Chapter 26-Fangs, blood, and steel.
"Can't what?"
Lloyd looked down at the sword pressed against his chest, waiting for Dillon to deliver the final blow. A bit of blood trickled down his skin. It was surprisingly warm, tickling Lloyd as it made its path downward. He looked back up at the grey eyed man, a smile still on his features.
"You know," Lloyd chuckled. "To die. . . Would be a great adventure."
"Glad I could help," Dillon smiled back, "It's a shame the game couldn't last any longer. I was really enjoying myself, you know."
Tick, Tock.
Dillon froze, his thin black eyebrows rising in surprise. The sound of a clock echoed throughout the cave, announcing the arrival of the large crocodile. Dillon heard it slip into the water, dark waves forming with each of its movements.
Tick, Tock.
The boy watched Dillon's head turn towards the source of the sound, leaving Lloyd unattended. With a cocky grin, the young boy kicked the sword out of the man's hand, then pushed him into the icy water. Lloyd stepped back, getting ready to fly towards Naomi before it was too late. As he tried to leap upwards, however, a cold hand wrapped itself around his ankle.
Tick, Tock.
Naomi tugged against the bonds that held her, heart beating violently against her chest. She could see the monstrous creature slipping into the water, swimming closer and closer with each swish of its tail. The rope on her wrists had cut into her skin, and the blood from her wounds made her a target. The crocodile began to close the gap between them.
Tick, Tock.
"You really think I'll let you go?" Dillon growled, tugging Lloyd down into the water. The young boy slipped back, hitting his head on the rock as his body was pulled down. Lloyd twisted around, trying to break free. It was impossible.
His head was spinning with pain, and water seemed to be everywhere. He couldn't tell which way was up. The water soaked into his suit, which weighed him down, sinking him deeper and deeper. It was hard for Lloyd to keep his eyes open, the salty ocean water burning him, making his surroundings a blurry mess of colors.
A flash of scarelt swam past him. Dillon. Lloyd reached out, grabbing onto the man's long coat. His lungs were on fire due to the lack of oxygen, but Lloyd ignored it. He propeled himself forward while pushing Dillon back, sinking the man as he rose into the air.
Lloyd didn't fly for long. He fell onto the rock, coughing up water and replacing it with oxygen. He felt dizzy, so very, very dizzy. His arms and legs shook as he tried to bring himself to his feet, the pounding in his head growing stronger by the second.
Tick, Tock.
The water was now up to Naomi's neck, and the crocodile was no more than a few feet away. The young girl held her breath, gasping for one last taste of oxygen as she was forced under the powerful waves. She twisted her body every which way, trying to slip from the grip of the rope. The knots held her well, however, and only tightened with each of her movements. With wide purple eyes, Naomi looked up, straight into the crimson eyes of the bloodthirsty beast.
Tick, Tock.
Naomi. Naomi was still in danger. He couldn't lay back. His job wasn't over.
Lloyd forced his body to a standing position, testing the strength left within his legs. Once they stopped shaking, Lloyd swiveled around, his eyes searching for the purple-eyed girl. She was nowhere to be seen. Had she escaped?
His stomach twisted painfully as he remembered Dillon's words. She's already halfway underwater. The rising tide must have completely swallowed Naomi's body. Lloyd flew up, struggling to keep his body above the waves. His green eyes jumped throughout the water, searching frantically.
A flash of silver caught his eye.
Tick, Tock.
The crocodile lunged towards Naomi, and the girl barely had time to twist her body out of the way. The creatures teeth grazed her arm, and blood began to float around the fresh wound. A soundless gasp escaped from Naomi's mouth, and the last bit of air left her lungs. Water rushed in, causing a strong burning in her chest.
Shaking its head with a growl, the creature turned back towards its prey. This time it wouldn't miss.
Naomi tried to focus, but the crocodile swam in and out of her vision. Dark dots began to cloak the edges of her eyes, her mind slipping into unconsciousness. With one last shudder, she allowed her eyes to close.
Tick, Tock.
His sword now in hand, Lloyd flew faster, spotting the crocodile thrashing about under the water. Pushing himself forward, he finally plopped into the water beside Naomi, slashing away at the ropes that held her back. The crocodile rushed forward, jaws wide open. With adrenaline pumping, Lloyd pulled Naomi to the side, just as the crocodile snapped its teeth onto the pole she had once been.
Now with Naomi's weight dragging Lloyd down, the boy struggled to return to the surface. The muscles in his arms and legs burned, but finally, finally, he managed to grab hold of the rock's edge. He pushed Naomi up before himself, and the girl burst into a fit of coughing.
"Well that was kinda close wasn't it?" Lloyd helped Naomi to her feet. The girl raised an eyebrow, then shook her head, pushing away the bits of hair that clung to her face. "I had it under control of course,"
A smile broke across Naomi's face, and she rolled her eyes, shaking her head once again.
"I did!" Lloyd repeated, chuckling softly. "I mean, for the most part. But the point is, you're safe, I'm safe, and Dillon's gone."
"What makes you say that?"
Lloyd turned around, pushing Naomi behind him. He held his sword tightly, a defiant look on his face. Dillon laughed, pushing his hair back with his left hand, while his right reached into his scarlet coat. "You're a bit too cocky for your own good. Not that I'm in a position to say anything. I'll have to admit I have the same problem."
"Stay back," Lloyd hissed. "Or do I need to kick your old butt again?"
"I can assure you, that won't happen. And you should watch your mouth about that old thing. Hurts my feelings, you know."
"And why should I care?"
Dillon's right hand emerged from his coat, a pistol in his grip. He pointed it straight at Lloyd's chest, smirking with victory. "You wouldn't want the last words out of your mouth to be insulting, would you? Or would you really want the world to remember you as a cocky little brat?"
Lloyd held his ground, keeping his sword raised. He wasn't very sure how effective it would be against a bullet, but he wasn't about to show any kind of fear.
"Now, I care about how you're remembered." Dillon continued, taking one step closer. "So now, how about you apologize. It's not very polite to call other people names."
"Apologize? To you? Ha!" Lloyd looked up at Dillon, his green eyes burning with his stubborn attitude.
"And why not?" Dillon raised an eyebrow, amused, clicking off the safety from his pistol.
"You're an old stinky pirate," Lloyd chuckled.
"You know, you're pretty funny." Dillon shook his head. "But I'm afraid to tell you, boy, that it's over. Did you really think you could beat me at my own game? I am the true ruler of Neverland. This is my playground. You might be-"
Tick, Tock.
With a splash of water, the crocodile leaped into the air, its jaws snapping onto Dillon's right hand. The man screamed, his grey eyes widening with the sudden pain. Lloyd flinched, stepping back and instinctively covering Naomi's eyes.
With one last blood curling scream, Dillon was dragged down into the depths of Neverland's waters.