Nora pulled on my arm and began to lead me back out the door, a small, victorious smile lighting up her face as we stepped onto the cobblestone street. I peeked over my shoulder one last time, just in time to see Marie pout and whirl on her heel, stomping off towards the bar as a few of the bar wenches swarmed her and patted her on the back and whispered small comforts to her. A few of them glared over their shoulders at me, but their dirty looks did nothing to make me feel bad. Not even a little bit.
Neither of us spoke as Nora guided me back down towards the beach, but the silence was anything but uncomfortable. I still had an arm linked through hers and she rested a warm, calloused hand over mine, even though the effects of the ale seemed to be fading somewhat.
The afternoon sun had coated the cobblestone in a blanket of warmth that felt pleasant beneath my feet despite the grains of sea salt and sand that seemed to always find their way in between my toes.
Nora's shop was a two-story building right on the edge of the street where it finally met the sand of the beach. The bottom floor had several tall windows that displayed everything from dresses to trousers to shirts like the one Hook wore.
I guessed that the second floor was her living quarters by the laundry that hung out of the second story windows.
"I just need to grab a few of your measurements," Nora explained as she brought out a roll of tailor's tape and started measuring. "This shouldn't take long."
And it didn't. Before I knew it, Nora was rolling up her tape and mumbling a string of numbers to herself that I could only assume were my measurements. Then, she ducked behind a table that was laid out with several different kinds of fabric and began rummaging through something. When she popped up again, she was holding a lavender sundress.
"This is the only one that I have made that's your size," Nora said as she folded the dress carefully over her arm. "I just have to grab a bar of soap and a brush and then we can be on our way. Feel free to look around if you'd like dear. Or you can wait outside." I nodded, and Nora took it as her signal to leave. She waddled to a door that was hidden towards the back of the shop and pulled out a small, silver key from her dress pocket. "Be back shortly!" she called out before closing the door and ascending up to the second floor.
When Nora finally returned, she pushed a bar of soap, a hairbrush, and the dress into one arm before handing me a pair of simple brown shoes.
"I'll tell you how to get to the springs," Nora explained as she guided me out the door. "They aren't all that difficult to find."
I stopped and turned to look at her. "You aren't coming with me?" I asked. I knew that I probably sounded childish, but she couldn't possibly be thinking about sending me out into this island on my own?
But instead of scolding me, Nora only gave me a warm smile. "Are you telling me those servants of yours never let you have a private bath?"
"N-No!" I sputtered, pinpricks of anxiety making their way across my skin. "I just hoped..."
What?
I just hoped that you would be coming with me? I just hoped that you would be there in case I ran into someone who was less than friendly? I just hoped you'd be there so I didn't get turned around? I just hoped you'd be there so I didn't have to be alone?
"Dear, I promise you'll be just fine. The island isn't big, and there's a trail leading straight to the springs as long as you're paying attention to where you're walking. Besides," she said motioning back towards the shop, "I have some work I need to get done, so when you're done with your bath, come back here and you can help me around the shop."
She didn't leave much room for me to argue, so I just nodded and tried to swallow the worry that was rising in my throat.
"Good," she said with a nod. "Now, do you remember how to get to the pub?" I nodded. I'm pretty sure I could find it again. How hard could it be to find the most crowded place on the island? "When you get to the pub, keep going straight up the road for a while. When the cobblestone stops, there will be worn out trail heading out into the trees. Keep going until you come to a fork. Then, keep to the left, and you'll be there before you know it. The springs are pretty big so if there's someone already there, you should be able to find a private nook."
I felt my stomach drop at the thought of spotting someone in the middle of taking a bath.
Before my mind could get too creative, Nora took my arm and turned me up the road. "You'll be fine." she insisted again before giving me a gentle nudge. I took only a few uneasy steps before taking a peek over my shoulder, but Nora was already heading back inside her shop without looking back. I was on my own, so I took a deep breath, clutched the soap, brush, dress, and shoes against my chest, and started up the road.
As I came up on the pub, I slowed my steps to take a quick glance in the windows. Most of Hook's crew was still inside. I spotted Porter playing a card game with Gresham, Axton, Fane, and Langley, empty cups littering their table.
