The Unexpected

Chapter 8: Isle of Villains

Heidi's POV

Harry and I start walking around the new Isle of Villains and I have to say that this place is thriving more than I thought, business have been rebuilt and seem busier than ever. "I don't think I have ever seen The Diamond Smile Tavern this busy before." I say seeing people walking in and out as Harry looks around with a complex look on his face. "What is wrong Hooky? The Isle was never like this when the barrier was around it, and it is kind of nice for us to say that the Isle of the lost is officially dead." Harry just gives me a sour look before walking ahead of me. I sigh and shake my head as I find myself standing in front of Shere Khan's Pawns and I think about the last time I was here which was when I escaping from Morris.

"Shere Khan?" I ask loudly knowing that he must be around her somewhere, "Well look has returned." Says the menacing but polite and courteous voice of the murderous and delusional tiger. "I haven't returned Khan; I am here on behalf of King Ben as part of a relief mission." Khan nods his head in a testy way as he looks at his nails. "King Benjamin has no authority here Heidi, this kingdom is ruled by the 10 most feared villains in history." I know that Khan must be talking about this council of villains that I have been hearing about, "Who is on this council of villains?" I ask as Khan looks away from his nails and gives me a sadistic almost devious smiles comes across his face.

"You will find out soon enough I am sure, in fact I am certain that the council already knows that you are here." I roll my eyes at the stoic tiger before saying goodbye to him and walking out of the shop. I look around still unable to comprehend just how much the Isle has changed and as I look around at all the residents that seem to be actually happy it makes me think of what the Isle would have been like if the barrier never happened. 

I walk down the familiar back streets that I knew like the back of my hand and I soon find myself in front of Lady Tremaine's Curl Up & Dye which has a line going out the door. "Dizzy would be proud to see this." I smile and I notice someone standing near the back of the line, "Harriet?" I ask out loud getting the attention from the oldest of the Hook kids, "Oh my Hades, Heidi?" Harriet says running over to me and giving me a huge hug which I quickly return.

"It is so great to see you." Harriet says as we both pull out of the hug looking at each other to see that we both have changed a lot since our last encounter with each other. "What are you doing here?" Before I can answer her Harriet starts asking me a million other questions and it is only after I cover her mouth with a smile on my face that she stops rambling. "Slow down, I can only ask one question at a time, but I have to know about the statue of the turf war." I removes my hand as Harriet takes a deep breath, "The turf war ended soon after the barrier was brought down, and thanks to the council giving us law and order everything has been running very smooth around here." I never thought that I would live to see the day that law and order would be apart of Isle life,

"Is my brother and my adorable nephew here?" I nod my head as Harriet smiles and the two of us just start talking and catching up with one another.

After spending about two hours with Harriet I sadly leave here to explore more of the Isle and try to find everyone since I got separated from the others, "Hello." Says a small voice then I look down to see a handsome small little boy that is around the age of 4 or maybe 5 years old that kind of reminds me of Ben a little bit. He has a mixture of red and black hair that seemed to sweep off his forehead also he is wearing a red shirt, strange pendent around his neck, pair of black jeans, and red sneakers with black laces. 

"Well hello." I say smiling down at the polite and elegant little boy who I notice doesn't seem lost at all, "And who might you be?" I ask kneeling down to his level as the little boy looks up to me with pair of sophisticated and regal green eyes. "My name is Quinlan." My eyes go a little wide in shock as that name sounds very similar to someone that I know lives on this rock. "Quinlan, what have I told you about leaving the shop!" I hear the explosive yet commanding voice of Quinn yell as she sees Quinlan standing in front of me.

"I am taking it that is your mom?" Quinlan nods his head with a look of annoyance on his face, but then again if you had Quinn for a mom you would try to run away too. "I need to go before my mom really gets mad at me." Quinlan gives me a reckless and impulsive smile that reminds me of Harry before running off.

I know that deep down in my heart that I need to visit my home before leaving but a part of me telling me that is not worth it to put myself though all of that, I sigh struggling with what my feeling while looking at Hades Souvlaki which I am standing in front of. "This place has changed so much, but is also hard to imagine the Underworld changing, but then again I have never seen or experienced the Underworld without the barrier to contain it." I say out loud looking at the poster when all of sudden I see in the reflection of the window I see someone is behind me. "Can I help you?" I ask turning around but instead of answering me the person blows something into my face and seconds later I feel myself getting sleepy as everything around me fades to black.