Chapter 1:

Leo POV

The evening breeze brushed through my hair as I walked past the open window. The same window I passed all day every day as I served those 'above me'. I stole a brief glance out the window, momentarily watching the children kicking a ball around; their laughter filled the air like music to my ears. I gave a heavy sigh, wondering what I ever did wrong in my life, was it so wrong that I just wanted to laugh and play?

Blinking away the tears that threatened to fall I turned back to my work, a man was sat in the corner of the room, laughing, a woman on his lap. He noticed me, watched me for a few seconds before clicking his fingers. I held back another sigh as I made my way over to him, taking in every inch of his appearance as I went. He had tousled black hair and dark eyes, stubble on his chin and dressed in all black leather with a very open shirt collar, a sword resting on his hip and a hook for a hand. He was in every sense of the word a pirate. We got a lot of those here since our village contained a dock, so I knew what to look for. I'd never seen him before however.

'You boy, be a good lad and fetch me some more rum'

He didn't sound like he was from around here; his voice was harsh, yet in some odd way soothing, as though he meant no harm. This was ridiculous really considering who he was. He flicked a large coin towards me which I caught expertly with no effort; I gave a slight nod and rushed off to get his order. I gave the coin straight to the man behind the bar, my master.

'Rum'

I said simply, my voice croaky from lack of use, I was to only speak if necessary, which for me, wasn't very often. I was handed a rusted tankard and sent on my way, I held it carefully with both hands as my hands were too small to just use one. I walked slowly to my destination, ensuring that not a drop was spilled. One of the boys from the village was here with his Papa, Billy, he was 10 years old and hated me, I didn't know why but he did. Not that it mattered, everyone I met seemed to hate me no matter what I did or said. I saw him from the corner of my eye, a smirk planted firmly on his face, he wasn't much taller than me, but it didn't matter, I saw it too late. His foot connected with mine and I couldn't stop it. Time seemed to slow down as I fell forwards, the drink flying through the air ahead of me, landing all over the pirate I was delivering it to. The tankard clattered noisily on the floor and so did I, landing sprawled out at his feet. I heard the whole pub go silent. Everyone watching with bated breath, waiting to see what would happen next.

'Bloody hell lad, what do you think you're playing at!?' I cowered beneath the booming voice as he stood, shaking the liquid from his arms
'Now, you're going to run along and fetch me some rum, and you're going to be quick about it, and if you don't. You see this hook? I can get very creative with it.'
I tried to stand but my arms wouldn't hold me. It didn't matter though, he wasn't looking at me, he was looking at Billy, danger glared in his eyes and the boy didn't dare disobey. I felt a hand wrap around my upper arm, pulling me gently to my feet.

'Are you alright lad?' I looked up, the fury of the pirate had vanished from his eyes, and instead I saw kindness? Concern? I was in shock; no-one had ever asked me if I was alright, I didn't know how to reply. So instead I simply nodded. Then I saw my master walking over, a new tankard in hand, Billy in tow. He shot me a glare that told me it would be a painful night.

'Captain, so sorry about the boy' he nodded towards me 'still learning his place, hasn't been with me long, he'll be punished though I assure you. Here, a new drink, on the house' He tossed the coin that had been paid earlier back to the pirate, handing over the drink and roughly grabbed me by the collar.

The captain looked confused; he sat back down nodding his thanks to my master and ran his cold and calculating eyes over me. He seemed to take in my appearance for the first time. Dirty blond tousled hair, skin darkened with dirt which contrasted with my bright blue eyes. A bruise on my chin was barely visible through the dirt. A brown leather apron covered the rags I wore, burns and scars littered my arms and my feet were bare. Trademark signs of either poverty or slavery. The blue cloth around my neck proved it to be the latter.

My master then began to walk away swiftly, dragging me along with him. He shoved me roughly into the back room and closed the door behind him. I zoned out as he yelled at me, nodding my head in the right places. I'd heard the rant too many times, how I was worthless and nothing but trouble, not worth the money he spent on me. I'd probably be sold again tomorrow, oh well; maybe it was for the best. I watched as he pulled out an old leather belt, folded it in half, making sure that the buckle would hit me. He swung his arm back high. I closed my eyes tightly, waiting for the impact that was sure to come soon. It never came. I heard knocking on the door behind me. My master shoved me out of the way and told me to be quiet as he went through the door, closing it once again. I heard muffled voices talking, but I couldn't make out what they were saying. A few minutes had passed before the door opened again, a triumphant smile upon his face.

'You're no longer my problem boy. You've been sold. Good luck with the most bloodthirsty pirate to sail the seas.'

I kept my face blank of emotion as I looked upon my new master's face. It was the pirate who asked me if I was alright. He was staring at me from behind the bar, coins in his hand, ready to give in exchange for me. The cloth around my neck was torn from me by my old master. I didn't know what to think, he looked so kind earlier, but now, I couldn't help but stare at the hook replacing his hand, the sword on his hip. I couldn't help but think how much they would hurt.

