Hooks and Heartstrings

5 ~ The Capture

Mal's voice trembled, heavy with sorrow and resolve, as she looked down at Ben. "I have to take myself out of the picture because it's what's best for you, and it's what's best for Auradon."

Ben's face tightened with disbelief and pain. "Mal, no, please."

She shook her head gently, eyes shimmering with unshed tears. "Mmm. Ben, I can't do this. You should go, Ben. Ben, please go. Please leave." Her breath hitched sharply.

Ben swallowed hard, torn between wanting to fight and respecting her wishes. Slowly, he nodded and turned away, his shoulders heavy with the weight of her decision.

Descending the worn steps from Mal's lair, his footsteps echoed against the cracked stones of the dirty, tattered path below. The Isle seemed to hold its breath as he approached his friends waiting by the crumbling walls.

Evie's eyes searched his face immediately. "So, where's Mal?"

Ben's voice was low and defeated. "She's not coming back."

Shock flickered across Evie's face. "What? I'll talk to her."

Ben shook his head, the weight of her decision settling deeper. Without another word, he turned and walked down the grimy path, the worn stones under his feet reflecting the grim reality.

Unbeknownst to him, shadows flickered silently through the alleys. Harry, Reagan, and Uma's pirate crew moved with practiced stealth, waiting for the perfect moment.

As Ben passed a narrow corner, strong hands reached out and grabbed him. Before he could react, he was yanked into darkness.

"Got him," Harry murmured, his hook flashing briefly in the moonlight.

Reagan's sharp eyes scanned the street, alert but calm. The plan was in motion—Auradon's King was their bargaining chip now.

Carlos spun around, panic rising in his voice. "Guys, where's Ben?"

From the shadows came a figure, casual and confident, the other following closely behind. The darkness peeled away, revealing Reagan and Harry strolling into the dim light, their expressions unreadable.

"Ben!" Carlos called out, relief and confusion mingling.

Evie took a cautious step forward, voice tight. "Ben, don't scare us like that."

A jaunty pair of pirates emerged from the shadows... not the King they were expecting. Harry's lips curled into a smirk. "Don't scare you? That's our specialty."

Reagan's grin was sly as she folded her arms. "Yeah, scaring's kind of our thing."

Evie's tone sharpened, wary. "Harry."

Carlos's gaze hardened. "What did you do with Ben?"

Reagan's smile turned mock-innocent. "Oh, uh, we nicked him. Mm-hmm. Yeah."

Harry's voice dropped to a low, threatening purr. "And if you want to see him again, have Mal come to the Chip Shoppe tonight. Alone. Uma wants a little visit."

Harry scanned over the trio, landing on Jay last. "Aw, Jay. Seems like you've lost your touch."

"Hey!" Jay snapped.

Evie grabbed his arm, cautioning, "Jay, don't."

The tension hung heavy as Reagan and Harry turned and melted back into the night, leaving Evie, Carlos, and Jay staring after them, fury and worry etched on their faces.