Captain

Chapter Fourteen

The Lost and the Found

I haven't been able to stop thinking of that boy all day.  My five men and I arrived back at the ship two hours back.  Struet left me in charge while he went out and found a professional doctor for the injured men.  Guess he wanted the best man for the job, otherwise he would have sent me.  He's been gone for an hour now, and I can't help but worry a little.  If he weren't my best friend I'd probably give him another hour or two before starting to worry.

Then again, here he comes!  I can see him off in the distance, but why's he sprinting?  He hates jogging.

"Tristen!" My mood darkens at the mention of my lost daughter's name.  She hasn't been mentioned in so long, well not counting just after that boy limped off with his friend. 

I hadn't forgotten about her, and still searched my heart out for her, but I can't help but feel selfish after not finding hide nor hair of her after all these years.  Still, why's Struet got to go and mention her when I'm sort of enjoying myself?  Well at least I was at peace with myself for a minute.  Suppose I don't even…

"Peter!  I've found her!  Tristen's here!"

"Huh?" Comes my very intelligent answer.  It's not that I didn't hear him, no I heard him just fine with that loud voice of his, but it's just that I don't believe him.

"Went to a healer's place, she was there, but don't look like a her.  She's dressed like a boy, looks lot like you when we were kids." I stand, though I'm still not convinced.  "She recognized me, but something has her scared.  Ran from me, said something to the healer about watching Nat." He says breathlessly, by now I know the entire ship is listening in as Struet approaches me closer.

"Where?  What direction?" I ask anxiously.

"Never mind, we'll send a party, she's too fast for-," I grab his shoulders, my muscles are tense with anticipation.

"What direction did she run?" My tone is low and serious.  This is one of my rare moods, meaning if Struet's kidding around he's as good as dead.  The entire crew leans in to hear my low growl, and soon pull away as they realize what I'll do to Struet if he's lying.

"Southwest, negative sixty degrees from here." He answers quietly; most likely he knows I don't want anyone to follow.

With those words I run in the exact direction I've been instructed.

My hearts racing, I'm sure I'm about to have a heart attack.

For nearly twenty minutes I run, here and there changing direction when the wind suddenly changes.  I don't know why or where I'm going, most likely I'm lost and won't get back to Struet's ship to kill him for at least a day.  And then quite suddenly, I run headfirst into someone, though his or her head only comes up to my chest.

"Sorry." Mumbles a familiar voice, though this time it's pinched with fear.  Already the sound of dirt alerts me he's getting up to leave.  I look up to come eye to eye with that Trent boy from earlier, but now I know better.  He points an accusing finger at me, his eyes wide and fearful.  "You're, you promised… you're from Struet's ship aren't you?" He looks torn between emotions.  Confused, fearful, but one emotion I've set my sights on.  Recognition.

"Tristen."  Her eyes fly wide with fear.

"No… you're…"

AUTHOR'S NOTE: mwa ha!  Okay so it's not exactly a cliffhanger, but close enough.  Next chapter is the last chapter unless you want an epilogue.

Disclaimer: I don't own Peter Pan.  I do own any of my original characters.