Writer's note: My goodness! I have no internet access for two weeks, and I come back to find a gazillion reviews for this fic :D I'm yall are liking it! This fic has really grown from what I originally had planned for it. Sorry Jim is tortured so much, but that was one main factor I wanted in this fic. Don't worry, it won't last much longer! The reason of how David Scroop knows about Jim and his brother will be revealed in this chapter. Thanks for all the reviews!
***
The sun was actually making a dazzling appearance in the sky the day after Jim vanished. Though, it did not lift the spirits of Sarah Hawkins. She ran a hand across her forehead, fatigued with worry for her only child. She sat quietly in an overstuffed red chair in Doctor Doppler's study. She had just arrived back from a very frustrating visit to the constable's office.
"My son was taken in the middle of the night from his bed and there isn't anything you can do about it?!?!?"
"Sorry, Mrs. Hawkins, but we have a record on young Jim. It wouldn't be worth our time investigating."
Worth our time.
If the tears hadn't blurred her vision, she would have slapped that degrading look off that short, round bushy-faced creature that claimed to be the best lawman in town.
Delbert had taken her by the shoulder, and escorted her back to his cart. They were in front of his home in a matter of minutes. Since then, Sarah had taken refuge in the comforting, homely study that housed a lovely view of the spaceport several miles away. She wasn't interested in staring at the spaceport though. Her mind was only on Jim, wishing he'd miraculously show up at the door. She knew something horrible had happen to him. Mother's intuition or not, she could feel it.
Things had changed considerably since Jim's journey to Treasure Planet. He was so open now, holding positive conversations instead of threshing out with negativity. He was excited about starting classes at the Interstellar Academy in the Fall, and was very involved in rebuilding the Benbow Inn. He had evolved into the person she prayed he'd be when he was a boy. Would it all change again when he came back? Would he even make it back?
A hand rested on her shoulder, making Sarah flinch. "It's all right, Sarah. It's only me" Delbert said.
"I'm sorry, Delbert. I'm just worried…"
"You don't have to explain. I understand." He knelt down, clasping his hand over hers.
"Yeah, Mrs. H!" B.E.N.'s voice suddenly rang out behind her. He looked around the armchair at her, the little pink blob next to him wearing a painfully melancholy expression. "Jimmy will be just fine! If anyone has taken him, he'll knock their lights out and rush right back here!"
Sarah smiled despite her dreary mood. "Thanks, B.E.N."
"Since the Benbow constable was no help to us" Delbert started, standing again. "I called in someone who has more authority."
The high-pitch thud of boot heels could be heard approaching. Sarah turned to find the familiar face of Captain Amelia. "Good day Mrs. Hawkins, though I know it must not be good for you. I am dreadfully sorry about Jim."
Sarah immediately stood; ever ready even now to be a good hostess. "Thank you, Miss Katherine. Can I get you anything for your trouble of coming out here?"
Captain Amelia raised a dismissive hand. "No need. I am here on business this time, your business to be exact." It was true that the Captain had made numerous visits to the Doctor's home. Sarah rarely met up with her, because she was busy with rebuilding the Benbow. And, Delbert and Amelia would conveniently disappear for hours at a time. Amelia wasn't here to see Delbert this time.
"What do you mean?"
"I have a sneaky suspicion of who could of taken Jim" Amelia continued, stepping in front of the window. "Two of the pirates from the journey to Treasure Planet were released from prison two months ago. Blast the jailing system, but that's a different story. They might have a vengeance against your son. Then there's the fact that our Mutineer leader, Mr. Silver, escaped before we could even dock. Though I believe Jim would went with him without a struggle. Either way, I have a suspicious feeling Jim has been taken by a pirate."
"Is there anything you could do to find him?" Sarah asked, desperately.
Amelia flicked her pensive gaze toward Sarah, her features softening at the poor woman's distressed face. "I'll do all in my power to find your son."
***
David Scroop hadn't made an appearance for hours on end. Jim was becoming more restless every minute that went by. He wasn't going to allow that spider psycho to take him down, not like this! He labored his way to the wall as best he could being bound hand and ankle, not knowing where he was actually going. It took him several minutes, but he found the wall and propped himself up. The cords around his wrist had grinded so far into his skin, he didn't care what damage it did now. There had to be something sharp around to cut the binds!
Jim felt as far as he could up and down the wall, scooting backwards with his feet to move faster. He had felt the entire back wall, finding nothing but smooth, cold metal, until he reached the corner. His hand stung as it caught a tiny sharpness protruding conveniently from the floor. An explosion of joy ran through his head, as he wasted no time to start shredding his binds.
