********SORRY, Sorry, sorry. I know I should have updated sooner, but once again I was struck with the writers block syndrome. Please forgive. Oh and if your on the edge of your seat waiting for the picture I'm drawing, I'm still working on it. So, patience my pets, patience…
Chapter Thirteen
'I really want you to stay Alex'. That's what Peter had said to her earlier that night. And with the setting sun leaving the skies painted gold, it would have been a very romantic setting if it wasn't for those blasted fish and their splashing! Of course the mermaids just 'had' to butt at that exact moment didn't they?
'Oh well…' Alex thought to herself as she gazed up at the earthy ceiling of the Lost Boys hide out. She was laying wide awake on the large bed in the center of the small room underground with the other girls packed tightly around her. She could hear the snores of the lost boys from the floor not far away, and scooted over with a cringe of pain when she felt Meloney softly kick her leg in her sleep. Throwing an arm over her eyes the older girl silently wondered how the others could sleep all cramped like this. No wonder Peter had a separate room.
Mentioning the flying boy, Alex realized he had been kinda quiet since he made his small confession on the rock. 'I wonder if he really meant it? He sure sounded like he did…and if he was telling the truth, then am I reading too much into it? Was he trying to tell me something else or…' her mind went on and on with questions involving the Pan and his latest actions. The most important question at the moment was if she 'wanted' him to be trying to tell her something.
'No! No, no, no, no! Why would I want that?! He's the most arrogant, cocky, and stubborn boy I've ever met! The mermaids or Tiger Lily can have him for all I care! Right?' she rolled her eyes at her own thoughts. Of course that's right.
Finally the small patterned snores of the other children and the loud drumming snore from Cubby lulled the pirate to sleep, but not before Meloneys' leg twitched in her sleep again and nailed Alex right in the shin.
*Aboard the Jolly Roger*
"Arrggg! SMEE! This is all that girls fault! Somehow or another its HER fault!" Hook bellowed at his first mate. Slamming his hook down on his desk, the sharp point became embedded in the wood. He had just spoken to the Indian Princess about his bargain for the girls, and it didn't go as planned.
For once someone saw through Hooks lies to the truth behind his plans, and it ticked him off to no extent. Lamps where thrown about the room, papers scattered, and tables where turned over in the captains rage. Pulling his hook out of the desk, the tall man fell back onto one of the remaining chairs in his office with a heavy sigh.
"Why does this island and all its cursed inhabitants have to torment me so Smee?"
"Oh now captain, we didn't come away empty handed. Them Indians were carryin' a bit of stuff with 'em, look at all this…" the pudgy man was cut off by Hooks roar.
"Those useless little trinkets don't matter Smee! All I wanted was for the…" he faded off as he set his icy blue eyes on one of the bottles Smee pulled out of the bag the natives had with them. Being dragged onto the ship, the few men that were with Tiger Lily didn't really have much of a chance against a couple dozen pirates.
Stepping over to Smee, the captain snatched the vile out of the short mans stubby hands and narrowed his eyes at it. Then with a smirk, Hook spoke again.
"Tell me Smee, do you know what this is?" taking a close look at it, Smee shook his head.
"I don't believe so Cap'n. What is it?" he watched as the captain sat back down at his desk and turned the vile of blue liquid made by the Indians around in his hand.
"This, Smee, is the answer to all my problems."
*The next morning, back with Peter*
Swinging back and forth on his hammock, Peter played his Pan pipes softly as the sun peaked over the landscape of Neverland. As Alex had been the night before, Peter was thinking about what he had said during that sunset. Did he really want her to stay that badly? He already knew the answer was yes, but he still had to prove that to his pride. It wasn't like him just to come out and admit things like that.
He remembered everything about that day that him and Alex spent together, flying above the treetops of Neverland. From the time when she was clinging to him for dear life, to when she was wringing water out of her hair from being repeatedly splashed by the mermaids. He even remembered the glare she gave him for laughing, and then the smile and came back to her face when she caught him off guard and pushed him down in the water.
'Boy does she have a great smile…wait, what was that?' the Pan stopped playing his pipes and scrunched his face up at his thought. 'A great smile? Yeh right. That girl was pushy, stubborn, WAY to brave for a girl, smart, funny, beautiful…WHAT!?'
