Chapter 2 - Make Your Choice

(A/N) This chapter is quite a bit darker, so beware.

Tags: #Life or death ultimatum #Dark #Very Dark #Evil Harry

Disclaimer: I do not own Descendants or any of the characters.

"Ye best start believing in ghost stories, Evie. Yer in one."

Evie tried to run away but Harry shot forward, grabbing her by the wrist. His grip wasn't tight but his touch was painful, so cold it was like stinging ice. She felt a tingly sensation creeping across her skin under Harry's touch, something nipping and pricking at her.

"You're hurting me! Let me go!" Evie shouted, trying to pull herself free.

"I'm not letting go until ye calm down, Princess," Harry replied sternly. "Care to explain where it is yer trying tae go?"

"Away from you!" Evie hissed, pain contorting her face. Her wrist was so cold it was painful. "And away from this damned ship and everyone on it!"

A look of hurt flashed on Harry's face. He released her then, allowing her to pull her hand to her chest. She looked down at her wrist, astounded to find a frosty handprint wrapped around her wrist where Harry had held her.

It had to have been his touch, Evie realized, looking at her wrist in fascinated horror. He was cold to touch earlier, but now it's so much worse.

"I've waited three years for this day," Harry breathed, his expression hurt and confused. "Three agonizingly long years, tae finally be reunited with ma beloved wife... and ye want to leave me? When we can finally be with each other."

Evie shook her head, glaring through watery eyes at the pirate.

"You're not the Harry that I fell in love with. The Harry that I knew wouldn't kill his father or his crew! The Harry that I loved wasn't a senseless murderer!" Evie spat. "Magic mirrors only knows how many other people you've needlessly hurt while being in charge of this ship!"

Harry had been no angel, she would never deny it. He could be cruel, he could be wicked, and he was not above killing if it was to defend himself, his crew or the people he loved. He was a pirate through and through, the true son of Captain Hook. But the Harry that she knew, that she cherished with every inch of her being, would never even think about hurting his family or friends. He was loyal and protected his family fiercely.

She could still remember the day when she had received the devasting news of The Jolly Roger and her crew's demise. CJ, her youngest sister-in-law, had travelled across the seas to Auradon to tell her the news. Evie remembered how the younger girl, so usually filled with life and arrogance, crumbled at her doorstep, falling into her arms in a heap of tears. Evie had held her close, offering as much comfort as she could while her own heart quaked in sorrow.

Evie's tears ceased, her face steeling as she stared at the man before her. It was this monster that had done that. Not Harry. Not her husband. Her Harry would never do something like that to his family. He would never intentionally bring suffering and sadness to their doorsteps.

"So," Harry drawled darkly, taking a slow, menacing step towards her. Evie felt her nerves quiver at the change in his demeanour, danger radiating from him. There was a joyless smirk on his face, his eyes alighting with fury. "Ye think I have nae mercy in me? I kin see it in yer eyes, Princess. Ye think I'm a monster."

Around them, the crew looked at each other nervously, no one daring to breathe a word.

The smirk on his lips grew to a sinister grin. He gave Evie one long glance over, drinking in the sight of her from head to toe and back up again. His eyes quickly looked out to sea before returning to hers.

"How about a wee game?"

"I don't want to play games with you."

"Consider it yer only chance to get away," Harry replied. "Listen well, thief of ma heart. I'll let ye go back tae yer ship and when yer on it yer gonna make a choice. Ye can fly the white flag, surrender yerself tae me and I'll let yer crew go free."

There were whispers of discontent among the crew, quickly silenced by a sharp glare from their Captain.

"Or?" Evie asked, narrowing her eyes.

"Or… ye can hoist yer colors and try tae escape. But if we catch ye... there'll be no quatre for yer crew," Harry replied, excitement ringing in his voice.

The crew began sniggering eagerly, pleased with the prospect of a challenge and showdown. The ship creaked loudly, almost like an evil cackle of agreement.

Evie glanced around the deck, taking in the gruesome sight of the undead crew, the fog that had crept on the deck sweeping around them eerily. After a moments ponder, she turned back to Harry, still unnerved by his ghostly appearance.

"Deal."

Harry smirked, but she could tell by his eyes that he wasn't completely pleased.

"So be it, Princess," Harry said, gesturing grandly with his arms to the other side of the deck.

Evie turned around, surprised to see The Lost Revenge appear from the thick curtain of fog. It wasn't far away, a few short minutes and they would have reached it. She glanced around, realizing that the rest of the crew had vanished from the deck, leaving her alone with Harry once more.

"Ye'll have an hour tae decide, Princess," Harry said casually, watching her with a smile as he leaned back against the centre mast. "Unless ye've decided already. Could save us all a lot of fuss and heartache if ye just surrender yerself now."

