The streets of South London have little respect for its citizens. Even in the early hours when darkness is supposed to offer rest and respite from the day, the city rushes on, with vehicles still racing and howling like a massive pack of motorised wolves. For the people who live on the frontline, above shops, in commercial premises and in the gargantuan blocks that line the high streets, sleep is something that's snatched between sirens, street fights, and singing revellers.

Joshua and I, our faces once again behind cover of detection, power walked the streets, alert and primed, "We waste no time, Benita. I kick in the door and we rush in, like cops on an early morning raid, the surprise acts in our favour. While they be shocked and disorientated, we locate Dylan, and if he's there, we grab and go. You get me?"

"I get you." I replied, but something he said bothered me, "What do you mean, 'if he's there?' We know he's there, Clara told us he was," I said.

"Get real, sister. It's been time since I floored the bad guy, they've had time to act, take measures to move him on," he said.

A sudden flash of temper, hit me, "Don't patronise me man, I'm on top of real, always."

"AT-TIT-UDE – I like it, that's what we need," he said, with an exaggerated lift in his voice.

His response tamed my temper; I let it go and picked up my pace, "Let's get there, we've no more time to waste."

###

"How are you so wealthy, so young?" I asked, as we jogged side by side at a steady pace.

"That's another story, to be told another time. Focus on the tale we're currently in," he said, dismissively.

"Are you a gangster?" I asked.

"Are you a prankster, having a laugh? Course I ain't no gangsta thug! You've seen what GG does to those types," he replied.

It struck me that Joshua was an odd mix of 'open book' and 'dark horse.' He was mostly easy to read; yet there was so much about him that was also in the shadows, but not in a sinister way, more a deeply intriguing way.

I was about to ask him another question when the scream of the Camberwell Chorus stalled us both. Joshua looked at the three fire engines racing past us, then at me, "Three screaming red ones, going toward our destination: FIRE!" He said.

###

We slowed our pace when we saw black smoke billowing upwards in the moonlight. When we turned the corner, raging flames lit up the night sky. The Party shop was blazing.

"We were too late, they've burnt him alive," I said, despairingly.

Joshua's hand rested on my shoulder, "No. They've burned whatever evidence was being harboured there."

We watched as a three-engine fire team battled to save the already dilapidated building; it literally began to crumble before our eyes as the flames made short work of the shop and the premises above it.

The leaping flames also engulfed me: in guilt.

The guilt was followed by regret, "We should have come as soon as Clara told us he was here," I said, hearing the sorrow in my own voice.

"Not necessarily; the demise of this places was probably planned the day you and Dylan knocked on the door," said Joshua. The still leaping flames, highlighted the angular structures of his handsome face, "Don't let regret pull you down, we will find Dylan."

The absolute positivity in Joshua's assertion lifted me from my own pessimism, "Yes, we will!" I said, determined to find and save Dylan.

###

It was now approaching 3.30 in the morning, "I'll walk you home," said Joshua.

"No, don't worry, I'll sprint home, be in bed before 4.Oclock," I said.

He was insistent, "I do worry, I want to see you home safe and sound."

I found his innate caring incredibly warm and endearing and as we walked a question just fell from me, "Do you have a girlfriend?"

He gave one of those little hiccupee type laughs, "That's rude questioning," he said.

"Why's that rude?"

He looked at me, "Because I might have a boyfriend."

I smiled and asked, "And do you?"

"No."

"Would you like one?"

"A friend, that's a boy, of course."

"Ah, so let me re-phrase my original question 'do you have a girl, that's more than a friend?"

"Is that what you call a friend with benefits?" He asked, winking at me.

I laughed, "I ask you questions, and you answer in riddles. I get it, I'll mind my own business and stay focussed," I said.

He nodded, "Wise sister, very wise," he said, with another wink, but he accompanied this one with a wide infectious smile.

###

"Go rest, you have to rise soon, for school," he said, when we arrived at my gate.

I looked at my house; the darkness it was shrouded in reassured me mum was sleeping soundly, unaware of my nocturnal adventures.

I wanted to bombard him with questions, but just allowed myself one more, "Does Granny Grace live with you?"

"No." He put his finger gently on my lips, "No more Qs, it's past your bed time Benita." He lowered his voice, "Tomorrow's a big day for GG and I, we pick up Dylan's dad from the private cosmetic surgeon. We have to tell him his son is captive, he won't be happy."

Seeing the concern cross his face, I realized that he had to get to bed as much as I did, "I understand. Will you text me and let me no how it goes with Dylan's dad?"

He nodded, "That goes without saying."

###

The sound of the shower woke me. I glanced at my phone, it was 6.30, I'd had two and a half hours sleep. It would be a tough school day, but I'd get through it.

I lay in bed, listening to the familiar rattle of mum's morning routine. When I heard her leave, I hauled myself into the shower and reflected on the events of just a few hours before. I had a concern that my intrigue towards Joshua was overshadowing my need to focus on returning Dylan, and I vowed to redress that as I washed.

###

I had double maths just before lunch and I spent the whole lesson trying to stifle yawns. All I could think of was an hours kip in the cloakroom at lunchtime.

The bell sounding the end of lesson never sounded so sweet. I raced for the door, but Mr Lacey called out, "Can you hold on a minute, Benita."

His intrusion irritated me, and it showed. "Are you in a hurry to get somewhere?" He asked.

"Erm, it's lunch-time, I'm in a hurry to get some lunch, sir."

"Drop the sarcasm, it doesn't suit you."

I was bad-mood blunt, "What do you want?"

"Is everything ok with you?"

"Yes, why?"

"I've noticed you seem distracted in class of late. Today, you could barely keep your eyes open," he said.

My temper flared, "Are you perving at me in class? I thought you only had eyes for my mum sir!" I immediately regretted my angry words.

He rolled his eyes, "So this is it, you have a problem with me seeing your mum?"

I softened, "That was a low-blow, I'm sorry sir. Of course I don't have a problem with you and mum."

"Good, I'm glad we've cleared that." When I see him continue to stare at me, I know he's not done, "But I'm not stupid Benita, I know something else is up: you're constantly tired and irritable. Are you sure you're not in some kind of trouble?" He asked.

I stood up to go, "I'm fine sir." At the door I turned back, "Can I clear something up as well, sir?"

"Go for it."

"Dating my mum, don't make you my dad," I said, with a smile.

He returned the smile, "I hear you Benita – go get your lunch."

###

The interaction with Mr Lacey had woken me up and I decided to skip the kip in favour of a walk.

I checked my phone, hoping there'd be a message from Joshua, or better still, one from Dylan telling me where he was and how I could release him. But no, nothing.

When I looked up from my phone, I instinctively jumped into a shop front, for cover. I'd caught a glimpse of Joshua and something in the sudden snap shot of what I'd seen, bothered me.

My reaction shocked me, and I entered the shop so I could peek at him without being detected.

I located a shelving unit with cosmetic products that I could stand behind and have a view of the street outside, without anyone looking in, having a view of me.

When Joshua came into sight, I craned my neck to get a full view. He was laughing and joking with an attractive, nicely dressed young girl, about my age. She laughed along with him as they both skipped down the street looking happy and carefree.

My extreme emotional reaction to this fairly innocent sight, really took me by surprise.

Once they'd passed I left the shop and started to follow them. My feelings really confused but compelled me to keep following. Particularly when I realized who the girl was...

...She was Clara...