'Calm down Peter, those thoughts meant NOTHING…right?' he thought and stood up shaking his head trying to clear his mind. Gliding toward the doorway and pulling back the bear skin, Peter entered the main room where the boys and pirates slept. Closing his eyes and yawning, he floated above the boys and over the bed. Looking down he grinned in amusement at the girls.
Several were halfway hanging off the bed, while the other halves were thrown on top of each other. Honeys foot was wedged in between Claire and Karry's arms, while Jenni's arm was dangling over Sara's head. Meloney was curled up to the right on top of all of them, the only one free of the others. Alex on the other hand was right in the middle of all of it, sleeping soundly.
Peter glided closer to her, memories of that night when they talked on the Jolly Roger and when she graced a hand over his cheek just the other day ran through his head. At the moment her hair was twisted behind her head, and her mouth was slightly parted and blew out soft breaths.
Feeling the same urge Alex had before, Peter reached down and ran his fingers down her smooth face. As he reached her mouth, he traced his rough fingers over her slightly chapped lips. Funny how chapped lips can look so soft and smooth. During all this, just like Alex, Peters mind was arguing back and forth about what to do. And also just as Alex, Peter pulled away before the girl could wake up.
Looking around at the sleeping forms and then towards Tink's little apartment, Peter took off into Neverland to do some serious thinking. But not before two silver eyes opened to see his retreating figure.
**************later that day***************
"So…what's goin' on with you and the Pan?" Karry asked from the tree limb she was currently hanging from.
"Wh, what…whadaya' mean by that?" Alex stuttered with a nervous grin. She should have know that the girls would notice a change in her attitude. She'd been quiet and off in her own little world ever since she felt Peters fingers over her face that morning. Of course she hadn't told any of the girls about it, but they would find out what was going on eventually.
"I mean, have you fallen for him yet?" Karry laughed at the shocked expression that crossed Alex's face. Shaking her head at the older girl, Karry looked back toward the other girls that were nearby with the Lost Boys. They all had had a great time the day before, traveling across the island with the boys. They'd seen creatures that they never knew lived on the island. All extremely interesting, but not nearly as interesting as the developing relationship between Alex and Peter that Karry could tell was growing.
"What in the world makes you think I would ever fall for 'him'?" Alex questioned in reply. Karry didn't pry any more, and just continued to swing from her legs with a smile on her face.
Meanwhile the rest of the girls and the Lost Boys were playing a game that the twins made up one day. It involved a stick, a leaf, and didn't really have any rules. Alex spent most of the day trying to figure it out, but eventually gave up. In the midst's of the game Meloney wondered off toward the tree line chasing some invisible bug, followed by Honey and Sara. Unfortunately, nobody noticed their absence until their laughter faded into the forest.
*With Hook*
"So far so good Smee." Hook smirked and glared over at the three girls tied and gagged that were being dragged back to the ship. He didn't know why he didn't think of this before. If the Alex girl is so like Pan, she would surely come for even just one of the girls. He didn't need the Indians for three did he? Of course not, he's the great captain Hook!
When they reached the Jolly Roger the three former pirates were firmly tied to the main mast, while the other loyal pirates prepared for the other girls to arrive. They tried and tired to get free from their restraints like their leader did, but to no avail. All they could do was to wait for Alex and Peter to arrive. And they all prayed it would be quick.
*Alex*
"Honey? Meloney? Sara? Cm'on this isn't funny anymore." Alex shouted as she searched through the jungle of Neverland for the girls. She could hear the voices of the others around her, but no answers. 'Where could they have gone? Why would they even wonder off, they don't know their way around here'. Alex continued to think to herself until another thought leaked into her mind. He wouldn't would he? Why would he? She was just being paranoid. But she just had this sickening feeling…
"Hey! Everybody, get over here!" she quickly called to the surrounding kids. They picked their way through the trees and stood at attention in front of Alex like they would with the Pan, including the Lost Boys.
"Lost Boys, I want you to go and find Peter. When you do, bring him to the Jolly Roger. Girls we'll go there now and look around." Alex explained. When she noticed they where all still standing their she shouted. "NOW!"
The boys all scurried to find the Pan while the girls made their way at a fast pace toward the ship. The sharp twigs and numerous leaves that stuck out here and their cut at their skin as they ran toward the shore and to the little dingy they left a few days before.
