what friends are for - asoue story

~ arrival ~

Duncan's P.O.V

I awoke suddenly to find that the car had stopped. I could hear people getting out and slamming their doors. Only villainous people have no care for car doors. I gently nudged Isadora awake and brought a finger to my lips

"We're here" I whispered. She nodded and we tried to listen to what was going on outside.

"Darling, are you absolutely sure we're in the right place?" The irritating voice of Esme Squalor floated up from the outside.

"Yes of course I am my dumpling!" I tried not to gag at the sound of that horrid woman letting Olaf call her 'my dumpling'. Pet names don't bother me unless you're a repulsive actor in search of several fortunes with his equally terrible (but fashionable) girlfriend.

"Hooky!"

"Yes, boss?"

"Get those Quagmire brats off the roof and stash them where I told you to!"

"Yes, boss!"

I fell the ropes loosen around our prison as we rolled off the side. I swallowed my yelp of surprise as two people picked up either end of the fish and started moving. The conversation between the two henchpeople was nothing if boring.

"Hey, Fe-" He was rudely interrupted by the hook-handed man abruptly shushing him.

"Don't call me that around here!"

"Okay, Hooky. What do you think Esme's hair feels like?"

No response. So the bald man continued.

"I think it probably feels like silk washed in fairy dust and sunlight...She really is so beautiful don't you think?

"Uh yeah sure." The response came a little unenthusiastically.

"Her skin is like perfect porcelain crafted by the gods..."

It went on and on like this until finally, I felt the statue being turned upright and I almost squished my sister.

"Sorry!" I whisper-yelled sheepishly. She threw me a look that said 'I'd make a remark about your stupidity but this really isn't the time'. Then, for the first time in what felt like forever, the fish opened up and we were temporarily blinded by the surprisingly hot sun beaming down on us. It must have been about one in the afternoon. We stumbled awkwardly out of our cramped quarters and barely had the time to stretch our legs and every inch of our aching bodies before we were gagged and held tightly by the two men. They made us walk and we finally got a good look at our surroundings.

It was a dismal town. In the middle of the Hinterlands. There were barely any buildings save for a grotty looking gas station and an old general store. The only other buildings apart from tiny uniform houses in rows around the outside was a town hall-like building.

But it was none of these aspects that caught my eye. No, it was the hundreds upon hundreds upon hundreds of crows. Yes, crows. All nestled in with one another, covering every square inch of rooftop and ground as far as the eye could see. The ones on the pavement shuffling as we moved past them. I could see the bewilderment on Isadora's face as she scanned the skyline as I had. The hook-handed man and the bald man kept pushing us towards the town square where an ugly fountain of a crow stood.

"The boss told us we'd find a lever here somewhere to store the kids?"

"Here!" The bald man shouted, pointing at a water tap near the base of the fountain. He pressed the lever and it sprayed water in his face. I tried to chuckle but I found it difficult due to the fact I was gagged.

"Oh my gosh, do I have to do everything myself?!" The hook-handed man reached up to the beak of the bird and yanked it down. To my surprise, it made a noise and the crow's chest began to slowly open. It scarcely looked larger than our previous containment but we had no time to protest because we were soon shunted roughly inside. They snatched our gags. The two of them gave us a wicked grin and before we could yell for help, the doors of the foul-smelling fountain closed on us.

A/N

Ooh yay! another chapter! this is so incredibly fun to write. Also thanks for all of 27 reads! definitely more than I expected xD Anywayyy have a nice week, stay safe and I'll see you in a week where the UNFORTUNATE adventure continues.... *dramatic outro music* BYEEEE

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