Keys (ch. 1)

10years later1

The girl who had once gazed upon the platform and the most wanted man in the world, waved goodbye to her family, promising she would be back. She strode down the clean streets of her town, sad that she would not return for many years. Her long golden hair was tied into a simple pony tail as she waved to everyone, even some she did not know. They waved back sadly, they knew it could be the last time they ever saw her.2

The seemingly endless rows of houses and shops thinned in to small alleyway that led into the docks. Since his announcement about his treasure many had left to follow their dream but not a single one had come back. 3

Everyone had told her not to go, they said she was too young and that she should not waste her life away. But she was just too curious for her own good, she would be the first to admit it. Plus, she had taken a liking to the man and wanted to see what wonders he had seen. She didn't care about the treasure, maybe she'd give some to charity or the poor. She could do so much good. But, she thought, why didn't he do that?4

She climbed into a small rowing boat and sighed deeply. She did not think the man greedy, when she once looked into his gentle eyes, she saw no greed and no evil. But, something was bothering him, she thought, what was it?5

She sighed again and stared out to sea, the sun was going down slowly, the sky was turning pink, one day, she thought, I will find out.6

-over the wall-7

A skinny youth ran through the streets of the town, unlike the girls, they were dirty and over-used. Like everyone on the island, he had sleek, straight, black hair (it could do with a good wash), tanned skin that had no spots as far as the eye could see. However, he was different, so very different. 8

Like some, he had hazel eyes, but his had golden spots that made his eyes shine. His right eye, as everyone in the town knew, could cause havoc when he was angry or sad but he would be drained of energy afterward.9

Thus, he was cast out and branded as a devil. They burned the devils mark into his left shoulder and was shunned.10

He was given no food and had to fend for himself. If food was stolen, crop taken, if an animal disappeared or even people dying, he was blamed. 'The devils son', they called him, since no one knew who his mother was, they called his mother a witch, a demon and a personal favourite of the devil.11

Sometimes, he would be the first to admit it, he did steal but he had to. He had to survive or else, he had no reason to live.12

The boy looked up to the sky, there was a storm coming. One bigger than ever before. He ran down street after street and stopped at a run down building. You could call it my home, he thought, but that's wrong, it's hers.13

He opened the door of the rickety building and climbed the steep stairs. They were old and creaked under his feet. He steeped onto the landing and step by step walked towards a door, it was white and the handle was engraved with a large R.14

The room was small, containing only a single bed, a chest of draws and, squeezed into a corner, was a tiny chair. On it sat a middle-aged woman, at least 35 years old. Her sharp blue eyes glanced at him and looked away, as if remembering something painful.15

"What's wrong?" asked the boy.16

She waved her hand, dismissing the matter, "Nothing."17

"You were thinking of dad, weren't you?" he asked, looking away.18

She nodded.19

"You've got to tell me some day," he said.20

The woman sighed, "When you're ready, I will"21

She was ignored, "Mum too"22

"Later," again she waved her hand and avoided the matter.23

He sighed, she was always like that. He shouldn't have expected anything. The boy hesitated for a moment and, reluctantly, walked out of the room, leaving the woman with her thoughts.24

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