Disclaimer: I don't own anything except Sarah and other minor characters.
AN-I must apologise for my spelling mistakes in previous chapters. I'll try to sort them out as soon as I can. If you've seen the new movie you'll know Hook knows about the story of 'Cinderella'. *wink* Oh and how beautiful was the Peter and Wendy flying/dancing scene? Hmm, shame that doesn't happen here.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Chapter four: A change.
The gun shots had long since stopped for an hour or so. The tribe all sat under the ground in the original base Peter had with a few lost boys, probably one of the safest places still about.
Autumn chewed on the inside of her lip in a boring fashion and Winter picked at her nails. Young lost girls and boys sat moving there heads to any sudden or slight noise, waiting for the arrival of Peter. Curly and the Twins sat near the entrance shoot in silence. A chill in the air passed them as the silence became frightening.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"But Peter, Sarah!?"
Peter turned to Slightly a little out of breath. They had both been running for quite some time through the tropical jungle. Light scratches swam all over the young men's bodies, more so on Slightly's. Peter's fuming gaze told Slightly to keep quiet but Slightly was in no mood for silence.
"You just fucking left her there Peter, she could be dead."
Peter stopped dead in his tracks and turned around to face Slightly.
"Maybe she deserved to be, it could have been us!!!" Peter snapped back, slapping his chest for emphasise. "You forget Slightly, I fucking saved us back there! She ran out onto the beach, didn't you see?"
Slightly looked over Peter.
"You're sick." He said quietly, sneering.
"What did you say?" Peter asked grabbing Slightly's neck.
"I said your sick!" Slightly spat louder. "I saw you push her out. Some of those men, they looked like Hooks. Sarah could now be lying on the beach with a hook impaled in her and you don't give a fuck."
Peter pushed Slightly into a tree still holding Slightly's neck a couple of seconds before releasing him.
"Your wrong, I do give a fuck and if you say anything like that again Slightly, I'll kill you and that's a promise. You're lucky I still like you at the moment."
Slightly's eyes widened as the menace in Peter's eyes grew. He rubbed his hand over his neck giving Peter a quizzed look.
Peter sniffed and turned to Slightly, his eyes watering. His voice soft.
"I love Sarah with all my heart."
Slightly made a gesture with his shoulders and arms in a defence, startled by Peters sudden caring.
"Hey, I didn't mean, it's just. I didn't think that you. I'm sorry, but." He started to mumble.
Peter turned his face only for a second, his unusual caring character slipping with a suppressed smile before he composed himself again to look at Slightly for a couple more seconds with tears in his eyes.
"We, we should get her body." Slighty added.
"The mermaids will find her, they find all the bodies that lie on the beach, dead or alive."
"So we go back and get her!"
"What and, and walk into the pirates!? I don't think so!!"
"YOU pushed her Peter!"
Peter took a heavy swing at Slightlys face; his fist ached with pain from the force.
"I did not and if you say I did Slightly your last breath will be tonight. Do you want to argue about it?"
Peter changed his attitude, Seeing Slightly glare at him threateningly.
"Were friends aren't we Slightly? Friends stick together don't they? You'll be my friend Slightly wont you? You're my right hand man, you my favourite lost boy. Haven't I looked out for you? Haven't I been there when you needed help? Why do you think I asked you with me tonight? You're the bravest, the quickest. I trust you. Don't you trust me?"
Silence.
"Of course I do Peter." Slightly replied quietly.
"Well, then. What's happened is in the past and we can't change it. We can only get on with the future."
Peter looked over himself a patch of dark blood on his shirt from fighting.
"Yours?" Slightly asked noticing Peter look at his chest.
Peter shook his head pulling at the linen shirt seeped in dark red.
"We'd best get to the underground."
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"What do you think has happened!?" Nibs asked Curly quietly.
"Dunno?" He shrugged looking around the room.
All the lost boys and girls looked tired and worried. Curly knew the only way they'd smile would be if Pan walked into the room, but there was no sign of him.
