(Frank's pov)

The sun was casting a red gleam over the wavering waters. The blood shot sky smudged flawlessly with the shining sea. It was the same old view as yesterday. And the day before. And the one before that. And all the days that I had lived in this town. But this was the one thing I would probably never get tired of- the sea.

I was sitting on one of the high poles of the only port in the town, watching the last ship to leave the dock and sail away, right into the sunset, and vanishing into the horizon. The port was once again empty, waiting.

It was a quiet little place from the outside. The town. Just a place for business men to refill their supplies, rest on still ground for a day or two and then set on their way to where ever they were heading. They sailed away, just like the one before my eyes.

It was much more than that, this place. It's a shame not everyone has the privilege to see it. And those who does, aren't capable of appreciating the charm of this seemingly amiable town. I was a living example.

Behind the facade of the shops and markets lies a secret. It may feel to be attractive upon seeing but eventually it loses it's beauty much like everything else. But then again maybe it's not the town that lost something. Maybe it's I who did- sense of appreciation.

It's the hub of magic, illegal magic. Then again which form of witchcraft isn't banned by the so called government. They say it's harmful. It is in a way. So are those guns they waste our taxes on. You don't see them complaining. You don't see anyone complaining until one's pressed against their head. And then they blame us for running a fucking shop so we don't die of the sinking economical condition of the country. Way to guilt trip someone.

It was also the center of refuge for the pirates. That is to say they stop by to fill in ammunition for the next six months of robbery and violence over the sea. To sum it all up boring would be the last thing you call this place, right after safe.

This town is known as Belliville, officially at least. A normal insignificant coastal town, that's what it is. What the authorities didn't know was that it was also The Dark Market. The center of magic, piracy and illegal business. That one place the government had been in search for years, but they didn't know that it was hidden in one of their own towns. Hidden where you least expect it, in plain sight.

Even if in the day you don't find nothing unusual about Belleville at night when the Dark Market sets in, that's when the real magic is seen.

It's tomorrow the thought ran again in my mind, it's tomorrow. It's the decadal meeting of the five primal pirate clans. I'll be finally free.

Among all the pirates groups there are five main clans, they meet once every ten years in this small town of Belleville to discuss about who knows what the fuck.

That's the only chance I have to get the fuck out of this place. This life I'm living isn't bad but it's not mine. There's something about the sea, it's like it's calling me, the freedom, I can't refuse it. It's like I belong there and I do.

I need to go out there. I want to be one of them and tomorrow is my only chance I'm not going to miss it. I don't even care if they'll recruit me as a sweeper really I could clean a thousand toilets if it means that I'd be able to sail in a pirate ship. It's weird but it is what it is. 

As the last of the red sun sank into the ocean I hopped off the pole, pocketing the dagger I was aimlessly rotating around my fingers. I better get to the market before Madonna starts to set the shop. The same as usual. But I was requested to be early today.

"Ya goin' home early, Frank?" a worker at the port asked me on seeing me to walk out of the gateway before the first star of the night shine. I think his name's Samuel.

"Yeah, work stuff" I replied with a half hearted smile, eyes casted down.

This would be over tomorrow. Tomorrow would be different. I felt myself taking a deep breath for no reason at all.

***

I strolled along the now lighted streets. The town looks much prettier at night, when the market of black magic sets in. It's a shame not many people are allowed to see this scenic beauty. Most of the shops were still closed. Even though the sun had set it's not completely dark yet. At least I won't be late.

It's a pretty little place. But it's not for me. I needed to get away. No I just wanted to get away.

When I reached to my current residence in front of which the shop is opened every night, Madonna has already started working. The vials with pixie dust were lined along the front counter, the magic weapons neatly aligned along one wall. I walked to the back of the shop and found Madonna fumbling with some package.

She was the owner of the shop I work in. I had been working for her since I remember. I'm an orphan so no relations no ties no family. Perfect for running her errands. For some twisted reasons I never saw my childhood past that. I blame her for it, Madonna.

On seeing me she greeted with a small smile. Now I won't call that a smile but you can only understand the value of something if you can't get it right? Wow she must be in a great mood. I felt my eyes going large but I quickly retreated. I've lost control of what I do now a days. It's like it doesn't even matter. Who cares if I smile or not? Certainly not me.

"You're back early?" Her voice reached my head.

"uh Umm... Yeah" I responded because manners. Fuck it. I lowered my head.

"Great then here's your package" she said while handing me the wrapped up box "and the address would be...uh.. " she squinted her eyes in effort to read the smudged writing on her hand "oh it's just the newly built hotel three blocks away it's said to leave the package in the reception, not something I'd advice you to do but... " She trailed off.

She quickly retreated back to the front of the shop after giving me the address. She isn't one for small talk really. She isn't one for talk in general unless you count in tricking customers to pay higher prices, buy stuff they'll never even use. I don't mind it. That's how I know I won't die of starvation.

I dusted the dirt off my face and adjusted the few hundred scarves that were hanging from my neck so my scorpion tattoo isn't visible. I don't even know what it's for or why I have to hide it. There's somethings you just do but never stop to think why. Why do we need to live? Why do we need to breath? See no answers. I started towards my first delivery this night.

My job was simple I delivered stuff all across the town. Needless to say I know my way around. I'm mainly made to do that because with my diminished height it's just easy to sneak in and out, it's easy to mix in with the crowd and it's easy to not get caught.Besides I'm also exceptionally good with hiding and am reasonably fast. Some talents I'll never learn to value.

The streets were more flooded than usual. Meeting of the primal clans some how attract a lot of people. Mostly there just here for trade and commerce and shit. People with families and needs, gone astray, selling those horrifying bottles of syrups and powders with inhuman capabilities. They are just asking to be burned off aren't they?

