When I am back at the hideout it's already starting to get dark outside. I put the box full of books and parchment down on the table and put my backpack on the ground. I take off my jacket and throw it on the couch. I sigh as I stand in front of the table. Here we go. I grab a roll of parchment from the box and roll it open. I look at it and frown. It's a map, but I am not sure of what. Travel to the wooden gallows on the island. I hear Hades' voice. The island. Is this the island that my father meant? I grab another roll of parchment out of the box and look at it. This is also a map. Dang it. For all I know, every single one of these rolls is a map and if I don't know from what they are then I will be nowhere. Even if I do know from what they are I would still be nowhere because I don't know what the island is. I let out a frustrated sigh.
"At least I don't see a picture of me with darts in it." a very familiar voice says. I turn around. "Ben?" I say as I look at him. He looks very different from what he normally looks like. He isn't wearing a suit like he normally does. He is wearing dark blue leather pants and a blue leather jacket. He is also wearing a beanie and dark blue fingerless gloves. I sigh and he walks towards me. I put up my hand and he stops. "Kara, I'm so sorry about our fight." he says and he looks me in my eyes. "It was all my fault, I..." he stammers and looks down. "Please come home." he says as he looks up at me and extends his hand. I look at his hand and see that he is holding out his ring. I walk towards him. "Ben. I am home." I say. His bottom lip trembles and he looks away from me, obviously hurt. "I brought the limo." he says as he looks back at me. "It's a sweet ride." he says with a small smile. "I don't fit in, Ben. I really gave it my best shot. And if you think that I could change, I think you're wrong." I say. "Then, I'll change." he argues with a smile. "I'll skip school, have more fun. You know, I'll blow off some more responsibilities." he says. "No, no. See, I'm such a terrible influence." I say. "It's only a matter of time before I do something so messed up that not only does the kingdom turn on me, but they turn on you." I say. "Don't quit us, Kara." he says as he takes a step towards me. He grabs my hand and places the ring in my palm it. "The people love you." he says and I sigh. "I love you." Ben says as his voice breaks. A pang shoots through my heart. I hate seeing Ben so sad. "Don't you love me?" he asks. I look at the ring in my palm and grab it with my other hands. I smile at the memories that flow through my head.
"It almost feels like it was just a dream
All these memories of you and me
Blown away in the summer breeze
It almost feels like we just never were all this time we spent was just a blur
Now it's just me and a melody
So what am I supposed to do
'Cause all these plans we made in the sand are through" I start to sing as memory after memory comes to me. The song he sang for me after I gave him that cookie. I mean no he wasn't actually in love with me when he sang the song but it was so romantic. And then after that when he took me on a date and we rode the scooter towards the place. I remember being so frightened to get onto that thing and now he gave me one and I am able to ride it without any fear. That was my first date. It was such a beautiful setting and those grapes were amazing. I couldn't believe we didn't have them on the Isle. And then after that, he went for a swim and I was so worried that I jumped in to find him even tho I couldn't swim. I still can't believe I did that. And then when I found out in our carriage ride towards the castle that he hadn't been under the spell since the date something warm rushed through me. I had liked the fact that he didn't pretend that he loved me. And now I know that feeling was because I liked him. Still like him in fact. But I just can't do this. I can't destroy his life. I mean if I continue to be this Lady of the Court I will one day eventually break and then the whole kingdom will turn on us. Turn on him for being with a villain. And then the whole of Auradon will fall apart and I just can't do that to him.
"Without you I'm on my own Am I'm gonna be alone
And if it's only me, myself and I will I be fine?
So far from home and I just don't know am I gonna make it" Ben sings and he takes a step towards me and extends his hands. He grabs one of my hands and places his ring in it and closes my fingers around the ring.
"Brave enough to take this road
Out on my own" I sing and turn my back towards him. So this is the best option. Besides if I just separate myself from him I can use the time to find my father's dagger and find out what happened to him. Ben places his hand on my shoulder and turns me back to face him. "Kara-" he starts.
"And maybe I'm falling on my face
Or maybe I'm landing in my place
And maybe we're a million miles apart
Or maybe we're standing heart to heart
But no matter what I'm walking right off this stage
And never looking back looking back to yesterday
No, way
No, way...
