Chapter VIII

"Smee, look at this…" Snarled Hook darkly as he threw Pan's ransom note into Mr Smee's shaking hands. "And look at what my pathetic brother did in reply".

Smee ran his eyes quickly over the note, attempting to interpret the horrible spelling and grammar.

Hook,

We have your brother and her. In exchange for their lives, we ask you give us your Medallion. Our meeting will take place at Skull Rock, at midnight, tonight.

From,

Guess who.

And underneath that, Jack Sparrow wrote

Jas,

Ignore what the little bugger said. I took the time yesterday to create a new Medallion, you should see it sitting on top of the letter. The original one is locked in your drawer. I took it off Evelyn while she was asleep, in case Pan ambushed us. Take the fake one, Ev and I will figure out the rest.

Jack.

James Hook simply turned his head and glanced at Smee. Sure enough, his Medallion was found in his top drawer as Jack had told him. He shook his head.  "Ready the crew, Smee. And await my further orders. Tell them we're going to war".

Smee blinked, and without another word, dashed out onto the main deck and shouted at the top of his lungs "We're going to war! Everyone to the boats!"

Hook hung his head, as he held the Medallion in his hand. He slowly drew it up to his lips, and kissed the top, giving a silent vow that he will return Evelyn and Jack alive.

"You know, Peter. There's a better way of doing this instead of simply dumping me and Jack into the water". Evelyn declared, her back still stinging from the whip.

"I wasn't going to dump you and Jack into the water". Peter retorted, as he drew his dagger.

"So you're going to just kill us both, and leave a blood trail so Hook may find our bodies located within the depths of the mountain where no man has escaped alive?"

"No". Peter lowered his hand to Evelyn's then sliced her rope. "You are going to lead him to us".

"And how exactly?" Evelyn rubbed her wrists, and considered to make a break for it, but the Lost Boys were guarding her back.

"You will stand there". Peter gestured to a rock near the entrance. "And when Hook enters, you will tell him we let you free".

"What about Jack? He won't buy it if it's just me going free". Evelyn threw her hands on her hips, glaring the boy down.

"Exactly. When Hook comes forth to see where his brother is, it is then when we will strike". Peter nodded in the direction of the boys. "Take your positions. Sparrow, come with me".

Jack shrugged his shoulders, gave Evelyn a 'good luck' look, and then followed after Peter into one of the caves.

Even though everyone had taken their various positions, Evelyn could sense that the Lost Boys had their bows and arrows aimed near the entrance. So escape wasn't possible. Yet. She leaped over smaller stones in order to get to the one Peter told her to go to, then she sat. The breeze caused the open wounds on her back to sting violently, and Evelyn grit her teeth attempting to will the breeze to stop. But then as she peered through the haze, a boat could be seen. The small light from the lantern hanging off the pole allowed Evelyn to make out the faces of Smee, and a few other Pirates that appeared to be heavily armed. This was her chance. She leapt to her feet and bellowed at the top of her lungs "Captain! They set me free!"

But Hook's boat was no where in sight, for his boat was outside the cave itself. He would wait. He heard Evelyn's cries and raised his head, but kept himself composed. It was a trap.

"Ello there!" Said Smee as he rose to his feet in order to tie one of the boats to an uprisen post. "Jump aboard. But we have to find Mr Sparrow before leaving…"

Evelyn's eyes scanned the boats that followed for James. Her heart pounded. She was without sword or pistol, and knew that death would be the only escape from here. Her eyes fell upon Smee as he jumped out of the boat, and began to pull Evelyn toward it as she was obviously reluctant to enter.

"Touch her and I will slit her throat". Came a voice from behind Evelyn as her mouth was clamped over by a dirty hand, and her head was pulled onto someone's shoulder. A dagger was dangerously close to her throat.

"Well if it isn't Pan!" Said Smee mockingly. "I suggest you should let Miss Rose go…"

A slight smirk appeared on Peter's face. "Rose? The Black Rose?" He hissed into Evelyn's ear. "I should of known…"

Jack Sparrow in the meantime had appeared from his hiding spot. He rose to his feet. "Now come on Pan, even you should know that's not the proper way to handle women".

Shut up Jack… thought Evelyn darkly.

"Where is he?" Demanded Peter, pulling Evelyn closer to him.

"Where's who?" Asked Smee, the other Pirates sharing a more oddly confused look.

"Hook. Who else?"

