Stories From The Hermit Crab's Shell

Jonathan's Fears

STORY INCLUDES: homelessness, abandonment, transphobia, religion feuled hatred, kidnapping, stalking, false mention of murder

Authors note: This is one of the original stories I wrote involving the Hermit Crab's Shell. It was meant to be a Novel of its own but I never finished it. During editing for wattpad I *tied the loose end* but its still rather abrupt. Also I did a drawing to go with it that has since vanished. I'll add it if I find the drawing (and don't hate it given how much my art has improved)

Jonathan sat curled up outside. she wanted to be hidden in the darkest corner she could find, but she'd seen homeless people before and knew if she was visible she was more likely to get help.
 She tried to distract herself with the cars and people passing by, but she couldn't. If she had just kept her mouth shut and let things be as they always were, she'd be eating dinner with her family right now, not hungry and sad on the side of the road. but she couldn't change the past. 
"I wont have satan spawn in my house" her mom had said "stop that nonsense or get out".
Not understanding how being transgender made her 'satan spawn' and fed up with her parents, Jonathan had chosen "get out", though now it was evident that she'd made the wrong choice. 
As she rested her head on her knees, she heard a voice "Ms. Thompson?" a woman had walked up to her, and was addressing her? her first thought was this must be some guardian angel to recognize her perfectly and come in a time of need, but that would never actually happen in real life.
 "I think you've got the wrong person" the words were painful, she wished she was the right person just to get out of here.
"Are you not Ms. Thompson? known as Jonathan Thompson, son of Errold and Jessica?"
    "Oh, that is me" a spark of surprise flicked through Jonathan "who are you?".
    The woman smiled and started digging through her purse "Aunt Kim, I work at a shelter for children like you. we take in those who aren't properly loved and give them the life they deserve." as she drew on the wall in chalk, doubt flickered through Jonathan, but hunger and sorrow outweighed it. She didnt care what happened next, a shady chance at a better life was better than this. She gathered her belongings, and followed the woman away.
Hours later Jonathan sat in the cabin of a boat, if this was some sort of kidnapping, she needed to be kidnapped more often. Aunt Kim had given her a bag for her things and new things to put in it. She was wearing a sundress now, with leggings. It felt odd, but she’d always wondered what it would be like to wear a dress so she had taken the opportunity. 
As she looked out the window, all she could see was water, they were on the ocean right now, bobbing in the waves. As she continued staring out the window, she heard the door open, it was Kim.
“I brought some ginger cookies if you want any” her bright smile threatened being contagious as Jonathan took a cookie. 
“Thank you” Jonathan took a bite of her cookie, it felt warm, as though it was freshly baked, though more likely it had just been above deck in the sun.
“Not a single question?” Kim sat down next to her “most kids have something to ask, at least where we’re going.”
    “We’re going away from my family while eating cookies, that's all i need to know.” In reality, Jonathan was afraid where they were going. It seemed nice enough, but nobody in real life would stalk a teenager long enough to know as much as Kim did, then grab her off the street, only to care for her kindly. 
Kim’s smile softened “Well i’ll tell you anyways then; we’re headed to the hidden island home of the Hermit Crab's Shell.”
“You're taking me to a shell?” Jonathan was confused.
“I keep telling mom the name is confusing.” Kim laughed quietly “It was named that because there are hermit crabs all over the island, but we're a building sanctuary for children, specially designed to help kids like you."
“Like Me...” Jonathan echoed, she really had just let herself get kidnapped, but it was too late to go back now.
“I promise you’ll love it” Kim reassured her “we take children away from bad situations all over the world; England, Brasil, Danmark, France, Deutschland, España, everywhere!” she changed her accent with each name and Jonathan guessed she was naming countries in their native languages, most she could guess except dwechlund or however she had pronounced it. Kim continued, “The children are brought to the sanctuary where they get a place to stay, are taught everything they need or want, and make friends with kids from all different cultures.”
“I only know English though...” Jonathan confessed, it sounded like this place was very multicultural. she didn’t know why she was playing along, maybe it was just the hope this fantasy may be true.
“For now you do, and you can meet those who speak english, but you're bound to pick up some other languages just from being around them, trust me, it'll be awesome!” 
Jonathan didn't trust her, but she nodded anyways.
“If you really have no questions, I’ll bring some cookies to our other passenger.” she grinned, obviously trying to catch Jonathan's curiosity.
