Raelyn made her way to Hell's Hall. At least that pain killer is working a little.
"Hey, you!" A male voice called.
Raelyn looked over her shoulder to see a tall boy, but he looked young, maybe fourteen years old, standing a few feet away from her. "Can I help you?" Her hood shadowed her face.
"Are you the one who took on Bates?" He asked.
Raelyn turned fully to meet his gaze. "If I am?"
"That was my brother." He growled. This girl gives off a weird aura.
Raelyn sighed. "Well, you must be proud of him… hurting innocent mothers and their children for scraps. He seemed like a nice fellow." Sarcasm was dripping from her voice.
"So, it was you?" He asked. I… for some reason, I want to see her face.
"What do you plan on doing about it?" She said in a bored tone.
"I'm gonna take you down, for what you've done!" He yelled, running towards her.
She didn't have time to react, with her slowed reflexes due to the pain, to his fist slamming her in the stomach. She doubled over as pain shot from her stab wound. She coughed, blood spluttering from her mouth. She looked up to see him bring his leg up to kick her. She blocked it with her arms before grabbing him by the arms to restrain him from lashing out at her again. "I will not fight a kid." She growled.
He struggled in her iron grip. Man! Is she the daughter of Hercules?! "I don't care, I'm gonna kick your ass! Regardless if you're a girl or not."
Raelyn panted a little. "You really think your brother didn't deserve what he got? Think of all the terrorising he's done! I know you are villains or are related to them, but it's not right, and you… as a kid… should see that it's not right." She coughed some more.
He gritted his teeth.
At least he's stopped squirming. "Can I ask? Did he ask you do this?"
He clamped his mouth shut.
She stared into his eyes. Bastard.
"He didn't! I saw what state you left him in and I wanted to come and make you pay. Nobody does that to him and gets away with it…"
"Did he also teach you to beat up someone who is already wounded? That's a bit unfair, don't you think?" She snorted.
He looked away from her.
"I'm gonna let go of you… okay?" She slowly released his arms. "Think about what I said." She wiped her mouth as she turned to walk away.
"I wanna at least see the face of the one who hurt my brother." He followed her and reached out, pulling her hood down.
She turned to meet his eyes. "Satisfied?"
He blushed scarlet. "Man, you're pretty." He said aloud.
She snorted before beginning to laugh. "And you're a weird opponent. I though the rule was, never fall for the enemy." She smirked before continuing to Hell's Hall.
The boy stared at the retreating figure. I think I'm in love. He shook his head. No! She's the enemy. I must report back to my brother… He swallowed at the thought.
Raelyn knocked on the door of Hell's Hall.
Sylas answered with his usual grumpy greeting. "Young master is in his room." He stated, letting her in.
"Thank you, Sylas." She smiled up at him.
He nodded his head once and closed the door.
Raelyn knocked on Carlos' door. "Carlos? Can I come in?"
"Yeah, the doors unlocked." His voice called back.
She turned the door handle and let herself inside.
He was laying on his bed with a book.
"What are you reading?" She sat next to him and peered over his shoulder.
"Just science homework." He looked up to her face. "How are you?"
She smiled at him. "I am feeling better. Thanks."
He returned her smile with an unsure one of his own. He put his book away and sat up. "Are you hungry? You look like you're lacking something." He ruffled her hair gently.
"I am a little hungry." She admitted.
"Something sweet?" He asked.
She nodded.
He stood up. "Wait here, I'll get Sally to make something." He left the room, closing the door behind him.
Raelyn gave a pained sigh and flopped into the pillows, kicking off her boots. She turned to her side and held her stomach. "Damn that kid got me." She moaned. She lifted her top and checked the dressing.
No blood had leaked so it meant that the scab hadn't been broken.
She held up her pendant and watched as the magic stone reflected the sunlight in many different colours. So pretty… She smiled absentmindedly.
A few minutes later, Carlos returned.
Raelyn sniffed. "Cinnamon buns?" She looked to him.
Sure enough, he was holding a plate stacked with cinnamon buns. "You guessed it." He smirked a little, remembering her sleep talking that morning.
She sat up and crossed her legs on the bed. "My favourite! Thank you."
"Lucky you." He placed the plate in front of her and sat next to her. "Sally had baked loads, so she said I could take as many as I like."
"I'll be sure to thank her." She picked one up and bit into it. She hummed with delight.
Carlos chuckled. "I'm sure she'll be happy that you like them." He bit into his own.
"So, do you miss Dude as much as I do?" Raelyn asked.
He nodded. "Sure do, hope Audrey and Lonnie are looking after him well."
"I'm sure he'll be fine. I bet he misses you."
"More likely miss you more, he's turned traitor and adopted you." He pouted.
Raelyn looked at him. "I think he and I have a connection."
"Me too." He met her gaze then started to laugh. "And I eat like a child?" He sniggered.
She frowned. "What?" She wiped her lips.