Evie turned away from him, pulling her arms around herself tighter as she watched The Lost Revenge draw nearer. It was the only response she would humour him with, knowing he already knew her answer. If Uma thought that her ship could outrun The Sunken Tide then she would take that chance.

She heard Harry let out a forlong sigh at her silence, his boots tapping off the floorboards as he approached her, stopping a few inches away.

"How much of a head start do we get?" Evie asked lightly, refusing to look at the pirate.

Harry hummed in thought. "Everyone gets an hours head start. It gives me and ma crew some semblance of a challenge."

Evie looked at him then, a glower set firmly on her face. Arrogant swine.

"Well, here they are," Harry said dryly, looking at The Lost Revenge. "I'll be seeing ye soon, Princess."

Much to her discomfort, Harry took her hand in his cold one, raising it to his lips. His lips were as frozen as the rest of him and left another icy imprint on her. Evie tugged her hand away. When she next blinked, he had disappeared, leaving her as the only one on deck.

"Evie!"

Evie glanced up, seeing Uma at The Lost Revenge's steering wheel. Uma began shouting orders, creating a flurry on deck as men and women ran about, pushing a plank between the two ships for Evie to cross. Evie quickly hurried over, Gil waiting on the other side to help her down. He quickly pulled her into a tight embrace before pulling back to check her over for any injuries.

"Are you alright, Evie?" Gil asked worriedly. "We didn't realize you were gone until we'd pulled away. How did you end up on the other ship?"

Evie swallowed, ashamed that she had worried Gil and the others. "Gil... I don't time to explain. I need to talk to Uma. Now."

She grabbed him by the sleeve and pulled him up onto the stern deck, avoiding the crew standing armed and ready should any of The Sunken Tide's crew appear and attack before their ship pulled away. Uma let out a breath of relief at the sight of her running up the stairs, her eyes quickly doing their own check over her to make sure she was unharmed.

"What happened, Evie? How did you-"

Uma let out a growl as the steering wheel jammed, refusing to be turned. A thunderous rattle of chains had everyone spinning around to look at the capstan swirling around madly, releasing the heavy anchor into the water with a loud splash. Several crew members rushed over, trying to stop it but were unable to grab any of the turning poles with how fast it was spinning. When it finally stopped, the anchor having reached the end of its chain, the crew found themselves unable to reel it in. The ship lurched to a grinding halt, sending the crew stumbling across the decks.

With a final howl, like a dying whale, the wind ceased, the sails falling lifelessly.

"What is going on?" Uma shouted, looking around her ship in dismay.

They had been brought to a complete standstill.

"It's The Sunken Tide," Bill jukes said, creeping up onto the stern deck. He looked around the ship with wide-eyes, his breath heavy and body shaking with fear. "I've seen this happen afore. To The Jolly Roger. We couldn't move the ship, not the wheel, not the anchor, nor even a sail could we unfurl. Then the wretched undead came aboard and slaughtered the crew like cattle."

Uma looked over to Bill like he was mad. Gil eyed him cautiously, his eyes darting back over to the spooky, empty vessel beside their ship.

"I'm tellin ye Cap'n! That ship is haunted! It's a ghost ship and it'll be the end of us!" Bill shouted, his voice filled with terror and panic. "Mark ma words, it's true as the sea is blue! We're done fir!"

"Uma... Gil... he's telling the truth," Evie whispered, drawing everyone's attention to her. "When I was aboard their ship I saw them. Ghosts, walking skeletons, and rotten corpses. The crew they... they changed. Their Captain..."

Evie's voice faltered as her heart ached painfully in her chest at the thought of Harry, of the dark creature he had become.

The knowledge weighted heavy on her heart like a burden. She wanted to tell Uma and Gil that she had seen him. But she couldn't. The last time they had seen Harry was him having a sword run through his heart, his body falling lifelessly into the sea as Blackbeard threw him overboard. Knowing what he had become would just be another layer of vicious memories keeping them away from the treasured ones, ones of his grinning face, his mischievous nature, his teasing, and affections. She didn't want to curse them with the image of the monster he had morphed into. She would not taint their memories as hers had now been.

"Their Captain said we have to make a decision. We can run. He'll give us an hour to sail as far as we can before they come after us. If we get away we live and if not... there will be no mercy for us," Evie said.

"What's the other choice?" Gil asked, wincing.

"We fly the white flag... and they take me back," Evie replied, her body shivering at the thought.

She pulled the sleeve of her jacket over her knuckles, hiding the icy kiss mark. She didn't notice the way Bill Jukes had been looking at her hand, watching her through mournful eyes.

"What?" Uma snapped. "You have got to be kidding me?"

