I woke up to the sounds of seagulls and the floor was rocking rhythmically under me. My eyes were closed still but I knew I wasn't in my car anymore. Panic washed over me. I was afraid to open up my eyes in fear that I would be somewhere scary. My first thought was that I had been kidnapped and I was going to be raped then murdered. Hopefully in that order.
I let my eyes open slowly and adjust to the light. I was sitting on a red velvet chair in a wooden, cluttered room. There was papers scattered on an old antique desk and a globe placed on the corner. There was a long dining room table with two melted candles that's wax had made a pile on the table. There was a grand piano in one corner and an unmade bed in the other.
There was circular windows on the walls which told me I was on a boat. That explained the rocking. I glanced around the room before I snuck to one window and peered out. All I could see was water and a small tropical-looking island. My breathing quickened as I slid to the floor. I wanted to cry but all the tears were still gone from the night before. So I sat there hyperventilating on the floor of this mysterious boat.
I don't think I had ever been so scared when the door slammed open. The kind of scared when your eyes grow wide and your body gets tense like you're going to need to fight. And when I saw him, I wasn't sure how, but the feeling got worse. The man was a middle-aged and dressed in black pants and a black frock coat that looked like it was from an old movie. There was a white button up shirt under the coat and a captain's hat on his head. His eyes were a striking blue that could burn through you with ease. But the thing that caught my eye the fastest and held my gaze the longest was the sharp hook that replaced his right hand.
My mind went to the bed time stories told to me as a child. My foster dad loved stories and along with the stories of princesses, the tales of Captain Hook where often the last thing I heard before I went to sleep.
"Well good morning, my dear," the rough voice bellowed as he strolled into the messy room. "You've been asleep for quite some time."
His voice sounded like a pirate but he couldn't be. That was a story made up just to put kids to sleep. He was a fictional character that fought another character and they all lived happily ever after. That's how you know it's fake. There's no such thing as happy forever. I didn't know what to do, or think, or say so I just sat on the floor and listened.
"Do you want something to eat, darling?" He came closer and I scooted closer to the wall. "Don't be afraid, Riley." He snarled my name as he came even closer. I had nowhere to go so I just pulled my legs against my chest to keep my distance.
"How do you know my name?" I demanded stronger than I felt. I felt as weak as could be. Kidnapping was more than I could handle. I was already so lost in the world now I was lost physically.
He shook his head and dark grin filled his face. "I hoped you would have remembered me, but I suppose you were only a child..."
"Tell me who you are right now!" I screamed out of both anger and terror.
"I'm your father, dear," he answered with a widening smile that showed off golf teeth throughout his mouth. "My name is Captain James Hook."
I was silent for a long time after he told me that. I didn't believe him but at the same time I did. He had a hook for a hand. How could I argue with that? I didn't want a villain as father. However, I did want a father. Hook stood there for a while before he went to his desk and puttered around with his things. He didn't know what to say any more than I did.
I decided after some time to think that, even if this was all crazy and not real, I didn't care. Why not just play along. From what I could tell everything was adding up. I still had no proof he was my father but I hadn't asked. I still wanted to cry and I had a feeling I would be able to, but I forced it away. I would just have to keep my guard up.
"Why did you give my away?" I asked quietly. That was the questioned I had always longed to ask my birth parents. Even if he really wasn't my father I wanted to hear his answer. And at that Hook turned to me and began to tell me everything. He gave me answers to all my questions and explained why what happened happened.
Hook told me that he had met a women who he found drowning far out in the water. He went on about how beautiful she was with her long brown hair and scarlet lips. Her name was Rose Hunts. She had no idea how she got to Neverland or how she got in the water, but regardless, Hook saved her and adopted her into the crew.
Soon, he said, she was a fearsome pirate and they began to fall in love. Together he was closer than ever to taking over Neverland and getting Peter Pan. Pan was a crazed pirate killer who would stop at nothing until he could kill all of the crew. The two of them dedicated much time trying to get rid of Pan in order to have peace with Neverland.
And when Rose got pregnant, they felt even more passionate about making Neverland as safe for their baby as possible. So they pursued Peter harder than ever. It became an obsession for the two of them. They plotted ways to catch Peter Pan all throughout Rose's pregnancy.
After the baby was born they still hadn't gotten him, but had scouted for his multiple hideouts. One night they found one of his hide outs and made plans to ambush them while they slept. As they prepared Rose placed the baby next to a tree, covered me in a blanket, and they all stormed in. Apparently it was bloody and both sides lost lives, but Peter escaped. During his escape he spotted a bundle next to a tree. Upon further inspection he found it to a baby. That baby was me.
He stole me and flew away to the Black Castle. He kept me there for days as my Hook and Rose searched for answers to where I had been taken. When Hook and Rose found out where I was, they gathered the remaining crew to save me. As they went in and the fight started Peter was on a ledge away from everyone, holding me. All of the other pirates fought the remaining lost boys, while Rose snuck up to the ledge where Peter was.
Rose was able to sneak, undetected, all the way up until she was right behind Peter. She demanded me back as she pulled her sword and Peter drew his. Peter fought Rose as he continued to hold me. Rose was afraid to fight back too hard because she didn't want to hit me on accident.
Soon Peter had us both at his hand. Rose sat with Peter holding a knife to her throat as he held me off the ledge threatening to drop me. All the fighting below has stopped as they watched. Peter threatened that if Hook moved he would drop me. Hook told me Peter took pleasure in all of this and he was laughing at the fear in Rose's eyes. As Hook yelled to let him replace Rose and I, Peter was distracted, and Rose dove for me. Peter ducked and set me back on the ledge and, in one motion, grabbed Rose by her long brown hair that Hook says is just like mine, and slit her throat.
Peter picked me up with his bloody hands and flew away with me, as Hook ran to Rose's lifeless body. Peter took me to America and left me on a church's steps. Ever sense Hook had been searching for me.
He told the story so vividly. He almost cried when he talked about Rose's death and her body. This story wasn't as quick as it sounds. He told me the feelings behind everything; he told me answers. We talked for hours, as I asked more questions. I asked about Rose mostly because he seemed to love to tell me about her. His face lit up.
If I asked about Peter he became harsh and mean. So I didn't ask much. Only why they were fighting in the first place.
"He thinks he owns this island," he snarled. "Thinks he is in charge but he isn't! He is evil! All he wants in life is to torment me until I go mad!" He yelled hitting the desk.
We talked a while longer before we realized the time. It was late and we were both tired. Hook gave me his room to stay in and he went down below with the crew. I liked Hook. From what I could tell he was nothing like the stories. He was just a man defending himself and his family. It felt good to be with a real family for once. And as I closed my eyes to sleep, I felt like I was finally home.