Hooks and Poison Apples

Leaving Us Here Will Be Their Last Regret!

Harry was jittery with energy. He couldn't stay still and found himself pacing around the ruins of Ursula's chip shop. Sometimes he would stop at the stage, rest his back against it with his arms folded and stare intensely at the swing door exit. After a few moments, he would let out a frustrated growl and head towards the door, only to stop and change his mind.

Everything was wrecked worst than the ships at Shipwreck Cove.

Uma's grand opening was ruined, the entire chip shop trashed after months of renovating and redecorating. Ursula would be furious with her daughter, putting the blame completely on her shoulders. Harry clenched his hand into a tight fist, seeing red as he thought of those responsible.

Mal, Jay and little Carlos. Oh, when he got his hands on them there would be hell to pay! He would love to run his hook through the VKs's precious leader, but that honour would fall to Uma now. Considering everything that had happened tonight, Uma deserved to get her revenge first hand.

Jay on the other hook, he wouldn't be so lucky. Harry had never liked the boy but now he had a personal score to settle with him. Jay was going to suffer when he next saw him. If the wretched coward hadn't snuck up behind him and knocked him out like the honourless snake that the boy was, maybe he could have convinced Evie to join his crew. She could have been standing here by him right now. But no, thanks to Jay she was out there somewhere with them. Those blasted, scurvy brats who didn't deserve her!

"Are ye really choosing them over me?"

"You're the one who made me chose."

Harry's anger faltered when he thought back to that small exchange, guilt rearing its ugly head. He hadn't meant to make her feel like that, like she had to choose then and there and under such distress between him and the VKs. That hadn't been his intention at all! He had been protecting her! Taking up the role of the prince and slaying the dragon that wished her harm. It was Mal who had tried to do her in!

Harry sighed, running a hand through his hair as he remembered her voice, pleading with him to stop, to not bring down the comeuppance that Mal so rightly deserved. He recalled that sharp pain, like a dagger in his chest, when Evie had blocked his blade, the look of hurt on her face. He couldn't get rid of that haunting image of her hazel eyes, imploring him to stand down before it went any further. She had looked desperate and panicked, not wanting to fight him but afraid for the safety of the defenceless girl behind her.

Harry let out a curse.

Mal didn't deserve Evie's protection or loyalty. And yet, she had it. He should have remembered that, remembered how unwavering Evie's loyalty was. He should have backed down when she had asked. Mal couldn't have done any harm to Evie without her weapon and she had been surrounded. But Harry had let his more wild side take over, his thirst to avenge his friends clouding his judgement. He had made his princess feel like she had no choice but to pick a side. When she had accused him of making her choose it was like a punch to the gut. Yes, he ultimately wanted her to leave the VKs but he had never wanted to put her in a situation where she felt she had no choice!

No longer in the heat of battle, Harry knew he couldn't hold it against Evie for choosing the VKs over him. He had been in her situation before, someone forcing him to choose between friends and he had retaliated by choosing the ones who hadn't made him choose. He would not have his hand forced by anyone. He made his own choices. Evie had obviously felt the same way. He understood why she did what she did, but that didn't mean it didn't hurt him.

Harry eyed the swing doors once more.

He needed to fix this. He knew the trust that he and Evie had built up was riddled with cracks and tears and would take time to repair, but he would do it. No force wielded by any gods would stop him. He would win back her favour through blood, sweat and tears if need be. And once he had he would convince her, make her realize just how pathetic the VKs were. There was no way they could be together unless she realized that. If they wanted to be with one another then they had to be on the same team. Having their friends accept their relationship was no longer possible. Not after everything that had happened tonight. Neither side would accept it and he couldn't blame them.