"It's true, Cap'n," Bill said solemnly. "That's the game they play. A pointless game of torture for us. They made The Jolly Roger play it. They let us run as far as we could before chasing us down like dogs. The men were petrified. They had seen the ghouls on that ship for what they were and had seen the evil in their heartless eyes. But we never got given a chance of surrender. No one does. If we've been given it now... it's a first and we'd be fools not to accept it."

"You want us to hand over Evie?" Uma scoffed angrily, glaring at the older man.

"Of course, I don't!" Bill retorted furiously, whirling on the Captain. "I don't want anyone being handed over to those demons! Those devils! Especially not M'lady! But I'm also not a fool and I know... that it's the only way. I'm sorry, lass."

Evie remained quiet, feeling tears forming in her eyes. She didn't want to go back to that ship, she didn't want to see the ghoulish crew, and she didn't want to see Harry again - not like that. She took in a shaky breath, stepping forward. But if it was the only way to save everyone...

"Uma... do you think we can outrun them?" Evie asked quietly.

Uma looked back at the other ship, sizing it up. She looked torn, conflict rife on her features.

"We have to try," Uma replied.

Which means you don't think that we can, Evie thought with a pang of fear.

"Uma... if The Jolly Roger couldn't escape then... we don't stand a chance," Evie replied, sounding quiet and hopeless.

The Lost Revenge was a fast ship, but The Jolly Roger was much, much faster. And if The Sunken Revenge had caught of to The Jolly Roger who had an hour start, then there was zero chances of The Lost Revenge escaping.

Uma looked to Gil, to Bill, and then to Evie. She looked at her long and hard, her lip caught between her teeth as she pondered her decision. She finally released the breath she had been holding and turned to face the rest of the crew on the main deck, awaiting their orders.

When Uma spoke, she did so loud and clear. There was no hesitation or stutter in her words, it was a command that was to be followed without delay and without argument.

"Hoist the colors!"

The crew let out a cry of ayes before scurrying about their task. Bill Jukes shook his head, cursing the Captain's stubbornness under his breath. Gil looked nervous but hide away his anxiousness upon hearing his Captain's orders. Evie hurried over to Uma's side, shaking her head.

"Uma, we can't-"

"Evie," Uma cut her off, turning around and placing a hand on her shoulder. "I need you to trust me. I am not handing you over to them! We'll get out of this."

Evie wanted to protest but control over the steering wheel suddenly returned. Evie turned at the sound of the sails billowing, the crew cheering in turn. They began pulling up the anchor, once again able to move the capstan. High above the bustling crew, the flag of The Lost Revenge fluttered proudly, a clear declaration that surrender was off the table. They had made their decision.

"Besides, we don't have a white flag anyway," Uma said with a smirk, trying to lighten up the dire situation. She turned her attention to the crows nest. "Mr Mullin! Keep a sharp eye on that horizon! Tell me when that ships out of sight and if you spot it again. Understood? I want a constant update!"

"Aye aye, Cap'n!" Mr Mullin shouted over the noise of the crew hurrying about on deck.

"Mr Jukes! Get below and tell them to prepare the canons! I want those things ready if we need to do battle!" Uma yelled, her eyes glaring at the old man harshly. "We're not going down without a fight!"

"Aye, Cap'n," Bill sighed, saluting her begrudgingly.

He made his way down the stairs as quickly as his old legs allowed him. Evie narrowed her eyes, questions burning the tip of her tongue. She had a bone to pick with the pirate and now might be her only chance to find answers. She quickly followed after him, stopping him in the corridor that led to the cannon room.

"Bill!" Evie shouted, catching his attention.

He turned around to face her, lifting a questioning, bushy eyebrow. "Aye, M'lady?"

"Why didn't you tell me that Harry was on that ship?" Evie asked, her voice pained.

"Because, M'lady, it ain't Master Harry," The older pirate replied mournfully.

"No, it was him! He knew things that only Harry would know. He-"

"Aye, I have no doubt about that," Bill muttered. "It is Harry and it isn't."

"You're not making any sense!" Evie sighed, throwing her hands into the air in frustration.

Bill shook his head, moving past her to sit on the stairs. He took in a deep breath, looking up at her with his miserable, mossy green eyes.

"Master Harry died at sea on All Hallows' Eve and as legend dictates, he is forever cursed to haunt the waves. But... unfortunately for the lad, The Sunken Tide found him as he breathed his last breath. It took him aboard and made him its Captain, but that wasn't all it did."

Bill shook his head, his eyes glossing over as he dwelled over the son of his former Captain. There was anguish in his eyes, the knowledge of what had become of Harry plaguing his heart as it was Evie's.

"That ship is cursed. It's a monstrous fiend that feeds off fear - that's why it likes to play these chase games where you have no real chance of winning," Bill spat, snarling at the thought of the ship. "For those that join its crew, they find themselves slowly turning into a shadow of what they once were, a twisted, evil incarnation. All their worst traits will dominate them. It pollutes their spirits with darkness. That creature ye met was not the husband ye knew. Don't do Master Harry the dishonour by saying it was."

