Chapter Text
It’s a surprisingly peaceful night. There aren’t any homeless people in sight trying to find a comfortable place to sleep or a few drunk heads screaming about how miserable their life supposedly is. It’s peaceful in Bozeman. However, it was 3 am and the lights in one of the houses were still on. The young girl Joanne was still awake sitting on her bed, staring at her phone intensely.
a video is starting to play
“Have you ever heard of Jorvik? NO?! Then buckle up, my friend, because I’m going to show you one of the most breathtaking and mesmerizing islands on the whole wide world!” said a younger fella, maybe around 13 or 14, very enthusiastically.
The read head paused the video to think for a second.
‘Was it really a good idea to apply for this summer job? In Jorvik of all places?’ She quietly thought to herself. She had applied for a job as a stable hand at Moorland Stables rather impulsively. Only her father – to be more precise, her stepfather – knew about her plan to spend the holidays in Jorvik. The island her mother grew up on. The girl had been thinking about leaving her home for a while now. She doesn’t feel welcome; she only feels cramped like a bird in a tiny cage, with no way to escape.
Once the 18-year-old had escaped her thoughts, she shook her head a little as she started the video again.
“To start off with the basics I’ll tell you our somewhat boring ‘fairytales’. The legend says that Jorvik once was a lifeless rock in the middle of the ocean until the day a star fell from the sky. A girl on a horse emerged, shining from within with a glowing light. They rode across the surface of the ocean and her presence calmed the rough waters... In her right hand she held a shining candle. The girl and her horse reached the middle of the dead island and placed the candle. Light and life spread from that single flame and what once was cold and dark bloomed with light and warmth. The legend tells us that in a time of despair and darkness a girl on a horse will return to bring light and hope to those who think everything is lost...” the boy paused before proudly yelling “But who believes in that crap anyways! Ladies and gentlemen, I am James Cloudmill! The assistant of For Pinta’s dear mayor Peanut... He gave me the important task of making this awesome advertisement.”
James continued “If you’re looking for a cozy island right between Iceland, Norway and England for your vacation? Or as a forever home even? Then Jorvik is most likely your paradise on earth! I mean not many people know about our dear island... BUT every resident in Jorvik is super happy to live here! Furthermore, nearly everybody here is obsessed with horses, since they play a major role in our traditions and legends. Making it the best country for every horse girl or boy! I hope I was able to convince you to visit this charmante island yourself. James signing out!”
“So that’s the end? The island is full of obsessed horse freaks... Great.” said Joanne in a sarcastic voice. She doesn’t know what to think. She doesn’t know why her mother left Jorvik in such a hurry back then, but she knows that she still wants to go back. Her mother must have had her reasons for leaving, right?
Even after knowing all this, the redhead still feels this weird connection to Jorvik like someone is desperately calling her.
All of a sudden, the phone started vibrating. Joanne looked at the screen; she had gotten a message. It was her best friend, Marinette (I blame you Mary), who she has known since kindergarten. She opened WhatsApp to text her back.
“Still awake? If yes, are you up to for some little fun? Christopher and the others are planning to steal a few cans of beer.” Her friend wrote
Joanne responded with “Nah, my parents are still furious ‘bout last week. They weren’t exactly pleased seeing me drunk on Monday morning.”
“Bummer” Marinette replied, “Don’t forget to say to goodbye to me and our other friends once you leave for Jorvik, ‘kay?” she added before the red head could answer.
“Ofc. Who do you take me for?” The girl texted back.
Her friend sent a quick “Good!” before going offline – she probably saw one of the people she’s meeting up with.
After that, Joanne turned her phone off and looked out the window next to her bed. As she was gazing at the crystal-clear night sky, her eyes got heavier and heavier until she finally fell asleep. Little did she know that in only two weeks, a magical adventure would begin for her...
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The next two weeks flew by, and Joanne finally gathered the courage to tell her mother about her little vacation — three days before she is supposed to leave (typical Joanne, always saving the worst last).
The girl strolled down the street; she was on her way to her mother's workplace. Joanne thought it would be a good idea to confront her mother in an environment where her mom feels at ease. Unfortunately, that meant the hospital with its unfamiliar surroundings and ridiculously clean floors.
