A gunshot blew off that early morning, and Lynn woke up with a shudder from its clamor. She looked around her, first thinking she was dreaming, but then took a whiff of the prison cell and knew it had to be real. She thankfully didn't have to wear chains like the day before, which was awful. She still had the bruises to prove it. She looked down at her wrists, seeing the purple marks on them.
Slowly, she stood up, and noticed that her nightgown was completely ruined. The once purple dress with Ariel on it was now stained with brown water and stench of the gallows of the Jolly Rodger. But, she didn't care. She didn't care about anything anymore. Julie was dead.
Sighing, she decided to take her mind off the mess of yesterday, and try to lift up what was left of her spirits. So, she began stretching and said to herself as she bent over, "Up, down, touch the ground!" Just like Winnie the Pooh.
Then, she heard the cellar door open with a squeak. In walked one of the pirates, lanky and repulsive in appearance. He came to her cell and unlocked the padlock saying, "Fallow me, and don't try to run or do anything of the sort! Otherwise, Hook will take care of you, just like your little friend!" He laughed as he led her out of the gallows.
They came up the stairwell and headed towards Hook's quarters. Lynn softly cried to herself, knowing what was to become of her when she entered that room. Then, the pirate stopped, right in front of Hook's door. Lynn winced as he opened it, and closed her eyes.
"Welcome my dear! Welcome! It's lovely to see you this fine morning!" The surprisingly jolly James Hook, standing deep within his quarters smiling at her.
"What?" Lynn said softly in wonder.
But Hook didn't hesitate; he signaled the pirate to bring her in. He took her to a chair and pulled it out for her, letting her sit down. She did, and looked at the feast on the table before her. Grinning, the Captain spoke, "Oh please, have something to eat! You must be hungry!"
Lynn looked at him suspiciously, and then thought that if he was going to kill her, why not eat a good meal first? So, she quickly indulged herself with croissants and fruits. The old Captain smiled and sat down in his chair, nodding at the mangy pirate to leave.
Smee came over to the Captain and said, "I've finished polishing your boots sir!"
"Splendid!" Hook replied still watching Lynn. Smee began putting the boots onto Hook's feet, while Hook watched Lynn finish her meal.
"How do you feel my dear?" He asked.
"Umm, full. And confused." She said truthfully as she wiped off her mouth with her sleeve.
"Why my dear?" The Captain asked, twitching the mustache of his beard.
"Well, growing up, I've read about you. And, seen you in movies. Even yesterday, you were…"
"What? You can tell me." He said slyly.
"Umm, you were, really mean. I'll be honest, I've never met someone so cold-hearted as you ever before in my life! Except for Ms. Bogglesworth!"
"Oh, oh my!" Hook said turning his face away from her.
Guiltily, Lynn sighed and told him, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to offend you."
"No, no, it's true! I've been a horrid man! But, I plan to change that! I realized yesterday, that I've gone too far in my piracy! I pushed the envelope when I killed your little comrade Joanie-"
"Julie!" She corrected him angrily.
"Yes, Julie off of the boat to her death. I realized that I was cold-hearted, and I wanted to make it up to you! You see, I-"
Furiously, Lynn stood up, "Wait, wait wait! Hold on one minute! I have a few things to say to you before you get all warm and fake on me! First of all, Julie wasn't my comrade, she was my best friend! She did her best to save me, and even offered herself in my place! But no, you ignored what she had to say, and killed her! You murdered Julie, and there is no forgiving you for that! She was the only friend I had, the only person I ever trusted. She was like family."
Lynn slowly sat back down and began to cry. Immediately, Hook came to her side and put his arms on her shoulders comfortingly, "I'm so terribly sorry my dear! That's why I'm going to be your new friend, and my crew will be your new family!"
"What? Aren't you gonna kill me too?" She asked.
The Hook smiled mischievously and stopped a tear on her cheek with his hook and reassured her, "I'd never murder a diamond in the ruff such as yourself! You are a real find! I think you'd make an excellent pirate!" He stated, not holding it in any longer. Smee smiled as well, taking Lynn's hand and leading her to a wardrobe.
"A pirate?" Lynn asked, looking at them curiously.
"Aye! You've got some fire in you; I can see you'd make a brilliant buccaneer on the Jolly Rodger! Did you ever dream of becoming a pirate?" Hook asked as Smee pulled out a fiery red dress and handed it to her.
Smee pushed Lynn gently through the curtains with a pair of boots and let her change, during which she said, "Well, I've always dreamed of sailing around with Jack Sparrow! I think we'd make a dangerous pair of pirates!"
Hook and Smee looked at each other in confusion, but shrugged anyway. Then, pulling back the curtains, Lynn left her Little Mermaid gown behind, and came out in the red dress, flowing down to her ankles, revealing the black boots.