Evie went quiet, watching the pirate intently, his words settling in. She remembered Harry's darker eyes, the coldness of his touch and the skin-crawling truth of his involvement with his father's death. She knew his words to be true, and she could feel her heart breaking all over again as it had three years ago.

"Now listen well, M'lady, yer soul may depend on it," Bill said, the sorrow in his voice replaced by a seriousness. "When they catch us - because heaven help us they will - and ye end up back in front of that shadow of Harry, ye must remember that he is not the Harry ye knew. Don't listen to his sweet lies and seductive promises. Take nuthin from him! Dark souls like him will not stop until they get what they want... and he wants you."

Evie swallowed. The touches of ice on her wrist and knuckles burned coldly.

"Harry was always mad about ye. The corruption his soul has undergone has warped that love into something terrifying," Bill said with a tremor. "He's been lookin for ye, Evie. Since the day he died. When he attacked The Jolly Roger two years ago, he asked The Capt'n where ye were. Capt'n refused to say. He didn't trust the ghoul and he knew his son - his real son - would never want harm to befall ye, which is the only thing that could have befallen ye had he told him where ye were."

Bill sighed, taking off his bandana in respect of the memory of his Captain.

"Ye know Captain Hook adored ye? He could never sing yer praises high enough to Harry whenever he visited him," Bill said, smiling fondly.

Evie couldn't stop the sad smile that twisted onto her lips. Her father-in-law had always doted on her something awful whenever they encountered one another. Harry would always receive an earful from Hook if the man had even a whiff of a suspicion that Harry wasn't lavishing her with attention and love, something he was always wrong about. Harry always spoiled her, going to great lengths to make sure she was cared for and happy.

"I don't want them to take ye, M'lady... but I fear ye'll have little choice. We aren't gonna be able to outrun that vessel," Bill said sadly, rising to his feet. "If ye'll excuse me, I have orders to follow."

Evie stood still, listening to the sound of Bill Jukes retreating footsteps. She took in a deep breath, pulling out Harry's golden pocket watch and flicking it open. They had forty-five minutes left.

The hour passed by far too quickly for the crew of The Lost Revenge. Everyone on board was nervous, the air tense with anticipation. Every so often, the crew would pause fleetingly in their tasks to peer over the railings and stare out into the foggy ocean, their eyes watching anxiously for the ghoulish ships return.

Uma kept her hands tightly on the steering wheel, eyes set straight ahead. Gil was on the stern deck beside her, looking over old maps and guiding Uma to the fastest route to the nearest land. Evie sat on the top stair beside them, her arms wrapped around herself, her eyes closed and feeling nothing but guilt and worry.

It was torturous, the waiting sanding away at her nerves - at everyone's nerves. There were only two outcomes they could face. Either land would appear first and they would be safe... or The Sunken Tide would appear like a harbourer of death and finish them off as the Captain had promised. It felt like doom was chasing them, constantly looming over their heads, waiting to unleash hell upon them.

Everyone was so tense that when a voice called out, not a body didn't jump in fright.

"Cap'n! It's back!" Mr Mullin shrieked from the crows nest.

With wide, fearful eyes, everyone turned, spotting the dark ship ploughing through the waves towards them at an alarming speed.

"At that speed, she'll be on us in a heartbeat, Cap'n!"

"We can't escape," Evie said as she rose to her feet, feeling despair coiling around her. "Bill was right. We can't win. We need to hoist the white flag."

"It's too late, Evie! Once you turn your nose up at a pirates mercy, that's it!" Uma snapped, turning the wheel quickly. "There is no take backs! You make your choice and you deal with it!"

Evie felt her knees buckle, an overwhelming nauseousness consuming her. Everyone was going to die... and it was her fault. If only she'd insisted that they fly the white flag. If only she hadn't been so selfish! But she had been scared, relief and false hope flooding her when Uma had refused to hoist the white flag. Now they were all going to pay because she had let Uma make that difficult decision when it should have been her.

"We ain't gonna make it," Bill shouted up from the main deck.

"There is no other choice! We have to keep trying!"

No, Evie thought, taking in a deep breath. There is another choice. And you're not going to like it.

Evie bolted down onto the main deck, narrowly avoiding the crew members rushing about, following their First Mates orders. Evie grabbed onto the shanks, using them to haul herself up onto the railing overlooking the choppy, misty sea.

"Evie! What are you doing! Get down from there!" Uma screamed upon spotting her. "Are you nuts? Someone get her down from there!"

Evie turned to face the crew, her gaze turning to the panicked Uma and Gil.

"I'm sorry... but I can't let them hurt all of you when it's just me that they're after."