Instead, a bright light suddenly buzzed up and down in an uneven way coming from the old entrance shoot.
"Tink?" Nibs cried.
Everyone turned their attention to the little light.
The petite fairie flopped onto a high root and everyone ran surrounding her. She tinkled a little before sighing and lying down.
"She was knocked out! The pirates, Hook's pirates, a big fight!" Nibs cried.
Everyone gasped.
"Don't worry Tink you just rest ok." Nibs said softly noticing her bent wing.
Everyone's attention turned to the new face in the room.
Winter ran over to him briefly hugging Peter who didn't return the embrace.
"Oh God, Peter." She cried unable to finish her sentence as Peter pushed her off his body slowly, walking to the congregation of people, noticing the familiar bright light dimming on and off.
Peter frowned and pushed his way through everyone only to gasp, his eyes widening.
"Tink, what happened angel?" He asked seeing her crumpled little form.
Tink looked into Peter's enticing face, noticing the cuts and gasped, animatedly.
"No don't worry about me, what happened to you?"
Tink spoke to him holding her arms out to him.
Peter picked her up carefully and Tink sighed resting her small cheek into his thumb. Everyone now parted for him and he walked away over to his old bed and sat with her speaking softly.
Autumn rolled her eyes at Tink and Winter folded her arms heatedly.
Curly frowned not believing Peter. The whole tribe looked anxiously around one another, curious to what had happened. Peter had instantly forgotten everyone and concentrated on his fairie not telling the tribe what happened out on Pearl sands. Curly's anger boiled in his veins.
He braced himself to say something but luckily for him, Slightly made an entrance.
Summer ran over to him, eyes wide as she saw the cuts over his face. She hugged him tight and he smiled briefly holding her.
"Are you alright what happened, where have you been, what did you see?"
"Woah, calm down Summer, listen."
"Where's Sarah?" Curly asked dolefully, cutting them both off, noticing her absence.
Curly's eyes closed as he saw the look in Slightly's. Summer looked from Curly to Slightly and buried her head against Slightly's chest slowly, her eyes filling up.
By now many had turned their attention to Slightly and not Peter, their faces frowned unclear of what had happen. Faces then blanked understanding.
"I'll kill them all Tink, I will." Peter spoke, in his own world with her.
Tinkerbell nodded sadly before holding her hands out and standing to his face. Peter bent closer to her and the little fairie kissed his cheek, holding her body against him. She tinkled, smiling into his cheek.
"I love you too Tink, always, you know that."
Tink turned to the tribe noticing their sniffs.
Peter also looked over and saw everyone starring at him.
"She's dead?" the twins asked sorrowfully.
Peter looked over to Slightly who had obviously told them something.
Peter took a deep breath and spoke.
"She died for us. She died a hero. She told me she wanted to sacrifice herself for me, for all of us."
"That's a lie." Curly bitterly spoke.
Peter looked over to his hesitant comrade and frowned.
"That's not what happened at all." Curly spoke his eyes filled with rage.
Peter gave a quick glance to Slightly, a slight panic over coming him.
"Are you deifying my words, when you weren't even there Curly!?" Peter asked angrily.
"Sarah wouldn't have sacrificed herself, she isn't that brave."
"No, but stupid, yes. I didn't want to break it harshly to you but, she walked straight out into the pirates trap. What was coming came."
"Peter?" Slightly gasped still holding Summer.
Tinkerbell sneered in Slightly's direction.
"Slightly?" Curly turned to the young man, who suddenly looked tense. Peter narrowed his eyes at him.
"Err." He uttered seeing Peter petrifying glare in his direction. "I, I need some air." He quickly spoke dashing off, Summer following. Curly frowned.
"You see, it's tragic, it brings, Slightly, one of our bravest, to shock and tears!"