I'm on my own!
As long as I got me, myself and I, I'm doing fine" I sing swatting his hand from my shoulder. I am determined. I am not going to let myself ruin his life. I just can't do that. If only he could understand that all I want is the best for him, then he would realize that this was the best idea too.
"So far from home" Ben sings and he looks at me with tears in his eyes.
"But now I know that I am gonna make it brave enough to take this road
Out on my own" I sing as I look back at the ring in my hand. Then I look up at Ben. I turn his hand upwards and place the ring in his palm and close his fingers around it. "I have to take myself out of the picture," I say as my eyes start to fill with tears. "Because it's what's best for you, and it's what's best for Auradon." I say. "Kara, no, please." he says as he takes another step forwards. I take a step back and put my hands on his chest stopping him. "Ben...I can't do this." I say and turn around and walk towards the table. I put my hands on the table and lean on them. "You should go, Ben." I say as I look over my shoulder at him. He just stands there and doesn't move. "Ben, please go. Please leave." I say afraid that if he stands there a moment longer that I will give in and go with him. He takes a few steps backward. He looks me in my eyes once again and then turns around and walks away. I wipe away a tear that escaped my eyes and turn back towards the maps.
~
Ben walks down the stairs, feeling hurt. "So..." Mal says as he walks down the last flight of stairs. "Where's Kara?" Jay asks as he realizes she isn't walking behind him. "She's not coming back." Ben says as the gate rolls shut. "What?" Carlos says. Ben walks away towards the alley. "I'll talk to her." Evie says. Jay looks at the ground as Evie walks over to the horn. Jay can't believe that she isn't coming back. At first, he thought she was just joking around when she started asking him questions about things on the Isle, but he didn't actually believe that she wanted to go back here and leave him behind. He is hurt. He thought they told each other everything. "Ra." Evie says in the horn. No reaction. "Kara, it's Evie. Let me just talk to you for a second." Evie says. Kara walks towards the other end of the horn. "Kara, come on." Evie says. "Go away." Kara yells through the horn. Evie sighs. "Let's give her a couple of hours to cool off." Mal says. Carlos looks into the alley. "Guys." he says as he looks back at his friends. "Where's Ben?" he asks. They walk over and look inside the alley. There is no sign of Ben. "Ben?" Evie asks softly. Then they see a figure walking towards them. "Ben!" Evie says. Carlos exhales. "Ben, don't scare us like that." Mal says as she lets out a sigh of relief. "Don't scare you?" a voice that is not Ben's says. They look at the person and see a face they hoped they wouldn't see. "That's my specialty." he says as he looks at them with a big smile. "Harry." Evie says. "What did you do with Ben?" Jay asks. "Oh, uh," he says as he points back towards the alley. "We nicked him. Mmm-hmm." he says with a small wicked smile. "Yeah, um, and if you want to see him again have Kara come to the Chip Shoppe tonight. Alone. Uma wants a little visit." he says with a big grin. Jay looks angry and sad. "Aw. Jay." Harry says with a sad face. "Seems like you've lost your touch." Harry says as he smiles. Jay grunts and lunches for him, but Evie holds him back. "Jay." she says. Harry laughs. Then he turns around and he starts walking away while whistling. Jay looks at his friends and then he starts climbing the side of the stairs towards the top, his friends following behind him.
~
"Kara!" I hear Jay's voice. "Please Jay, just leave me alone." I say still standing over the books and maps. "I am afraid we can't do that." Carlos says. I turn around and Jay, Carlos, Evie, and Mal are standing a couple of feet behind me. They are looking at me with a worried look on their faces. "What's wrong?" I ask crossing my arms. "They took Ben." Mal says. "What? Who?" I ask. "Uma." Evie says. "How did this happen?" I ask. "Well after you spoke to him and he came down he kind of wandered off and then Harry walked towards us and said that they took him and that you need to come to Chip Shoppe alone tonight and-" Carlos starts rambling. "Carlos!" I interrupt. He looks at me with guilty eyes. Harry was kind of nice to me earlier, so why would he do this? I let out a sigh and rub my temples. It was an act. He was probably for real angry with me that I left him here when I went to Auradon. When we separated he probably ran off to Uma and told her I was here and what I came here to do and then they somehow figured out that the rest came here to and then Uma ordered Harry to get Ben. Ugh, I am so stupid.