With not one wasting a breath on talking, they jumped in the boat and Alex started the tough row toward the ship while the other girls looked toward it seeing if they could spot any of their missing comrades. While she continued to row, Alex tried not to clench her teeth to hard in anger. She knew Hook had them, he had to. They wouldn't just wonder off, they never did. As the shadow of the ship loomed over them when they hit the side, she swallowed the lump in her throat and started to scale the side.
*****Looking for Peter*****
"Peter!? Peter we need your help, where are ya?" one of the Lost Boys called out. All of them had been running about the island searching for their leader, calling out as loud as their throats could stand. It was a rare thing for the boys to take orders from anyone except for Peter, but Alex stood as an equal to Pan in their eyes.
Tinkerbell had long since joined in the searching, her worry for her crush pushing her on. Her small bell like voice didn't make much of an impact with calling out to Peter, but she could fly to great heights in hope of spotting him. But never did she set her eyes on the boy. Where was he?
********Jolly Roger*********
"Why are you doing this?!" Alex yelled in front of Hook with two pirates holding her back. A few minutes before, the free girls made their way up to the deck only to find that they had been expected. Alex tried her hardest to keep the burly pirates from seizing her friends, but in the end she too was taken roughly by her former crew mates. She looked to Hooks side for a moment seeing Smee looking away from her with a guilty look on his face. She had been foolish to think that the captains first mate would be a loyal friend.
"Why you ask? I should think that it would be quite obvious." the captain stepped toward her and brought her face up with the sharp point of his hook, so that she was looking him in the eye. "The Pan my dear. I want to know where he is. And you will tell me."
Alex narrowed her eyes at the man and spit right in his face. She was jerked back roughly as Hook roared in fury. The girl smirked in satisfaction, but that smile instantly melted and tightened in panic when Hook grabbed for one of the girls.
"Blast you girl! You will tell me where the Pan's hideout is or over she goes!" he threatened and held the girl, which was Meloney, closer to the edge of the boat. The older girls eyes widened in horror at the threat. Even though the small girl had lived on the island for some time, Meloney could not swim. And the fact that she was shackled with heavy restraints didn't help her chances.
When Hook saw her hesitate he lifted the small girl up by his Hook and let her dangle over the water which was infested with all kinds of horrid beasts.
"Ah, yes the dilemma. If you don't tell where your new found companions hide out is, your old friend gets thrown overboard. But if you do tell me where he is hiding, then he's done for. What to do, what to do?" he teased with a sly smirk. "But remember my dear. You help me, your helping the man that took you in, fed you, clothed you. Did the Pan do that? Why no, he just left you here. Who deserves your help more? Me or him?"
Alex cringed at the truth he spoke. He did take her in when the Pan left her. Hook could have killed them, but he let them live and stay. She did owe him to some extent…wait! What the hell was she thinking!? Helping Hook is like being on the right hand of the devil. She could never deceive Peter like that. But the sight of Meloney hanging over the side of the ship like a hunk of meat was getting to her. Shaking her head she blocked out the other girls screams not to tell, the sight of Meloney hanging from Hooks hook, and the thought of Peter's end. Then opening her eyes, she glared defiantly at the captain.
"As you wish my dear." Hook stated plainly before dropping Meloney over the side. Closing her eyes again, the girl prayed that the splash would not be heard and that Peter had saved her as he had done Wendy. But all her hope sunk just as Meloney started to when the splash echoed over the deck. All the girls screamed Meloneys name, and Alex struggled with all the fight she had in her against the two men holding her arms tightly. She almost got free and over the side when she was grabbed by more men. Screaming out in protest when Hook grabbed another one of the girls, Alex fell to her knees. Time was running out. Meloney could only hold her breath for so long, she couldn't let this go on. Letting her head drop, she said a silent pray for forgiveness from Peter before murmuring.
"The big tree between the Lagoon and the mountains…in the middle of a little clearing, you can't miss it…" she admitted while closing her eyes tightly, unwilling to admit that she had been defeated. Her face contorted into anger again when Hook burst out in a triumphant laughter.
"Ha ha! You've made the right choice my dear, and as a reward…" Hook raised his good hand and snapped his fingers signaling for the men to release Alex and to undo the other's bonds. Not taking the time to see if the girls where behind her, Alex ran toward the side of the ship and dove over into the dark depths ignoring the immense pain that the salt water caused to her burnt legs.
Watching as younger girls followed after her, Smee walked toward his captain.
