RIVER | JJ MAYBANK

SEVENTY FIVE

ANGELICA

"They're a bunch of fancy people. They've had like three governors in the family." Kie announced as they sat outside of Limbery's house. "They've run Charleston for like, 300 years."

"These looks make out kooks look like pogues." JJ pointed out, in complete awe about the house. "You sure this is the place, Pope?"

"Pretty sure." Pope nodded as he climbed out of the car, glance into the back at Silas and River.

They hadn't left one another's side since this morning, and River and JJ had barely looked at one another, it made him wonder what he missed when he was asleep.

"Alright." JJ nodded, climbing out of the car and holding the door open for Kie. "Fat city for sure."

"27 King Street." Silas read over Pope's shoulder as he held the letter up. "Talk about security. I thought the Riggs house hold was bad." He chuckled.

"Are those spikes to keep people out?" JJ questioned, taking a quick daring glance at River. She had her head down, and her hand linked with Silas', causing him to clench his jaw in anger.

"No. The slave quarters are over there. These spikes were to keep people in." Pope corrected.

"You ready?" River spoke up, her words cracking as she spoke, making the group turn to look at her, although at this moment she was only talking to Pope.

The boy nodded in response and opened the gate. River could see his shaking hands, making her flash him a reassuring smile, wanting him to feel like this was the right thing to do, although truthfully, she too got an eerie feeling about the place.

Silas brought his hand up to use the door knocker to announce to the people inside that they were waiting. He took a step back and pulled River behind him, just incase something happened.

"That was loud." River whispered into the boys ear, making him stifle a laugh as the door swung open.

Renfield looked at the group before his eyes narrowed onto Pope. He pointed at him, making Silas step closer to the boy protectively.

"You must be Pope." Renfield concluded.

"Um-are you Mr Limbrey?" Pope asked anxiously, stepping closer to Silas, in hopes that if anything happened, he would protect him.

"Mrs Limbrey was expecting you yesterday." Renfield's eyes flickered down to River, a smile making its way onto his face once he saw the girl.

He had only seen baby photos of her, but she looked just like her mother and Renfield would recognise her anywhere.

"We had car trouble. His car broke down, we had no number to call." River stepped forward once she saw the man staring at her. She had no idea who he was, but he looked at her as if he knew her.

"Carburettor blew up in the middle of Nowheresville." JJ offered Renfield a tight lipped smile, grabbing River's wrist and pulling her behind him. He didn't like the way that the man was looking at her. "Sorry about that."

"Yeah, she was real upset when you didn't show up." Renfield leant against the doorframe.

"Well, like we said, we would've called, but we had no number to call." River pursed her lips, her eyes narrowing on the man. "Got here as fast as we could." She paused for a moment. "Sir."

Renfield chuckled at the girl, she had an attitude like her mothers when she was her age. He wondered how her mother was doing. If she was okay.

"She also expected you to come alone." Renfield turned his attention to Pope.

"I mean, these are my friends. They helped find the Royal Merchant too." Pope explained as he motioned to everyone.

Silas grabbed Pope's bicep and pulled him back slightly, he didn't trust the man. He seemed in a way, sketchy but he couldn't put his finger on it.

"The instructions were explicit. Your friends can stay outside." Renfield glanced at the group.

"That's not happening." Silas stood up straight, his chest puffing out as he stepped in front of Pope. There was no way he was going in there alone.

JJ slowly linked his hand with River's, worried that she would pull away after yesterday's events, but instead she allowed him to link her fingers with his. The corner of his lips curled upwards at the action and he pulled her even closer.

"Silas, it's okay, I got this." Pope placed his hand on Silas' bicep, letting him know that he was okay. "I'll be good."

"Yeah. We'll be right here." Kie smiled, glancing at Renfield.

"You'll be safe right?" Silas grabbed Pope's bicep before he could enter the house. "Call if you need me and I won't hesitate on kicking this door down."

Pope chuckled at the boy, he couldn't help but let his eyes flicker to his lips. It was only a moment. One moment that he thought about what it would be like to have Silas' lips on his own. And as quick as it came, it left.

"Keep the car running." Pope requested, making Silas nod in head in agreement.

The group watched as Pope entered the house. Renfield hung back a moment, he got ready to close the door again, his eyes landing on River and smiling.

"You look just like your mother." Renfield paused. "It's nice to finally meet you, Angelica." With that he closed the doors.

River took a step back, her grip on JJ's hand tightening. She had no clue who the man was or how he knew her middle name. But it creeped her out for sure. And now, all she could think about was that Pope was inside with him.