Marie was delivering drinks to a table of men that I didn't recognize, her sinister, flirty smile plastered on her face as she bent as far over as her corset would allow so they could study the line of her cleavage. I rolled my eyes before giving one last glance over.
Still no Hook.
He's hiding, I thought as I continued on my way, and I couldn't help but wonder where. The island wasn't large enough for him to hide forever.
I shook myself. Why did I care where Hook was?
I don't. I thought to myself, but even as I thought it, I wasn't entirely convinced. It was confusing, feeling this way, being so annoyed with Hook and yet worrying about him. It was enough to make a girl's head spin.
The feeling of cool dirt beneath my feet brought me back to the task at hand, and I realized that I was at the start of the trail that would lead to the springs. Trees sprung up on either side of the trail, a stark contrast to the openness of the town at my back, and while I knew that I was safe, the inability to see the trail around the bend was a bit unsettling.
"Where you headed?" came a familiar soprano voice.
I looked up to find Tinkerbelle stepping out from behind one of the many trees at the trail's edge. Her hair was up just as it had been on the ship, her lips curled into the same, sweet smile, but this time she seemed much more solid. She didn't blur at the edges and she didn't flicker when she moved.
"Cat got your tongue?" she asked with the same kind smile. As she made her way over to me, she looked as though she was gliding, her feet hidden by the long, cream colored gown that billowed around her. The sleeves hung low on her shoulders, revealing the smooth curve of her neck.
If she wasn't here on this island and if I didn't know that she was an old friend of Hook's, I would have guessed she was a princess herself.
"I was on my way to the springs," I told her, and her eyes lit up.
"Do you mind if I join you?" she asked and I shook my head, more than happy to have someone familiar accompany me to the springs. Tinkerbelle beamed and clapped her hands together. "Excellent. Let's go!"
As we made our way down the path, the air was filled with Tinkerbelle's soft humming. Not wanting to interrupt the pretty melody, I stayed silent, listening to the long, melancholy notes as Tinkerbelle strung them together with each breath.
When her humming finally ceased, I took a breath to speak, to tell her how beautiful the song was, but I was interrupted by the sound of running water, the gentle trickle of water running over rock. I could smell it too, just like one can smell rain before a storm.
"They're right down here," Tinkerbelle explained as the path seemed to disappear at our feet. She guided me a little farther down into the trees before we came face to face with several large boulders. Tinkerbelle didn't hesitate to start weaving her way through them, and I found it hard to keep up with her on the uneven ground with my arms full. I had to watch where I put my feet with each step. One misstep could send me sprawling, and I had no doubt that I would probably break my ankle in the process.
"Hurry up, slow poke!" Tinkerbelle yelled, and I couldn't help but smile and roll my eyes.
"I'm coming!" I yelled back, but as I did so, I rounded one last boulder and came face to face with Tink. I gasped and nearly stumbled backwards before finding solid footing. "Tink! You- I thought- You sounded farther away."
Tinkerbelle giggled and shook her head, and it was then that I realized we were standing at the edge of a shallow pool, the water crystal clear except for the light cloud of steam that was rising off of its surface.
"Is this it?" I asked as I stared at the pool.
"Oh no," Tink said with a shake of her head. "There are others weaved throughout the boulders, but this one requires the least amount of climbing, and with your arms full I figured…" She shrugged, but I was already nodding.
"I understand. Thank you," I added with a smile, which Tinkerbelle returned. "Shall we?" I asked, nodding towards the pool.
"Oh, I won't be joining you. I figured I would just sit here and keep you company. And make sure that no one stumbles upon us." She gave me a wink before hiking her dress up to her knees and taking a seat on the rocky edge of the pool. It wasn't until she dipped her feet into the water that I realized she hadn't been wearing any shoes.
Tinkerbelle let out a sigh and let her shoulders slouch slightly as she relaxed.
I made a careful pile of all the things that I had been carrying before I began to undress, my back turned to Tink even though she kept her eyes forward. I listened to the gentle rippling of the pool as she glided her feet back and forth through the water.
The island air was warm as I pulled my shirt up and over my head, one hand immediately covering my breasts even though I was sure no one was looking. I quickly discarded the trousers and my underwear before snatching up the bar of soap and making my way to the edge of the spring.
