Chapter 7 – Keeping Calm and Carrying On

Ryo sat at the edge of one of the many tall open stone windows within the Black Castle facing the shore. The boys had huddled down to sleep and she took watch for the evening. The group had been on high alert since letting the pirate Captain go. There was no telling whether or not Hook would have any recollection of what happened and Ryo didn't want to risk being caught unawares.

But the long boats never dropped and the only activity on deck was the usual daily shuffle. No sign of the illustrious Captain. Hopefully he didn't fall into a coma or something… She wasn't sure where the sudden concern for the man's well being stemmed from. He is the villain after all. Not that such concepts had ever held any weight in her mind. Good… Evil… Whatever… He's handsome I'll give him that much.

In the mean time they had taken to making the Castle at least livable. Finding warm clothes was one thing Ryo had been worried about at first, but Jax found a rather surprising solution. He spent the better half of a day tapping on walls. When questioned he stated, "Every castle has secret passageways and rooms…duh!" He turned out to be right. His searching turned up a small stash of treasure, books, old clothes and other odds and ends in a small room behind an old bookshelf. Likely left by the Captain himself.

Jax had claimed a large moth eaten black coat as his share of the loot and wore it with flair, even though it was so big that it nearly brushed the ground and he had to fold the sleeves over twice to use his hands. Kly had snatched up what books hadn't molded and crumbled, and Grub found himself a pair of pants that covered down to his ankles. A bit of rope kept them around his narrow waist. Grub seemed pleased enough with that.

Ryo couldn't help but laugh at the three. They look like they're running around in their father's clothes. It warmed her heart in a sentimental way she would never admit to.

Ryo was glad to have something warmer than her thin sleep attire. A deep navy coat was wrapped around her tightly. It smelled a bit musty and the seams could use some mending, but it would do. A lose fitting shirt, worn breeches, and a pair of boots that were a few sizes to large finished things off. Shame I never learned to sew… most of her clothes could use a little taking in as well.

Unfortunately aside from an overly intricate dagger Ryo had found among the pirates stores, they had little in the way of weapons. Jax had his little switch blade and Grub had a small stone hatchet that looked like it came from an old western set, but that was it.

The basics were secured. Clothes on their backs and a roof over their heads. More than what their use to I'm sure. Jax turned out to be a pretty good hunter, at least when it came to small game, and Grub had a knack for turning just about anything into a trap of some sort. Ryo tried not to think about how a couple of street kids would learn those kinds of skills, or exactly what kind of 'small game' could be found in the alleys and sewers of New York. It kept a fairly regular supply of rabbits on the menu though, as well as some weird little animal Grub called a PokeyPig. Kly claimed it was like an oversized guinea pig with spines. Pretty sure I've never seen one in any of my zoology text books… but then again this is Neverland.

Neverland… She could say it a million times and it still felt just as outrageous as the first. But she had seen Hook, she had seen fairies buzzing around in the distance, and when Jax pointed out a mermaid splashing around in front of the gates to Skull Rock she really couldn't keep up the denial. She was in Neverland. Still no idea how I managed that one…

She had gone to bed like any other night, after a boring day of work like any other day. She didn't even remember having a weird dream or anything. Just… Good morning you're in Neverland! Well I'm here and other then kidnapping fairies, I probably have no way back. Not that she was in any hurry to get back to the hollow droll of her everyday life. I'm so antisocial as it is I doubt anyone's noticed I'm gone aside from work.

A cold breeze whipped around her suddenly. She shivered and turned her back to the wind. The fire crackled softly. Soft snores came from the thick mound of furs in front of the hearth. Ryo couldn't help the soft smile.

Those boys…

They had taken to her quickly. She had a feeling they were secretly glad to have someone in charge. They may play themselves off as tough little gangsters, but they were a long way from the hood now. At the end of the day they turned to her for the final word on things. Strangely she felt a fierce drive to keep them safe and took the role of leader seriously. It's not maternal instinct… She wrinkled her nose at the thought. I'm not their mother.

She shook her head. I best get some sleep. Tomorrow is going to be busy.

Tomorrow they would raid the Lost Boys tree for supplies, and hopefully a few weapons.


Smee wasn't sure what happened to Hook in the Black Castle, but ever since they returned he'd regained a bit of his spark. He was still recovering from the fall he took, but Smee could see the gears moving in his Captains head. Something had his interest, and it had pulled him out of the perpetual cycle of booze and blackout.

The crew had noticed the Captains improved mood as well and seemed to release a collective sigh of relief. No one had honestly been willing to challenge the Captain for his title, but after a year of being left to their own devices a few had voiced their concern.

Currently the Captain stood near the bow watching the dark ruins with a spy glass. Smee had found him there on and off for the last few days. He'd grown curious and asked once what he was looking for, but had gotten no response from the man. Further prodding just made him agitated so he had let the subject go. Smee wasn't sure even Hook knew what he was looking for.

Smee followed Hook to his cabin after he closed up the spy glass and went to retire. The Captain took his place behind the large wood desk and Smee came around to pour him a glass of rum.

"Smee… When did Pan last visit the island? It's been several months at least…"

"Ohh… about that yes, I'd say five or six now," Smee said.

Time moved strangely here and it was difficult to keep track of. If there was one thing Hook found the old bo'sun competent at was keeping record of the passing days. Hook tapped his fingers on the table idly, ignoring the glass in front of him. "He brought new Lost Boy's each time?"

Smee nodded, "Oh yes…" He paused thoughtfully for a moment, "There was two the first trip. One the next…hmm… another three, or was it four? Then three on the last trip I believe."

Hook watched the old man rattled off the numbers, "The last three. Did anyone get a good look at them? Did they seem a bit… older than the rest?"

"Hmm… Yes, yes! They did seem a bit big compared to the boy. Mr. Jukes noticed it when he pointed 'im out to me." The bo'sun look about ready to fall into another one of his rambles and Hook cut him off quickly.

"But still children though… you didn't see the brat with an adult?"

Smee looked at his Captain with confusion, "No sir, definitely not."

Hook hummed thoughtfully and frowned. Smee's brow knit, "Was there someone at the ol' castle? Wouldn't think It'd be the Indians. The savages won't go near the place. Somethin' about dark magic's an that."

"I'm not sure… Perhaps the mermaids may be a bit more forthcoming with Pan abandoning us all to this icy hell."

Yes… the dark and mysterious maidens always knew more than they should. The hard part was prying it from their slimy throats.