The Belladonna

Chapter 9

Isabella's POV:

I saw Harry's things on the floor and I smiled, loving the way he was so excited to come here, even though it wasn't planned at first. I'm also glad he gave me some time alone to just relax and do the things I wanted. I've already taken a shower and that alone was just heavenly. I got dressed leisurely, taking my time for once. It was lovely not having to rush anything, something that I haven't felt in a long time. And I felt safe here in France, since Harry didn't have a bounty on him here. I pulled up my hair in a ponytail, thankful to get it out of my face as I stared at the mirror.

After getting ready, I left the inn, beginning to wander around on the streets, trying to figure out where Harry would've gone to. This little port town was very nice and pretty, I just loved the scenery. I just don't know a place Harry would go to, but I guess I can just look around, and if I don't find him, I can go back to the hotel. I know he said he was getting supplies, but he seemed a little too eager to just be getting supplies, and it made me curious.

A few people give me strange looks, some looking at me with wide eyes while a mother shot me a glare while getting her kids inside the store. I frowned, wondering what was wrong with them...or me. Was it my clothes? I know I was clean, but maybe they weren't used to seeing a woman as a pirate? That must be it. 

I let out a sigh, wishing for clothes that wouldn't be as revealing.

I continued walking, my long hair swaying behind me in the ponytail. People continued to give me strange looks and I felt a little uneasy, wondering why they kept staring. It was different if it would be just a few people, but this was just about everyone I passed.

Something was wrong, it had to be. I don't know what, but something wasn't right. I looked around, trying to see if anything was amiss, but I couldn't see anything that didn't seem to fit in.

"Hey! Stop right there!" a voice called out and I froze, turning around to see three French soldiers running at me with swords in their hands. My eyes widened and I let out a curse before I took off running. I don't know what they want with me, but I am NOT going to just stop and let them get me.

"Lady, stop!" another commanded but I ignored him, pumping my legs faster so that I could get away. I don't know what I did wrong, but these people didn't like me, that I could tell. I was panting soon as I kept turning corners, trying go dodge them wherever I could, but they were very tenacious, I'll give them that. They did not stop their pursuit no matter where I ran.

I was slowly circling around, that much I could tell, because some of the shops were looking familiar again. Just a few more blocks and I should be near the inn. I just turned another corner whenever a small pain snapped in my back and I fell to the ground with a gasp. I knew immediately that they just whipped me.

Before I could get up, one of the Frenchmen grabbed my hair tightly, yanking me towards him and I was forced to my knees. I tried to move for my sword but my hand was hit again with the whip and I hissed in pain, gritting my teeth together so that I didn't yell out. Tears gathered in my eyes as I sat there, helpless.

"Lady Isabella, for treachery against the country of France by helping The Belladonna's pirates raid our ships, you have been placed under arrest. And as a pirate, the penalty will be you hanging in the gallows." he says and my eyes widen. "What?" I ask confused and panicked, and one of the men chuckle.

"We made a deal with the Queen of Spain. If they went after the Captain, we go after the Lady. It's only fair, yes?" he asks and my eyes widen even more. "But...wait...that means..." I murmur, everything falling into place as I pieced it together.

I had a bounty on my head too. That's why everyone was looking at me so strangely and the mother wanted to get her children away. She thought I was some horrible person.

Before I could say anything else, I heard noise in front of me and I looked up, a smile coming to my face as I saw Harry round the corner, Louis and the others right behind him. "Harry." I whisper and the Frenchman holding me chuckles.

My smile goes away as a sword goes to my throat, my eyes widening. "Take another step, pirate, and she's dead." he says and I see Harry clench his fists together, staying still as he glared at them angrily. "Bella, it's alright. We'll get you away from them." Harry says and I swallow, hearing all three soldiers. 

"Not a chance. You can't move and neither can she. Leave now, pirate. We'll let Spain handle you. We got our prize." one says in me and I squeeze my eyes shut. No. 

I'm not going to sit here helpless while others try to help me. That's all everyone's ever done for me. It's always everyone saving me and me having to cope with the consequences of bad things happening to me. No more. I can't depend on others to save me anymore. I have to save myself, and I'll be damned if they take me away without me putting up a fight.

For my mother, who still wants to see me again one day, and for Harry, who's constantly worried about me, I will not sit back and let others hurt me without me fighting back. I don't need anyone to save me again. I'm not weak. I'm stronger than they think.

Very slowly, I reach for the knife I carried, slipping it out of my sheath. I couldn't reach the man behind me, but I can get myself free. "You aren't actually trying to attack me, are you?" the man asks amused and I grit my teeth together, opening my eyes as I gave him a glare, a sly smirk coming to my face. "Oh yes, I am." I say and his eyes widen.

I quickly moved my hands backwards, my knife going up with it. I grabbed my ponytail with my free hand and sliced through it with my knife, cutting off all of my hair. The Frenchman stumbled backwards, looking shocked as I got up, a steely look in my eyes.

"What?" he asks but I react quicker than he could, bringing my foot around and kicking him right in the stomach, sending him to the ground. I throw my knife at one of the others, impaling their leg and letting them fall to the ground. I took out my sword, holding it in front of me, my eyes narrowed as I looked at the two left, the one I kicked standing up.

"You think cutting your hair does anything?" one growls and I grin. "Oh yes, it does." I say, running at them both, coming down on the first one, him barely blocking my blow before I blocked the attack from the other one, kicking him in the face as I swung my leg around, clashing with the one still standing. "How are you doing this?" he growls and I smirk.

"You can't possibly think I'll sit there helpless while you take me away, do you?" I ask, punching him in the face before cutting his thighs, making him fall to the ground. I stabbed the other man in the leg, hearing him scream in pain before I withdrew, taking a few steps back as I looked at the three men I took down all by myself. I took a few deep breaths, trying to get my breathing back to normal before I let out a sigh.

"Never again will I be held helpless." I murmur to myself, sheathing my sword. I turn to Harry, seeing all of them staring at me with complete shock on their faces. I give them a smile, feeling the wind blow through what was left of my hair. 

"Bella, why...we..." Harry stumbles over his words but I shake my head. "I can't rely on everyone my whole life, Harry. I told you that once before, but I didn't actually do that, did I? I mean it now. I'm not going to be helpless anymore. You won't have to worry about saving me." I say and a small smile comes to his face. 

"I guess I don't." he says and I smile. His eyes travel down to my arm and he furrows his eyebrows. "Bella, you're hurt." he says concerned, coming over to me and looking at my arm before cursing as he saw my back. 

"You need to get this checked out." he says and I just laugh, shaking my head as he gives me a confused look. "What?" he asks and I give him a smile. He can't honestly be worried about such a little scratch.

"I've had worse. This is nothing."

BAM. Bella's big moment!! All her hair is cut off and she just beat down those guards. What do you guys think about this chapter?? I've been dying to get this one out but I've been patient haha!! Let me know what you think!!