(Frank's pov)

"BUT WHY CAN'T I GO?"

" Because I'm not allowing it"

"THAT'S NOT EVEN A REASON"

"It is if I want it to"

Madonna and I had been arguing back and forth for the last few hours. Well I've been arguing Madonna's just being creepily calm and giving diplomatic comebacks. For some reason unknown to me I just can't go to the arrival of the primal clans tomorrow. It's like everything was fine and then suddenly when I asked for a leave and Bam.

For as long as I had known her (which is like since forever) she hated pirates which is why I had never told her that I wanted to be one. More than hating them, she freaks out every time I mention something about it.

"I JUST WANT TO GO TO THAT ONE EVENT THAT COMES LIKE JUST ONCE IN TEN YEARS. EVERYONE'S GOING CMON" It's probably the first time I've ever raised my voice but she does not have any right to hold me back and I'll make that very clear to her. It's not like things could get worse right?

"You're not like everyone" Madonna muttered under her breath. What even-

And it all again started again from the beginning.

That's how most of my night went and the rest was me being locked up in my room the doors and windows shut by some woo doo magic spell Madonna used. She was the best in witchcraft among everyone I knew. Which was the entire Belleville so like quite a lot of people.

Don't get me wrong. Madonna was like the only family I ever had. She claims to have found me alone in the streets. An orphan. With no ties. Just perfect to be her helper. She never elaborated. Fucking cryptic bitch. I have greater problems to deal with.

So here I was crouching down by the only window in my room with my dagger shoved down the narrow opening in the sill. That's what I had been trying to do for the last three hours, to open this god damned window which was literally cursed to be closed with my ordinary dagger. need less to say I was going nowhere.

This is pointless.

I threw the dagger on the other side of the room out of frustration. It fell on the floor with a rather loud clattering noise. At this point I didn't even care. I flopped down on my bed with my hands tugging on my hair. There was no way out. I was trapped in my own room. Just like I was in my own life.

I won't be going anywhere after all. Bet Pete would be thrilled. I never voiced the thought but I know Pete doesn't want me to go. Sure he's helping me escape. But even he knows that he needs me. It's disturbing to have that much of power on someone especially if you care about that someone. But I don't want that kind of responsibility. I want to be free. Away from everyone, with no ties, just how I was destined to be.

Pete's been distant even more so since the Mikey Way incident. Should I be worried? No. Am I? Of course. The dude maybe an idiot but he never lied to me. This just didn't make any sense.

I only have like two people; one's avoiding me and I'm gonna avoid the other. Well it's a good thing that I'm leaving this place tomorrow- oh wait I'm not

I was lying on my back staring at the ceiling. My room was at the top floor of our two storey house. The ceiling was blank except for one hole in the roof, reflecting how I was feeling right then. I had noticed it's existence a few weeks ago. It's okay for now, but monsoon will be another story. The roof wasn't even enchanted. Maybe I should for once try to fix my own problems-

The roof wasn't enchanted.

Maybe it wasn't all hopeless. My eyes drifted towards the dagger at the corner of my room. It was shining brightly in the moonlight that crept in the room from the gaps on the window. Maybe if I could......

I sprinted across the room and fetched the silver dagger that was lying on the floor. I swiftly climbed on top of the stiff bed at the center and began to enlarge the gap between the wooden floor boards with the blade, trying keep the noise to minimal. Didn't worked but suddenly I just didn't cared anymore.

Adrenaline was pumping through my veins. And the only sound in the dead of of the night were the scratching of metal against wood and my own heart beat. I focused on the scratching.

After struggling for another hour, drenched with sweat, I was finally satisfied with the size of the gap. I wasn't too big so less work for me. Yay. Breathing heavily, I crawled into the attic. It wasn't much dark and I desperately waned it to be.

Now I just needed to find the window that would let me out. Then I'd need to climb down, making sure I don't die in the process....easy peasy.

Finding the window wasn't that big a deal. It was the only source of light in there and I wasn't blind so that part went smoothly. It was the climbing down part which needed improvising.

As I'd suspected Madonna didn't put the spell in the attic window. I slowly moved out and balanced myself on the extension below the window. I looked down and saw the concrete road. Yep if i fall from here- certain death. Now how to.....

And my leg slipped.

I was standing still at one moment and the next I fell down. It actually must've taken like two seconds but it felt like forever.

My heart skipped a beat and the next thing that I knew I had hit the road, the rough surface scrapped through my skin and a sharp surge of pain shot through my body. I felt like I was dying and then it all went black.

***

The first thing that I was aware of was that my nose was itching, badly. I tried to move my arm and succeeded too to my surprise. My entire existence was numb but it was there. I hadn't died. But how?

I groggily sat up and looked around. Okay houses which look like they will fall apart any moment. Still in Belliville huh? The sky wasn't as dark as before but the sun hadn't risen yet. I was breathing heavily. I was free. But I didn't felt as enthusiastic as I'd expected myself to be.

I stood up on my feet and instantly collapsed back on top of the muddy road.

"Fuck" I whisper-yelled and instantly felt a little better. Cursing's literally the solution of every problem or so I believe but hey I'm still alive. I was already feeling more in control than the time I woke up so progress.

All the lights where still turned off and I didn't heard any noises. At least I didn't woke anyone up. Hopefully.

I don't know how I'd survived the fall but I did.

I had to get out of here before Madonna found me. This one thought ran in my head. So I started towards the one place I could think of. Well more like person.

Pete Wentz.

***

When I reached the bar, half running, half limping, where Pete is usually found, it was already dawn. Most of the people in there were passed out. As far as I knew this place is never closed.

I opened the door only to encounter the sickening smell of rum. I was too tired to complain. I was too tired to do anything to be honest. I had no idea what was going on. Confusion is the worst of all the curses.

I pushed my way through the sea of smelly drunken old men. "Merry Christmas!" I heard one of them say. On instinct my head turned around a bit, enough to spot the speaker behind the voice. It was an old man with brown eyes bright enough to be mistaken as red. He had one eye closed and was leaning against his bottle which was placed on the table infront of him, soaking the cards with rum dripping down the side of the clear glass of the bottle. I didn't knew his name but I knew he was a regular. I felt oddly proud to remember that. I waved my hand.

My friend was sitting in a small booth at the corner of the dim lit room. His usual place. He was counting a bundle of notes, which was his income for this month.

Pete mainly gathers all the money he had from gambling. He was actually very talented in this one department. And he earned enough to buy his drinks and some food which was all he felt like he needed. Maybe he was right.

I slid down beside him and closed my eyes. In the middle of this sea of strangers I surprisingly felt safe. There were all sorts of thoughts that were running through my head at the moment. But I was tired so as soon as I closed my eyes drifted off.

I've made it. I was going to the meeting after all. I let out a shaky laugh and resigned myself to sleep.

Pete didn't question my presence.

AN_ this was a small chapter but I'm content I've finally figured out the plot ....more or less so yay for me

Love <3

~Alex