Uma's eyes lit up with realization. She let go of the steering wheel, running as fast as she could to get over to her. Evie smiled tenderly at her one last time before turning around and jumping into the frigid waters.

Evie wasn't a strong swimmer, never having the opportunity to learn properly. She could float but that was it. As soon as she broke the surface of the water, she realized that even that would be a challenge. Floating in a stagnant pool was one thing, but the ocean with its rough and unforgiving waves was another story.

I won't be able to keep this up for long.

Evie watched guiltily as ruckus and chaos broke loose aboard The Lost Revenge. The crew leaned over the ship's railings, keeping track of her with their fingers outstretched, shouting man overboard to their Captain.

But it was no use. She had sealed her fate. There was no time for Uma to turn the ship around, The Sunken Tide far too close. If Harry wanted her then he'd have no choice but to slow his ship and grab her from the waters - something she planned to give him a hell of a fight on. She would stall them as long as she could, giving The Lost Revenge and her crew a fighting chance of escape.

Anxiously, she waited for The Sunken Tide. As it neared, it slowed down. It was close enough that Evie could make out the crew scrambling about on deck. Someone threw a ladder over the side. It unfolded as it fell down, the end hitting the water with a splash.

"Need a lift?" Pintel shouted down, grinning savagely.

Evie struggled to keep her head above the water. "I'd rather... drown!"

The pirate looked apprehensively over his shoulder, saying something to someone she couldn't see. Pintel moved away, Harry appearing instead. He folded his arms over the railing, looking down at her. He looked amused, but if she could have seen his expression closer, she would have seen the worry in his eyes.

"Married tae a pirate and yet ye never learned how tae swim," Harry tutted. "Now climb the rope like a good lass or else I'll come down there and make ye come up. Ye can come up with dignity or like a sack of potatoes. Yer choice, Princess."

"Try it," Evie yelled, striking the water.

"Poor form, Evie," Harry said, narrowing his eyes. "We had a deal."

"I'll only come up if you promise that you, your crew and your ship will leave The Lost Revenge and her crew alone!"

Evie could hear the disgruntled moans from the crew at such a suggestion. Harry sighed, looking heavenward.

"The things I do for ye," Harry muttered. "If ye give yerself up tae me, then we have an accord. Now climb up the ladder if ye accept."

Evie grabbed onto the ladder and began her climb. Harry was waiting for her at the top, strangely no longer looking like a ghost, but a man of flesh and blood again. She noticed that the rest of the crew were the same. Absentmindedly, she wondered what brought on the shifting change in their appearances.

Harry removed his jacket, throwing it over her shoulders. He busied himself with pulling it around her, his eyes taking in every inch of her dripping wet form. She was shivering from the cold, her wet tresses and clothes clinging limply and uncomfortably to her skin.

"Um... Captain Hook!" Ragetti's nervous voice called out gently.

Harry turned his attention away from Evie to look at the other pirate, a scowl on his face at having been distracted. Ragetti nodded his head towards the western horizon, where the sky that was visible through the receding fog was growing brighter with the approaching dawn. Harry nodded then returned his attention to Evie. He wrapped an arm around her shoulder, leading her back towards his quarters.

"Come on lass, let's get ye inside," Harry mumbled.

Once they were inside, Harry led her over to the window seat, sitting her down on it. He rubbed her arms, trying to warm her but his cold touch did nothing but make her feel colder. She shrugged him off, earning her a sigh from him.

"Ye really think I'm heartless, don't ye Princess?" Harry said softly, his dark eyes seeking hers out. "Aye, I was heartless, but not anymore now that I've found it. Don't ye see, Evie? Yer ma heart. Don't take it away from me again. Please..."

He placed a hand against her cheek, his thumb caressing her. His touch wasn't as freezing as it was when he had looked like a ghost, but it was still cool.

"I've been sailing these seas endlessly, hoping tae find ye, but in the last three years ye never came out tae the sea. I couldn't understand it. Ye always liked coming on wee sailing adventures with me from time to time."

"It wasn't the sea that I enjoyed," Evie replied.

Harry's face softened, his lip catching between his teeth as a small smile slipped onto his face. He traced his hand down her cheek, a feather-light touch that she loathed to admit still left her breathless. Evie closed his eyes, struggling to ignore his gentle caress.

"Still, I'm sure there were plenty of business reasons for ye tae leave shore, so why didn't ye? What had ye tae be afraid of?"

Evie wanted to laugh.

"Ghosts, apparently."

"I'd never let any of em hurt ye, Evie," Harry whispered, taking her hands in his and stroking them. He glanced out the window, his eyes narrowing at the sky. The fog had completely lifted, the sky getting brighter with every passing moment. "I have something for ye."

