WARNING: Not sure what to call it but someone being a creep

"The button's not going to work on the Isle." Roman said suddenly.

"Huh?"

"The button that opens the magic bridge. It's not going to work on the Isle."

"No, it should." Virgil said. "Cause otherwise the census people and stuff wouldn't be able to get out."

"It must work closest to the barrier. Where the barrier's at its weakest, I guess..."

Virgil looked around fearfully before grabbing Roman's hand and pulling him along.

"We'll cross the bridge of the button when we get to it. Right you need to find Jan and Remus. I'll stand by the barrier. Hopefully the button should still work."

Virgil looked at Roman. "Hey. You okay?"

"Hm? Oh, yeah. I'm fine."

Virgil sighed and dropped Roman's hand, turning to face him. "No you're not. Calm down. Take deep breaths, okay? In for four, hold for seven, out for eight. Got it?"

Roman nodded, taking a few deep breaths. "Sorry about that." He said when he opened his eyes. "You must think I'm a real sissy, huh?"

Virgil shook his head. "I don't think that at all. Anxiety's a normal part of life, everyone has it. And if you need to pause, it doesn't make you any less brave than anyone else. Now come on. We need to get going before it gets light." Virgil turned around and left. Roman took another few deep breaths. Virgil being an encouraging friend shouldn't bring so much hope into his heart and so much colour to his cheeks.

"You stay here, I'll go find Re and Janus."

"How d'you know where he'll be?"

Roman laughed slightly. "Princey, I'm his brother. I'll be fine and I'll be back soon. Don't move."

"Wasn't planning on it." Virgil muttered. He pulled his hood up over his head and crossed his arms, holding the button to open the barrier tightly to his chest. Despite his seemingly calm outward appearance, Virgil was anything but. He hated it here. The atmosphere of the Isle itself was already anxiety provoking and as people were starting to move around, over rooftops and through winding alleyways, he was sure he was getting odd looks. What was this person in a black and purple hoodie and too much make-up doing  near the barrier?

A small pebble hit the top of his head.

"Ha! Got him!"

Virgil looked up and glared. A boy and a girl around ten were crouching on a roof. The girl was holding a sling-shot.

"Nice!"

Virgil rolled his eyes and looked back down at his feet. Another pebble hit his head.

"Got him again!"

Virgil closed his eyes and focused on his breathing. Another pebble hit his head.

"Gimme a go, Jane. You got three in a row, it's my turn."

"Fine."

"One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight," Virgil counted in his head, "nine, te-" Another pebble.

"Hey!" Virgil yelled. "Could you not?"

The girl looked at the boy who was holding the sling-shot and dangled her legs off the edge of the roof, looking down at Virgil.

"Why Mister?"

"Because you're being a fucking nuisance. And that's really annoying."

The girl - Jane - looked at the boy again before shaking her head. "No can do Mister. Mama's orders."

"Mhm. And Uncle Lock and Barrel's orders too."

Virgil sighed. "Boogie's Boys." He thought before looking up at the kids. "What if I give you something?"

The twins looked at each other before shaking their heads. "Sorry Mister."

Virgil glared at the kids before looking back down at the floor.

"Hey."

Virgil rolled his eyes and looked up. "Who are you and what d'you want?"

The boy smirked. Virgil didn't like it. "I'm more interested in what you want."

"God, I hate this place." Virgil thought. "I want you to fuck off." He said coldly. The boy shook his head.

"No can do, Cutie."

"Oh so you want me to make you fuck off?" Virgil asked. "Fine." He stepped back a few paces before throwing the button at the boy's head as hard as he could. It landed dead centre and the boy stumbled back a few paces. He picked the button up off the ground and grinned.

"Gee, thanks Cutie." He said before running off.

"Hey! Give that back! Give it-" Virgil stopped and sighed, defeated. "Jesus Christ, I really hate this place." He thought. Suddenly, someone tackled him in a hug from behind.

"Jesus Christ, Jan!" Virgil said, trying to squirm his way out of Janus' hug.

"Sorry." Janus said sheepishly, letting go of Virgil and stepping back. "Just missed my friend." Virgil rolled his eyes with a smile.

"I am ready to get out of this shit-hole." Remus said decidedly.

"Yep. Princey, if you please." Roman said, motioning to the barrier.

"Um..."

"Um what?"

"I threw the button at someone. And he ran off with it."

"You what?!"

"I'm sorry, okay? He was being a creep!"

"That doesn't mean you can throw our only way of escaping at him!"

"I fucking panicked, okay, Roman?"

Roman sighed and put his head in his hands. "You're a fucking idiot, Princey." He growled. "We're stuck here now. For probably the next five years. And it's all your damn fault."

Well... this was something. But I'm back on track with the story plan so... there's that.
Bye,
Queenie