‘You can do this! Just go in and ask her if she has a few minutes to spare!’ she told herself. But as soon as she saw the hospital building, she got cold feet. ‘Nope! I am NOT doing it! But I need to! Damn it... Okay, on three I’ll open the door!’
First Step – “One”
Second Step – “Two”
Third Step – “Three”
She gently pushed open the door to the hospital reception. The girl quietly said “Mom?”, fearing what her mother might say or think about her sudden appearance. Her mother answered cheerfully “Yes, dear? What can I do for you?”.
Joanne glanced at the floor for a bit before she could meet her mother's eyes “Do you have some time? I need to tell you something... in private.”
Her mother looked a bit surprised and concerned before replying “Sure.”
Both walked behind a wall which separates the entrance area and corridors. The mother leaned against the wall before asking “So, what do you want to talk about? Did something happen?”.
“No, no everything is fine. It’s just that...” she didn’t know what to say like always. Joanne continued “I’ll go away for the summer holidays alone. I’ll leave in only a few days to board a plane to... England! I found a great gig as a stable hand! I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner. You know me and my weird habits!”
Joanne had lied. She knew that it wasn't a good idea to lie. She knew that her mother would be against her leaving if she had told her the truth. She knew that her mother was only protecting her for some odd reason. However, she wants or better said she needs to go to Jorvik, so she lied.
The mother stared intently into her daughter's eyes, as if she were not convinced by her lie. She sighed before saying "I mean, you're 18 years old after all, so you can make your own decisions. I don't have anything against you leaving for a few weeks. Just don't tell me I need to drive you to the airport because Hudson has to work..."
"Well... That is actually the case..." the red head told her mother awkwardly, fidgeting with her fingers.
"Oh, dear Aideen... Fine, I'll drive you, since the taxi would be too expensive and your older siblings most likely don't have time spare." her mother said, sounding kind of annoyed.
Joanne was surprised before happily screaming "Of course! Thank you so much, Mom! You're not going to regret it!" (She is going to regret it for sure).
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Today is the day. The red head still had a long journey ahead of her. Her mother would drive her to the airport in New York, which meant a ten-hour drive – how fun! However, she'd still need to switch to another vehicle.
There are only a few ways to travel from the USA to Jorvik and Joanne had decided to go by sea – At least once she has arrived in Portsmouth.
The morning at the Moser house felt strange that day. Her little sister Claire and her two brothers, Noah and Ethan, weren't arguing. Her sister Olivia wasn't studying in the kitchen. And finally, her parents weren't cooking and flirt like usual. The house was empty.
Joanne grew slowly nervous and searched the two-story house for her family. Did they grow tired of her? So much that they just leave her behind? Like the others?
Could they be at Uncle Harry's ranch? No, that didn't make sense – it was still early in the morning. Or maybe the supermarket? Since Olivia is dating one of the cashiers – did they even open up the store already?
And then it hit her and a wave of relief washed over her. Just last night, everyone had been acting strangely. They were whispering to one another. They were exchanging knowing glances. That could mean only one thing...
'Oh dear... please let my gut feeling be wrong.' the young girl thought as she opened the front door.
There they all stood: her friends, her family, and the cashier from the local supermarket (Olivia's boyfriend).
Her friends ran towards Joanne and pulled her into a big fat group hug, while Claire, of course, threw confetti. That was a typical day for her – everyone being chaotic but loving. She liked it.
They all wanted to say goodbye to their dear Joanne together. Since they aren't going to see each other at all for the next few weeks or... maybe years – after all, they don't know whether Joanne is going to stay there or not.
"Joanne! We're ready to go!" her mother called out as she tossed Joanne's countless suitcases into the compact car.
The redhead smirked maliciously upon hearing her mother's words. "Finally! I'm so glad I won't have to look at your ugly faces anymore." she chuckled. Her friendgroup shot her an annoyed look. Before Marinette replied with a "Fuck you" and forced her friend into one last hug.
Joanne got into her mother's car, and they slowly drove off.
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Joanne and her mother were exhausted, having been traveling for ten hours.
They decided to spend the night at a rest stop and settled in comfortably inside the car. Joanne’s mother fell asleep almost instantly, whereas Joanne lay wide awake in her reclined seat for quite some time.
She stared up at the night sky, where strange constellations were visible. One looked like a lightning bolt, another like a moon. Two others could be seen as well – a sun and a star – though they were fainter than the other constellations. It was strange.