“Guys! Guys! I found a young boy and he’s hurt!” Peter cried as he hurried into the pad carrying the unconscious form.
“Slow down, Peter. What happened?” Mike asked as he helped Peter place the young “boy” on the cot. Davy got a cool towel to press to the young “boy’s” face. As he removed the hat, her long dark brown hair fell around her shoulders, causing him to step back.
“Whoa! Peter, this isn’t a young boy, it’s more like a young girl!”
“Well, she doesn’t seem to have any broken bones. Her right ankle may have a slight sprain,” Mike said after examing her.
Just then, Micky came into the room.
“What happened?” he asked as he joined the others around the cot.
“That’s what we’re all gonna find out when she comes to,” Mike stated.
An hour later, the young girl began to regain consciousness.
“Well, it’s about time. How you feelin’?” Mike asked.
“Fine, I think. My right ankle hurts,” she answered wincing in pain.
“It’ll be fine in a few days. By the way, I’m Mike, that’s Davy, Micky, and that’s Peter. He found you.”
Helen looked at each of the boys, but when saw saw Peter, her eyes grew wide again.
“That’s the second time you’ve done that. Is something wrong?” Peter asked sensing her reaction to him.
“No, no. Well, yes. I mean, you remind me of someone.”
“Good, I hope!” Peter said smiling that dimpled smile.
“Yes, very good,” Helen said. *How could this be?* she thought. *This Peter is Halsten’s double!* “Oh, you’ve introduced yourselves, please forgive my manners. I am Princess Helen. My father is the King of Zan.”
All the guys looked at each other in silence. Then they all started to laugh, except Peter.
“What’s so funny?” Helen demanded as she raised herself on the cot.
“You! Here you are dressed as a boy and you expect us to believe that you’re the King’s daughter?” Davy laughed.
“That’s a hoot!” Micky howled.
“Great joke Helen, or should I say “your majesty”?” Mike snickered.
“I believe her,” Peter quietly said. The three stopped laughing and looked at him.
“You would, man! Micky laughed. “Look at her! She’s dressed in boy’s clothes! Is this what fashionable princesses wear these days?”
“I think she got more than a sprained ankle,” Davy whispered to Mike and pointed to his head.
“Could be. Maybe we should just play along,” Mike whispered back.
“But—but I AM a Princess! My coach was attacked while I was on my way home from school. I am to be married to Prince Halsten from the kingdom of Zar!” Helen protested.
“Yeah, right. And I’m the Duke of Earl!” Micky scoffed in an English accent .
“Good one Mick,” Davy said as he held his stomach from laughing so hard.
“She’s had a trying day. Guys, just let her rest,” Peter sighed.
“Sure—uh, princess, you just let us know if you need anything. Get a good night’s rest. We’ll talk more in the morning,” Mike said. Then they all left to practice, except Peter.
“Don’t mind them. I believe you your highness,” Peter smiled.
“Helen, please call me Helen.”
“Hey Peter, you comin’” Mike called.
“Coming!” Peter answered “I gotta go practice, uh, Helen. I’ll see you later.”
“Practice?”
“Yeah. We’re musicians,” Peter answered as he left to join the others.
Soon, Helen heard beautiful music fill the Pad. As she lay and listened to the melodious sounds, she began to think of her predicament. Her father and Halsten did not know where she was. They probably feared that she was dead. She knew she would have to get word to them somehow. If Mike, Micky and Davy did not believe her, then she would have to focus on Peter. He was her only hope. Satisfied, Helen fell into a peaceful sleep lulled by the music of the Monkees.