Evie watched as he made his way over to his desk, picking up an antique, blood red box, adorned with golden swirls. For a lock, it had a golden heart with a dagger piercing it. It reminded her very much of her mother's heart box.

Harry sat down, watching her carefully as he opened the box, allowing her to see inside.

Evie wanted to be sick.

She glanced away from what lay in the box, her eyes seeking Harry's out. If she had any whisps of belief left that this was the Harry that she had known and loved, then this blew them away completely. Harry would never do something like this to her. Never. Evie glared at the man before her bitterly, abhorring him for wearing her husband's face, dawning his mannerisms and voice.

"Of all the people in the world that you could even think about trying that trick on, you're really trying it on me? My mother's the one wrote it."

"No trick here," Harry said with a borderline maniacal grin, sounding very excited.

He put down the box, lifting out the item inside.

It was a smooth, shining red apple.

"It's poison. Don't worry though, it'll only hurt for a wee while then I promise ye, Evie, everything will be fine. One bite and it'll stop yer heart cold," Harry said soothingly, offering the apple out to her.

Evie looked at Harry in disgust, unable to believe what she was hearing. Betrayal gleamed brightly in her watery, tired eyes.

Monster, she seethed.

"What in Malficicent's name would make you even think that I would agree to eat that thing?" Evie hissed in angry bewilderment.

Harry examined the apple, looking at it longingly. "Truthfully, I thought ye would. But then again, I also thought ye'd want to be with me. Yet here I am, havin tae resort tae desperate measures. Think about it Evie. One bite and we'd never have tae be apart again. Nuthin could tare us from each other."

Evie shook her head, tears falling from her eyes. "No."

"Ye don't want tae be together?" Harry asked, breathing hard. He looked taken aback, his face contorting in pain at her words.

"I didn't say that," Evie replied. "Of course I want to be together with my husband. I miss him... but you're not him."

"How many times do I have tae say it, Princess!" Harry growled in frustration. "It is me! I'm the same as I always have been!"

"You may think you are but you aren't!" Evie cried, rising to her feet.

"Ye've let that auld, scallywag Jukes talk nonsense intae yer heed!" Harry said with a scowl.

Evie frowned. How does Harry know I spoke to Bill Jukes?

A sly grin suddenly appeared on his face. "Fine then, Princess. How about we catch up with The Lost Revenge and ask the lovely Uma and Gil if they think I'm the same man I once was."

Evie could tell by his gleeful and ominous tone that a quick debate wasn't the only thing he planned to do. It was a threat as clear as day.

"You said that you would leave them alone!" Evie shouted, clenching her hands into fists. "You promised!"

Harry lifted a finger to her lips, silencing her. He leaned in close, his eyes falling to her lips as he spoke. "Ah, ah. I said I'd leave them alone but ye had tae surrender yerself tae me first. And that means, doing as I ask. And all I ask of ye is that ye take one big bite of this here apple. After that, I'll never ask anything of ye again. I'll be at yer beck and call, whatever ye ask of me I'll give ye."

With a trembling hand, Evie took the apple. She stared at it, looking at the blurry image of the windows and light sky reflected on its polished surface. It was then that Mamame Mim's warning echoed once more in her head.

Never sail after dark.

Never sail on All Hallows' Eve.

The old witch's warnings suddenly made sense. If only she had listened...

"Not here."

Harry tilted his head, looking at her curiously, waiting for her to continue.

"If... I'm going to bite the apple... I want it to be under the stars," Evie said. "It was under a twilight sky that we first met, wasn't it?"

Harry looked thoughtful, a wistful smile on his face. Evie tried not to flinch as he placed a hand on her arm, his other arm sliding around her waist, pulling her close. He leaned forward, bringing their faces very close.

"Yer going to eat the apple then?" he asked quietly, staring at her intensely.

She frowned, noticing how dark his eyes were. What had happened to those brighter than day eyes, filled with so much life and light? Now they were as dark as the sea at night, fathomless and pitiless.

"Not here," was all she could bring herself to say.

Harry stroked her arm, leaning forward and placing a light kiss on her lips. Evie rested her forehead against his, her breath light and even. She tried not to let it unnerve her, how she couldn't feel Harry's breath at all.

Harry took her hand, entwining their fingers. He raised her hand to his lips, kissing her knuckles reverently before gently guiding her towards the cabin doors. The doors unlocked and swung open of its own accord, much to Evie's discomfort. She wondered if that had been Harry's doing or if the ship was in some ways alive.

The light breeze blew against her as she came out on deck. The sky was much brighter now, the sun readying to break free into the sky, officially ending All Hallows' Eve. Evie glanced around, noticing that the crew were nowhere to be found. It was just her and Harry. Her childhood sweetheart. Her friend. Her companion. Her pirate. Her lover. Her husband. Or at least... what was left of him.