"It's best just to jump in," Tink stated, a hint of a smile in her voice. When I looked at her, her eyes were still forward, trying to give me as much privacy as she could. She must have sensed my hesitation because her smile grew. "Trust me. If you take it little by little, it'll take you ages to get comfortable. Just jump in."
And so I did. I gripped the bar of soap tightly to my chest with one hand and plugged my nose with the other before launching myself into the pool.
The spring water was delightful. Warmth instantly enveloped my body, leaving a small pinprick sensation to spread across my feet, my hands, and my face before I planted my feet firmly on the smooth rock beneath my feet and stood. When I broke the surface, I took a deep breath and pushed my hair back before wiping the water from my eyes.
I let out sound that was something between a sigh and a groan as I wadded over to the side of the pool and set the soap on the edge. Not only was the pool the perfect temperature, but it was also the perfect depth. The water just ghosted over my shoulders, leaving enough room for me to feel like I could breathe without worrying about taking in water and drowning.
Tinkerbelle's laughter caused my eyes to snap to her, and when they landed on her, she was doubled over, my arm wrapped around her middle while her other hand tried to cover the smile that was splitting her face.
"What?" I asked, feeling a giggle rise in me even though I didn't know what was so funny.
"Y-You- You're-" Tinkerbelle tried to speak, but her laughter was getting the best of her. "You're s-so- so pink!" she blurted before falling into another fit of laughter.
I tilted my head in confusion before lifting my hands to my face and feeling my skin. It was only when I saw my hands and arms that I understood.
I was pink. The warmth from the spring had made my skin flush a rosy pink, and if my face looked anything like my arms, I'm sure I did look as funny as Tink seemed to think I was. I probably looked like I had spent too many hours in the sun. Imagining it myself made me laugh too, and pretty soon, we were both giggling uncontrollably.
After a few minutes, the laughing finally puttered out and while Tink sat up and wiped the laughter-induced tears off her cheeks, I reached for the soap and began lathering it through my hair.
I took my time. I washed every inch of my body slowly and with care, and then rinsed until there was no doubt that there was any soap left on my skin. I let my mind wander back over the last few weeks, let it all absorb into my mind as I tried to make sense of it all.
I thought of my father and John and felt my chest tighten as I fought to keep my throat open and unconstructed by unshed tears. I thought of Peter and of my nightmare and felt the tickle of fear in the pit of my stomach that grappled with anger at how quickly he had seemingly ruined my life. My mind even drifted to Leoma, Carlisle, and Harlan as I wondered how they were all taking the news of my kidnapping. I could imagine Leoma crying despite the fact that we didn't know each other all that well, and I could see sadness painted in Carlisle's eyes as he tried to be a good soldier. I couldn't really picture Harlan, his serious personality, his inability to look past being a soldier still leaving a sour taste in my mouth.
And I thought of Tink and Nora, two complete strangers who had welcomed me with open arms and a warmth that made me feel like I wasn't entirely alone in this crazy, upside down reality that had quickly become my life. I felt the corners of my mouth tug into a smile as warmth swelled in my chest.
And finally, I thought of Hook, and I felt-
"Holly?" Tink's voice sounded a bit unsure, as if she could tell I was in deep thought and she didn't want to interrupt.
"Hmm?" I mused, blinking away the last of my straggling thoughts. I turned my eyes to Tink, to give her my full attention, and found that she had pulled her feet from the pool and had pulled her knees up and under her chin. Her light brows were knitted together and her honey eyes were clouded with worry. "Tink?" I asked gently as I waded over to where she was and leaned against the edge of the pool, resting my chin on the warm, rocky edge. "Tink, what's wrong?"
Tink shook her head. "Nothing's wrong. I'm just curious is all?"
"Curious about what?" It was my turn to knit my brows together.
Silence stretched between us as Tink reached up and tucked a curl behind her ear. She seemed to be thinking about her answer, her eyes calculating as she watched me.
When she spoke, her voice was low, almost a whisper, and she seemed to weigh each word carefully. "What do you think will happen when Peter arrives for you today and you aren't there for him to take?"