Chapter 35
The cabin was cold and dark, save a sliver of moonlight that flowed in through the window. Wendy slouched, her shoulders were sore from being pulled back against her will. The ropes that bound her, cutting into her circulation. Wendy's eyes closed trying to find some happy thought to keep her company. But it was so dreadfully hard. She hadn't thought long when the door to the cabin creaked open. A lantern was brought in, illuminating the faces of leering pirates.
"Having fun are we girlie?" Noodler growled as he jerked on Wendy's hair. She stared up at him with wide eyes.
"I told ye I was going to make ye pay for slicing me arm!" Noodler took out a dagger and placed the tip of it at the corner of Wendy's mouth. Wendy's heart started to beat rapidly.
"Now, now men you'll have your fun I promise. But for now I need the girl in one piece." Hook's voice stilled the pirate and the blade retracted.
"I'm sorry there isn't better accommodations m'lady." Hook mocked as he strode threw the door and towards the girl. "But I need to keep a close eye on you."
The pirates snickered. Bravely Wendy raised her chin. "He won't come. He'll know it's a trap."
Hook almost laughed. "My dear, dear Miss Darling! Do you really think that Pan could stay away?" He caressed Wendy's cheek with his hook. Wendy remained silent. She turned her face away from the cold steel, but Hook forced it back. Hook stared into the girls blue eyes, mind turning.
"I think it's high time for a story! Don't you think so lads? After all we have a famed storyteller in our midst." Hook announced to the crew that were present. There was a low cheer of approval. Hook turned back to the girl.
"Now if you please, tell us the story of why Pan brought you to the island, because I can't quite figure that one out."
Wendy stared into the bloodshot eyes of the captain. She took a deep breath to still her nerves and began.
"Once upon a time there was a boy named Peter Pan, who decided not to grow up."
"Skip the prologue." Hook growled.
Wendy nodded. "So he flew away to Neverland where the pirates are."
"What fun he must have had." Hook said dryly.
"Yes but he was rather lonely."
Hook's brow raised in surprise. "Lonely? The great Pan lonely? How interesting…He needed a Wendy." Hook mused, the gears turning in his mind.
"I need a Wendy." One of the pirates said dreamily. Without hesitation Hook took his pistol and shot the interrupting pirate. The shot made Wendy jump.
"No more interruptions! Now why a Wendy?"
"He liked my stories."
"Yes but what stories?"
"Cinderella, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, Alad…" Wendy started to list.
"Love stories?" Hook whispered shocked.
"Adventures! In which good triumphs over evil!" Wendy countered.
Hook stared off into the distance. "They all end in a kiss…Lads!" Hook almost laughed. "I think the great Pan is in danger!"
The rest of the crew cheered.
Wendy, confused spoke up. "Why is Peter in danger?"
Hook's piercing gaze turned back to the girl.
"Tell me, what is one of Pan's greatest faults?"
"He has no faults."
This time Hook did laugh. It was a grating sound, deep within his throat. "Surely you cannot be so naïve as to believe that!" Hook released his hold on Wendy. "Until tonight I would have said that the one that will lead to his doom is loyalty. He would risk his own life to save that of one of his me. But in this case I think his greatest downfall will be love."
Wendy's breathe hitched. "But…you said he is incapable of love."
"We shall soon see!" Hook laughed. "Pan will come, he will trade his own life for yours and then I will kill him."
"You're a codfish!" Wendy spat.
Hook's mouth twitched, she was playing with fire. "That may be, but at the end of the day, I will have my victory and vengeance. All thanks to you, m'dear."
Hook strolled down the deck leaving the poor girl to the night. He almost felt a twinge of remorse for kidnapping the girl. She would have been a mighty pirate should circumstances have been different. And really, any one of Pan's ruffians would have sufficed, Pan was loyal to each. But Hook wanted a test. He wanted to see if Pan had a soft spot for the girl. Wendy's story about how she came to the island seemed to confirm that. And Hook wanted to exploit it. He would make Pan pay in the worst way possible. Hook glanced down at his namesake. The steel gleaming in the moonlight. Oh yes, he would make Pan pay.
Wendy's bravado sagged now that the Captain was away. Her heart trembled. Hook was right. Peter would offer his life to spare the life of a friend, there was no doubt. She tipped her head back and gazed into the stars through the little window. But did he really love her?
"Oh Peter!" She whispered, heart aching. "Please don't come. I'll be alright. I'll be brave. Just please don't come!"
Her head landed softly on her chest, hoping her plea would somehow be heard.
…
In the early mist of the morning, the earth was silent. The stars twinkled their last farewell as the sun gently rose in the sky. Dawn painted everything in a pale pink light. The Jolly Roger sat in still water, patiently waiting.
Wendy's head lifted off her chest. She had stayed awake all night praying that Peter would stay away. But as the sky brightened an achingly familiar crow pierced the veil of silence. Her heart sunk deep within her chest. She heard pirates running to their posts and could feel Hook's victorious grin taunted her from the helm of the ship.