The apple in her hand felt heavy.

"I'm afraid there aren't many stars left in the heavens for ye, Princess. Only the brightest are left," Harry said, leading her to the center of the deck.

Harry lifted her free hand close to his face, bringing her wrist up to his lips and kissing it softly. He ran his hand down her arm as he did, his touch leaving a trail of light coldness across her skin. He looked at her adoringly, like she was the only star in the night that could lead a lost sailor home.

"My Princess," Harry whispered.

He captured her hand in his and kissed her knuckles.

"My lover."

He let go of her hand, his own hands moving up her arms and stopping at her shoulders. He pushed back her jacket a little, revealing a patch of flesh at her collarbone. He leaned forward, placing his lips on the sensitive part of her neck, planting kiss after kiss, making his way up to below her ear with torturous slowness. Evie placed her hands on his chest, her eyes shut and heart fluttering at his attentions.

"My wife."

Harry kissed her cheek and then her jaw, pressing himself closer, so there was no space between them. He placed a hand against her cheek, moving forward so their noses touched.

"Your widow," Evie whispered.

Before the frown could fully settle on his face, Evie moved forward. She grabbed his face, pulling him down into a passionate kiss. One last kiss before she did what she had to do. She poured everything into that kiss, wanting him to know how much she had longed for him, how much she loved him, how much it would hurt to pull away, tearing her heart out in the process.

I love you, Harry Hook. I love you so much, Evie thought desperately, tears running down her cheeks. But you're not here anymore. You're gone. Only a twisted, shadow of a ghost remains.

Her Harry wouldn't ask her to end her days. He would want her to live. To live for herself. To live for her loved ones. To live for him.

Oh, my tragic pirate love... I am so, so sorry...

Evie broke the kiss and with as much strength as she could gather, she shoved Harry to the floor. She ran for the railing, using the shanks to help her balance on the edge. With a snarl and eager to get rid of the wretched thing, Evie tossed the apple at Harry's feet. From where he lay on the floor, Harry looked at the apple, his lip pulling back into a growl. He rose to his feet, looking at Evie with a wild, terrifying look in his eyes.

Evie could feel heat on her back, the first rays of sunlight stretching over the horizon. Harry's eyes darted to the light, panic in his eyes.

"Evie," Harry said sternly, getting to his feet. He held out his hand, taking a step forward. "Take my hand and come down."

"No," Evie replied. "You're a ghost and creatures of darkness can't walk in the sunlight. You'll be forced to return to the other side until the sun sets again, won't you?"

That was why Madame Mim had warned her never to sail at night. It was the only time that ghosts and ghouls could roam freely.

Harry didn't answer, but the vicious, dark look on his face told her that she was right. And with All Hallows' Eve over, there was no guarantee that she would return to this world as a ghost if she should perish.

"Harry... I love you, more than you'll ever know. But I can't be with you. Not like this," Evie whimpered, tears racing down her cheeks. "I'm sorry."

"Evie... don't do this," Harry said pleadingly, his own eyes watering. "Evie, I can't bear to lose ye again. Please."

Evie closed her eyes... and let go of the shanks once again.

"EVIE!"

She crashed into the freezing waves, but they were nowhere near as cold as Harry's touch had been. She fought her way to the surface, looking up and seeing Harry leaning over the edge of the rail, glancing from her and back to the horizon. The moment the sun peeked out The Sunken Tide began to fade away into nothing, like a ghostly projection running out of life. Evie watched in pain at the sight of Harry shouting down for her, his hand outstretched... and then vanishing from her life again.

All Evie could feel was pain, pure, overwhelming, pain coursing excruciatingly through her body. She let out a heart-wrenching sob, her entire body shaking as she cried out.

It wasn't fair! What cruel mischief of fate was this? To torture her with having her husband back in her arms, only for her to have to give him up again? She wanted to scream. To shout. To curse everything! Her pain raged inside her like a storm, frightful and furious. And so that's what she did. She screamed and shouted, letting out all her pain until her voice grew hoarse and she could no longer continue.

Evie wasn't sure how long she fought the waves and stared numbly at the spot that Harry and his ship had disappeared from, but eventually, her arms and legs began to feel heavy, weighing her down. She found her body ready to finally give up when a voice called her name.

"Evie! Hang on! We're coming!"

It sounded like Uma.

Evie choked on some water, floundering about as she saw The Lost Revenge pull up beside her. She had been so shell-shocked by everything she hadn't even noticed it approaching. Gil threw a ladder overboard before diving off the railing. He swam over to her, making her wrap her tired arms around his neck as he swam her to safety. He climbed up the ladder with her on his back. As soon as they were on deck they both collapsed onto their backs, panting and spluttering water.

