on the wall solemnly. You don't see Brulee, but that doesn't mean she couldn't see or hear you. Her betrayal hurt more than his. You were too trusting of people. You were wrong, you don't make friends. You should have known that. "Don't be too hard on her," he tells you, "she and I have a lot of history together. Of all my brothers and sisters, I trust her the most." Good to know, you think, if only he'd told you sooner so you didn't fall for her trap. "You might not think so now," he continues, "but I did the right thing for you." You felt like slapping him across the face, "how do you figure? Of all the things you could have done for me, kidnapping doesn't come high on my list."

"Is that what you think I did?" He says, "I protected you." You roll your eyes, "so you keep saying. Leave the hand mirror, just in case I'm in a forgiving mood." Just as he promised, he took every single mirror from your room. Except the hand mirror, which you take into the closet with you. You change into a pair of shorts and a tank top that barely covers your belly button, something fun that regular girls wear. There was a certain amount of freedom that came from losing everything. There's nothing holding you back except the obvious, escaping Katauri and his island. "Brulee," you sing into the mirror, feeling chipper. "O-Oh, Sis? I didn't think... you'd want to see me," she says. You give her a big and greedy smile, "Why wouldn't I want to see you? You're my friend!" You lie. You're not a good liar but you'd have to be if you were getting out of here. "Oh, well, I'm glad to hear that," Brulee says cautiously.

"Did you get to see the wedding dress Katakuri picked out for me?" You ask. "I went with him to get it, yes. Sis, I was so sorry to hear about the wedding. Mama could still change her plans, she does love wedding cake," Brulee tells you. Sorry Big Mom! But you wouldn't invite her to your wedding. In fact, none of them were invited, because you were leaving forever. "I'm very disappointed," you say. "I've never seen him like this," she tells you. You grip the mirror tighter in your hand, "Katakuri? Like what?" Brulee choses her words carefully, "he doesn't stick his neck out for anyone who isn't family. Yet, here you are Sis, living in Big Bro Katakuri's house. You're so special." But not special enough to be given the freedom to leave.

"Big Sis Brulee! How funny you should say that, I was just thinking the same thing," oh you are so clever, you think, "where I'm from, the bride and groom exchange wedding gifts before they get married. Something thoughtful and precious. I was hoping you'd help me, since you're his favorite sister and all.." take the bait, you prey, take it Brulee... Brulee blushes at the compliment, "if you do have a wedding I'd be happy to help Sis." Mmm, and there it was, another obstacle, another lie. "Katakuri proposed to me, and I said yes, I feel like this is the perfect time!" You squeal in feigned excitement. "H-he did?" Brulee didn't seem happy, maybe even hurt. "I thought you'd be happy for us! You're the first person I've told and my only friend," you plead, giving her your biggest saddest eyes. "I would have to ask Big Bro if it's okay to take you," she says, "it's still not safe for you outside of his island." Damn it! Damn it all! Your plan is falling apart right before your eyes. If Brulee told Katakuri ANYTHING you just told her, he'd lose trust in you. He'd keep a closer eye on you. Put the mirrors back in your room? You don't know what he'll do but you know it will be counteractive to you leaving.

You slip on a pair of sandals. Because you are leaving. Now. You set the mirror on top of your pile of tank tops, so that it's facing you. "That won't be necessary, Brulee," you hold up your hand to the mirror. You didn't want to have to do this but she'd given you no choice. None of them had given you a choice. You focus and extend your darkness to the person on the other side of the mirror. "You WILL take me to the Smoothie Shop on Whole Cake Island," you demand, filling your victims head with your intentions. Brulee starts to cry, "No! You know I can't! Stop!" But she reaches her hand out anyway, because you made her. You take her hand and allow yourself to be pulled into the mirror.

When you turn around, you see Katakuri on the other side of the mirror, he looks furious. He's so quick! He must have seen the future. But he's too late. He can't get into the Mirroworld without Brulee. "Big Bro Katakuri! She made me do it! Help me!" Brulee cries. You grab Brulee's hand, she attempts to free herself from your grip so you send a pulse of your darkness through your hand and into hers. "Come now, Big Sis," you coo, "time to go shopping, like you promised." Katakuri's gone from the mirror. Which meant he's on his way to where he thinks you'll be... the Smoothie Shop. You're sure Brulee had told him that's where you were asking to go the last time you'd snuck yourself into Brulee's Mirroworld. "The Smoothie Shop on Whole Cake Island!" You yell until a mirror sings out, "Me! It's Me! I can take you!" You grab Brulee's hand and run to it.

Brulee tugs at your arm again before you jump into the mirror, "Please Sis, I know you don't trust me, but you have to trust Big Bro Katakuri. He cares for you. You don't know what my siblings are like! You won't last out there. Runaways NEVER escape!" She's lying. You know she is, because that's what she does. She isn't your friend. She's only keeping you from freedom. She doesn't know about Cherri. You run into the mirror and let go of Brulee's hand. You fall from the mirror and into the Smoothie Shop on Whole Cake Island. You did it! You made it! Because you are strong enough to do what's necessary to survive, to protect yourself. There's nothing Katakuri can do now, he'll be too late. You'll be long gone by the time he gets here. You sit down at the counter, "I'd like one strawberry smoothie with three cherries please," you recite the order perfectly. Please Cherri, don't let me down, you think.

The server behind the counter comes back to you with your smoothie, "On the house," he says. "Wait!" you yell before he walks away, "what about Cherri?" He nods, "yes three of them." Darn it, he doesn't know what you're talking about. You take the smoothie and drink some, it's really good. What if Cherri doesn't come? What if the next person to walk into the Smoothie Shop is Katakuri? You look outside the shop window, there's a woman standing across the street with a big hat, wearing a long blue dress. You know it's Cherri, because of her long and beautiful neck. Your heart leaps. You race outside, as you do, Cherri retreats into the alley.

"Cherri!" You hug her in excitement. She pushes you off, "yeah, yeah, hi. More importantly, you made a huge mistake!" She says angrily. You take a step back, not expecting Cherri to act like this, "I know, please, I can't stay. You were right about everything. Please! Cherri I need you!" She doesn't seem as warm or welcoming as she did last time. She's very calm and angry. "You told Little Sis Brulee and now Big Bro Katakuri knows, you idiot!" She says, "He'll be here any minute! You've put me in a tough spot." You drop the smoothie, "what did you just call them? Your name's not Cherri is it. Who are you really?" Realizing her mistake, 'Cherri,' pulls out her sword. You turn to run but she takes the hilt of her sword to the back of your head, and knocks you out cold.