De Fragee Prutia

e l e v e n

"Auradon is always here if you need it."

Mal gave Nami a hug. "You have a home on the Isle if you need to escape all that."

Evie, Jay, and Carlos came running upstairs.

"Ben's been captured!" Evie said.

The two girls froze. "WHAT?"

"Why did you guys bring Ben and Nami here?!"

"They would've come with or without us. We just wanted to protect them." Evie stated.

"And we completely blew it," Carlos said.

"Okay, so what are we going to do?" Jay asked.

"We, are not doing anything. Uma wants me to go to the shoppe. That's what I'll do. This is between the two of us. Take Nami and go home, I'll get him."

"I'm not going anywhere until we have the two of you back here."

"And you still have to go through Harry Hook and his goons. Mal, we're coming with you."

"Uma said to come alone."

"Fine. But we're staying here."

Mal rolled her eyes but conceded.

"M, if you can get anything to him. Give him this." Nami threw her ring— Ben's beast one— to Mal.

Uma threw down the customers tray in front of them.

"Hey! I wanted the fried clams."

"And I wanted a sea pony... Life ain't fair!" she snapped.

Uma's eyes lit up when she saw Mal walk through the door. "Loser, party of one. Right that way."

Mal pulled up a chair to the table Uma pointed towards.

"Where's Ben?"

"You know," Uma said, throwing down her apron. "I've dreamed of this. You wanting something from me, and me watching you squirm like a worm on a hook."

"I'm so flattered you dream of me. I hadn't given a thought about you when I left. But this isn't for me. I couldn't give a damn," Mal bluffed, "Nami and Auradon want him. I just want to stay here."

"Oh, even better watching your girlfriend squirm like a worm on a hook. You've always been a bad liar."

"And you've always been shrimpy."

"You've got your perfect little life, don't you? Doesn't she?!" Uma called out to the shoppe. "While we've been set years deep in garbage."

"Listen, if you have some score to settle with me—"

"Oh, this isn't just about you."

"Well, leave them out of this."

"But it's too much fun."

"Uma! You want me you got me, game on."

Uma sat down across from Mal, smiling wide. "Okay, then. Here's the deal."

"Just like your mother, always a catch."

Uma placed her elbow on the table and outstretched her arm.

"Is this a joke? Arm wrestling?"

"If you win, Ben is free to go."

Uma looked at Mal and wiggled her fingers. Mal was right, there was always a catch. And the girl didn't even know it. Mal roughly grabbed Uma's hand and started to push. Her eyes flashed green, trying to summon up whatever little magic might work on the Isle to beat Uma.