Dedicated To Disney

18: A Price To Pay

Words needed to be accepted to be effective, and I was having a hard time processing the simple words the sea witch spoke. I stared at her, trying to figure out what exactly she was announcing and why.

"You're lying," Zeke said, his face in a set scowl. "Try all you want to convince us otherwise. Who else would kidnap a child?

"Someone cunning," Ursula hissed, still gripping her injured arm. "How clever of them to release me and then kidnap a child, using me as a cover. You were quick to assume it was I that did it, weren't you?" She cackled softly, shaking her head with a malicious glint in her eyes.

"You're telling us that you were set free?" I demanded, finally sorting my thoughts. She's a villain. She has to be lying. Of course she won't give us the truth willingly.

"Don't believe me," Ursula snapped. "That's fine. I don't care about anything happening to a missing child. I just want to get back to the ocean and take the life of little Ariel and Triton so I can rule the sea!"

I turned to Zeke. He was shaking his head as he turned to meet my eyes. "She has to be lying. Who in their right mind would just release a villain?"

I shrugged, glancing at Ben who listened intently. "Someone with a reason. Maybe even the same person who opened the blasted hole between our worlds. It makes sense for them to release Ursula so the blame of a kidnapped child is immediately directed her way." I rubbed my eyes, strings of my damp hair sticking to my face. "But why would someone kidnap a child in the first place?"

"It's the twentieth century," Ben said, stepping in. "Kidnap happens frequently."

"But with Ursula as a beacon to blame instead?" I asked. "Normal kidnaps don't involve blaming someone else. It just means grabbing and running."

Ursula was watching us with a sly smile on her face, a hunger in her eyes that made me shiver. Who knew what she wished to do with us. I personally didn't want to know.

"It's amusing seeing you quarrel, and yet, still be so inaccurate," she sneered.

"Do you know something?" I folded my arms. "If so, I recommend you tell us."

"And why would I do that?"

"You're in our territory," I reminded. "We can do with you what we want."

Ursula debated the threat silently. I hoped Ariel was okay hiding away in the pipe. Is she still there at this moment, listening? Zeke mumbled something to Ben who nodded in agreement. I wanted to ask what he said, but if he wanted it to not reach my ears, he didn't want me knowing. I shivered against a breeze passing through. I hoped no security guards were headed our way.

"I could tell you what I know," Ursula said slowly, "but for a price, no less."

"No!" Zeke interfered. "No way. We can't trust you. We can't even trust that you have information."

"Suit yourselves. I would like to go back to hunting the princess, now, so-"

"You're going to be moved back to your exhibit," Ben said. "No way are you staying here."

Ursula's gaze hardened. Some part of me felt sympathetic. I wouldn't want to be held captive against my will in a foreign place with untrustworthy people. I cleared my throat. "Do you really know something about who is behind all of this?"

"I do," Ursula said. "I also know where this child you seek is."

"Can you please tell us?" I asked. We're so close to unveiling who the culprit is! If we caught them, we could force them into telling us how and why they opened a portal. Maybe then we could fix it.

"Not without a price," she laughed. "I don't do things for free."

Zeke shook his head. He grabbed my arm to get me to look at him. "We can't trust her."

"Well, we have to right now. Just trust me."

"Find out what the price is first," Ben whispered to me, his eyes not leaving Ursula as he spoke into my ear.

I nodded my head, turning back to the sea witch. "What's your price?"

Ursula smiled again, the depth of coy knowledge giving me an uncomfortable feeling. She debated momentarily, her eyes glancing around. Her eyes landed on something behind us and she laughed. "You've got company."

I whirled around. Security guards were heading in our direction. Their silhouettes were small but they were noticeable. Their flashlights glazed over all the exhibits as they checked to make sure everything was peaceful. Zeke grabbed my arm and yanked me along as he sprinted for the exhibit, making a round to crouch down behind it. Ben was quick to join us and we peeked through the water.

Ursula was still in the open. She needs to get down! This isn't her exhibit! "Ursula, hide!"

Ursula turned to look at me sharply. I motioned for her to get down. For a moment, she gave me this cruel look that could only tell me how she wished she could murder me right now. But she gave in, nonetheless, and ducked behind some coral, bringing her tentacles in to huddle near her body.

The two security guards slowly passed the exhibit, their flashlights beaming across it. I squinted in the light and crouched lower as they passed by. Once they were far away and out of sight, I rose to my feet. Ursula turned to face us as we straightened ourselves.

"What's your price?" I demanded again, making sure my voice was quiet in case the security guards were still nearby.

Ursula chuckled. "Eager, aren't you?"

"What is it?" I hissed, banging my hand against the glass.

She narrowed her eyes at me before nodding. "Your voice. I want your voice."

•~•~•~•

Do you believe that Ursula is telling the truth? And why do you think someone would kidnap a child?

I would love to hear your thoughts and opinions!