"B…But captain, won't they warn the Pan if you just release them?" he asked hesitantly.
"Do not worry Smee. They came alone, obviously they do not know where Peter is at this moment, and they'll be far to busy attending to their currently drowning friend to even reach the hideout before we do." he explained and tucked the vile that Smee had shown him earlier into his pocket then walked toward one of the other dinghy's that the crew where beginning to lower to the water. Smee rang his hand together and glanced over the side of the ship at the girls forms that were swimming deeper and deeper into the water. With a feeling of sadness, he looked away and pulled himself onto the small boat. While the pirates where rowing toward shore, the short pudgy man let out a sigh and turned toward the shore.
Meanwhile, the girls had swam to the seas floor and scanned the sandy area before they each came back up for air, trying to hold their breath as long as possible. Alex crawled her way along the ocean bottom, desperately looking for her small friend. It had been a good five or six minutes since Meloney was tossed over, and as time passed and as more and more of the ocean floor came up empty, Alex began to slowly loose hope. The small girl couldn't have just drifted away, the current wasn't that strong on this line of coast, but the threat of that croc and various other monsters lurking about still remained.
After countless dives, Alex swam up to the surface again to see the other girls climb onto the beach and collapse, exhausted. Treading water, she looked around her to see if maybe by small chance the bonds came undone and Meloney floated to the surface. Clenching her teeth she realized the horrible truth and made her way toward shore that was beginning to grow dark, to join the other girls.
When she walked upon the soft sand of the beach, she looked down at the younger girls that were sitting on the gritty powder, most of them with their knees pulled up to their chest and trying to calm their tears. None of them could find any trace of their lost friend.
Closing her own eyes she let a tear trail down her cheek and she feel to her knees and grabbed the sand angrily in her hands and let the rest of the cool tears fall freely while whispering painfully to herself.
"What have I done?"
*************Ohhhhhh, cliffhanger…I think, I'm not sure. That was pretty hard to write, I don't really like getting rid of characters like that. But things have been going way to perfect for the group of kids. By the way, I'm thinking about starting a few more fic's when I finally get done with this. What do you all think about Inuyasha, Yu Gi Oh, and Kingdom Hearts? Uh huh, yeh I know it's hot. Lol, anyway as usually REVIEW!!!!!
Chapter Thirteen
'I really want you to stay Alex'. That's what Peter had said to her earlier that night. And with the setting sun leaving the skies painted gold, it would have been a very romantic setting if it wasn't for those blasted fish and their splashing! Of course the mermaids just 'had' to butt at that exact moment didn't they?
'Oh well…' Alex thought to herself as she gazed up at the earthy ceiling of the Lost Boys hide out. She was laying wide awake on the large bed in the center of the small room underground with the other girls packed tightly around her. She could hear the snores of the lost boys from the floor not far away, and scooted over with a cringe of pain when she felt Meloney softly kick her leg in her sleep. Throwing an arm over her eyes the older girl silently wondered how the others could sleep all cramped like this. No wonder Peter had a separate room.
Mentioning the flying boy, Alex realized he had been kinda quiet since he made his small confession on the rock. 'I wonder if he really meant it? He sure sounded like he did…and if he was telling the truth, then am I reading too much into it? Was he trying to tell me something else or…' her mind went on and on with questions involving the Pan and his latest actions. The most important question at the moment was if she 'wanted' him to be trying to tell her something.
'No! No, no, no, no! Why would I want that?! He's the most arrogant, cocky, and stubborn boy I've ever met! The mermaids or Tiger Lily can have him for all I care! Right?' she rolled her eyes at her own thoughts. Of course that's right.
Finally the small patterned snores of the other children and the loud drumming snore from Cubby lulled the pirate to sleep, but not before Meloneys' leg twitched in her sleep again and nailed Alex right in the shin.
*Aboard the Jolly Roger*
"Arrggg! SMEE! This is all that girls fault! Somehow or another its HER fault!" Hook bellowed at his first mate. Slamming his hook down on his desk, the sharp point became embedded in the wood. He had just spoken to the Indian Princess about his bargain for the girls, and it didn't go as planned.
For once someone saw through Hooks lies to the truth behind his plans, and it ticked him off to no extent. Lamps where thrown about the room, papers scattered, and tables where turned over in the captains rage. Pulling his hook out of the desk, the tall man fell back onto one of the remaining chairs in his office with a heavy sigh.
