Female Novel
Chapter 1450
The trio had made it through security without a hitch. It wasn't that Maja didn't want to bring more
people along, but access to the Forbidden Island was limited to thrice a year, and only three individuals
were allowed entry each time. The passes they had were costly.
And then there was that particularly distasteful rule.
To prevent outsiders from banding together and disrupting the island's secretive operations, each
person was knocked out upon entry. When they came to, they found themselves separated from their
companions.
Maja had been well-informed of these details from the note Walter had slipped her, but the sight of the
stone slab inscribed with over a thousand words of rules still churned her stomach.
For someone who had lived her entire life in modern society, such practices were hard to swallow.
Ian stood by her side, gently cupping her face.
"Once we're in there, don't rush to find me. Just take care of yourself first," he said, his voice tinged
with concern as his eyes drifted to Maja's midsection.
"I really wish you'd reconsider and stay behind."
The place wasn't fit for her, and there was no telling when one might get out once inside.
"I'll be fine," Maja replied, her expression serene as she handed over her weapon.
"You too, watch your back."
Her gaze shifted to Patric, a frown creasing her brow, "Are you sure it's okay to bring him along? We
could get separated."
"We need him," Ian said resolutely.
Eric had provided the clues to find this island and likely knew more, but his lips were sealed due to
Patric's presence.
The guards couldn't hide their surprise upon seeing Maja, their eyes lighting up before they shook their
heads in disbelief.
"Well, it's been years since a woman entered Forbidden Island. She was so pretty. I can't imagine what
she must've done to have to hide out here."
To them, only someone with crimes heinous enough to warrant international pursuit would willingly
enter.
After all, Forbidden Island was infamous for its asylums, which at one time were more numerous than
the local pubs, and even now, the asylums remain a dominant presence.
Maja addressed the guard nearby, "The gas you use to knock us out is not harmful to pregnant women,
right?"
The guard paused, then frowned, "You're with child? What business do you have inside? Take my word
for it, and it's no place for a woman, let alone an expectant mother."
"Is it harmful or not?"
"It's safe."
"Then we're good to go."
The three of them stepped into the pitch-black void, and soon enough, the world spun, and darkness
took them.
When Maja's eyes fluttered open again, she found herself amidst a sea of faces in hospital gowns,
dappled sunlight poking through. The island was massive, and she wasn't even sure if she was on the
outer, middle, or inner island.
Finding Ian and Patric immediately was out of the question.
Fortunately, one thing that connected this place to the outside world was money.
The currency from the mainland was accepted, and credit cards could be swiped here too.
But the island's rulers seemed keen on severing ties with the outside world, making devices like cell
phones ridiculously expensive, costing an average person's annual salary. These gadgets were
symbols of status, and yet, they couldn't dial out to the outside world.
Communication was primarily through shouting or training pigeons.
The internet was restricted, blocking news from the mainland.
Thunder rumbled, hinting at an impending downpour.
Maja quickly purchased an umbrella from a nearby shop. As she stepped out, she noticed a high
school kid being bullied by his peers in uniform, who looked tough.
Aside from communication, life here wasn't much different from the outside world.novelbin
Without a second thought, Maja grabbed a mop from next to the shop and charged at the bullies.
"What's the big idea? Picking on someone smaller than you?"
The teens, nearly adults, scoffed at the sight of a woman intervening.
"Beat it, lady! This ain't your fight."
A fist swung her way, which Maja dodged with ease, retaliating with a swift jab of the mop handle to the
attacker's head.
She found herself grateful for the training K had put her through, even with her eyes closed back then.
Handling a few brash teens was a piece of cake.
The boys lay on the ground, wailing, looking at her as if she were the devil incarnate. They scrambled
to their feet and took off.
Maja turned to the boy in the corner. He leaned silently against the wall, giving her a fleeting glance
before moving past her.
She was surprised by his indifference. She had just helped him, after all. Shouldn't he be a bit more
grateful?
Passing by, she caught a whiff of medicinal herbs on him.
Someone in his family was seriously ill.
Maja was new here and still ignorant of the island's power dynamics, aside from the four major families
on the inner island.
The boy wasn't keen on interacting, and Maja didn't want to invite trouble. She had done her bit for
justice and was ready to walk away when she caught sight of a cubic jellyfish tattoo on the nape of his
neck.
Her body tensed, and she called out, "Wait."