Not Afraid But Entranced

Chapter 2

The next morning the house was buzzing with excitement. Decorations were being hung, musicians were setting up their music equipment, servants rushed around to clean, cooks were preparing food for the evening. And over seeing all of this was Aunt Millicent and her party coordinator, Jack Potter. He was a tall slender man, in his late thirties, his hair was combed back neatly which gave it a smooth and shiny look and nicely trimmed goatee. Aunt Millicent had heard of excellent reviews of his party planning in France and requested that he'd come to London to help plan her ball.

She had to pay top dollar but it was worth every penny. "The decorations are wonderful and the food tastes delightful. Society will be talking about my ball until Christmas!" Aunt Millicent said with pride.

"But of course, Mademoiselle." Potter replied sharing the same proud tone in his thick French accent, "People always talk my parties I plan and suddenly I'm booked, you were lucky to have gotten me on such short notice." he gloated

"But I'm glad I could get you at such short notice and you will be paid handsomely." she replied.

They both continued to see to things before it was time to get ready and for the arrival of guests.

Wendy awoke that morning thinking of the pervious day's events, first Slightly and his strange behavior, then the feeling of being watched. Finally the mysterious red rose that was left for her.

At first she thought of asking if one of her brothers had left it for her, but decided against it for she knew that they would tease her mercilessly. So she decided to keep the rose to herself.

That afternoon she sat there in front of the mirror while the make up artist did her make up then the hairstylist did her hair, Wendy looked at herself and couldn't believe the woman who was staring back at her

Mrs. Darling and Aunt Millicent appeared moments later, all dressed up, with a maid to help Wendy into her dress and her mask.

While the maid adjusted Wendy's corset Aunt Millicent spoke. "I have invited several wealthy couples tonight and I insisted they bring their sons so they can meet you Wendy."

Wendy rolled her eyes. Ever since she turned eighteen last month her parents have insisted on her choosing a suitable husband, however Wendy wanted to marry for love.

"Really well let us hope that they will have a grand time tonight. In fact that what we should all focus on tonight having a grand time and not setting up a possible suitor for me." Wendy said hoping she made herself perfectly clear.

Little did Wendy know that this was her Aunt's intentions however the evenings events are going to take a surprising turn.

If you were to ask Wendy how the evening was going her answer would be she'd rather read a good book. Yes the ball was that boring, all she was doing was being dragged from person to person with the same routine: Her parents introducing themselves, then couples would introduce themselves, then Wendy would be introduced then their son likewise.

If she was to repeat this over and over all night she would surely scream.

"Delighted to make your acquiesce Mr. and Mrs. Darling, I am John Richards and this is my wife, Susan. And our son Edward." Mr. Richards said proudly but his expression on his face said that he was bored and that he was forcing a pleasant smile.

John Richards was a military man from the time he turned twenty he'd had already had a wife and son but he wanted to serve his country. He served his country then was wounded and the military gave him his leave. He had returned home with a shot to leg and almost ended up having to lose it, though it would give him a permanent limp in his walk. Knowing the dangers of war his son decided to follow in his fathers foot steps.

"Edward please to meet you," Mr. Darling said politely shaking Edward's hand, "this is our daughter Wendy." Mr. Darling turned and gestured her to come and make herself known.

She extended her hand and Edward took it in his and kissed it softly. "It's an extreme pleasure to meet you." he said his eyes boring into hers. She wasn't impressed.

"Nice to meet you as well." she said quietly.

Edward could not believe the beauty he was staring at he wanted to know her. "May I have this dance?" he asked with hope in his voice.

If it'll get rid of him faster she simply nodded her head and smiled. "Yes."

They both walked to the dance floor he put his hand on her waist and she put her hand on his shoulder and then he lead her into up beat waltz.