Jim suppressed a major shout of relief when the cord snapped. He swiftly drew down the gag, his jaw stiff from being forced to stay open. He flung off the blindfold, blinking at the dim light that filter in. He was thankful to know now exactly where he was: the brig of a ship. The light was filtering in from the small, rectangle window high on the door. Part of the cell was completely dark, giving Jim an idea. He untied his feet, and sank into a crouched position in the darkest area of the cell. He had nothing to defend himself save for his aching fist. The way his wrists were cut into, it felt like his hands would fall flat off at any moment. But, he tried to pay no mind to the irritation, focusing on taking down Scroop and escaping the joint.
Forty minutes or so Jim waited. He sat back against the wall, his head leaned back and one leg bent up. He savored every moment he was free from those horrible binds. It wouldn't last. He'd either escape or be caught or die attempting. A clatter of many pointed feet echoed through the hall heading towards the brig. Jim straightened at attention. He anxiously waited as the cell door swung open. From the dim light, he could see half the spider man standing in the doorway.
In Jim's hand, he held the stanched gag he collected from the pile of binds he hide along side him in the darkness. He waited, trying his best to be patience, as Scroop slithered in. His breath caught in his throat, and his muscles jittered slightly. Scroop was almost there. Creep in just a little more…
Jim bolted from the darkness, eyes set only on the metal door that separated him from his freedom. His feet reached the hall, his hand moving to push the cell door close, but a clawed-hand shot out. It grabbed the collar of Jim's tattered shirt, pulling him upwards. Jim reacted quickly, kicking his barefoot up to connect with the side of Scroop's head. The arachnid yelped in pain, his claw dropping Jim with a loud *thud* on the cold, metal floor. Jim ignored the spreading pain in his right side. He scrambled to his feet then took off down the hall.
"He's escaped! Catch him!" Scroop yelled, leaning heavily on the doorframe. Two of his crewmates were below deck and heard his call. Instantly, a crow-like alien and a burly, orange clumpy alien appeared; the former right in front of Jim. Jim's eyes widened at the magically appearing threat, and he fell to his side to slid right under the alien. "Get him!" Jim heard Scroop yell. He turned a corner, relief washing over his face when he caught sight of the longboat launch. He sped toward it, bent on taking a longboat and getting home.
Before he could make his way to a longboat, a giant hand wrapped around his ankle - tripping him. Jim's eyes flicked back, falling on the captor's face. He knew that face from a pirate who had sailed on the Legacy! Shock wore off in seconds as Jim pulled up, throwing the gag around the burly man's neck and tugging hard.
*Crack*
A heavy object had pummeled down hard on Jim's back. He fell to the floor, rolling on his stomach. He could see the longboat only ten feet away as he stared through the upraised body of David Scroop. Jim let out a moan, hope draining from him.
"You will not leave this ship alive" Scroop hissed. He leaned down. "And that is a guarantee." He raised a claw and struck Jim unconscious.
***
The sun was actually making a dazzling appearance in the sky the day after Jim vanished. Though, it did not lift the spirits of Sarah Hawkins. She ran a hand across her forehead, fatigued with worry for her only child. She sat quietly in an overstuffed red chair in Doctor Doppler's study. She had just arrived back from a very frustrating visit to the constable's office.
"My son was taken in the middle of the night from his bed and there isn't anything you can do about it?!?!?"
"Sorry, Mrs. Hawkins, but we have a record on young Jim. It wouldn't be worth our time investigating."
Worth our time.
If the tears hadn't blurred her vision, she would have slapped that degrading look off that short, round bushy-faced creature that claimed to be the best lawman in town.
Delbert had taken her by the shoulder, and escorted her back to his cart. They were in front of his home in a matter of minutes. Since then, Sarah had taken refuge in the comforting, homely study that housed a lovely view of the spaceport several miles away. She wasn't interested in staring at the spaceport though. Her mind was only on Jim, wishing he'd miraculously show up at the door. She knew something horrible had happen to him. Mother's intuition or not, she could feel it.
Things had changed considerably since Jim's journey to Treasure Planet. He was so open now, holding positive conversations instead of threshing out with negativity. He was excited about starting classes at the Interstellar Academy in the Fall, and was very involved in rebuilding the Benbow Inn. He had evolved into the person she prayed he'd be when he was a boy. Would it all change again when he came back? Would he even make it back?
A hand rested on her shoulder, making Sarah flinch. "It's all right, Sarah. It's only me" Delbert said.
"I'm sorry, Delbert. I'm just worried…"
"You don't have to explain. I understand." He knelt down, clasping his hand over hers.
"Yeah, Mrs. H!" B.E.N.'s voice suddenly rang out behind her. He looked around the armchair at her, the little pink blob next to him wearing a painfully melancholy expression. "Jimmy will be just fine! If anyone has taken him, he'll knock their lights out and rush right back here!"
Sarah smiled despite her dreary mood. "Thanks, B.E.N."
"Since the Benbow constable was no help to us" Delbert started, standing again. "I called in someone who has more authority."
The high-pitch thud of boot heels could be heard approaching. Sarah turned to find the familiar face of Captain Amelia. "Good day Mrs. Hawkins, though I know it must not be good for you. I am dreadfully sorry about Jim."
