Well hello again :)
Thank you sooooo much for those reviewing! And I changed my settings, so now those with no account now have no excuse! mwahaha!
I have taken on board all criticism, and tried my very best to try and cater for it. However, I am only one human! I can guarantee I will make plenty of mistakes time and time again :D just point them out for me when I do, I'm here to learn and upload more than anything, but I admit, you readers are pretty awesome people, much love to you guys! 3
anywho - welcome to chapter nine, you may proceed in your readings :3
"Father?" I asked, scrambling to my feet.
"Father?" Ke'lok echoed.
"Ruby! Darling," Captain Hook slurred, his face tilted with a strange smirk, "Smee said of your disappearance, now why did you run off to..." He gestured at Ke'lok with an expression lined with repulse.
"I was attacked!" I snapped defensively. "By one of OUR crew! And nobody moved, even once I'd screamed! I thought I-"
I was blocked off by a sharp embrace from my father. He held me tightly, so tight my shoulders hurt. But I didn't complain. I never got any signs of affection from him, especially when in front of people. Was he showing actual care for me as a daughter instead of just an heir? I clung to my father, allowing myself to be crushed by his care.
"Little Roo!" Ke'lok had been shouting at me. "What are you doing? He is dangerous! He ordered the attack on our people!"
My eye twitched open at that. I dropped my arms to my sides, letting them hang numbly. Was it true? Did he really call that random attack on all those innocent people? I don't think they lost anyone. But, what if they had? A family minus one mouth to feed. A family that wouldn't be able to cradle their child like my father is doing to his right now. The very thought tugged at my heart. He surely couldn't be capable of such a thing? My father, Captain James Hook of the Jolly Rodger, is a most fearsome man, but by no means is he an unfair one. I've seen man after man be robbed of their wealth and thrown off the plank. But they had been happy enough to give it away when I saw them. They practically threw it at his feet, didn't they? And the plank doesn't kill them. Even my father said: they just get dunked into the water. It's better than killing them, he would always say. Killing is such a waste. That being said, it does seem rather pointless. Who would give their life savings away and allow themselves to be pushed off a ship into icy waters? Were their lives really in danger, like the tribe's were just earlier today?
My head spun with all of those foreign thoughts. No, my father couldn't be a murderer. He has killed, but surely not out of cold blood. And Pan, the boy was a long-time enemy. He had caused my father such pains, yet I let myself become his friend? I had to finish this mission, to make it up for my disloyal thoughts towards my captain. I needed to swallow down this silly fear. If it's the captain's wish, then I must fulfil it, what was I thinking, betraying him, even just for a second.
"Father," I whispered, keeping my voice low as to not be overheard by our one-man audience. "Let me finish this. I have their trust. I will soon be taken to Pan's hideout. I have my flare gun still on me... Please, just one chance. I can do this, father."
My pleading seemed to have an effect on him, as my captain's eyes softened just slightly and his vice-like grip on me loosened and fell away as he weighed his options. I was sure what I had said was enough to convince him. Surely, he couldn't still think I was being disloyal to my own flesh and blood, my only family. My Captain.
"One more chance." He hissed under his breath. "Do not disappoint me, Roo." That last word was spat with enough venom to make me wince. I folded in on myself, being as submissive as possible to somewhat apologise. His brief wave of affection had most definitely washed away, leaving behind a bitter man, on the verge of banishing his own daughter. The very thought of being turned away by my kin tugged my heart violently. My mother had given me up just at the sight of my father. One more mistake, and he would just as easily do the same to me.
I could not fail him. Not again, not ever.
With a slight, sharp nod, my father vanished from sight into the shrubbery. The atmosphere easily lightened up after that, yet I stood rock solid, still radiating warmth from where he had enveloped me into a sharp embrace.
"WHAT was THAT?" Ke'lok hissed loudly. I had actually forgotten he was even there. My relaxed posture stiffened up yet again. He just saw everything. Not only does he now know I'm a girl, but he also knows I'm the daughter of Captain Hook. How could I word that out: 'sorry, I'm a pirate heiress who is here undercover... promise not to tell?'
No. No chance I could say that.
"Nothing." I mumbled, keeping my eyes trained on the floor. As much as I hated to admit it, but I felt that horrible tugging pain in my chest, coming from two areas, at the thought of having to part with him ultimately when I leave, yet if I stayed a moment longer, I would be shunned by my kind. I belong on my ship, but I had made too many bonds when on land. I need to terminate these bonds.
I lifted my gaze to meet his. His clear blue eyes probing my own for a very long minute until he finally spoke.
"Why?" He asked. "Why are you his comrade? He is evil, Roo. Can't you see that?" He grabbed my shoulders, shaking them gently. "He will only cause pain. And... you do not deserve pain."
I was taken aback. I wasn't expecting that; not in a million years. He should've been angry at me for being associated with pirates, for betraying and lying to him. Why hasn't he struck me yet? What does he mean by 'you do not deserve pain'?
I went through his words in my head for a moment, slightly irritated that he would question my being a comrade. He isn't my comrade. He's my only family. I wasn't too angry about that, as Ke'lok had a lot more reason to be angry. However, I used this slight irritation to fuel me in my next move.
"Well, I'm so sorry for my lineage!" I shot at him. "I was born this way! Nothing will ever, EVER change me! Especially not some silly flying boy and his band of hooligans. And especially not you." It tore me inside and out to say those words to his face, even though they were lies. Truth was, I did need him. I needed Peter and the lost boys. I needed warmth back in my life. I am one of them, after all. It's like telling a fish to fly, me being a pirate feels almost unnatural now I've had a chance to actually live.
Ke'lok's face scrunched up, showing a brief flash of hurt followed by deep confusion.
"I thought... you liked it here." He stammered. "Even when you threw a tantrum, it was all good fun."
"Exactly why I must leave." I whimpered. "Fun is a word from a foreign world to mine. I don't want to be here. I want to go home. Now please excuse me so I can tell Peter and collect my things." I brushed past him, careful not to give eye contact or any signs of changing my mind.
I had made a choice. No going back.
Time to go home and grow up.
oooooh, she is so independant! one thing I don't like about writing in a character that is so different to you is the fact that you aren't allowed to react the way you REEEAAALLLLY want to! soo frustrating I SWEAR!
I'll write soon, guys :)
(oh, and I have all my exams next week, I SHOULD be revising right now, so off I go :} hehe wish me luck!)
- Harley xox -
