You and Me Against an Army

Chapter 1: A Dark Alley

The dark alley that lay before them had an eerie green glow cast by the only street lamp on the whole block. Penelope stood shaking next to Clarence who was holding a large leather bag in her hands as if somebody had just dumped it there. Now, you may be asking yourself, what are a couple of girls doing standing in front of a dark alley? Well, you have all the reason to be asking that and I'm here to provide somewhat of an answer.

I'm the author of this tale and before you ask anymore questions, because I know you were thinking them, let me assist you in telling you that these teenagers are in to particular danger, just a bit stunned and as for Penny's shaking, well, she's kind of a nervous person.

Before all this gets out of hand, I suggest you get comfortable because this is going to be a long ride. Perhaps you would like a snack to give you the energy to read the wholechapter. If you are ready to begin, I am. Now there is no once upon a time to begin this story, but I would like to begin it with a "Clare suddenly realized where they were and put a hand on Penny's shoulder" if that's all right.

Now as I was saying . . . Clare suddenly realized where they were and put a hand on Penny's shoulder.

"We'll be alright. They aren't coming back. Everyone knows those wimps are afriad fo the dark." said Clare.

"I'm not worried that they'll follow us . . . I'm worried that they're waiting for us." Penny turned to look back down the alley.

Now, you are probably quit confused. Let me explain. You read the synopsis, I'm guessing, well the mysterious group of ragtag criminals just happened to be chasing Clare and Penny down. Unluckily, Clare and Penny got themselves stuck at a dead end alley and now, well . . . we don't know.

Clare took a confident step forward, slinging the leather bag over her shoulder.

"You coming?" she looked back at Penny. Penny began to moved forward, though her brain was screaming at her to stop. Her body would not listen.

Penny and Clare reached the end of the alley. Penny crept forward ahead of Clare who remained in the shadows. Penny emerged from the darkness to see the usual trash and debris littering the space between two stores. This was the only way out, so Penny looked for any signs that there had been somebody there other than them. Not seeing anything worth overthinking, Penny turned back to the alley, but could not find Clare within the shadows.

A soup of horrible feelings that no one should ever feel began to boil in Penny's stomach, a lump developing in her throat.

"Clare! Are you out there? Have they got you? Quincy!!" Penelope said all this in one breath. Her vision began to blacken around the edges and she became dizzy. On the edge of her consciousness, she heard someone approaching. She felt hands roughly grab her head and pulled her backwards on her heels.

The dizziness leaving her, Penny began to struggle. She ripped herself from the person and turned around, not noticing her hands forming fists. The figure's face was in darkness, Penelope thrust her fist forward sloppily and the figure stepped aside.

Penny noticed a strange noise coming from the person. The dim light showed their face finally. And what Penny saw was completely despicable. For what she saw was Clare, bent over laughing.

"Not funny." Penny said and began to march home, her knuckles white from how tight her fists were.

"You scared me to death. I was terrified for you. Not funny at all." Penny spoke to Clare without turning to look at her, but could hear her jogging behind her.

"Yeah, that one was kind of mean, but you gotta admit, you woulda done the same thing." Clare spoke and Penny could tell she was out of breath.

"I'm only that rude to people who aren't close to me. What you did, I wouldn't have done." Penny could feel sweat on every inch of her body.

"Oh, you gonna hold a grudge?" Clare was right next to Penny now.

"No." Penny said, jabbing Clare hard in the side with her elbow. "I'm just gonna keep annoying you for it and sometime I'll get my payback."

"Sure . . ." Clare and Penny were both smiling now that they knew they were close to the cleaner and more populated part of town. Clare and Penny lived in a town called Isle o' Pearl. As you can tell from the name, it is an island. At Isle o' Pearl, placed right in the middle of the sea, they sell pearls and seafood. The town hasen't been very populated since the waters of the sea around them were polluted and most of the animals died.

Penny and Clare were at Isle o' Pearl for another purpose, though. They were here because the society they were a part of put them here, with a job. To stop the crime in the small town. The people there all seemed to be so innocent, though. But Clare and Penny knew that somebody had to be the notorious gang that was committing crimes such as daylight robbery and arson. They just had to, had to, figure out who.

Or very bad things would be happening to Isle o' Pearl. Things that should never happen to an abandoned island.