Tink who had been listening intently, her eyes flashing dangerously at Curly and Slightly before looking at Peter suddenly got up and flew around the room tinkerling and explaining her side of the story before she fell. A story that linked well into Peters.
Curly turned his gaze to Peter during the story and noticed Peter just starring at him with a smirk on his face, shaking his head at him.
"I think it's best if we all stay here tonight and sleep, we need rest."
"P-Peter?" A young boy's voice called to him. "Will we be safe tonight?"
Peter put a sincere smile on and walked over to him putting a hand on his shoulder.
"Of course we will, the pirates have now gone."
The boy smiled and went to find a sleeping spot. Peter turned his head to Spring who stared at him. Peter smiled and went over to her and brushed her cheek. Spring flinched in his touch and closed her eyes sadly.
"Goodnight Spring, sleep well."
"Goodnight." She nervously replied.
Everyone sighed deeply and took up sleeping positions and gradually fell asleep.
Peter stayed awake noticing Curly who stood up, making his way to get out.
"Curly." Peter said softly, not waking anyone. "You walk out that door and you don't come back, do you hear me?" He finished dangerously.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The first breath that drew into Sarah's lungs wasn't pleasant. A faint cloud of tobacco smoke drifted in the air along with the smell of distilled alcohol and salt. The light of the room that she lay in was fairly dark and the wooden floorboards creaked as people, now and again walked in and out. Sarah blinked rapidly customising herself to the room. She felt the hardness of the wooden bed she lay on. A thin sheet covered her, smelling of freshness and soap.
"Ah, you're awake." An unfamiliar voice spoke.
Sarah looked over to a corner of the room where a late middle aged woman sat knitting. Her hair was greying and in a tight bun. Her face was warm and the skin under her eyes and round her mouth lined.
"Don't move too suddenly, you'll hurt yourself." She spoke looking up from her knitting.
Sarah winced as her right shoulder shot up in agony.
"I told you." The woman said focused on her knitting.
Sarah took a deep breath and moved a little to face the woman.
"Here." The woman added, setting down her knitting by her stool and coming over to Sarah.
Sarah watched her, still unsure of this woman and her new surroundings.
The woman put and arm round Sarah's left side and slowly propped her up a bit further, fluffing her pillows up with her right hand and covering Sarah with her sheet.
Sarah lay onto the pillows now supporting her upper back; a small smile lit her lips.
"Better?" The woman asked.
"Yes, thank you."
"Good." The woman replied getting back to her knitting.
Sarah opened her mouth to speak but frowned when another spoke before hers.
"Want to know where you are hmm? Let me explain."
Sarah gasped at the woman's story as tiny memories sparked her mind. She remembered the gun fire and the falling, feeling so limp that she could have been frozen.
"Your shoulder needs rest, a lot of rest so you will stay here for a while. It's only been four days after you were brought here. Out like a light you were."
"It feels like an eternity. Forgive me for being so naïve but where are we?"
"Ah, why you're in Ravens Town, the smuggling congregation, off pirates cove."
Sarah made an 'o' shape with her mouth and her eyes widened.
"Don't worry love, it's not that bad, I bet you've heard of the stories, bloody Pan and his tales, gives this place a bad name you know. But, I guess there is truth to the matter, you just have to be careful of the bars, that's all love." The woman smiled.
"Forgive me Madame; I think I missed your name."
"Oh, of course, I completely forgot. It's Betty. I'm house nurse for the Brockhurst family, you know? The sugar merchant and his wife? " She smiled.
"No." Sarah replied, extremely confused. "But why are you here and not at the house, I take it they live in a big house. I don't mean to be rude Betty but this, isn't a big house."
"True, you're not at the Brockhurst manor; you're in my old house. James made arrangements with the family for me to look after you."
Sarah thought over what Betty said and was beginning to get an idea of this new change.
"Betty, thank you for stitching me up."
"Don't thank me, you should be thanking James, he was the one that brought you to me. Ohh just thinking about him gives me the shivers."
"Hook?"
