Chapter 12

The cheering of the Lost Boys had escalated into a full-blown party, and Peter was feeling better. He was free from the pirate ship and was having fun. To be honest, he was also enjoying having new Lost Boys to talk to again. Perhaps he should get some more when things go back to normal.

Both his thoughts and the merriment of the party were shattered by the gunshot that rang out not thirty feet away. Everyone was silenced as they turned to see Captain Hook glaring down at them all from one of the rock formations. Then they all noticed the other pirates surrounding them.

"You've got some guts, Hook!" Rufio shouted.

"How so, boy? I could burn down your little village and slaughter your little brats whenever I please."

"Is that so? Funny you never did, then!"

"Rufio," Banning placed a hand on riled boy's arm to calm him. "I'll handle this. What do you want, Hook?"

"Well, I thought that would be obvious. I want the boy back."

Banning instinctively started pushing Peter behind him, shielding him from Hook's gaze, but Pan was not easily intimidated by the pirate captain. Breaking away from Banning's gesture, Peter took a few steps forward.

"If you want me, Hook, you'll have to fight me fair and square!"

"If we're talking about fairness, boy, perhaps we should examine the fairness of you being here."

"I escaped. Fair. It was your own fault for being a lousy captor!"

"It hardly seems fair to change the rules at this late stage. You see, Pan, you're merely a piece in this game; and how fair is it for one side to have two Peter Pans, while the other only has one Hook?"

Peter frowned at the pirate. Hook had a point.

"I'd also wager you are more important to me than young Maggie, while she is more important to Mr. Banning than you are."

Both Peter and Banning were speechless. Peter looked back at the man, trying to gauge his reaction to Hook's through-away comment. Both knew what Hook had said was true. Banning looked down at his feet, and Peter knew he would no longer find protection there, so instead he tried to run. Flight, however, meant Banning was much quicker, and he had hold of Peter's arm before the boy could take another step. Peter tried to pull away but Banning pulled him closer.

"Peter... please. You're stronger than Maggie. She's just a little girl. Will you go back, for her sake?"

This was so unfair. The last thing Peter wanted was to be under Hook's control again. But how could he forfeit Maggie's freedom and possibly even risk her life by running? Hook was a calculating bastard.

Sighing heavily, Peter gave a small nod of defeat and began to walk towards the captain. Two crewmembers grabbed him roughly before he could get there though, one tying his hands together tightly. They then thrust him towards Hook who smiled down at the scowling child before him, reaching his hand out to stroke his face. Peter flinched at the man's touch and tried to pull away. Hook just chuckled.

"Where's my daughter?!" Banning called out.

"On my ship, of course" replied the captain in an amused tone.

"When will you release her?"

"I suppose when you've won the war!"

"You said you would exchange her for the boy!"

"I said no such thing."

"But you implied..."

"My good man, promising and implying are remarkably different things!" Hook let out a sinister laugh and was joined by his crew. "Now, none of you try anything foolish, or Peter will get a knife in the gut."

And with that, Banning, Tink, and the Lost Boys watched the pirates drag Peter back to their ship.