"Other side." He reached out and wiped the sugar frosting from her face and licked his thumb.
She turned rosy. "Thanks."
There was a knock at the bedroom door. "Carlos?" His mother called.
"Come in, mom."
Cruella entered the room and saw her son and Raelyn sat on the bed eating. "I was just about to ask after you, Raelyn. How are you? I saw you arguing with Bates' brother outside. I would've intervened but you seemed to have it under your control." She added.
Carlos looked to Raelyn. "Rae?"
Raelyn waved it off. "It's fine. The matter has been resolved."
Cruella saw the bruising on the girl's cheekbone. "How did you get that?" She pointed it out.
"Oh, I… um…"
"Was it you who fought with Bates?"
Raelyn sighed and nodded. "He was hurting an innocent woman on the street, I couldn't just stand there and watch."
Cruella looked to her son. "Why didn't you tell me that it was her? I would have seen to it that Bates was dealt with."
"Oh, she dealt with him herself." Carlos continued eating.
Cruella sighed and looked to Raelyn. "You are Carlos' dear friend, so naturally you're dear to me too. If that family gives you anymore trouble, tell me."
Raelyn saluted. "Yes, ma'am." Why is she being all protective? I thought she never cared for Carlos' wellbeing. She smiled softly. I just hope this change in her isn't just to reel Carlos in.
Cruella walked up to the girl and looked at her face. "To mark such a pretty face, he should know not to strike a lady, especially one with a face like yours."
Raelyn cleared her throat. "I had my face covered, so he didn't see whether I was pretty or not."
Cruella sighed and walked out. "Remember what I said. Have fun you two, I'm going to have a bath." She closed the door behind her.
Raelyn and Carlos shared a look.
"Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" Carlos whispered.
"That your mother isn't half as bad as you guys made out? Yeah?"
He nodded. "I mean… maybe she actually realised that she… somewhat… loves me, after two years of not having me around."
"Maybe, I hope that's the case." She dusted her hands and wiped her face. "Thank you, Carlos. That was just what I needed." She grinned.
He nodded. "No problem." He put the plate onto the side table. "So, are you just gonna hang with me all day?"
She raised a brow. "Is that a problem?"
He leaned close so that their noses brushed together. "Have I ever complained?" He smirked as he saw her cheeks redden.
"I'm gonna open your window." Raelyn mumbled, trying to put space between them before she did something stupid.
As soon as the window was open, something flew in and hit the wall behind her.
She turned to see an arrow stuck in the wall above Carlos' head.
He sat there wide eyed. "Someone trying to kill me?"
She laughed and leaned over him and grabbed the arrow.
Raelyn, this is Ben. From your thoughts, I have gathered what is going on. I will send a car at nine o'clock tonight to pick them up. It will meet you at the inn, their codename is Silver Eagle. I hope this is alright. I look forward to seeing the rest of you tomorrow, midday.
The arrow turned into stardust.
Raelyn smiled widely, staring at her hand. They heard me.
"Rae?" Carlos waved his hand in front of her face.
Raelyn flung her arms around his neck in happiness. "Ben's approved of Rebecca and Rose going to Auradon!" She giggled.
He hugged her back gently. "How do you know?"
Raelyn dropped her arms and sat back. "I sent an arrow with a message to the school, that was Ben's reply."
He nodded slowly. "I'm assuming you sent it this morning."
She nodded.
"How did it know where to find you?"
"It's my arrow. Of course, it knows the way to me." She said simply.
"Of course." He snorted, laying back into the pillows.
She flopped back on the bed next to him. She gritted her teeth as pain shot across her stomach.
Carlos looked at her. "I've been meaning to ask you…"
"Hmmm?"
"What is that dressing covering on your stomach?"
Her eyes widened. "It's nothing, just a scratch, it was deeper than the rest so it keeps bleeding, on and off."
"Let me see?"
She shook her head.
He propped himself upon his elbows. "Why not? If it's not so bad, why can't I have a look?"
She turned her head away from him. "I don't like when people realise that I'm weak."
He exhaled and reached over to lift her t-shirt. "I'm not just any person, Rae. I would never see you as a weak person."
She didn't stop him from lifting her t-shirt and gently peeling the dressing away from the wound. "I don't want you to freak out." She mumbled.
Carlos stared at the wound. "How did you get this? This is more than a scratch." He tried to keep calm.
She met his gaze. "Whilst I was fighting… someone threw a dagger at me." She admitted.
His eyes narrowed. "Dirty trick." He growled, brushing his fingertips over the tender skin. "Is it as painful as it looks?" He noticed the black bruise on the left side of her ribs too.
Raelyn shrugged. "If I move a certain way it aches, and its tender to the touch. But overall, it's not too bad."
"I'll go and get some more dressing." He stood up and left the room.
She nodded. "Thanks."
Carlos closed his door behind him, as a single tear trickled down his cheek. The sooner we get off this isle the better.