Chaos erupted as lost boys poured over the side of the ship, hollering and swinging their clubs and other various weapons. The boys ran hacking at any pirate that got in their way. Peter landed on the ship's deck, stabbing a pirate with his sword. Before he pulled it out he asked the dying pirate a question.
"Where's Wendy?" His tone was deadly serious. A gurgled response was all he got. Peter flew to the next pirate and the next, slashing, stabbing and questioning. But no one would answer him.
Hook watched the carnage, disgusted with his pirates' lack of ability to fight a group of young boys. Turning he went down to the cabin that held his prisoner. Hook wrenched the door open and startled Wendy.
"Come my beauty, it's time for you to play your part." Hook sneered as he roughly dragged Wendy through the ship. Wendy squirmed and tried to fight her way out of Hook's grasp. Annoyed Hook grabbed a fistful of Wendy's hair and put his hook to her throat.
"Try that again and I will make sure that every one of those boys dies on my ship today while you watch."
Wendy stopped her protests and blinked as they came into the early morning light. She scanned the melee in hopes of spotting Peter to warn him, but she couldn't see him. What she did see, was Michael using his slingshot to blind a pirate and John brandishing a tomahawk! She almost cried out in reprimand.
Hook not spying his intended target either called out. "Come out boy! Enough of these games! I have what you want!" Hook roughly shoved Wendy in front of him, in plain view. All fighting abruptly stopped. The lost boys watched in horror as their Mother was held hostage.
"Now surrender! And I'll let her go free!" Hook's voice rang out across the ship.
Silence met Hooks demand. Then floating down from the mast, Peter landed in front of Hook and Wendy. Hook scanned the boy's face, searching for some sign or some emotion that would lead to his doom. But there was nothing coming from Pan.
"I'll surrender Hook. You will release Wendy, who will be escorted home by the braves waiting below in canoes. Who will turn and fight should things not go my way." Peter said. He willed his emotions of relief that Wendy seemed unharmed, and his blinding anger to be schooled behind a mask of indifference. He couldn't risk letting Hook know how much he cared for the girl he held captive. Then he might never let her go.
Hook sneered at the boy, "Just like that? You'll give yourself up just like that? She must really mean something to you Pan." He goaded.
Peter's face remained emotionless. "She's the boys' Mother."
Hook was growing irritated. This was not going how he had planned. Pan was supposed to come in raging like a rhino, demand that Hook let his precious Wendy go and then Hook was to kill the girl to make Pan pay. But there was no emotion on Pan's face. Nothing to show that he even remotely felt anything more than loyalty to his band. Frustrated he nodded to his men to restrain Pan. Then he threw Wendy to the ground.
"Your life for hers, boy." Hook snarled. The crew cheered as they bound Peter by the wrists. The lost boys raced towards Peter to help him, but a sharp look from their leader stopped their assault.
Wendy had hit the deck hard, bruising her knees. She glanced up at Peter who was now being held by two burly pirates. Gingerly Wendy stood and moved towards Peter. Her progress was halted by several sword points. She turned towards Captain Hook.
"Please! If this is my last chance to see him, at least let me say goodbye." Wendy implored.
Hook stared at the beseeching girl, and waved for all to be silent. "Silence all, for a Wendy's final farewell!"
The pirates parted as Wendy walked up to Peter. Peter stood proud, head held high, not daring to look into Wendy's eyes. Wendy reached her hand up to touch Peter's cheek, only to have it fall to her side again. What could she say to the boy who had come to mean so much to her?
"Peter…" She started glancing up through her eyelashes, eyes starting to water. Peter stood fast, looking straight ahead.
"Peter, I…thank you for all of the wonderful adventures. Thank you for teaching me to fly, and giving my heart wings. And I if this is the last chance I have to say it…" Wendy sniffled and wrapped her arms around Peter. "I love you."
The pirates around the two burst into fits of laughter.
"Oy! Did you hear tha'? She looooves 'im!" Mullins crooned to another pirate. Wendy's face turned bright red and she quickly separated herself from Peter. Wendy searched Peter's face for any sign that he felt the same, but saw nothing. Heart sighing, she turned away and gathered the boys.
"Come on, let's go home." But Wendy didn't know how it would be home without Peter there.
Hook watched the girl, amused at her foolish heart. His eyes turned to Peter who watched the girl slowly walk away. It was only for a moment; Peter's mask slipped and bittersweet triumph crossed over his face. But it was long enough for Hook to see it and realize it for what it was.
"So he does care after all!" He whispered. Quickly he nodded to Mullins to grab the girl. Wendy was apprehended along with the lost boys.
Shocked Peter cried out. "What are you doing Hook?! WE had a deal!"
Hook smiled, there was the emotion he was looking for. "Yes but I am a pirate, boy! And promises can hold no sway!"
Panicked Peter gave a shrill whistle. A war cry rose up from the canoes alongside the Jolly Roger. Hook glared vehemently at Pan.
"You'll regret doing that Pan. You. Will. Regret. It."
...
I'm really sorry to cut it off right here, but it was getting too long and needed to be split into two chapters.
Thanks for all your support!
Loves!
~Ladyanne23