She looked at the two and said bashfully, "Well, maybe I could see what it's like, on the Jolly Rodger! But, you have to make a promise to me!"
"Anything!" The Captain lied happily.
"If I get lonely, or if I feel uncomfortable with all of this, will you take me home?"
Both Smee and Hook came up to her, gazing at her beauty in the dress and smiled, "Oh course, Madame!"
"Come on Julie, hurry up!" Peter said soaring through the sky.
"Oh, I'm coming!" Julie whispered to herself, concentrating as she passed Peter as they flew high about Neverland, through the white clouds.
"Hey, I didn't say to put me in the dust!" Peter grinned as he flew up next to her.
He then covered Julie's face as they flew through the white clouds.
"What are you doing?" She yelled through the high winds.
"Just trust me! I want it to take your breath away!"
Julie smiled as she waited. Then, he let go, and they were out of the clouds. Julie instantly saw the bright and beautiful Neverland. They flew over the green mountains, flowing rivers, giant waterfalls, over the blue lagoon, the open plains where the Indians played, and the green grass fields.
Julie flew down and touched the edges of the grass with her fingers as she went, feeling as light as a bird. Then, she flew over a river, and dived down a waterfall, then up again. She had never felt such a rush in her life.
"This is incredible! I could do this all day!" She exclaimed to Peter as she flew back up to him.
Then, he gently took her hand in his and said close to her, "Then we will!" And he took her off, faster than a lighting bolt, over and into the jungles of Neverland.
"Here, I want you to meet someone!" He said as they landed on a giant rock in the middle of a Lagoon. Almost bursting Julie's eardrums, Peter crowed loudly. Then, all of a sudden, Julie saw girls surfacing from under the water.
They were all mermaids; each had its own color. Like the red one, who's fin, shell-top and hair were completely red. There was even a green one, a yellow, a purple, and, a blue one.
"It's her! The one that save me!" Julie whispered to Peter as the mermaids approached them.
"Hello Peter!" They said gleefully.
"Hello girls! I'd like to introduce you to Julie!"
"Julie? I thought that was Wendy!" The green one said, "Isn't that Wendy, Blenda?" The green one looked over at the blue one, named Blenda.
"I thought it was. You look just like her, you know." She said, swimming up to her at the rock. Julie sat down on the edge and smiled, "Thanks. But, she's actually my great-grandmother. I'm Julie and thank you for yesterday."
"Of course, Wendy would have done the same for me."
"As would I." Julie said, smiling.
"See, isn't she great?" Peter told the others as they giggled.
Blenda looked back at Julie and touched her lightly on the hand, "I'm Blenda. Even though you aren't Wendy, I see good things in you. You are welcome here anytime you wish! And if you are in trouble, then use this!" She unfolded her hand and revealed a small shell.
Julie took it and placed in gently in her pocket, "Thank you, I will." They smiled, and they Peter took Julie's hand again, "Bye girls, we're off to see the Indians!"
"Bye Peter!" They all called to him. Except Blenda, who watched them fly away. The entire time she talked with Julie, she kept thinking of something that both Wendy and Jane had told her, years ago.
The trip to the Indians was much longer. They weren't as accepting to Julie as the mermaids had been. But, as sunset drew near, they became friendly to her. At least, Peter made them.
After the long day of fun and new acquaintances, Peter and Julie flew back to the secret hideout. Peter crowed, then he took Julie's hand and they flew down to the feast where the boys cheerfully greeted her.
"It's wonderful to see you with us again Julie-lady!" Brinkley said as the boys took her to her seat.
Sitting down at the opposite end of the table at Peter, Julie corrected them, "Woah woah! I am no lady! I'm just one of the boys, okay?"
"Got it!" Brinkley said smiling, going off with the other boys to sit. Then, everyone got quiet, and Peter spoke, "Dig in boys!"
Then, everyone opened to pots. Julie couldn't look; she was starving and didn't want to be disappointed again. But then, as she ignored the food, she suddenly locked eyes with Peter, who had been staring at her the entire time. He smiled his wild smile, and Julie couldn't help but smile back.
Feeling embarrassed, she looked down at the table, away from his stare. However, it wasn't empty pots and pans as it was before. Hot meats and sweet desserts filled the table around her. She took her goblet and saw there was cider inside of it. She took a large gulp and almost cried from her joy. Then, she took one of everything and began to eat along with Peter and the boys. It truly was her best meal yet.
Sitting in her glass case in the corner, Tinkerbell watched the girl, still very suspicious and curious of her. All she could think of is that Julie was just like Wendy and Jane. Her fiery ball turned red; she wanted her to stay away from Peter, or else…
