Chapter 2 : Two Little Boys Meet Again

Darkness soon took over the Isle of the Lost as the sunlight faded away. Carlos stepped down the gravel pathway, nervously looking over his shoulder. The fog set it quickly, making each and every step more and more nerve-racking. A chilling cackle from behind him was enough to send him running aimlessly into the dead of night. Shops were closed, windows were boarded up, and not a single soul, living or dead, was in sight.

He gripped onto to the hem of his black shirt, tugging at it for comfort. The scared little ten-year-old wondered the streets, trying to find a place that looked slightly familiar.

The Isle of the Lost was a mystery, Carlos had barely seen any other part of the island, and nothing looked familiar in pitch black. He could barely see five feet in front of him. But he managed to see a pair of wrinkled-old hands with nails the length of knives reaching towards him.

Gripping him by the shoulder, the young boy flailed around, screaming for help. His eyes locked with an old-hag, who's eyes were as black as coal.

"You'll go great with the collection!" She cackled out, her nails shredding Carlos' rose-red jacket. With one good punch, the lady was sent flying back. Carlos whirled around and saw Jay, with a bloody fist.

"Come on!" He grabbed the teary-eyed boy's wrist, and dragged him into one of the alleyways. Carlos still has tears running down his face as the two came to a holt outside of an abandoned shack. "Get inside, hurry!" He whispered loudly, cracking open the door.

The younger boy slid inside, followed by the older one. It was pitch black, and Carlos couldn't stop holding onto Jay's hand. Seconds later, he heard the hiss of an igniting match, and he could finally see. Jay had a small match between his fingers, between his and Carlos' face.

"T-Thanks..." The white-haired boy sniffled, Jay smirked, "Don't mention it."

Jay's smirk dissipated as he saw Carlos' white sleeve of his jacket blossom a shade of red. He used his free hand to touch the wound, causing a painful sigh from the freckled-boy.

"How much does it hurt?"

Carlos blinked back the tears, "I-It's fine... It'll heal..."

"Hey, nimrod, ever heard of an infection?" Jay cocked his head as he grinned, trying to cheer up the smaller boy. Carlos looked down at his feet, twiddling his thumbs.

"Who was that lady? Why'd she-" Carlos began, "Attack you?" Jay cut him off, "Because she's a crazy old-" He remembered the fact that the boy in front of him was eight, "witch."

"More like a crazy old bitch." The smaller boy whispered, Jay smiled. "Nice."

Carlos couldn't help but smile back, maybe Jay wasn't as bad as he originally thought. Maybe he's just a jerk in front of others, maybe he's just being bad because he has to be.

The match's flame quickly shrunk, before the boys were engulfed in darkness. Carlos' hand found Jay's, and the two quietly sat there, all night long.

Jay's eyes peered open as the small boy beside him shook him awake. "W-What is it?" A groggy Jay hissed, grabbing his cap and sliding it back on his head. Carlos pointing out one of the cracks in the wood, "It's morning..." He whispered.

The older boy nodded, "I guess we better get going."

Carlos helped him up, still wincing in pain from the gash on his shoulder, Jay didn't notice. The two slipped out of the shack and back into the alley. The streets were once again filled with people, the shops were open, and that wicked witch was nowhere in sight.

"I've gotta get going, you know the way home?" Jay asked. Carlos nodded, even though he had no clue. He didn't want to be a burden. His mother always called him that, among other, more mean, names. She was a villain, after all.

"Cool." Jay smiled, "Maybe I'll catch you at school..."

Carlos waved him goodbye, whispering, "Maybe..."

His eyes sank to the ground when the older boy left his sight, before taking in a big breath, and heading down the street. He had no clue if he was heading in the right direction, but he didn't really care. He didn't like it at home.

Jay's blood ran cold when he felt the wrinkly hands graze his forearm. His mouth was snapped shut by the witch's bony-clutch, before she yanked him into the darkness of her cottage. A few bystanders witness the event, none cared enough to do anything about it.

The woman through the ten-year-old down onto the rickety-wooden floor, hissing at him to stay quiet or she'll slit his throat.

"Since you rescued that boy last night, I didn't get my monthly meal..." She clenched her fists, seething her set of razor-sharp teeth as her eyes glowed red. "I need my monthly meal, boy..."

Jay crawled backwards, terrified beyond measure. "P-Please... M'am..."

"You'll do quite nicely," She stepped closer, her shadow looming over the quivering boy.

Tears filled his eyes, praying Mal would save him once again. How did he always get himself in these situations? But before he could muster up an answer in his head, the old crone reached out and gripped his foot.

"No!" The boy wailed, kicking and thrashing about, knocking the woman back, "Hel-"

She jumped on top of him, her hands wrapped around his neck as she squeezed with all her might. Her tongue slid out of her mouth, snaking it's way down her chin and towards Jay's face. The boy was kicking and punching, without much luck.

But in seconds, the woman was screaming in pain, before being pushed off the nearly-lifeless boy. A dagger was wedged into her back, blood trickling down.

Carlos stood there, his legs shaking and his eyes wide open. Stunned by what he had just done. He grabbed the older boy by his hand, and pulled him up. The woman was still wailing in pain, before Carlos tipped the cauldron of water over. Screeching in agony as the bubbling hot liquid touched her skin, the two boys watched as she melted away.

"Whoa..." The older one commented, while Carlos stayed still, shivering a little. "Come on, I've got someone I want you to meet."

He took the younger boy by the wrist and ran out of the cottage. He knew that Mal would like this one, he may be young, but he's a fighter.

Okay, so this chapter was all about the boys, but fret not, next chapter the girls will definitely be included. Carlos & Jay had such a nice friendship in the movie, very complicated, like many real-life friendships. Many great moments are shared between the two, and this chapter explains just how the two became so close. Saving a person's life usually puts you on their good side.