"If you guys never would have brought him here this never would have happened." I say irritated. They look at the floor. "What were you thinking?" I almost yell. Evie steps forward. "He was gonna come with or without us. We just wanted to protect him." she says. "Yeah. And we completely blew it." Carlos says as he steps beside Evie. "Okay." Jay says. "Okay, so what are we gonna do?" he asks as he raises his shoulders. "We can't do anything." I say as I step down and stand in front of them. They all look at me and frown their brows. "Uma wants me there alone." I say. "Nahuh. You're not going there alone." Jay says. "Jay I have to go alone." I say. "I have to go get him alone." I say and walk past Jay towards the couch to grab my jacket. "Whoa, whoa, whoa, Kara, you're still gonna have to go through Harry Hook and his wharf rats." Carlos says. "Yeah, you're going to need us." Mal says. "Uma said to come alone. And I can take Harry Hook." I say. "Kara, come on." Evie says. "She said to come alone." Carlos says. "I know one thing, I am not going anywhere." he says as he flops down on the couch. "We'll be here when you get back." Mal says as she pops down next to Carlos on the couch. Jay steps towards me.
"Kara please. Just let me come with you." I look him in the eyes and grab his hands. "I will be fine Jay." I say. "But Harry a-" he starts. "I can handle them. Or have you forgotten who is the better one at fighting?" I say and he lets out a small laugh. "Well, that would be me obviously." he says with a cocky grin. "Ow then maybe I need you, the prince on the white horse, to come with me and help me defeat the bad guys." I say in a dreamy voice. He rolls his eyes. "Just be careful, okay?" he says. "I always am, Jayson." I say with a grin. He growls and I let out a laugh. I walk back towards the table where the books and maps are lying on. I close them and put them back into the box and slide the box under the table. I don't want them figuring out what I am looking for. I let out a sigh and grab my jacket. I put it on and walk towards the exit. But before I can walk out Evie steps in front of me. "I am going to be fine E." I say. "I know, I just wanted to-" I wrap my arms around her and she does the same. "Be careful." she says softly. "I will." I say and we let go of each other. I turn around and look at the rest of them. "I will see you in a bit." I say and I walk out of our hidingplace.
I swing the batwing doors open and walk into the Chip Shoppe. The place is crawling with pirates and only three familiar faces stand out. I see Gil, the son of Gaston, Uma, the daughter of Ursula, and of course Harry Hook, the son of Captain Hook. Uma is serving some customers if you can call it serving anyway and Harry and Gil are sitting at a table in front of the tv. Uma throws a plate of food on a table and slides it towards a pirate. Then she turns around and looks at me. "I'm back." I sing. All the pirates in the Shoppe look at me. Harry and Gil rise from their seats. "Loser, party of one. Right this way, please." she says as she points towards a table. I walk towards the table and Uma pushes a chair towards me with her foot. I quickly stretch out my arm and catch it before it can hit me. I look at her and she laughs. I turn the chair around and let out a sigh as I sit down on it. Uma crosses her arms and Harry and Gil are slowly walking towards us. I look around and take a sniff. "Place still stinks." I say. "Oh, I'm sorry. We're down a butler today." Uma says as she leans forward a bit. "Princess." she spits out.
"Where is he?" I ask. Uma takes off her apron and throws it on the chair that's on the other side of the table. "You know, I've dreamed of this?" she asks and then chuckles. "One of you wanting something from me, and me watching one of you squirm like a worm on a hook." Harry lets out a small laugh at the hook joke. "I am so flattered that you dream of me. I haven't really given you much thought since we left." I say with a small smile. Uma slams her hands down hard on the table. She exhales loudly. "Obviously. You have your perfect little life, don't you?" she says. The smile falls from my face. Perfect little life? Ha! Life at the court is harder than she thinks. But she is right. Life at the court is better than life on the Isle. "Doesn't she have the perfect little life?" Uma asks the Shoppe as she turns around in a circle. I don't know why, but her words sting a little. People make approving sounds and some laugh a little. "And we're twenty years into a garbage strike." she says looking at me again. "Listen, if you have some kind of score to settle with me, fine. But I see no need to bring Ben into this." I say. She laughs and leans on the table. "It may be a little unnecessary, but, ugh, it is so much fun." she says with an evil smile.