"I told you we weren't surrendering you! Next time, listen to your Captain!" Uma's scolding voice snapped. Evie turned, finding Uma crouched down beside her. "Never do something stupid like that again!"

Uma helped Evie sit up before wrapping her arms tightly around her. Evie closed her eyes, enjoying the warmth of her embrace. She would have wrapped her own arms around the other girl, but her energy was depleted. She was so tired, so very, very tired.

Without meaning to, Evie fell asleep, surrounded by the crew of The Lost Revenge, Uma and Gil worrying over her.

All she knew was that she was safe... safe at last...

"I told you not to go sailing at night or on All Hallows' Eve and what do you do, Missy? You do both at the same time!"

Evie ducked her head guiltily, twisting her hands on her lap. She was sitting beside Madame Mim's bed, the old women sitting up and looking at her grouchily with her arms crossed. Madame Mim, despite looking terribly green and being covered in icky looking red spots, was appearing much better and looked to be on her way to a full recovery. Thanks to that, it allowed her plenty of energy to scold the younger witch on her carelessness.

"Foolish girl, you need to learn to listen to your elders!" Madame Mim continued ranting. "So sceptical of my wisdom, even after all these years!"

"I'm sorry, Mim," Evie murmured. "But don't worry... I'm never going to sea again,"

The sea had taken so much from her and now it had tarnished her most precious memories. She would never forgive it for that.

"I'll be travelling by air from now on."

"I'd feel much better if you keep to your word this time, Missy," Madame Mim nodded. "I'll mix up some potions and make a few charms for Uma and her crew. It should protect them from any ghouls wandering about the sea, provided they follow my instructions to a T."

Evie nodded thankfully. "Well, I'm glad you're feeling better. I'm going to go get some rest. If you need anything just shout, I'm only down the corridor, alright?"

Madame Mim tutted under her breath, muttering about her being too protective and overbearing. Evie smiled and left the room, heading to the guest room where she would be staying.

Evie walked over to the window, taking one final glance at the ocean glistening in the sunset. She narrowed her eyes resentfully at it before making sure the window was locked and drawing the curtains. Back home she had always left the window open, but from now on, it would forever remain shut and bolted.

Evie lay down on her bed, feeling very cold as she wrapped herself up in her blankets. She couldn't help but notice Harry's pocket watch, sitting atop her bedside table. She reached over, examining it sadly.

Harry, wherever you are, I hope that one day you find peace... and maybe after that... we'll see each other again.

Evie flipped the watch shut, placing a kiss on it before putting it back on the table. She let out a sigh, closing her eyes and allowing sleep to take her over. Dreams of oceans and lovers lost were swift to haunt her slumber, causing her to twist and turn in her sleep. Eventually, even those restless dreams settled down, allowing her a moments rest.

Unbeknownst to Evie, something in her room had started ticking. Beside her, on the table, the pocket watch had flipped open and impossibly, it had started to tick.

Tick tock. Tick tock. Tick tock.

Evie flinched in her sleep as something cold touched her cheek, a frosty kiss mark forming there.

Princess...

(A/N) Fini~*

I was aiming for a Goosebump style ending, where you're left with a twist. "Take nuthin from him!" Bill Jukes had warned Evie, not to accept anything from Harry. But she had innocently accepted the pocket watch before she had been given that warning and it hadn't occurred to her that the warning could apply to the watch. Ghosts can haunt objects and what not. I'll leave it to the reader to interpret what happens next.

Let me know what you think! :D

Review Replies:

AtaDaughterofPoseidon: I'm so glad you liked it! Hope you enjoyed the second chapter! :D Annnnd I'm not sure what's happening with OUAMM. I have some of the chapter written up but I'll try and finish that off soon. This stories just a two-shot :) xx

QueenieManaia: I'm so glad you liked it! I hope you enjoyed the second chapter. Thank you for your lovely comments!

Tajinprincess: Thank you for your wonderful review! :D

T. F. Crosby: I'm so glad you like it! I was really quite nervous about this story XDI love Ragetti and Pintel too! They're far too funny. I hope you enjoyed the second chapter, even with it's much darker tone and angst. Oh stars! I'm so flattered you got so into the story! It's really nice to know that the story was able to grip the readers :D As always, thank you for your lovely review! xx

Hallyster: Thank you for the wonderful review! I hope you enjoyed the next chapter!

Oh. My. God: I'm so glad you liked it! Thank you for the amazing review! It's a two-shot so this will be the last chapter, but I hope you enjoyed it!

Tina: It broke my heart writing that scene, especially as I knew what was going to happen T-T My poor Evie. Hooks and Hearts I was hoping to have started this weekend but I've just found out I have quite a few assessments due in, so I'm not 100% sure anymore. I have some of the first chapter written up though, and I'll be working on it whenever I get the chance :) xx

Thank you everyone for all your support!