'Come along lad, I haven't got all day, I have a ship to attend to'

He put his hand on the back of my neck, guiding me forwards gently. We walked through the silent crowd, I saw Billy, and he was watching, glee on his face. He knew he had won. The Captain, my master, guided me through the town, all the way to the docks. I looked upon his ship for the first time. She was beautiful. The smooth, dark wood and black sails hung from the mast.

'A fine ship isn't she' the captain almost muttered to himself, not waiting for a response he guided me along the platform that led to her deck. He led me into the cabin, gesturing to the seat that sat in front of the ornate desk, littered with maps, scribbled notes, and a compass. I gingerly sat down, not wanting to get on the wrong side of the man. He collapsed in the seat opposite, taking out a hip flask and taking a swig from it.

'What's your name then lad?'

'Leo' My voice was still croaky, I wasn't used to speaking. He took another swig, looking me up and down. He hesitated for a moment

'Captain Hook, where are your parents lad?' He watched as my face contorted with a mix of emotions, pain, confusion, anger, and then sadness. I took a deep breath.

'I don't know' my voice was shaking 'I was told they died in a fire when I was 3, I-I've been sold from person to person for the last 4 years. But I know they aren't dead, I can feel that they're alive. But I don't have any memories of them; the only thing I can remember is my name. Leo.'

'A name is a very powerful thing lad, keep hold of it' He nodded, deep in thought. I watched as he stood and walked over to a chest in the corner of the room, opened it and pulled out some clothes and shoes. Walking over and handing them to me said simply

'I don't plan to enslave you boy, you're free to go if you wish it. You're welcome to stay the night however' and with that, he walked out the door closing it behind him.

I took a shaky breath, trying to figure out what had just happened over the past hour. The clothes in my hand felt warm and soft to touch. I spread them out on the table. A soft cotton white shirt with an open collar, dark brown trousers made of soft leather, and the shoes, I hadn't ever had the luxury of wearing shoes, I'd only ever imagined what they must feel like, I slipped my feet into the soft, supply leather and tied the lace. Walking up and down the room to try them out, it was heaven, it was better than walking on the softest of floors, and my feet immediately began to warm up. Quickly dressing into the other clothes, I wondered what I should do with the rags I wore before. Settling for folding them on the chair I had occupied I now had time to take in the full effects of Hook's cabin.

Behind the ornate desk stood a soft leather chair, the back wall was primarily a window, a black and gold telescope sat on a ledge nearby. The chest that the clothes had come from was old, made of a dark, rough wood with silver fastenings. There was a door which presumably led to the captain's bed, other than this the room was lacking of furnishings. Among the scribbles of paper on the desk were several drawings, one of a beautiful woman, the light seemed to capture a twinkle in her eye. Clearly a lover by the way he had drawn her. I then noticed a small mirror on the wall; I carefully made my way over and took in my appearance. I looked more like myself than I ever had done before, the almost well fitting clothes made me wonder whom they had belonged to. I ran a hand through my dirt filled hair and sighed, wondering if I would ever know my parents.

Hook knocked before entering the cabin once again, taking in my appearance, nodding almost in approval he picked up the rags with his hook and tossed them in a wooden bucket in the corner of the room. He set down a bowl of broth on one side of the table before leaving again only to return with another. A shorter, slightly plump man followed behind carrying two tankards, one filled with rum, the other with water.

'Sit down lad, eat' He gestured to the bowl of broth, I looked in amazement, he was allowing me to eat, and with him at that? I quickly took my seat and before he could change his mind dug in to the food that sat before me. It was good. Probably the best I'd ever had. It was full of chunks of meat and vegetables, and a hunk of bread for dipping. I picked up the tankard and took a long swig, half expecting the usual dirty water, but it was fresh, and I downed the whole drink before continuing with the food as though I'd never eaten before. Hook didn't once comment on manners, in fact, he ate with almost the same vigour, even licking the bowl when he'd finished before grinning at me.

The next morning I woke from the most comfortable night sleep I'd had in years, moving from the hammock, I quickly ate some leftover bread and drank two tankards of water for breakfast.

'Where are you off to then lad?' He actually looked concerned, as though he would prefer me to stay on the ship with him.

'I need to find my memories, my parents' I was confident, I knew I could survive now. He still looked worried. He told me to wait a moment and disappeared into his cabin, returning minutes later with a sword and a compass.

'I want you to take these with you. The compass, it'll guide you wherever you need to go, and the sword to protect yourself. Be careful lad okay?'

He wrapped the belt around my waist, the sword hanging on my hip, and placed the chain of the rusted compass around my neck.

'I will be. Goodbye Captain Hook. And thank you' I smiled at him, probably the first smile I'd given anyone in a very long time, I normally loved saying goodbye to people, but he was the first who had ever even seemed to care about me. It was tough. So I turned and left without as much as a glance over my shoulder. I walked until I was out of the village and in the woods, then I stopped, I drew the sword with my left hand and felt the weight, it felt right, as though it was supposed to be there. It was a simple sword, silver blade, black hilt but it was the first time anyone had given me anything, these clothes, the shoes, the sword, and the compass. That was everything in the world that I owned, that belonged to me. It felt good, I took the compass in hand, a chain black with rust, the compass itself the same colour, the red needle pointed me forwards, pointed me towards my goal. So I set off.