The island is just the same as it was when we left. Dirty, gross, dangerous and terrifying. As we step out of the car, our former 'friends' stare at us with eyes brimmed with hatred. We have obviously put on a bit of weight. We are nowhere near fat, but to the kids living on the island we are. Everyone is emaciated and thin. Rats scamper down the street and claw at carcasses that were already picked clean by the islanders.
"Home sweet hellhole." I say as I travel deeper in. I hold my bag close to me to keep people from stealing it. My spell book is tucked into my jacket, and Evie, Jay, and Carlos make almost a shield around me, knowing that I have the objects that will get us out of here when the time comes.
"Let's just get to the hideout." Evie says, her attitude turning serious. Our hideout was a small cave hidden in the thorns and brambles. We found it when we were young, on a long trip trying to scrounge for some food. We run, a seemingly toxic rain starting to come down, drenching us and causing us to shiver.
"Come on, almost there." Carlos exclaims, his voice strained from the cold. We had forgotten how much colder it is here. We reach the shelter, and climb through the brambles to the dry cave. We sit, panting on the freezing cave floor. I take my bag off of my shoulder, and pull out the supplies I have, and my friends do the same.
"Does anyone have blankets?" Jay asks, rubbing his arms.
"I don't." Carlos and Evie say at once.
"Neither do I. I'll go out and find some." I say with all the bravery I can muster.
"Mal, I'm not so sure thats a good idea." Evie says, reaching out to grab my arm.
"I'll be back soon." I say, shaking off her arm and climbing out of the cave into the now steady rain, armed with a knife.
I walk through the town, trying not to show the fear I have. People stare at me, both with hatred and a hunger, and I continue past, coming to the conclusion that I will have to steal. I come across a house that looks empty, and climb inside a broken window. I light a match and advance, looking for a swath of dirty fabric to take back. After advancing to the middle of the house, I decide there is nothing here and start to turn around. I hear a laugh.
"Who's there?" I say, drawing my knife.
"Sweet little Mal. I knew you would end up bak here."
"Who the fuck are you." I say in my most shaking tone. The voice just chuckles.
"How could you not remember me? We were basically family."
"What are you talking about?" I ask, slowly backing toward the exit, I feel a breeze behind me, and turn around to see the silhouette of a man about my age. And that's when I know.
"Harlem." I say as he steps into the light. His dark red hair and chestnut eyes glisten in the dim light.
"You know, you look even prettier than you did before you left." He walks up to me, and brushes a stray hair off of my face. I slap his hand away.
"Just leave me alone. Your dad Hans may be able to get any girl, but you can't." I try to go around him.
"I'm afraid that you don't have a choice." He says, slapping the knife out of my hand and pushing me against the wall. I struggle hard, trying to escape his strong clutches.
"You know I always was going to have you, so you should have done this willingly a long time ago." He whispers in my ear, before latching his lips onto mine. I try to get him off, but he is too strong. He pulls back.
"Don't you dare touch me again." I say, my voice filled with venom.
"Oh silly, silly Mal. You know I'm going to do much more than touch you." He says, putting his hand up the back of my shirt. I keep struggling, but it does nothing against Harlem's strength. He kisses me again, forcing my lips open and pushing his tongue inside. I try to bite it, but he brings it out to fast.
"Still the feisty one aren't you?" He says before latching his mouth onto my neck, biting and sucking, leaving a hickey. I involuntarily moan, trying to keep the pleasure in that I shouldn't have.
"I know you like it Mal, so just enjoy it." He whispers seductively. He takes off his shirt, takes my hand and runs it up and down his stomach. My mind goes blank before I remember to fight back. I knee him where it hurts, and when he winces back, I run. I make it halfway out the door, before he grabs my shoulder roughly.
"Ooohhh you'll pay for that." He says, his voice laced with anger as he drags me down a hallway to a room, where he throws me on a bed. He ties me up by my wrists and ankles, all the while I'm thrashing with all my strength. "You're my puppet now baby, so don't try to escape." He exclaims, but I don't hear him: all I can think about is Ben.
Apologies apologies, blah blah blah. It's been about a month I think, and there is no excuse. Actually there is and excuse, I've been having writer's block. Hope you liked this chapter!