"Why does this island and all its cursed inhabitants have to torment me so Smee?"
"Oh now captain, we didn't come away empty handed. Them Indians were carryin' a bit of stuff with 'em, look at all this…" the pudgy man was cut off by Hooks roar.
"Those useless little trinkets don't matter Smee! All I wanted was for the…" he faded off as he set his icy blue eyes on one of the bottles Smee pulled out of the bag the natives had with them. Being dragged onto the ship, the few men that were with Tiger Lily didn't really have much of a chance against a couple dozen pirates.
Stepping over to Smee, the captain snatched the vile out of the short mans stubby hands and narrowed his eyes at it. Then with a smirk, Hook spoke again.
"Tell me Smee, do you know what this is?" taking a close look at it, Smee shook his head.
"I don't believe so Cap'n. What is it?" he watched as the captain sat back down at his desk and turned the vile of blue liquid made by the Indians around in his hand.
"This, Smee, is the answer to all my problems."
*The next morning, back with Peter*
Swinging back and forth on his hammock, Peter played his Pan pipes softly as the sun peaked over the landscape of Neverland. As Alex had been the night before, Peter was thinking about what he had said during that sunset. Did he really want her to stay that badly? He already knew the answer was yes, but he still had to prove that to his pride. It wasn't like him just to come out and admit things like that.
He remembered everything about that day that him and Alex spent together, flying above the treetops of Neverland. From the time when she was clinging to him for dear life, to when she was wringing water out of her hair from being repeatedly splashed by the mermaids. He even remembered the glare she gave him for laughing, and then the smile and came back to her face when she caught him off guard and pushed him down in the water.
'Boy does she have a great smile…wait, what was that?' the Pan stopped playing his pipes and scrunched his face up at his thought. 'A great smile? Yeh right. That girl was pushy, stubborn, WAY to brave for a girl, smart, funny, beautiful…WHAT!?'
'Calm down Peter, those thoughts meant NOTHING…right?' he thought and stood up shaking his head trying to clear his mind. Gliding toward the doorway and pulling back the bear skin, Peter entered the main room where the boys and pirates slept. Closing his eyes and yawning, he floated above the boys and over the bed. Looking down he grinned in amusement at the girls.
Several were halfway hanging off the bed, while the other halves were thrown on top of each other. Honeys foot was wedged in between Claire and Karry's arms, while Jenni's arm was dangling over Sara's head. Meloney was curled up to the right on top of all of them, the only one free of the others. Alex on the other hand was right in the middle of all of it, sleeping soundly.
Peter glided closer to her, memories of that night when they talked on the Jolly Roger and when she graced a hand over his cheek just the other day ran through his head. At the moment her hair was twisted behind her head, and her mouth was slightly parted and blew out soft breaths.
Feeling the same urge Alex had before, Peter reached down and ran his fingers down her smooth face. As he reached her mouth, he traced his rough fingers over her slightly chapped lips. Funny how chapped lips can look so soft and smooth. During all this, just like Alex, Peters mind was arguing back and forth about what to do. And also just as Alex, Peter pulled away before the girl could wake up.
Looking around at the sleeping forms and then towards Tink's little apartment, Peter took off into Neverland to do some serious thinking. But not before two silver eyes opened to see his retreating figure.
**************later that day***************
"So…what's goin' on with you and the Pan?" Karry asked from the tree limb she was currently hanging from.
"Wh, what…whadaya' mean by that?" Alex stuttered with a nervous grin. She should have know that the girls would notice a change in her attitude. She'd been quiet and off in her own little world ever since she felt Peters fingers over her face that morning. Of course she hadn't told any of the girls about it, but they would find out what was going on eventually.
"I mean, have you fallen for him yet?" Karry laughed at the shocked expression that crossed Alex's face. Shaking her head at the older girl, Karry looked back toward the other girls that were nearby with the Lost Boys. They all had had a great time the day before, traveling across the island with the boys. They'd seen creatures that they never knew lived on the island. All extremely interesting, but not nearly as interesting as the developing relationship between Alex and Peter that Karry could tell was growing.
"What in the world makes you think I would ever fall for 'him'?" Alex questioned in reply. Karry didn't pry any more, and just continued to swing from her legs with a smile on her face.