"Yeah, Cap'n James Hook."
"Does he scare you?"
"Ohh no! Quite the opposite, there ain't a woman in Ravens town who wouldn't love to be in the attention of the Cap'n. Ohh, he, so, so."
"So, disgusting." Sarah finished the sentence off.
"How can you say that!? He's handsome and dashing, brave, poetic, polite; I could go on all day."
Sarah pulled a face, looking slightly quizzed.
"Are you and him?"
"Ohh, no, I'm old enough to be his mother!" Betty laughed "But I'd love to get my hands on his cheeks and not the ones on his face!"
In truthfulness, this did make Sarah laugh and although it made her shoulder twinge, it felt extremely good to laugh and flooding sensations of happy thoughts came back to her.
"Now you." Betty said. "What's your name love, tell me about yourself."
"I'm Sarah."
"Oh, what a beautiful name. How old are you? You're obviously not a child."
Sarah held up the crisp sheets closer to her bust.
"No, I haven't been for a long time. I'm seventeen, I think, I could be older, I don't remember."
"What were you doing with those pirates?"
"What pirates?"
"Awh bless, got amnesia, it happens to all of us, though, I think mine comes with age. You were with those other pirates, bet they captured you didn't they? Poor Sarah, I bet it was awful. Your face and body was covered with bruises when you came here. I think you should tell me if they did anything this else to you my dear."
Sarah looked at Betty but said nothing.
Betty frowned but carried on with her talking.
"Anyway, as I said, no strenuous activity, gonna take some time for that to heal but you can still walk and talk."
Sarah smiled at Betty.
"Awh, you look lovely you know, you've got a beautiful smile."
"Thank you." Sarah lightly blushed, receiving compliments which she hadn't heard in a while. "Betty? Is it ok if I get up and err, put some clothes on?" Sarah added seeing her own nakedness.
"I'll give you a wash first, change your bandage and get you dressed. I'll make you look like a princess." Betty smiled.
Sarah smirked at the comment feeling some much needed pampering coming on. "Betty?" Sarah asked shyly. "Is it ok if I can have something to eat, It's just I'm famished."
"You'll have to wait my love; the Cap'n requests your presence for dinner tonight."
* * * * * * * *
The hot water of the bath wasn't as pleasant as the warm springs in the Neverland jungle but was pleasing and smelt particularly nice. Sarah gave up her dignity and let Betty help her wash properly. Once dried, Betty led Sarah to a wardrobe and picked out a beautiful peach coloured silk gown, beaded and embodied, classically. It didn't have a bodice sown in and was very light, but fitted nicely to her body.
"Oh, it's beautiful" Sarah smiled, a nervous feeling entering her stomach as she looked out into the night, the daunting silhouette of the famous 'Jolly Roger' peering majestically from the harbour, it almost made her feel like crying she was that terrified of it tonight.
"You alright?" Betty asked placing some loose undergarments for her. "Now these shouldn't be too restricting for your shoulder, like your dress, it's loose fitted but still very, very Pretty."
"Betty?" Sarah spoke quietly.
"Yes?"
"Has anyone called for me? No. Let me rephrase that. Has anybody been stalking around the area, any young men?"
"No, not that I've seen, young men you say? Pirates?" Betty asked a little excited.
"Hmm, no, not pirates." Sarah smirked at Betty's playfulness. She looked out the window wrapping herself in the light dressing gown she wore, hoping for a crazy reason that Peter would be visible, sitting on one of the rooftops.
"Sarah?"
"Hmm?"
"I asked you if you liked lobster." Betty raised an eyebrow
"Betty, do, do I have to go to dinner? It's just, I don't feel well, that's all." Sarah asked, slightly pleading.
Betty looked over Sarah and smiled reassuringly.
"He's not all that bad you know."
Sarah looked into Betty's genuinely smiling eyes and saw the trust laid in them.
"He's a gentleman; he won't lay a finger on you. He'll just escort you and be courteous."
