The Belladonna

Chapter 32

Harry's POV:

The anxiety I was feeling was making me sick. My stomach was in knots as I stared over the ledge, looking out at the sea and wondering if Bella was alright. 

We couldn't be that far behind them. There was no way they got too far ahead of us.

At least, that's what I wanted to think. 

The more I thought about it, the more dread I felt. There was no telling what time Bella was taken during the day. It could've been thirty minutes after we parted ways or five hours after that. They could've had a significant lead on us that we couldn't catch up to because of that crucial fact. 

"Hang in there Bella, we're coming." I whisper, clenching my hands into fists and letting out a sigh. I couldn't lose my head now, or else what would everyone else do? They were right, I am the Captain. I'm the one that they all look to for leadership, I couldn't just abandon them.

"C-Captain!!" 

The voice brought me from my thoughts and I looked up, seeing Jack steering the ship still with a shocked look on his face. "What is it?" I ask and he points ahead. "There's a ship! There's a ship ahead of us now!" he calls and my eyes widen with surprise. 

I turn to where Jack is pointing, running across the deck until I come to the front of the ship, leaning against the railing as I stared out. There was indeed a ship ahead of us. I pulled out my telescope, opening it and putting it against my eye, closing my other to see clearly through it. 

I looked closely at the ship, relief filling me as I saw the pirate flag flying. It must be Bradwr's ship. There was no other explanation. 

"We've found The Vitriol! Prepare to invade the ship and fight!" I shout, the crew letting out a cry of excitement as they began to run around, getting ready for a fight.

"W-wait, Harry. We aren't going to just fire the cannons to weaken them first?" Louis asks shocked and I shake my head. "No. We are going to get as close as we can and we'll jump from ship to ship. Once we're finished with them we'll have some of the other crew members lower the bridge so we can cross. I'm not going to threaten Bella's life." I say and Louis shrinks a little.

"Yeah...that makes sense." he says and I see him let out a small sigh. A thought comes to my mind and a grin comes to my face as I try not to laugh at him. 

"You've never just jumped from ship to ship have you? We've usually lowered the bridge or had the ropes right?" I ask and he looks a little skeptical about the whole thing. "Well when you put it like that, you make me sound like a pansy." he grumbles and I chuckle, earning me a glare from him.

"I'm going to miss." he whines and I laugh, shaking my head as the image pops in my head. "Don't worry, we'll lower a boat for you." I tease and he punches me in the arm. "Oh shut it!" he grumbles and I continue to laugh.

"You scared to jump?" 

The sudden voice of Shayla made both of us jump, looking over to see her looking at us amused. Louis's face got red and he looked at her embarrassed. "That's not it." he mumbles and she laughs, coming over and patting him on the back.

"Don't worry, I've invaded plenty of ships. I'll help you out." she says and he gives me an anxious look to which I just cringed. "For some reason Shayla, that doesn't sound too reassuring." I mutter and she glares at me.

"Like you were doing a better job reassuring him, telling him you'd send a lifeboat after him." she sasses and I let out a small laugh. "I guess not." I say and she shrugs.

"So what's the plan once we get on the ship?" she asks and I look around, seeing a lot of the crew now gathering around me, curious to know as well.