The Belladonna

Chapter 16

So I decided instead of putting my picture as my profile pic, I'll let you guys see me here. So yes, that weirdo in the picture is Yours Truly. If I broke your screen I apologize haha!! Anyways, here's the chapter!

"A child can be a victim." - Harry

Isabella's POV:

Despite my arm burning in pain, I felt a heaviness in my heart because of the men we've lost. It's rare for us to lose a man during a fight, and occasionally we'll lose one...but never ten.

My eyes were closed as I leaned against the railing with my good arm, my other one tucked up against me securely. A hand on my shoulder made me open my eyes, turning around to see Shayla smiling sadly at me.

"Harry told me about the men. I really am sorry Bella, but you can't believe that it's your fault." she says, joining me against the railing and giving me a small grin. "We all knew what we were fighting for. If any of the other crew members got a letter about their parents, you would've fought for them wouldn't you?" she asks me and I nod my head.

"It's the same thing, Bella. They didn't care what happened to them, they wanted to get your mother back. They'd be happy to know that you did it." she says and I smile slightly. "Thank you Shayla." I murmur and her grin gets bigger.

"What can I say? I'm good at cheering people up." she teases and I laugh, nodding my head. "Yes, that you are." I agree and she motions down to my arm.

"What do you think the doc'll say?" she asks me and I frown, looking down at my mangled arm, blood still oozing out of it despite the bandages covering it up. "I don't know. I'm afraid I'll never be able to move it again." I murmur and Shayla nudges me with her shoulder, making me look at her.

"Don't be negative about it from the beginning. You put up a hell of a fight and that's an impressive battle scar. I can see how stubborn you are Bella. Girl you tackled people just to get them out of your way and then continued to fight with your sword, even after you got wounded." she says and I grin slightly before she gives me a pointed look.

"You can't tell me that you're going to give up on this already without seeing what's going to happen? That just doesn't sound like you at all. If you're stubborn enough to put up with Harry every single day, then this shouldn't be anything but a trifle to deal with." she says with a sly grin and I giggle, giving her words some thought before nodding.

"You're right, that isn't like me. I'd end up ripping my arm off trying to move it rather than just let it sit dormant." I say with a laugh and she claps me on the back, giving me a wink.

"That's more like it!" she cheers and I smile at her. "You know, you aren't that bad Shayla. I'm glad you're here." I say and she scoffs. "Thanks for putting it that way. Did you think I was going to try to get with Harry or something whenever I first got on?" she asks and I give her a sheepish smile.

"The thought did cross my mind. But I don't think you would." I say and she grins. "Good. Glad the thought is out of your mind." she teases and I chuckle. "Besides, you kind of have taken a fancy for Louis, haven't you?" I ask and she rolls her eyes.

"And I thought it was discreet. Well that plan is ruined." she scoffs and I laugh, making her grin at me. "Yeah, Louis's a nice lad. But I doubt anything will come of it. He seems cautious so I'm fine like this. I'm not one for soppy romance anyways." she says, faking a gag and making me laugh again.

"It's not as bad as it seems." I defend and she rolls her eyes. "Yeah, if you end up with a once in a lifetime perfect chance for it like you and Harry. It's not all it's cracked up to be; you just got lucky." she says smugly and I grin at her, before the grin falls from my face, replaced by a frown.