Ｈｅｌｌｆｉｒｅ • h.h

ｃｈａｐｔｅｒ ｔｈｒｅｅ

Arriving on the Isle gave me chills. By parking under the bridge, we were on the edge of the Isle. Soon as we left the garage we would be back in the thick of it. Unknown to whether we would be loved or hated. Unknown that when we walked down our old streets would people still run from us. I climbed out the limo and I could taste and smell the difference in the air, something I had never noticed before: the smell and taste of industrial smoke and rotting fruit. I crossed my arms over my chest and took back in my old surrounds. Coming across the red rusted pipe tunnel that led to Pirate's Bay. I stepped forward, my heels echoing through the garage.

Right through there, just a few steps and I'd be right in pirate territory. I liked to think I would be safe if he were to see me. I stood at the entrance. I could almost taste the salt on my lips and smell Ursula's fish and chips.

"What's through there?" I flicked my head towards Ben who was standing behind me. Before I could answer, Jay beat me to it.

"You don't want to know." He answered. I glared at him. The metal on the pip began to heat from the burning flame of my hair. I was ready to snap at Jay.

"Keep it chill. The last thing we need is our parents figuring out we are here." Carlos said.

"Jay, help with the tarp." Evie called over to him before I lost it with him. I stepped away and waited for everyone by the entrance to the market. Ben joined me.

"Are you okay?" He asked concerned leaning against a stack of rotting palettes.

"Old wounds." I answered. "This was our home; we all have a lot of memories here. While our parents may keep us away. I still have someone here that might have made me happy."

"Who is he?"

"Oh, Benny boy." I laughed. "Maybe I'll tell you sometime. Let's get back your girl first." I smiled at him.

"Ready?" Carlos asked, as he walked towards us with Evie and Jay.

"Not really but let's do this."

We crowded around Ben in protection, there was a high chance that Ben would be recognise even with Evie's skills to blend him into the Isle. We settled back into our old façade easily with our slumped struts and hard eyed faces. After walking down the alley we came to the crossroads of alleys, Evie was trailing behind. My blue haired best friend was not on the top of her game as we heard her shout.

"Hey!" Me, Carlos and Jay turned around to see two child thieves with their clutches on Evie's purse. They looked just like we had when we were little, stealing to make a better life for ourselves, Jay particularly. Their faces were dirty, and their clothes torn in such a state not even Evie could save them. Her face softened towards the children, letting her hand drop from the child's arm. "Just take it." She said softly. "Go on." The two children ran off into the fog of the opposite alley, giggling.

When the four of us turned back around Ben was gone and we all grumbled running down the alley in hopes he hadn't already got himself in trouble. Bringing Ben to the Isle was the worst thought we ever had. Ben didn't know how to take care of himself in this situation, he didn't realise the danger he was being here. Everyone on this Isle hated the Royal Family, but he couldn't seem to believe that.

When we came to an opening, we saw Ben attempting to talk to an islander and we pulled him away as he growled. Carlos dived forward to intimidated him while me and Evie pulled back Ben.

"Ben, stop. Just stop." I told him annoyed, questioning what he was thinking right now to be so stupid.

"Why?" He asked.