Hello, everybody! This is toons27 again! I am soooooo soooo sorry for not updating sooner. I know what you are thinking, 'Did you have a writer's block?' No, don't worry, I didn't have a writer's block. I had figured out how to end the story (I won't tell you yet! *giggles*) and I had a lot of ideas pouring out in my brain. But most of my possible scenes either had too much drama or weren't dramatic enough or had too much angst. I was also taking a break from the Little Mermaid fandom and focusing on other fandoms (like Spongebob or Gnomeo and Juliet). Then I re-watched the Little Mermaid with my parents. Not only did I realize how much I really like the movie but also realized that I really need to finish this story! So here is Chapter 21, hope you like it!
Eric opened his eyes. Ow, what happened. I felt like someone dropped an anvil on me! He thought. Eric looked around but he couldn't see anything but darkness. Thankfully, his eyes caught the moonlight coming from a window, which land on a sleeping Melody. If Melody wasn't in the moonlight, Eric would have never see her. Whew! There's my girl! Eric tried to move but he realized that he couldn't. Both father and daughter are all tied up in ropes, each sitting on a chair!
Suddenly, Eric heard large stomping footsteps coming through the door. The door swung open and three dark figures came in. The large dark one turned the light on a lamp that was dangling from the middle of the ceiling.
"URSULA!?" Eric gasped. "So you did this!"
"Of course I did, you pitiful fool!" Ursula sneered. Flotsam and Jetsam snickered.
"What have you done!" Eric growled. He always knew that Ursula was insane but this has gone to far!
"Simple," said Ursula in a-matter-of-fact voice. "My boys, Flotsam and Jetsam, and I sneaked into the school with fake tickets. While I was sitting in the auditorium behind you, the boys wrecked the light set in the backstage. I had already told them when it was Melody's cue, so that once she finished her performance, they would shut down all the lights and kidnap her! While I took the chance to knock you and out and kidnap you!"
"Do you have to create such a ruckus at the school?" Eric yelled. "You scared a lot of innocent families there!" Especially Ariel. He thought. I hope this did not ruin her night or Melody's night.
"Ah, I think you're blowing it out of proportion!" Ursula laughed. "Besides, it's fun that way!" Eric glared at Ursula. She really went too far this time!
"Now, enough of that! Let me tell you the reason why I brought you and Melody here: money," said Ursula. Eric raised an eyebrow.
"Huh? I'm sorry, I am confused," Eric replied. What could she possibly be talking about?
"Please give me your money so I can be rich again," said Ursula, casually. If Eric wasn't tied up, he would strangle this woman! She kidnapped him and his daughter just to ask for money!? This is insane! But being calm, cool, and collected that Eric is (or at least, tries to be), he let out of a sigh.
"Fine, I'll give you fifty-dollars for a month. But when I do you'll pay me back," Eric offered. He was shocked to hear Ursula and her cronies laughing their heads off.
"What is so funny?" Eric growled.
"We don't want your fifty dollars, you poor unfortunate soul," said Ursula. "We want your whole money! And your daughter's trust fund and your credit cards! And your house! And your car!"
"And your television!" Flotsam added.
"And your PlayStation!" Jetsam added.
"SHUT UP BOYS!" Ursula barked. Then she turned her face back to an upset Eric. "You don't know what it is like to live in my life. Unemployed, scrapping for food and money all day," Ursula whined.
"Oh yeah?" said Eric, still glaring at Ursula. "Try juggling a job and a kid every day! And all this happened because Vanessa-"
"Abandoned you and Melody. I know" said Ursula, nonchalantly. Then she begin to re-tell the story that Eric never wanted to hear.
"You met my daughter, Vanessa, back in college. You two were such a cute couple. I don't understand why you wanted to break up with her. But you two had spend an evening date together and broke up. Then, when she told me that she was having a child, I told her to go and marry you. Because you know how much honor Vanessa would lose if people knew she had a child out of wedlock, right?" she asked.
