Following the path, a sign that says “Hell’s food and drinks,” grabs my attention.
“Would that place be an option?” I ask him with flushed cheeks, his only answer being a simple nod.
Going inside, the first thing I see is a bunch of old big trolls sitting around a round wooden table, drinking something that smells just like cockroach beer, something my father used to drink when I was a child.
Their skin is a pale green tone and they only have a few strands of hair on their head.
Approaching the bar, Ector and I ask for a menu. The old big troll looks at us like he wants to kill us, letting out a deep and skeptical “hmmm”and hands us what we asked for.
“You can sit here, fairy and elf.” The last words made a wave of irritation wash over me as I thought of how Ector lost his wings.
The troll pulls out the chair for me and gives me a big, almost cruel smile. I can feel his breath from a distance and it’s one of the worst things I’ve ever smelled in my entire life.
It takes a few minutes before we receive our meals, two burgers that donotlook neither appetizing nor fresh.
“Enjoy.” The servant says with a big smirk on her lips.
The bun on the burger is dark moss green, and the inside is full of bright green moving caterpillars with slimy emerald sauce dripping as they move.
We look at each other, trying to decide if we should eat this or not, but he grabs it from the brown plate and takes a big bite, the green sauce dripping from his mouth as I wait for his reaction. Hearing something crunch between his teeth when he bites down, I feel a shiver moving down the length of my spine.
“I’ve eaten worse than this.” He says and takes another bite.
My hands move forward, grabbing my burger and my mouth takes a tiny bite. I hold my breath, not wanting to taste anything, but as air enters my nostrils, a thousand flavors explode in my mouth, almost making me gag.
“Mmm, good.” I say, filling my cheeks with chewed food to get the taste away from my tongue, and it’s almost impossible to swallow.
Ector’s burger slips down faster than I could count as I sit here doubting if it’s even worth taking another bite.
“Come on, you can do it. We’ll leave as soon as you’re full.” He whispers.
Taking another bite, I try my best to think about anything else rather than the texture in my mouth.
With only one small piece left of the burger, I give up, not having the strength to keep it in my stomach if I push myself once more.
All of a sudden, the door to the restaurant flies up with a loud bang. Everyone stops what they are doing and stands completely still, not making a single sound.
“I’ve got a dream, I’ve got a dream.”He abruptly stops. “Is no one going to join and sing with me? No one? No?” It’s a voice that I recognize.
All heads turn as the man moves through the restaurant like he owns it. Trying to look past every head that is blocking my vision, I finally see who it is.Castello.
He must be following us.
Hearing Castello’s heavy footsteps getting close, I make sure to have an escape plan. “Do you have a backdoor we can leave through? That man over there who came in making a fool out of himself, he’s following us.” I tell the troll who dragged out the chair for me.
Instead of answering me, he gives me a simple nod.
Chapter 22
Ector
Genevieve grabs my hand and drags me with her as we follow the troll to the back door, her touch sending heat through my body.
The troll opens the door that looks like it’s hidden on purpose, blending in perfectly with the wall. He hands me a big burning torch that spreads a strong orange light around us.
“Good luck!” He winked at me before pushing us inside and shutting the door behind us.
“Let me go first.” I say, taking the lead in case something unpredictable happens.