Sarah immediately stood; ever ready even now to be a good hostess. "Thank you, Miss Katherine. Can I get you anything for your trouble of coming out here?"
Captain Amelia raised a dismissive hand. "No need. I am here on business this time, your business to be exact." It was true that the Captain had made numerous visits to the Doctor's home. Sarah rarely met up with her, because she was busy with rebuilding the Benbow. And, Delbert and Amelia would conveniently disappear for hours at a time. Amelia wasn't here to see Delbert this time.
"What do you mean?"
"I have a sneaky suspicion of who could of taken Jim" Amelia continued, stepping in front of the window. "Two of the pirates from the journey to Treasure Planet were released from prison two months ago. Blast the jailing system, but that's a different story. They might have a vengeance against your son. Then there's the fact that our Mutineer leader, Mr. Silver, escaped before we could even dock. Though I believe Jim would went with him without a struggle. Either way, I have a suspicious feeling Jim has been taken by a pirate."
"Is there anything you could do to find him?" Sarah asked, desperately.
Amelia flicked her pensive gaze toward Sarah, her features softening at the poor woman's distressed face. "I'll do all in my power to find your son."
***
David Scroop hadn't made an appearance for hours on end. Jim was becoming more restless every minute that went by. He wasn't going to allow that spider psycho to take him down, not like this! He labored his way to the wall as best he could being bound hand and ankle, not knowing where he was actually going. It took him several minutes, but he found the wall and propped himself up. The cords around his wrist had grinded so far into his skin, he didn't care what damage it did now. There had to be something sharp around to cut the binds!
Jim felt as far as he could up and down the wall, scooting backwards with his feet to move faster. He had felt the entire back wall, finding nothing but smooth, cold metal, until he reached the corner. His hand stung as it caught a tiny sharpness protruding conveniently from the floor. An explosion of joy ran through his head, as he wasted no time to start shredding his binds.
Jim suppressed a major shout of relief when the cord snapped. He swiftly drew down the gag, his jaw stiff from being forced to stay open. He flung off the blindfold, blinking at the dim light that filter in. He was thankful to know now exactly where he was: the brig of a ship. The light was filtering in from the small, rectangle window high on the door. Part of the cell was completely dark, giving Jim an idea. He untied his feet, and sank into a crouched position in the darkest area of the cell. He had nothing to defend himself save for his aching fist. The way his wrists were cut into, it felt like his hands would fall flat off at any moment. But, he tried to pay no mind to the irritation, focusing on taking down Scroop and escaping the joint.
Forty minutes or so Jim waited. He sat back against the wall, his head leaned back and one leg bent up. He savored every moment he was free from those horrible binds. It wouldn't last. He'd either escape or be caught or die attempting. A clatter of many pointed feet echoed through the hall heading towards the brig. Jim straightened at attention. He anxiously waited as the cell door swung open. From the dim light, he could see half the spider man standing in the doorway.
In Jim's hand, he held the stanched gag he collected from the pile of binds he hide along side him in the darkness. He waited, trying his best to be patience, as Scroop slithered in. His breath caught in his throat, and his muscles jittered slightly. Scroop was almost there. Creep in just a little more…
Jim bolted from the darkness, eyes set only on the metal door that separated him from his freedom. His feet reached the hall, his hand moving to push the cell door close, but a clawed-hand shot out. It grabbed the collar of Jim's tattered shirt, pulling him upwards. Jim reacted quickly, kicking his barefoot up to connect with the side of Scroop's head. The arachnid yelped in pain, his claw dropping Jim with a loud *thud* on the cold, metal floor. Jim ignored the spreading pain in his right side. He scrambled to his feet then took off down the hall.
"He's escaped! Catch him!" Scroop yelled, leaning heavily on the doorframe. Two of his crewmates were below deck and heard his call. Instantly, a crow-like alien and a burly, orange clumpy alien appeared; the former right in front of Jim. Jim's eyes widened at the magically appearing threat, and he fell to his side to slid right under the alien. "Get him!" Jim heard Scroop yell. He turned a corner, relief washing over his face when he caught sight of the longboat launch. He sped toward it, bent on taking a longboat and getting home.
Before he could make his way to a longboat, a giant hand wrapped around his ankle - tripping him. Jim's eyes flicked back, falling on the captor's face. He knew that face from a pirate who had sailed on the Legacy! Shock wore off in seconds as Jim pulled up, throwing the gag around the burly man's neck and tugging hard.
*Crack*
A heavy object had pummeled down hard on Jim's back. He fell to the floor, rolling on his stomach. He could see the longboat only ten feet away as he stared through the upraised body of David Scroop. Jim let out a moan, hope draining from him.
"You will not leave this ship alive" Scroop hissed. He leaned down. "And that is a guarantee." He raised a claw and struck Jim unconscious.
