Descendants [H.S. & C.S.]

Chapter 5

A black stretch limo was parked outside Anne's tenement.

It looked widely out of place in the squalid city. Villagers crowded around it curiously. Michael, Justin, and Calum walked outside, whopping with glee to see their ride.

"Ugh," said Bradley, eying the villagers. "Smells like common folk."

The driver emerged from the limo in a crisp gray suit and dark sunglasses. He took the teens' luggage—Michael's carpetbag, Calum's suitcase, and sewing machine, and Justin's big black trash bag—and loaded it into the trunk. Michael swiped the crown-shaped hood ornament and climbed into the limo along with Calum and Justin. Harry handed the driver his bag, and he tossed it in and slammed the trunk shut. He took one last look up at the balcony, where his mom gave him an "I have my eye on you" sign. Harry nodded.

He hopped into the limo.

The driver slid into his seat and shut the door. "The jackals have landed." he said into a mike inside his lapel.

The villains waved good-bye to their children from outside the limo as it began to roll. On the streets, the villagers looked on as the limo cruised away.

Harry and his friends took in the inside of the limo. They ogled all the buttons, gadgets, colored lights, refreshments, and vast arrays of chocolates, gimbals, jawbreakers, jelly beans, rock candies, and other sweets. Michael wrenched open the fridge. His friends played with the sound system, unwrapped candies and opened cans of soda, and pressed every button, quickly trashing the limo.

Calum went at Harry with a makeup brush. "You're looking a little washed out."

"Ew, stop." said Harry, batting him away. "I'm plotting."

Justin wolfed down a chocolate peanut butter cup and shook his head with wonder. "Oh! These! It's salty like nut but it's sweet like I don't know what."

"Let me see," said Michael.

Justin opened his mouth for Michael to look at the chewed up peanut butter cup on his tongue. Some fell out. Michael took a cup from Justin and popped it into his mouth.

Harry clicked a remote. The screen that separated the teens from the driver opened.

"Look!" said Calum, now that he had a clear view out the front of the limo.

The four teens stared ahead at the ruined remains of a bridge and the impenetrable barrier. There was just sea ahead. It looked like they were going to be driven straight into the water. They cowered.

"It's a trap!" said Justin, terrified.

They all screamed, Justin jumped onto Michael, and Calum clung to Harry for dear life. The driver pushed a remote attached to the visor. The limo hit the ruins of the bridge and barreled through the barricade. They did not hurtle into the sea. Instead, a magnificent bridge appeared under the steady wheels of the limo. Quickly, Harry and his friends composed themselves, embarrassed about losing their cool. Michael peeled Justin off him.

"What just happened?" asked Justin.

"It must be magic!" said Calum.

Harry tapped the wall behind the driver. "Hey!" He held up the remote he had in his hand. "Did this little button just open up the magic barrier?" he asked him.

"Nope." The driver indicated the remote on his visor. "This opens the magic barrier." He motioned at the remote Harry held. "That one opens my garage. And this one . . ." He pushed a button and the screen slid up, shutting off Harry and his friends.

"Nasty. I like that guy," said Harry, smiling.

The limo traveled across the bridge, which continued to extend over the wide expense of water toward Auradon. The bridge behind the limo disappeared,  leaving no way for them to travel back or for anyone to follow. The driver pulled the limo into the sunny kingdom of Auradon and slowed in front of a sign that made Harry and his friends gag:

Welcome to Auradon Prep.
Goodness doesn't get any better.