"Here's the deal." she says. I raise my eyebrows at her. "You can have Ben back, in exchange for the wand." I am not surprised she wants the wand. She's probably going to use it to take down the barrier and torment Auradon. And who could blame her? We've been living in Auradon for the past six months now and I must say it's a lot better than at the Isle. All of a sudden I get kinda angry at myself. I've been living a good life for the past six months, why haven't I urged Ben to get more kids out of here. This is an awful place and none of the kids deserve to be here. Uma must be going crazy here. Yes, she took our position and is the most feared on the Isle now, but I don't doubt that she just wants to get out of here. I know what it is like to live here, I should have brought more kids, and then maybe Ben wouldn't have been kidnapped. Uma just wants what's best for the Isle, and that's freeing it. Thinking about it this way, I am the evil person here and everyone sees Uma as the hero because she wants to free them. My eyes get a little teary and I look up at Harry. He is looking at me and when we lock eyes his brows furrow. He has every right to be angry. I mean we were friends since we were little and when I left I didn't even think about him. I just left him rotting in here with the rest of the other kids. I quickly snap out of it and look at Uma again.
"You want the wand?" I ask her. She nods eagerly. I laugh. Her face turns angry. "What's so funny?" she snaps. "Just that you would want the wand." I say. She frowns. "I mean you could ask for anything and you want the wand." I hope she falls for this and asks something else. Anything else. I can't get the wand for her, and even if I could I can't give it to her. There is no knowing what she will do to Auradon when she has it. "Like what?" she asks, genuinely interested. I stand up and walk towards her. "You could ask for anything. I can give you anything. Gold, power, a place so you don't have to live with your mother anymore." I say as I walk around her. "The only thing you have to do is to accept my deal and I can make your deepest dream come true." I say as I stop in front of her. It really looks like I have convinced her but then somebody starts laughing. Uma and I book look at the person who is laughing. It's Harry.
"What Harry." I snap. He walks towards me. He doesn't say anything as he walks behind me. I feel his hook brushing my hair. I straighten and keep my eyes on a weird-looking spot on the wall. "I should've seen this coming, love." he says. He moves his head over my left shoulder. "You're just like your father." he says into my ear, but instead of whispering it so only I would hear it, he says it fairly loud. I snap my head to my left and look at him with wide eyes. He has his eyebrows slightly frowned and looks a bit surprised. I look around the Shoppe. Many people have frowns on their faces. I look at Uma. She looks between Harry and me and she sees the horrified expression that's on my face, an evil smile creeps onto her face. How could he? He swore to keep it a secret and now he just blurted it out. And now everyone knows that he knows. That idiot! "You're father, he?" Uma says and she takes a step towards me. "Give it a rest Uma." I snap at her as the horrified expression on my face makes place for an angry one. She laughs.
"Look just tell me what you want." I say, desperate to get out of here. "You know, that whole princess act. Ugh." she says and she rolls her eyes. "Never bought it for a second. You could stick a tiara on a villain, but you're still a villain." Why must she be so irritating? "And you can slap a pirate hat on, but you're still Shrimpy." I say, using the name Mal and I came up with a few years ago. I know I shouldn't have used it because she hates it, but I am angry right now so it just slipped out. The smile falls from her face and she looks at me angrily. "Now..." she says as she takes another step forward, our faces close to each other. "If you want beasty boy back, bring me Fairy Godmother's magic wand to my ship tomorrow at twelve noon." I take a step back and a small smile comes on her face. "Sharp." she says as she swings her hair over her shoulder and starts to walk away. "Oh, and if you blab..." she says as she turns back around and looks at me. "You can kiss your baby goodbye." she says. I look her in the eyes and she gives me a hand kiss and a little wave. Then she walks away and laughs. I let out an angry sigh and turn around. Harry is standing in front of me. I look him in the eyes and I see something in them where I have no time for right now. I growl and walk away, bumping my right shoulder into him. I walk out of the batwing doors and away from the Chip Shoppe.
~* ✨ ♕ ✨*~
3965 words
(04/04/2021)