what you want most \\ harry hook (!discontinued!)

we don' take orders from monster-high dolls

"Get back here!"

"Get us ya'self, witch!"

A shriek of outrage came from behind us as we sprinted away from the Evil Queen's 'castle.'

I whipped my head back around to see her practically glowing red, her eyes pinned on my friends back. I turned back around and laughed madly at the sky. "My god Harry, she is going to murder you!"

He flashed me a grin. "She'll have to catch me first."

I grinned back at him, the backpack full of what I think are carrots banging on my back in rhythm with my steps. Harry had one as well and pockets stuffed with who knows what- Gil had two oversized sacks slung over his back. At 14, that boy was already stronger than his own dad.

We sprinted down the street, the crowd jumping out of our way and reforming behind us. This was commonplace here- most of us learned to just mind our own business before we could walk.

I bumped into a marketgoers stall. "Watch it!" she yelled.

I twirled around and barked at her, marking her face for the next time Uma wanted money. Evidently, not everyone had learned the rules.

I turned back around smiling as we slipped onto a darker alleyway with fewer people, only to ram into Gil's back.

"Gil! What the 'ell, man!" I said, rubbing my head. Harry ran in and skidded to a stop beside me.

"Sorry Jackie, there's people in the way," Gil said.

"What?" Was Gil's back made of bricks? My head hurt something awful.

I felt Harry lean down to my ear. "We have company~" He sang.

I looked up. Sure enough, about halfway down the street was Mal and her merry band. Evie stood in front with her hands on her hips- dammit. I had forgotten about her.

"Return what you have stolen," Mal said. That girl was always so high and mighty, I hated it- almost as much as Uma did.

I rolled my eyes. "Sorry, we don' take orders from monster-high dolls." I gestured to her pink hair.

Her eyes glowed green. "Say that again. I dare you."

"Or what?"

"Trust me. You don't want to deal with us." Jay flexed his arms behind her, and Evie looked straight up murderous. Carlos gave off the disposition of a disgruntled cat.

We could just give the stuff back- but then we'd face an angry Uma, which might actually be worse. It would be easier to just stall them until we could get out.

I scoffed. "Like I'm scared of you." I quietly scanned the ally for a way out as I continued. "You act like you rule this isle Mal. But somebody ought to remind ya- you're nothin' without your mother behind you."

Harry nudged me and gestured to an open drainage grate, never breaking the fierce staring match he and Jay seemed to be caught up in.

Mal growled at me. Evie stepped forward, flipping her blue locks over her shoulder.

"You don't get to say those kinds of things you- you- you pirate scum!"

I smirked at her. "Whatever ya say.... princess."

She and Mal lunged forwards.

"Time to go," I said, pushing Gil down into the hole. He fell in clumsily and I jumped down after him. "This way!" I pointed down the tunnel. Harry hit the ground behind us and we sprinted away from Mal's little group. We didn't make it twenty steps before the sound of heels and boots hitting water resounded from behind us.

"C'mon!" Harry took the lead putting me between him and Gil. He led us through various twists and turns while water splashed at our coats.

"Hurry up, Jackie!" Gil said from behind me.

I panted, I could feel the sweat dripping down my face. How am I already so winded? Why am I so bad at running?

Harry turned around to see me flailing like some sort of headless chicken.

"Fer cryin' out loud, birdie..." He scooped me up and threw me over his shoulder.

"Hey!" I pounded at his back as he continued sprinting through the isle's underground. "Put me down! I'm not that slow!"

"Yes, yes ya are."

I continued to bang on his back for a minute before I gave up. He wasn't going to put me down, and I might as well enjoy the free ride. Curse my nonexistent athletic abilities.

It ended up benefiting us in the end, actually- turns out we were faster when I wasn't on the ground. We were slowly but surely pulling ahead. Damn I'm slow. Blame genetics, I guess.

My personal taxi driver suddenly jerked to the side and put me down. Light fell on the filthy water, and I quickly climbed a ladder leading to the surface. I ran down the street, the boys behind me, as well as angry shouts that led me to believe Mal and the gang weren't far behind. I quickly ducked behind some conveniently placed barrels. Harry tugged Gil in too and crouched down, hovering behind me. One of his hands ghosted over my knee and I could feel his breath on my shoulder, much less rushed than mine.

"Dammit!"

"Where the hell did they go?"

"My mom's gonna kill me..."

"Come on guys," Carlos said. "They can't have gone far. Let's split up."

"He's right. Carlos, you and Jay follow this street and see if you can find them. Evie and I will head over to Pirate's bay."

We heard murmurs of agreement between the four, followed by the fading of footsteps.

I slowly stood up and peeked over the edge of the barrel. I nodded and mouthed 'they're gone' to the other two. Gil nodded and they both stood up, Harry started walking away from the street. I followed close behind.

We waited until we were halfway down the path to speak. "Bet yer dad never had ta steal vegetables, eh Gil?" Harry and I had grown up like this- our fathers were pirates from the beginning. This is literally our heritage. Gil is more new to the nuances of thievery, but he's catching on.

"Gil?" Harry asked, throwing a glance over his shoulder. "What in tha name of Posiden-"

I turned around. Where was he? He should have been right behind- oh.

Well, I guess 'catching on' might be a strong term.

Gil was still standing by the barrels. With two sacks of food over his shoulder. Staring out at the street. In plain view.

I sighed and shook my head. "I'll get 'im..."