now playing,
My Woman by ZAYN
descendants two
The chaos above deck was deafening as Estella stumbled up the stairs, her heart pounding. Shouts and the clash of swords filled the air, and the sharp tang of salt and smoke stung her nose. She wasn't sure what had drawn her back to the main deckâmaybe instinct, maybe desperationâbut she couldn't stay locked below while Ben and the others were in danger.
As soon as she stepped onto the deck, her eyes scanned the scene frantically. Uma's crew was everywhere, clashing with a familiar group of brightly dressed figures. Relief washed over her like a wave. They came. They actually came.
"Estella!"
She turned just in time to see Carlos sprinting toward her, his white and black hair a blur in the moonlight. He skidded to a stop in front of her, his face lighting up with relief. "You're okay!"
Before she could respond, he pulled her into a tight hug, his arms wrapping around her like a lifeline.
"Carlos!" Estella gasped, clutching him back just as fiercely. "You have no idea how glad I am to see you."
He pulled back just enough to look at her, his brown eyes scanning her face for any sign of injury. "Are you hurt? Did theyâ"
"I'm fine," she interrupted, shaking her head quickly. "What about you? Where are the others?"
"Mal, Jay, and Evie are holding off Uma's crew," he said, glancing over his shoulder before turning back to her. "We've got a plan to get you and Ben out of here, but we need to move fast."
Before Estella could respond, Carlos leaned in and pressed a quick, affectionate kiss to the side of her head. "I was worried about you," he admitted, his voice soft.
Estella smiled, her heart swelling with affection for her best friend. "I'm fine. Really. But let's focus on getting out of here."
The moment was shattered by a sharp voice cutting through the noise.
"Well, well. Look who decided to join the fun."
Estella froze, her stomach twisting as she turned to see Harry standing a few feet away, his sword resting casually on his shoulder and his jaw clenched tight. His blue eyes were fixed on Carlos, the familiar smirk on his lips failing to mask the tension in his posture.
Carlos straightened, his expression hardening. "Hook."
"Mutt," Harry drawled, his voice laced with mockery. "Didn't think I'd see your scrawny hide back on the Isle. Finally found your courage, did you?"
Carlos didn't flinch, though Estella could see the flicker of unease in his eyes. "I'm not here to talk to you."
Harry's gaze shifted to Estella, his smirk faltering for just a second. "Didn't realize you were so friendly with Auradon's mutt, pixie."
Estella stepped between them before Carlos could respond, her glare cutting into Harry. "Don't start," she snapped, her voice firm. "We don't have time for whatever macho pirate nonsense this is."
Harry tilted his head, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Macho nonsense, huh? Is that what you call it when someone's got his hands all over you?"
Estella blinked, caught off guard by the sudden edge in his voice. "Carlos is my friend," she said, her tone sharp. "And you don't get to comment on anything I do."
Carlos stepped forward, his jaw tightening. "If you've got a problem, Hook, you can take it up with me."
Harry laughed, though the sound was cold. "Oh, I'd love to, mate. Been a long time since I put you in your place."
Estella groaned, stepping between them and placing a hand on Carlos's chest to hold him back. "Seriously? This is what you're doing right now? During a fight? Do you both have the emotional maturity of toddlers?"
Harry's gaze flickered to her hand on Carlos, and his smirk turned into something darker. "Careful, pixie. You might hurt my feelings."
Carlos opened his mouth to retort, but a loud crash behind them drew all their attention. A group of pirates had broken through Mal and Jay's defenses, closing in fast.
"We'll finish this later," Carlos muttered, grabbing Estella's hand and pulling her toward the others.
Harry watched them go, his jaw clenched tight as his grip on his sword tightened.
"Careful, mutt," he muttered under his breath, his blue eyes blazing as they followed them across the deck. "You've got no idea who you're messing with."
But as much as Harry tried to focus on the fight, his gaze kept drifting back to Estella, the image of her smiling at Carlos burned into his mind like a brand.
The deck erupted in chaos as Mal tricked Uma with the fake Fairy Godmother's wand, the glint of magic drawing every eye. Pirates scrambled to chase after the Auradon kids as they bolted for the gangplank, Ben leading the charge with Carlos and Jay covering their retreat. Estella darted toward them, her heart pounding as freedom gleamed just out of reach.
"Estella!" Carlos called, his hand outstretched as they neared the edge of the ship.
She was so close. A few more steps, and she'd be free.
But then a familiar arm looped around her waist, pulling her back with an iron grip.
"Not so fast, pixie," Harry growled, his voice low and dangerous.
"No!" Estella screamed, twisting and kicking as Harry hauled her back against his chest. Her fists pounded against his arm, her breath coming in ragged gasps as she fought with everything she had. "Let me go, Harry!"
Her friends turned, their eyes widening in alarm as they saw her struggling in his grasp.
"Estella!" Carlos shouted, starting back toward her, but Jay yanked him back.
"There's no time!" Jay yelled. "We have to go!"
"No! I'm not leaving her!" Carlos struggled against Jay's hold, his desperation clear, but Mal grabbed his arm, her expression grim.
"She'll be okay!" Mal said, though her voice wavered. "We'll come back for her! I promise!"
Estella's struggles grew weaker as the reality of the situation hit her. She watched helplessly as her friends hesitated for just a moment before turning and running down the gangplank. Carlos glanced back, his face twisted with anguish, but he didn't stop.
Her breath hitched as she watched them reach the docks, their figures growing smaller and smaller. She could see Ben looking back at her, his face pale, but he was dragged forward by the others.
Harry's grip didn't loosen for a second, his arm like steel around her waist as he held her back. She sagged against him, her strength draining as the ship pulled away from the docks.
"Don't," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion as she stopped struggling entirely. Her head dropped, her fists unclenching as she let out a shaky breath. "Don't do this."
Harry's jaw clenched, his gaze flicking between her and the retreating figures of her friends. He didn't say anything, his grip still firm but less forceful now.
Estella let out a quiet sniff, her eyes burning as she watched the boat grow smaller and smaller on the horizon. Her chest felt hollow, the weight of her situation settling over her like a storm cloud.
"They left me," she murmured, her voice barely audible. "They actually left me."
Harry's grip loosened slightly, but he didn't let go entirely. "They'll be back," he muttered, his tone unreadable. "They'd be stupid not to."
Estella turned her head, her tear-filled eyes meeting his. "You don't know that."
He hesitated, something flickering in his gaze. Then he leaned down, his voice dropping to a murmur. "If it were me, I wouldn't leave you behind."
Her breath hitched at his words, but she didn't respond. She turned back toward the horizon, her tears spilling over as she watched her friends disappear from view.
And all the while, Harry stayed close, his presence a painful reminder of the life she was now trapped in.