Searching For Time (book 2) ✔

Remembering Pt.1

Carlos lay as still as they found him the day they killed Audrey, but this time there was colour in his cheeks and life in his twitching hands. The group had all rushed over and sat around him, and Harry explained what had happened. Mal suggested it was a sacrifice for his memories, giving into his past and reliving every moment. At her words, the gang all looked at the now frowning boy and grew worried for all Carlos was seeing.

In Carlos' mind, the dungeon was a million miles away and he was sitting in the courtyard of Hell Hall, the dull sky hiding all sunlight away. But when Carlos looked up at the sky and down to the brown grass, small speckles of sun were splayed onto the ground and across his freckled cheeks. The ghost of a smile graced his lips as he played with the snake that had found its way into the grounds. Its slithering body circled around him and it hissed as if he was speaking. 

"I'm okay." Carlos said as he picked up the snake. "No beatings toda-"

"Carlos!"

"Nevermind. Go now." Carlos ordered, and as quick as they appeared the sun and snake were gone.

"Carlos!" his mother screeched from the doorway; the boy raced over before standing with his head bowed by his mother's feet.

"How dare you disobey me! I told you to hide your magic and you do not. Such a disgrace! Ungrateful!" Slap. "Useless!" Slap. "Disobedient!" Slap.

Carlos stayed silent as he clenched his fists to contain his powers, feeling the urge to let go at his mother. But his mother was the one who knew best and kept him safe; she said if others found out they would kill him. However, for nine year old Carlos, death was something he deliberated often.

"Get inside!" Cruella screeched, dragging the snowy-haired boy by his locks...

"Get back here dog!"

"Stupid mutt!"

"Let us ruff you up!"

Three boys from less known and poor villains were chasing him through the cramped and trashed streets, following him over stalls and through stores and up buildings and down alleyways, until at last they cornered him in a back alley with nothing but three moulding walls around them and the horrid stench of rotting fish.

"Give it back!" the tallest VK asked, "I won't ask again!"

"Just take it from him." the scrawny one growled.

Carlos looked down at the small bag of supplies in his hand that he had taken during a heist with Mal, Jay and Evie. His empty hand shook and his veins stuck out, fingers twitching from an invisible force.

"Stay back, or, or I'll hurt you!" Carlos shouted with an act of bravery.

"Pathetic!" the tall one sneered. "Off with his head!"

As the boys all prowled towards him, Carlos took in a deep breath as a wave of energy ran through him. He lifted his hand and turned his head away as a jet of bright red magic blasted out of his arm and knocking all of the boys to the floor, three heavy thuds echoing along the crooked alleyway. For a moment Carlos froze- his eyes still glued shut- as he was fearful he had killed the boys. He then hastily crouched down to check their pulses before pulling and running away as he found out they were alive...