"He um… couldn't make it…" Smee nervously looked over his shoulder. He couldn't give away Hook's position. Not now.

"His loss…" He pressed the dagger against Evelyn's throat, almost causing an incision and she let out a muffled scream.

"For once in his life, my brother was right. Let her go, Pan". All eyes drifted to a dark figure shrouded in mist near the entrance, the lantern light from a nearby boat showing his sword was drawn. But no one could mistake that voice. The voice that belonged to Hook himself.

"So the shark has come for the bait". Peter grinned. "Attack!"

There was an almighty uproar as the Lost Boys ran down from their hiding spots, their swords drawn and immediately began to fight any Pirate that happened to be in their way.

"Like the feel of her, do you, Pan?" Snarled Hook, as he stepped closer toward Peter.

Peter tilted his head to the side, the dagger still close to Evelyn's throat as he moved back while Hook advanced. "Heard you got a good feel earlier".

Evelyn rolled her eyes.

"Something you my dear boy will never live to experience. Now let her go".

"Where's the medallion?" Peter snapped.

Evelyn in the meantime felt the hilt of a sword being caressed around her fingers. Her eyes slowly rolled down to find Jack Sparrow on the ground, looking up and waving. Peter didn't notice this, even when Jack crawled backward out of the way.

"Come and get it". Hook replied, opening his arms out in order to challenge for a duel. "But I see your hands are a little full at the moment".

Peter had to do something in order to aggravate Hook further. He couldn't kill Evelyn, knowing it would upset Wendy. With the hand that was clamped around Evelyn's mouth, he used it to grab her chin and turn her head forcefully toward his. He looked deep into Evelyn's eyes and saw her fear, her pain, and a slight glistening of tears that were appearing in her emerald orbs. Peter then did something that he never thought he could do. He pressed his lips against Evelyn's, as her eyes opened wide with horror. He continued to kiss her, as though forcing her to kiss him back. But she wouldn't. Evelyn forced herself not to. And Hook was just standing there, watching them.

A slain Pirate fell beside Evelyn and she used this opportunity to break free. She pulled her lips away from Peter's, then hissed darkly. "You kiss like a damn fish, Pan". And then, Evelyn climbed up onto the Pirate's body, Peter's arms limp with confusion. "Do you want to know what the penalty is for a man meddling with a female unwillingly within the Pirate's code?"

Peter didn't reply. He hated doing what he did, but the minute Evelyn's boots contacted with his chest, he soon regained control of himself.

Evelyn retreated back to Hook's side as Peter, gasping for air, returned to his feet. And to the air. There was no time for Evelyn to ask James why he didn't take the opportunity to attack, perhaps it was the reason that Peter had his dagger still unsheathed.

"Leave him to me". Said Hook as Evelyn prepared herself to fight.

"No. I can't". Evelyn replied, not allowing her gaze to leave Peter who was duelling a Pirate that had challenged him, but lost.

"Evelyn, find Jack and any survivors and take them to the ship".

"James, no! I won't leave you! I'm your second, remember?" It was then that Evelyn looked at him. "I am not loosing the one and only man I have ever loved to a pathetic little boy who can't even spell Pirate".

He remained silent for a minute, but it was ended by the clashing of swords as Peter's met with Hook's.

"Do as I ask. Is it that hard?" Hook growled. "Now!"

Evelyn backed away, and fought back tears as she tried to find Jack.

"What's going on?" Asked Jack, as Evelyn sliced his ropes and his hands were now free.

"James and Pan…" Evelyn simply said, as she gestured to the two that were duelling nearby. "James ordered me to take you and any survivors back to the ship".

"He's crazy!" Declared Jack, rising and placing a hand on his sword. "I won't let him fight that brat alone!"

"Jack", Evelyn whispered, placing a hand on his chest to stop him going forward. "Do as he asks. Come on, let's find the others. Smee…?" She peered at the little man as he leapt onto a nearby boat, about two less inside it since he arrived. "Are there any more?"

"No Ma'am. If so, they would of already retreated". Smee shrugged his shoulders. "The Cap'n's boat is over there if you want to take it".

I can't leave him… Evelyn whispered under her breath. She glanced at James, as he swiped at Peter's midsection, but the boy flew upward and knocked his hat off into the water below. "I love you…" She said softly, as Jack told her to hurry onto the boat. And as Evelyn sat, she found a letter with her name on it.