The sound of crashing waves. The taste of salt. The smell of smoke and whiskey. I had absolutely no idea where I was or where I could be. I didn't want to open my eyes; I was afraid I would wake to find myself tied up in someone else's home or garage or some other place like that.
When I opened my eyes I found myself bound to a ship's mast with a gray cloth over my mouth and several dirty, overweight, disgusting men who were dressed like pirates.
A small, overweight man with a red stocking cap, a bright pink nose and thick, white sideburns appeared from the crowd of men. I raised my eyebrow as he scurried towards me, and I watched him check the ropes to make sure I was secure. His dark eyes glanced from the ropes to my eyes, then he quickly pulled the ropes tight and went towards a door not too far from my place.
He formed his hand into a fist and rapped on the door with his knuckles.
"Cap'n, she's awake," he said in an unusual voice.
I couldn't hear the reply, but I watched as the man vanished into the door. A few moments later he emerged and came up to me.
He untied me from the mast, and then tied my wrists together. "You'll be joining the others in the brig," he said. "I'm Mr. Smee. When the cap'n isn't dealing with you, I will."
He led me down the stairs into the ship's hold.
The door to the brig opened and Smee untied me and took the cloth from my mouth before pushing me in. As he closed and locked the door I tried to pull it back, and, after I failed, I hit my forehead against the door and closed my eyes.
I heard footsteps as clear as day on the other side of the door, and I listened carefully for voices maybe talking about me. I heard yelling that seemed to be getting closer, as it grew louder and louder; I backed away from the door and leaned against the wall on the opposite side of the room.
"I would like to speak with her, Mr. Smee, and nothing more. What harm can she do? She is a mere child, nothing more."
I laughed. A child? I am no child.
"According to Maleficent," the new voice continued, "she may be one of the seven princesses of heart. And she is no Peter Pan."
I heard a lock turn and I looked up at the door. It opened slowly, but it was night out and I couldn't see who or what stood in the doorway. I swallowed hard and prepared for the worst.
His hair was long and thick, and blacker than any coal I had ever seen. His eyes were filled with adventure, as deep and as blue as the ocean itself. His eyebrows were also black, like his hair, and they were thick. His nose was large and curved down, like a hawk's beak; and he was tall, at least 6'5". He had stubble on his chin, and an English-style moustache. There were dark circles under his eyes, and anyone could see he rarely got a good amount of sleep. He wore a large red hat with a lavender feather; his coat a deep crimson; and knee breeches. But one of his features was unique to him, and it made him scarier than anything or anyone I had ever seen or dreamed of.
At the end of his left arm was a shiny silver hook rather than a hand.
"Good evening, miss," he said in an elegant English accent. He removed the hat from his head and bowed to me. "I am this ship's captain, James M. Hook." He offered me a grim smile, revealing straight and pearly white teeth. "You may call me Captain Hook."
I stood up, and I walked across the room to stand before him. He met me halfway, and we stood face to face before one another. He was a foot taller than me, at least.
"I hope you're happy," I said to him. "I've just been taken from my home, where my family is most likely frantic trying to find me. I'm no princess, and I highly doubt you, of all people would be able to catch one."
He grinned. "You did not even introduce yourself to me," he said, turning around to face the door. He looked at me from over his shoulder.
"My name is Penelope Adrienne Dole. You can call me Penelope." I watched him carefully.
He put his arms behind him, grasping his hook with his hand. "You are in my world now, Miss Penelope," he started, "and you are on my ship; thus, you shall follow my rules." He turned abruptly and leaned so his face was close to mine. "You shall do as I say, my dear, or I shall have you walk the plank. You will be what I like to call the cabin boy — though, in your special case, you shall be the cabin girl." He grinned. "You will clean up and assist Mr. Smee with the cooking and serving of meals. You will act as Mr. Smee does, as a sort of…assistant to me. And I will have him bring you some clean garments to wear. You will not interact with the other members of my crew unless I specify otherwise.
"Am I clear?"
I looked into his eyes, and I gave him a crooked grin. "As crystal," I answered.