Wendy could tell he was handsome but she couldn't see all of his face because of the mask, she didn't get instant connection or the way he looked at her made her weak in the knees. No instead she felt bored but maybe this is what she has to settle for, maybe that weak in the knees and that instant connection thing was only something she read about in books.

The music ended and the couples stopped dancing and applauded. Then the music began again much slower rhythm this time.

"Would you care for another dance?" Edward asked her. She nodded.

He lead her around and tried to make conservation with her. "You dance really well, where ever did you learn?"

"My mother gave me lessons." Keeping her answer short and to the point.

"You must pass my complements on to your mother, she taught you well." he smiled.

"I shall."

He began to say something else but it was lost because Wendy suddenly came into eye contact with another. And it was like everything around just vanished with only her and the pair of eyes staring back at her.

He was in the crowd that watched the couples dance but his eyes were only focused on her, from what she could see his eyes were as green as emeralds. She could tell he was tall maybe an inch or two than her. His hair was blonde not combed back like the other men his hair was curly made him stand out more, and she noticed his mask matched the color of his eyes perfectly but that was the only color. His suit was black from the neck down, like all the other men there.

She could not stop staring, unfortunately Edward turned forcing her to break the contact. When she turned to look again he was gone, the music stopped again and she looked around for whomever was staring at her but she couldn't find him.

"Is something troubling you?" Edward wondered.

She looked back at him. "No I just thought I saw something. Forgive me." She walked past him off the dance floor in need of a refreshment.

She acquired a glass of water all the while wondering who was the stranger that held her gaze. Just as she turned away from the refreshment table to get some fresh air someone stood in front of her just a few steps away.

This man was dressed in all red save for the black boots, he wore a large red hat and his mask was red as well. A sword hung at his left hip, his whole outfit made him stand out. Of course some men tonight had courage to completely dress up, others just wore a mask. But not this man.

He looked as if he were dresses as a pirate, which Wendy admitted that he took a lot of time and effort on his outfit.

He slowly made his way to her and for some reason unknown to her she felt she should turn and run. And the closer he got the more intense the feeling became. Finally he was inches from her, she held her breath.

"Wendy Darling" was all he said.

"H-h-how do you know my name." she struggled to say. Feeling very uneasy about him.

"Why my dear don't you know? You're the talk of this ball tonight, every young man is talking about you. How much your beauty enchants them, how captivating you are, and how they wish to court you, woo you, and to bed you." he said that last part very slowly.

She tried to think of an excuse to get away from him but he sensed her plan. "Not to worry my dear I shall do no such thing here, I swear it." he reassured her but it do any good.

She finally looked into his eyes. Much to her disappointment these were not green instead they were blue, like forget-me-nots. His pierced into hers though she wasn't afraid but rather entranced. He then held out his gloved hand, "Would you care to take a stroll with me outside?"

Ignoring the warning bells going off in her head she took his hand and he escorted her outside, unbeknownst to them a pair of angry eyes watched them leave and followed.

Wendy kept a reasonable distance from the man just in case she needed to run for it. He led her through a maze and in the middle was a fountain, the water was the noise that was being made

"I must say my dear you are awfully quit company, please tell me about yourself." he urged her gently. He had been the first all evening to ask about her, the ones she was introduced to only talked about themselves.

"Well I am an only daughter and I have seven brothers, my father is a banker, and my mother stays home to raise us and-"

"Stop!" he said loudly, making her jump. "Let me have the pleasure of telling, Wendy Darling you are a story teller. You tell stories of adventures, love and good vs. evil."

"I don't…I mean…" as she struggled to find words, it then occurred her that this man knows more about her then he led on. "How do you know I told stories? No one except my family knew."

"Ah but you see it was not only your family, but me and my crew knew well. And, like a girl, your stories all ended in 'happily ever after.' You see you never finished my story." his voice suddenly had gone deadly.

"Your story? Your crew? What ever can you mean?" she nearly yelled growing terrified as he advanced slowly toward her like predator to its prey.