Meanwhile the rest of the girls and the Lost Boys were playing a game that the twins made up one day. It involved a stick, a leaf, and didn't really have any rules. Alex spent most of the day trying to figure it out, but eventually gave up. In the midst's of the game Meloney wondered off toward the tree line chasing some invisible bug, followed by Honey and Sara. Unfortunately, nobody noticed their absence until their laughter faded into the forest.
*With Hook*
"So far so good Smee." Hook smirked and glared over at the three girls tied and gagged that were being dragged back to the ship. He didn't know why he didn't think of this before. If the Alex girl is so like Pan, she would surely come for even just one of the girls. He didn't need the Indians for three did he? Of course not, he's the great captain Hook!
When they reached the Jolly Roger the three former pirates were firmly tied to the main mast, while the other loyal pirates prepared for the other girls to arrive. They tried and tired to get free from their restraints like their leader did, but to no avail. All they could do was to wait for Alex and Peter to arrive. And they all prayed it would be quick.
*Alex*
"Honey? Meloney? Sara? Cm'on this isn't funny anymore." Alex shouted as she searched through the jungle of Neverland for the girls. She could hear the voices of the others around her, but no answers. 'Where could they have gone? Why would they even wonder off, they don't know their way around here'. Alex continued to think to herself until another thought leaked into her mind. He wouldn't would he? Why would he? She was just being paranoid. But she just had this sickening feeling…
"Hey! Everybody, get over here!" she quickly called to the surrounding kids. They picked their way through the trees and stood at attention in front of Alex like they would with the Pan, including the Lost Boys.
"Lost Boys, I want you to go and find Peter. When you do, bring him to the Jolly Roger. Girls we'll go there now and look around." Alex explained. When she noticed they where all still standing their she shouted. "NOW!"
The boys all scurried to find the Pan while the girls made their way at a fast pace toward the ship. The sharp twigs and numerous leaves that stuck out here and their cut at their skin as they ran toward the shore and to the little dingy they left a few days before.
With not one wasting a breath on talking, they jumped in the boat and Alex started the tough row toward the ship while the other girls looked toward it seeing if they could spot any of their missing comrades. While she continued to row, Alex tried not to clench her teeth to hard in anger. She knew Hook had them, he had to. They wouldn't just wonder off, they never did. As the shadow of the ship loomed over them when they hit the side, she swallowed the lump in her throat and started to scale the side.
*****Looking for Peter*****
"Peter!? Peter we need your help, where are ya?" one of the Lost Boys called out. All of them had been running about the island searching for their leader, calling out as loud as their throats could stand. It was a rare thing for the boys to take orders from anyone except for Peter, but Alex stood as an equal to Pan in their eyes.
Tinkerbell had long since joined in the searching, her worry for her crush pushing her on. Her small bell like voice didn't make much of an impact with calling out to Peter, but she could fly to great heights in hope of spotting him. But never did she set her eyes on the boy. Where was he?
********Jolly Roger*********
"Why are you doing this?!" Alex yelled in front of Hook with two pirates holding her back. A few minutes before, the free girls made their way up to the deck only to find that they had been expected. Alex tried her hardest to keep the burly pirates from seizing her friends, but in the end she too was taken roughly by her former crew mates. She looked to Hooks side for a moment seeing Smee looking away from her with a guilty look on his face. She had been foolish to think that the captains first mate would be a loyal friend.
"Why you ask? I should think that it would be quite obvious." the captain stepped toward her and brought her face up with the sharp point of his hook, so that she was looking him in the eye. "The Pan my dear. I want to know where he is. And you will tell me."
Alex narrowed her eyes at the man and spit right in his face. She was jerked back roughly as Hook roared in fury. The girl smirked in satisfaction, but that smile instantly melted and tightened in panic when Hook grabbed for one of the girls.
"Blast you girl! You will tell me where the Pan's hideout is or over she goes!" he threatened and held the girl, which was Meloney, closer to the edge of the boat. The older girls eyes widened in horror at the threat. Even though the small girl had lived on the island for some time, Meloney could not swim. And the fact that she was shackled with heavy restraints didn't help her chances.
When Hook saw her hesitate he lifted the small girl up by his Hook and let her dangle over the water which was infested with all kinds of horrid beasts.