It worked. “Other passenger?” Jonathan had assumed it was just Kim and her, did Kim have a partner? Or was it another kid?”
“Would you like to come with?”
Was this where they took her to a sterile room and cut out her kidneys to sell? At least she’d die with the taste of cookie in her mouth. “Yes”
Pity flitted across Kim’s face, did she know what Johnathan was thinking?
“Come on then. ” She held the door open.
The “other passenger” was just next door, Johnathan had noticed the room when she arrived, but had assumed it was Kim’s.
Kim knocked before opening the door a crack “Yo tienes.. Um… Cookies y an amigo.”
A voice inside giggled “I told you, I know english, you don't have to attempt spanish. You have a friend?”
“Si!” Kim opened the door all the way and pranced in.
As Jonathan stepped inside she took in the room, it looked almost identical to hers, a bench by the window, bed in the corner, and a bag like what she’d been given was hanging on a hook by the door. The girl sitting on the bed was wearing black clothes with a beanie, Jonathan noticed she had dark hair trailing down to her lower back, but the most surprising thing was her smile.
“Idioma?” the question was directed at Kim
“Inglés.” Kim set down the cookie tray on the girls desk and took one for herself.
“Hello” The girl had turned her attention to Jonathan. “I am Sirena, who are you?”
“Jonathan…” She stood awkwardly in the doorway, unsure what to do.
Kim seemed to sense the tension and stood up “I’m going above deck to check on the captain, don't be afraid to get to know each other.” As she passed Jonathan she added “I promise she’s nice.”
“Nice to meet you Jonathan, please sit, I'd love to get to know you” the words seemed too perfect, as if Sirena was reciting a script
“Are you sure? I don't want to bother you…” Johnathan fidgeted with her hands.
“Well if Kim is lying and we’re about to be murdered, I’d like to die with a friend by my side” the joking tone was completely different from her invite, and definitely didn't match the words spoken, she definitely had two sides to her.
Jonathan sat on the bench “what do you suspect will happen?” maybe she understood where they were going…
“Two options, The Hermit Crab's Shell is real and has somehow avoided all notice from government despite abducting children, or they drop the cute act and I pull my knife on them. From what I've been shown both are equally possible” she talked casually about their fate, as though she was kidnapped often and was bored of it.
“You have a knife?” Jonathan couldn't help but ask.
“Rules of womanhood; never go alone without the ability to defend yourself. The world is scary so you have to be scarier.” as far as Jonathan could see, she was harmless, she had soft brown eyes and a sweet smile, but she spoke with the confidence of a woman in charge.
“Wish I had your confidence” Jonathan admitted “I just accepted fate.”
“I wish I had yours” Sirena said simply
This confused Jonathan “What? Why? I don’t have confidence.”
“Boys aren’t told to wear dresses, you chose what you wanted to wear. Meanwhile I’m afraid just to be seen in clothing that contradicts my reputation.” Sirena touched her beanie as she said this, Johnathan wondered if it was her usual outfit.
“I’m a girl” Johnathan didn’t care if she had a bad reaction, she didn't really care about anything at the moment.
“Ah Transgénero I assume, then you are brave as well, not all people accept things that are different."
“Yeah...” Jonathan didn’t know what else to say.
“I know its estereotípica, but… Would you like to try some makeup styles?” Sirena walked over to the desk as she spoke, “I have wanted to work on some, and Kim said I could use the computer if I want.
“Computer?” John hadn’t known they had a computer, though learning makeup sounded fun, maybe she could even be happy here like she had been before…
“Yeah! You want to?” Sirena smiled genuinely at Jonathan.
Johnathan simply nodded, still lost in thought.
Sirena left the room and returned a moment later with Kim, holding a laptop and a large box.
“Yo um… knew yo, wait tu, tu dos…. Ugh, I knew you two would get along.” Kim surrendered to english as she helped Sirena set up. She typed into the computer “I think this is what you should do for Jonathan.” she showed something to Sirena, angling the screen away from Johnathan. “And this would be great for Sirena.” She showed Johnathan the screen this time, the second tab opened to a video titled “Gothic makeup tutorial EASY everyday look for beginners” 
“May I do you first?" Sirena asked "Kim says you haven’t done makeup before, so you can get a feel for it from what I do.” Sirena was digging through the box already so Johnathan simply agreed and sat down, unsteadied by the joy on Kim’s face as Sirena pulled out brushes and powders.  She didnt know who to trust or where she was, but she wanted a better life so she was happy to have that, no matter if it was doomed.

Authors Note: "The Hermit Crabs Shell" was originally a casual fantasy, I knew many people living in unsafe environments and would imagine myself bringing them to a hidden island where we could be happy and safe. Jonathan is intended to be depressed at the time and that dull feeling is reflected in her lack of care towards what's happening around her.