@nynaeve88inspiration that top left picture – wow! I want to go there, so gorgeous 🙂
Belle French whistled happily to herself as she did the regular maintenance her boat required. She had always wanted to see the world but had thought it would remain just a dream. The sudden shocking death of both of her parents right before she was supposed to start college had been devastating. However, it had provided her with an opportunity. She had used her inheritance to buy a boat which she sailed all around the coast of America.
It was a nomadic existence and she had loved it, all the new people and all the new places. Eventually however she found herself returning to Storybrooke marina and the surrounding bays. A small town in Maine, with brutal winters, felt like an odd choice when she could have chosen somewhere in Florida. However, it felt like home.
Dun dun dun. Cliff hanger music.
“What changes
do you have in mind?” Belle asked bravely.
“You are currently allowed to dock for free, from now on there will be a monthly charge,” Gold began calmly.
“You’re charging us rent?” Leroy said disgustedly.
Gold continued like he hadn’t heard. “The water and the electric will be cut off until meters can be installed by each dock. The fee will be required monthly along with the docking charge.”
“You’re cutting off the water and the electric? For how long? How do you expect us to stay docked without it?” Belle asked in shocked disbelief.
“The same way you manage while sailing I’d imagine.” Gold shrugged. “It’s not my concern. This is now a private mooring dearie, the city won’t be subsidizing you any longer.”
“You can’t do this Gold,” Leroy growled.
“The monthly dock charge will be required on the last working day of every month, or your boat ..” Gold looked at Leroy’s boat and sneered. “Such as it is. Will be repossessed until payment is made. You are of course welcome to set sail if you don’t like these conditions.”
“That’s what you want isn’t it.” Belle suddenly realized. Her shock at the sudden change in circumstances giving way to eerie calm. “You want us out of here. Why?”
“Please have the rent available for collection, or deliver it to the shop by the 30th,” Gold finished. “Have a pleasant day.”
Gold turned and strode away. Belle watched him leave, feeling the anger start to creep over her. How dare he? He couldn’t do this, could he? This wasn’t right or fair. Surely there at least had to be a notice period or something.
“I can’t believe I have to pay that monster rent – again,” Leroy bemoaned.
“I’m not going to,” Belle decided. “He said we could set sail and I will do just that.”
“You’re leaving Storybrooke?” Leroy whispered. “Oh sister I’ll … you just be safe out there,” he said gruffly.
Belle smiled softly and gently hugged him. “I’m not leaving either. There’s a lot of bays around here. I’ll just put down anchor. It won’t be as convenient but I’m not going to let Gold win. He wants us to dance to his tune, well I’m not going to play his game.”
Leroy sighed and looked forlornly at his boat. “I don’t dare take her out. If Gold wants us gone, if he has plans for the marina, I don’t know what I’m going to do.”
“Don’t worry,” Belle reassured him. “Gold’s not going to get away with this.”
Note: I’m not sure if I didn’t just resolve one cliffhanger, to walk straight into another one /facepalm. Anyway, this fic will get the treatment at some point. I’ll clean it up, expand it and finish it, like I have with the other prompt fics I’ve continued. As always feel free to send in prompts if you feel like it 🙂