"Ah, yes the dilemma. If you don't tell where your new found companions hide out is, your old friend gets thrown overboard. But if you do tell me where he is hiding, then he's done for. What to do, what to do?" he teased with a sly smirk. "But remember my dear. You help me, your helping the man that took you in, fed you, clothed you. Did the Pan do that? Why no, he just left you here. Who deserves your help more? Me or him?"
Alex cringed at the truth he spoke. He did take her in when the Pan left her. Hook could have killed them, but he let them live and stay. She did owe him to some extent…wait! What the hell was she thinking!? Helping Hook is like being on the right hand of the devil. She could never deceive Peter like that. But the sight of Meloney hanging over the side of the ship like a hunk of meat was getting to her. Shaking her head she blocked out the other girls screams not to tell, the sight of Meloney hanging from Hooks hook, and the thought of Peter's end. Then opening her eyes, she glared defiantly at the captain.
"As you wish my dear." Hook stated plainly before dropping Meloney over the side. Closing her eyes again, the girl prayed that the splash would not be heard and that Peter had saved her as he had done Wendy. But all her hope sunk just as Meloney started to when the splash echoed over the deck. All the girls screamed Meloneys name, and Alex struggled with all the fight she had in her against the two men holding her arms tightly. She almost got free and over the side when she was grabbed by more men. Screaming out in protest when Hook grabbed another one of the girls, Alex fell to her knees. Time was running out. Meloney could only hold her breath for so long, she couldn't let this go on. Letting her head drop, she said a silent pray for forgiveness from Peter before murmuring.
"The big tree between the Lagoon and the mountains…in the middle of a little clearing, you can't miss it…" she admitted while closing her eyes tightly, unwilling to admit that she had been defeated. Her face contorted into anger again when Hook burst out in a triumphant laughter.
"Ha ha! You've made the right choice my dear, and as a reward…" Hook raised his good hand and snapped his fingers signaling for the men to release Alex and to undo the other's bonds. Not taking the time to see if the girls where behind her, Alex ran toward the side of the ship and dove over into the dark depths ignoring the immense pain that the salt water caused to her burnt legs.
Watching as younger girls followed after her, Smee walked toward his captain.
"B…But captain, won't they warn the Pan if you just release them?" he asked hesitantly.
"Do not worry Smee. They came alone, obviously they do not know where Peter is at this moment, and they'll be far to busy attending to their currently drowning friend to even reach the hideout before we do." he explained and tucked the vile that Smee had shown him earlier into his pocket then walked toward one of the other dinghy's that the crew where beginning to lower to the water. Smee rang his hand together and glanced over the side of the ship at the girls forms that were swimming deeper and deeper into the water. With a feeling of sadness, he looked away and pulled himself onto the small boat. While the pirates where rowing toward shore, the short pudgy man let out a sigh and turned toward the shore.
Meanwhile, the girls had swam to the seas floor and scanned the sandy area before they each came back up for air, trying to hold their breath as long as possible. Alex crawled her way along the ocean bottom, desperately looking for her small friend. It had been a good five or six minutes since Meloney was tossed over, and as time passed and as more and more of the ocean floor came up empty, Alex began to slowly loose hope. The small girl couldn't have just drifted away, the current wasn't that strong on this line of coast, but the threat of that croc and various other monsters lurking about still remained.
After countless dives, Alex swam up to the surface again to see the other girls climb onto the beach and collapse, exhausted. Treading water, she looked around her to see if maybe by small chance the bonds came undone and Meloney floated to the surface. Clenching her teeth she realized the horrible truth and made her way toward shore that was beginning to grow dark, to join the other girls.
When she walked upon the soft sand of the beach, she looked down at the younger girls that were sitting on the gritty powder, most of them with their knees pulled up to their chest and trying to calm their tears. None of them could find any trace of their lost friend.
Closing her own eyes she let a tear trail down her cheek and she feel to her knees and grabbed the sand angrily in her hands and let the rest of the cool tears fall freely while whispering painfully to herself.
"What have I done?"
*************Ohhhhhh, cliffhanger…I think, I'm not sure. That was pretty hard to write, I don't really like getting rid of characters like that. But things have been going way to perfect for the group of kids. By the way, I'm thinking about starting a few more fic's when I finally get done with this. What do you all think about Inuyasha, Yu Gi Oh, and Kingdom Hearts? Uh huh, yeh I know it's hot. Lol, anyway as usually REVIEW!!!!!