Eric nodded. He also felt compassionate toward Vanessa for her situation, which is why he also married her.
"Then, when Melody was born, you were happy. But Vanessa wasn't. She'd rather go to parties and bars instead of fulfilling her duties as a mother. So she got up and left you and Melody flat!" Ursula said that last sentence so harshly that it made Eric cringe.
"I didn't want her to leave! I wanted to make the marriage work but she didn't!" said Eric. "And I learned my lesson. Don't fall in love. But anyway, that is why I had to work hard to support Melody and myself."
"Yes, but you should give some support to me," said Ursula. "How about this? Tomorrow night, if you give me your money and everything that you own, I'll let you and Melody go."
"And if I don't?" Eric retorted.
"Then, you and your daughter will die!" Ursula grinned maliciously.
"NO! You wouldn't!" Eric cried.
"Oh yes I would," Ursula cackled evilly. "But don't worry, I'll give you time to think 'till tomorrow!" Ursula, Flotsam and Jetsam turned around and began to leave.
"Oh and by the way," Ursula added before closing the door. "You have already fallen in love again."
"What? What do you mean?"Eric asked, feeling fearful.
"You and Ariel have been getting close lately. Yes, I saw you trying to kiss her. My boys, who had been spying on you, reported to me that you were always trying to make out with her! My how tragic it would be if Ariel were to come here and find you dead!" Ursula cackled.
Eric blushed. Was he really that easy to read?
"You'll never get away with this!" He yelled. "Either the police (or Ariel) will come or I would find a way to escape!"
"I'm afraid I just did!" Ursula, grinned evilly. "Who did you expect to rescue you? Your wife? No, she abandoned you!" Then she shut the door.
Eric began to shake with anger. Ursula just crossed the line! If only I can untie myself then I would-
"So it's true then?" a small voice said. Eric stopped his train of thought and looked at Melody.
"Oh no. You heard everything didn't you?" He said, softly. No child should ever hear such a terrible conversation like the one he and Ursula had just exchanged.
"Half of it. From her threat to the part where she said 'your wife abandoned you,'' Melody answered. Tears swelled up in her eyes.
"Why did Mommy leave us? Doesn't she love me anymore?" Melody began to cry, which made Eric's heart sank.
"No, no, dearest!" Eric said. "That is not why she left. Mommy left me and you because she didn't think she was ready to be a mother. She didn't think she was good enough and believed that you were better off with me so that is why she left. Do you understand Melody?"
Melody stopped crying but her tears were still falling.
"Yes, Daddy," she said, softly. "Why didn't you bring Mommy back?"
"I had tried." said Eric. It was true. A few years ago, he had tried to call her only to find out from her close friends that Vanessa had died in a car accident. So getting back together was out of the question.
"And that is why I do not want to date again," He added.
"Does that mean you won't marry Ariel," Melody asked, sadly.
"WHAT!?" said Eric. How did she know?
"I saw you trying to kiss her at the talent show," Melody said, innocently.
"Um, let's not jump into conclusions, dearest," said Eric, feeling nervous. "Besides I don't even know if Ariel likes me back or not."
"Can you ask her if she like likes you back?" Melody asked.
"If we can get out of here and find her, yes," said Eric.
"I want to go home!" Melody whined. "I hate this place!"
"I don't blame you, kiddo," said Eric as he looked at the window, longingly. "I don't blame you. Melody?
"Yes Daddy?"
"You were wonderful at the talent show today. I am so proud of you!" Eric smiled.
"Thanks, Daddy," said Melody. "I did it with help from Ariel,"
Eric chuckled. Then he became sad again. How is Ariel doing? Would Ariel find him and Melody here? Or are they doomed?
So, we found out what happened between Vanessa and Eric. Sad isn't it? Poor Eric! He doesn't want to give away his money and Melody's trust fund away to Ursula but if he doesn't give them away, he and Melody will die! What will they do? And how will Ariel find them?