"My beauty, you began story for me a long time ago but you never finished and I've been dying to know how it ends."

"I have no idea what you're talking about, clearly you're mad! And if you take one more step towards me I shall scream." she threatened.

"Oh come now my dear let's not make a scene here, all I want to know is how my story ends." he said darkly.

"Your story?! I don't even know you! And how you know what I used to do is beyond me." she yelled, "Help! Somebody please help!" she called out hoping someone heard her.

He was close enough to reach out and grab her throat, shutting her up and forcing her not to breathe. "Now you listen to me," he seethed, "this is how the story will end I will take you back to Neverland where I will destroy Peter Pan and then take you as my bride."

He then released his grip and she fell to the ground coughing and gasping for air.

"Neverland," she struggled to say, "Peter Pan, there just stories neither exists." she said still trying to find air.

"Just stories," he said coldly then kicked her in the ribs causing her to cry out. "Don't play coy with me, my dear!" kicking her again, "You're the same Wendy that Pan brought to the island, the same Wendy that made Pan banish Tinker Bell, and the very same Wendy that gave Pan a 'thimble!'" his voice grew louder at each word. He kicked her again and again.

"I don't understand," she cried her ribs pained, spitting up blood. "that was all a story it never happened!"

"Of course it happened." he knelt beside then backhanded her hard, his eyes filled with hatred for her. He then ripped the mask away revealing the dark figure who once filled her stories.

"Hook." was all she said. The pain throbbed from his kicking was a reminder that she was in reality and Hook was right there in the flesh. She knew this was the end for her.

"And now I shall take you back to Neverland, lure Pan to his doom. And as for you my beauty you will be mine." he said his tone clipped and cold. She would rather die then be his.

"You shall not touch her." a deep voice came. Hook turned to look at him Wendy was in too much pain to move. "Who are you stranger?" Hook asked.

"You're undoing." A small bright light appeared in Hook's face blinding him. Wendy's pain was so intense she was having a hard time keeping her eyes open. The stranger came to her side and before picking her up into his arms, she caught a glimpse of his eyes. They were green.

The next thing she heard was music, at first it was quiet but got louder and louder. She could tell someone was carrying her back to the ball. Then she faded again.

He carried her as fast as he could back to the ball, knowing she was in pain made him walk even faster.

He knew he'd almost was too late for he had lost them in the crowd before he heard her yelling for help. When earlier she had been following her parents around and dancing. When he first saw her tonight she was absolutely breathtakingly beautiful that he could not keep his eyes off her all evening. But once he saw her leave with Hook he had to make his move.

Now he was wishing he had his move earlier because now she was in pain. "Hey somebody help us!" he called out. People turned and appalled, women were gasping and men were exchanging looks a few men rushed out to help but then stopped.

"Stop right there or I'll shoot."

Every one stopped, including the stranger carrying Wendy, who was barley conscious.

"Now, you will hand her over and no one gets hurt." Hook demanded clicking his gun preparing to shoot.

Not caring whether he got hurt or not he had to get her to safety, away from Hook.

"I said stop or I'll shoot!" Hook warned.

The stranger kept moving toward the crowd, then a shot rang out. The stranger's leg was hit, causing him to fall taking Wendy down with him. Screaming and panic broke out, Hook walked toward the stranger and Wendy. Wendy's head had hit the ground hard, all she could remember was gunfire, screaming, and a large red figure looming over. Finally everything went black.

There was a pain in her ribs which made it hard to breath. She felt as if she were going up and down, she slowly opened her eyes. At first her vision was blurry after blinking several times her vision became less fuzzy.

Wendy look at her surroundings. She was not in her room she wasn't even in her Aunt's home. The place looked to be a cabin of sorts, then the room was moving up and down then it dawned on her. She was on a ship.

"Sleeping Beauty awakes."

This is just for reading entertainment, I do not own any of the characters. Please enjoy and leave reviews! J