I usually use the main roads more the crowd the easier it is to hide, to blend in. Today however I chose to travel through the small alleys. Madonna would be disappointed. Good.

But I really needed to see Pete. I wanted to make sure he's not going to bugger out at the last moment tomorrow. Knowing him .....actually I have no idea what he's gonna do. I don't trust him but I rely on him a great deal. That drunken bastard.

See I'm a pretty brave person. But that doesn't mean I have the guts to spy on the meeting of the primal clans alone. That's stuff of absolute secrecy. I'd be dead if anyone as much as doubts that I'm there. Maybe that's not as bad as everyone makes it look like.

As I'd expected when I reached his usual spot, he was leaning against the wall and getting drunk on presumably something illegal. He's a headache to have around but then again in the past ten years Pete's been my only friend or like the only person I actually claim to know.

I had known him since I came in this town. I'm not one to make friends. I keep social interaction to as minimum as possible. I have several reasons even if you count out the fact that I don't exactly like the human race in general. There's the stuff where most people are scared of Madonna. Then again she's exceptionally gifted in witchcraft. I don't blame them. I'm scared of her too. But at least she treats me like a living being. That's more than I could ask for. Literally.

But Pete Wentz kinda was just always there. You know some people who you have no need to know the name of but they just always have been there He's an idiot. No doubt in that. But he's an idiot I'd do anything for. Probably the only idiot....or person in general.

His mom passed away when he was twelve. Soon after his father collapsed into drinking. One day he went out and didn't returned for days like usual. Except not really. As days turned into months and months into years it was evident that he was never returning.

That was the last straw. Like his father Pete tried to seek comfort in alcohol and I till today regret not slapping the bottle out of his hand the first time I found him drinking. I drink too everyone does. But there's a difference between swimming and drowning. So I just try to keep him together the best I can. Honestly he does the same for me. Not that I'll ever admit it, no.

" Just am here to make sure you haven't changed your plans..." I said on approaching him.

"For the 78th time this week" he said, raising his head enough to keep an eye contact for a couple of seconds. He's not in a good place.

"so? "

"so?? "

" Are you sure you're coming? "

" maybe"

"maybe isn't good enough "

" 'no' is? "

"Great, I knew you'd chicken out at the last moment" Why wouldn't he? It's not like he feels trapped here. It's not like he wants to run away.

"Nah man wouldn't miss the meeting for the world "

"Pete you're not making any sense " which makes sense as he isn't sober.... at all. Though he's holding up better than usual.

"Well I wanna go"

"And what's stopping you? "

Pete was silent for some time, then he looked up at me dramatically and whisper-yelled " The high possibility of death" well I had no excuse for that one. I sighed mostly for dramatization of the situation.

"Fair enough so I'm going alone after all-"

"Why do you even want to go there?" he slurred slipping down the wall he was leaning on and sat down on the chissled ground. Well more like collapsed.

"Curiousity" I shrugged

"Killed the cat"

"And the satisfaction brought it back" I don't even know why I said that. Only at this moment did I realize how much I depended on this addict. It was so ridiculous I almost started laughing. The bad kind.

Pete looked at me like he's either gonna walk away now and pretend he never knew me or he's gonna murder me and then walk away and pretend he never knew me. My money's on the second one.

" Do whatever you wanna do...." Pete started but then he stopped mid-sentence, his eyebrows drawn together in confusion "You don't have any surname that's not fair"

" I do have a surname I just don't remember it" I corrected him. Not that this ever bothered me. I don't have any family so naturally I don't have any family name I'm burdened to carry on. I'm that separate string lost in the ball of wool it was once a part of. I was cut off for a purpose except I never fulfilled it, now I'm with the people I call my own. But I'm not one of them. I'm detached. I'm different. I've no reason to be here. I can't be used for anything else but I'm just here. I'm just existing because it's not good to waste stuff. Even God knows it.

"Okay then do whatever you wanna do Mr shit-whats-my-name-again but you know I'm not leaving you alone ever" I smiled at that. I know he means it. It's hard lying when you're drunk but all that aside I trust Pete on this one which is not recommend. He can set your house on fire without any oxygen while sleeping.

But he won't leave me alone tomorrow.

I continued towards the hotel but to my surprise Pete started to follow. I didn't question it.

***

On reaching the hotel we were let in by the guard at once. What can I say? I know people here. The hotel isn't too glamorous but it was pretty neat by the other hotels' standard. As we were walking towards the reception a hand pulled me towards a deserted corridor.

When I regained my balance and looked up I saw I blonde man looking at me. Honestly man would be an overstatement he was my age or maybe younger, 17-18, something like that. He was was thin as a twig with elbows jutting out awkwardly. Overall he wasn't really bad looking but he had the most emotion less face I'd ever seen. Well then hello stranger.

"Do you know what's in the package?" he asked in a low voice. Now the box was well hidden under my robe. How he knew about it? The only explanation was that he was expecting me so I didn't dwell much on it.

"No" I replied, unfortunately honestly because now I was really curious.

"Good" the stranger said grabbing the parcel from my hand and dropped a couple of escudos which I caught before they hit the floor. Rude. Who does he think he is?

And with that he walked away vanishing in to the crowd of the lobby. When I looked behind me I saw Pete gawping at the way the mysterious asshole who by now had disappeared among the swarm of people lurking around in the lobby.

" Close that fucking mouth of yours it's stinking" I said on scrunching up my nose. I put the gold coins in my pocket with extreme care.

Pete looked at me dead in the eye and said "Dude that was Mikey fucking Way from the Way clan"

An- I have no idea about what I'm doing but if it's any good do tell.

Love<3

-Alex