Hooked

Chapter Twenty Four

... Madeline ...

I felt someone lift me up from the sand, their strong arms cradling me... Taking me to some form of safety.

I felt my mind slowly slip away from me, and I was again asleep.

When I woke the second time, I still felt the unpleasant heat of the desert, to my disappointment. Then I realized...

I yelped, and forced my eyes open, the sun blinding them. I saw the unknown man that was carrying me roll his eyes and sigh in exasperation. He spoke harshly, "Well it's about time."

I scowled, "Let me down!"

He scoffed, "Gladly. You are kind of heavy."

I disregarded his offhanded comment, as he set me down carefully. "I don't know who you are, but-"

He interrupted me, "The name's Aladdin. And I was trying to get you to safety."

I looked at the desert surrounding us in every direction, "Well you're doing a pretty awful job. Do you even know where you're going?"

"Sort of. I know I came from that," he pointed behind me, "general direction."

I raised an eyebrow, "Where exactly did you come from?"

"About a day... north? I think that's north, anyway." He scratched his black hair, and looked up at me with his dark brown eyes. "I came from Agrabah. Now don't tell!"

I tried not to smile. "You think I actually know what that is?"

He shrugged, then realized something. "Say, where did you come from, then?"

"I don't know what it's called... The Red Queen rules over it."

His eyes widened, and he started to walk - north? - whatever the direction was that he said he came from. "It's called Wonderland, girlie. And... you somehow managed to get out of there, alive? That's amazing, that is."

I frowned, "Wonderland? There's nothing wonderful about that oversized dungeon."

"Well, it's not called Wonderland for being wonderful. Nope. It's called Wonderland for being full of wonder and mystery about the insane people inside of those heavily guarded towers."

I smiled at that. They were all at least partially insane. I think Lillian was the only normal one.

I shook my head, shaking away my memories of her and that dreadful place. "So what's so special about Agrabah?"

"It's a long story..."

I raised my eyebrows.

He pursed his lips, then made a popping sound, and started, "Okay... It all started about a week ago...."

... Hook ...

I stared into her mystifying purple eyes that always caught my attention. Her mother didn't have those striking eyes. They must've come from her biological father. A reminder of the fact that she was never my actual child.

I sighed, and tried to throw away the persistent memories that pressed toward the front of my mind. "Chessie. I'm sorry, but I did it because I loved you."

"Loved. You don't love me. You never have."

"Yes, I did. And you know very well why I can't say I love anyone right now. You know," I scolded.

"Well killing me wasn't a good way to show your love for me," she spat.

"I had no choice, Chess," I practically pleaded.

"Don't you dare call me that! Don't you... dare!" Tears of hatred and fear formed in her eyes.

"Don't you start to cry," I said fiercely.

"I'm not," she growled, her eyes piercing my soul.

"I don't have time for this," I said angrily, starting to walk away...

Until I heard her say, "If mom was here, she would say 'I told you so' to me. She warned me about you, you know. She told me not to be alone with you. I should've listened to her."

I turned around, curious.

"That's right, I knew about your stupid curse. Only because of you, though. You taught me how to sneak. Remember? You remember. Because of your skills, I overheard you and mom talking about your little problem. Don't push away your memories. Our memories. It's the only thing that will free me."

"You don't get it. I don't want to free you. You are the only thing I can hold onto. Everything else is gone."

There was silence, then she disappeared from her branch and reappeared right next to me. "You said everyTHING. I'm just a thing now. An imaginary friend, if you will. I'm no longer a person. Because of your trapping me. Keeping me here against my will. Just... if you're really sorry, show me. Think of our memories. Set me free, please."

I scowled, my hand twitching to my sword. I felt the memories of Chessie and her mother push against my skull. I strained to push them back, and I saw Chessie shake her head disappointedly, her eyes starting to tear up again.

Se started to walk away... "Fine!" I whispered, my teeth clenched.

Then they rushed to me all at once.

...

I went into my cursed form that night, my eyes searching for my step-daughter in a craze for power and darkness. I never know how to control myself when my cursed self comes out.

I honestly did love her. I had no control, though.

No control.

I remembered her eyes filled with hatred and disgust at me, as she let me into the same room as her, with no one else inside. She was right. She should've listened to her mother.

I remembered her look of fear. Everyone has a different look when something strikes them as evil or frightening. Hers was more of a confused look, like she was trying to figure out why I was trying to murder her.

It made my heart hurt, looking back on that terrible night.

I don't remember anything about actually murdering her, but I know I did.

Her mother - a fellow pirate I found, trapped on a small island (that's another story). Her reaction was not one to be reminded of. Long story short, we split up, obviously.

I regretted it all. Her look of horror... The useless pleading... I could do nothing. This is why I don't like to think of my past. Too much regret.

All because of Pan. He ruined me.

...

I snapped out of my memories, noticing that the figure of Chessie was gone. Forever. I let her go. She was no longer trapped inside of my mind.

I fell to my knees, and covered my head with my arms. I'm not the crying type, to say in the least. But I admit, I cried for what seemed like hours.

Now I had no one.

The reason why I didn't want to free Chessie? - Whenever I felt lonely, my cursed form came out to play.

...

Well? What do you guys think?

So... Hook can't say he loves anyone right now. How come?

And if any of you were wondering what that cold thing that Madeline found in the sand was... You'll find out later.

Please vote and comment!

~StarrySkies7