A Squeeze of the Hand

Back and Forth

A/N: Sorry this took so long. There are references to Tangled the Series and the books of descendants. I've even linked a song from the show that helped inspire this chapter. It ends Sunday and I'm not ready. Anyway, enjoy!

Chapter 13

When she wakes she sees a concerned face staring down at her but it is blurry and out of focus. There's a voice but it sounds muffled as if she were underwater. There's a pounding pain in her head and her body feels so heavy it's like she's about to sink into the floor.

"Raphaela?" the voice repeats, the words becoming clearer. "Raphaela, wake up."

"Ben?" she asks.

"Are you okay?" His face comes into focus, his eyes wide with worry.

He's on his knees, leaning over her. She isn't sure if he is moving or the whole room.

Her hand goes to her throbbing temple, "It feels as though I've taken too many frying pans to the head."

At the mention of her signature weapon, she shoots into a sitting position to search for her satchel. Yet, before she could glance at her surroundings, the pounding in her head worsens causing her to shut her eyes and wait for the pain to subside.

Ben places a hand on her back for her to lean on, "Try to relax. Don't move too much."

When the pain fades enough for her to open eyes, she takes in the room she finds herself in. The floor, walls and ceiling are all wood, there's a singular bench, and a round window. It's then that she notices the bars keeping them in this half of the room.

"Ben, where are we?" she asks.

"I'm not sure. It's a boat of some kind and it seems we're in the brig," he explains.

"What?" She slowly makes her way to her feet.

"Raphaela, be careful," Ben warns as she sways.

He helps her remain on her feet as she makes her way to the window or porthole. The rocking of ship, which was not in her imagination, keeps her unsteady. When she reaches the wall, Ben releases her and she leans against it.

She gets on her toes to peak through the porthole. She sees a dock being occupied by pirates and goblins. She attempts to pry it open to no avail.

"I've tried that," Ben says.

She begins to pound on the pothole but if anyone notices they don't show it. She briefly wonders if her friends are nearby waiting for the right time to save them.

"Hello? Is anyone out there? We could use some help! Carlos?" she yells as loudly as she can.

"You can scream all you want. No one around here cares enough to help," a familiar accented voice says.

She gasps and quickly turns around, landing flat on her feet, and flushed against the wall. The man with the hook, Captain Hook's son, if she had to guess, appears with a young woman by his side. She has blue braids and a captain's hat on. It isn't until she spots the gold necklace around her neck does she realize who she is.

"You're Ursula's daughter, aren't you?" she asks.

"Give the girl a cookie," she taunts with a cruel laugh.

Ben takes this moment to step in from of Raphaela with determination in his eyes. He knew he should've been more careful on the Isle, the others warned him. He had been so distraught by Mal's words that he forgot. It would have been bad enough if it were just him stuck in here but he dragged down one of his best friends as well. He could never forgive himself if something were to happen to her.