"But Betty, what if kills me!?"
Betty smiled shaking her head.
"Well, I don't have any table manners; they were long gone when I was younger. I can't remember how the etiquette goes. For Christ sake I haven't worn a dress in four years, let alone underwear!"
Betty smiled suppressing her laugh.
"Calm down dear! It'll be alright. Trust me, just be you. As long as you show a form of respect and make polite conversation, you'll be fine. Now let's get your clothes on."
* * * * * * * * * * *
For four days and three nights, the Neverland lost boys and girls had taken life back into their stride. The night of Sarah's death had been sad but Peter had made sure that his followers didn't dwell on the past. Slightly had spoken very little, afraid his words may slip to tell another tale.
Curly had grown mournful and cried to the stars the night his friend died. There was no place with Peter and the lost boys anymore and that had settled the night he walked out on Peter. Now banished and an outcast, he wandered the island looking for a new role feeling more lonely that he ever did in his life. Nibs now and again when he knew Peter was in the camp, would walk to Curly's favourite spots, praying that with some hope he'd be there and could try and persuade him to come back, but he was never around. The lost girls did shed their tears but held them when Peter was watching. Autumn and Winter felt sorrowful but did not cry and this put them in Peters good books or so it seemed. An odd rain fell over Neverland on the following day Sarah had departed. A cold, tropical rain that chilled your face and hands if you stood in too long and this made Peter's mood even more appalling.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * Sarah took a breath when she heard the door knock downstairs in the house she had been resting in. She heard Betty answer the door politely, the muffled sounds of light conversation vibrated through the walls. Sarah looked at herself and the beautiful attire she was wearing. The mirror showed her true form which she hadn't seen in a while and was surprised at how mature she looked, a spitting image of her mother from a previous life or so a memory seemed to convince her. Her face still had marks all over but were fairer tonight, possibly the powder that Betty put on her face helped and the rouge on her lips and cheeks.
In the heat of the moment, Sarah's nerves got the better of her and she rushed to the window of her room, pushing the shutters open. She pulled up her dress and stepped out onto the small balcony that lead out into the night. She had never realised how far away the harbour was until she saw the elegant horse and carriage pulled up in the street, ready to pick her up. The wall below her held a gutter type contraption and uneven bricks stuck out here and there. Using what vigour she could muster in an un lady like fashion, Sarah gradually made her way down from the small two story building, only managing to snag her dress a couple of times. One of her earrings fell from her ear mid way down but the light was too dim to find it once she reached the ground.
"Hoy, you girl, what do think your doing?" A voice called.
Sarah looked up to the driver of the carriage, panicking, before she darted off down the road, hearing Betty call her name from inside the house.
James stood from the small balcony, his blue eyes focusing on the running figure dashing down the road. A slight anger flared his mind but also a sense of novelty.
He made his way down to the front door, Betty apologising profusely.
"I am so sorry James, she was here a moment ago, I swear."
"Betty, don't worry, it's not your fault." James spoke chivalrously before leaving the house. He placed an expensive leather clad boot on the step of the carriage before stepping off it to retrieve a glistening item that shimmered.
James smirked to himself, placing the jewellery into a safe pocket, a sarcastic comment coming to mind.
"I thought it was meant to be a shoe."
AN-I must apologise for my spelling mistakes in previous chapters. I'll try to sort them out as soon as I can. If you've seen the new movie you'll know Hook knows about the story of 'Cinderella'. *wink* Oh and how beautiful was the Peter and Wendy flying/dancing scene? Hmm, shame that doesn't happen here.
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Chapter four: A change.
The gun shots had long since stopped for an hour or so. The tribe all sat under the ground in the original base Peter had with a few lost boys, probably one of the safest places still about.
Autumn chewed on the inside of her lip in a boring fashion and Winter picked at her nails. Young lost girls and boys sat moving there heads to any sudden or slight noise, waiting for the arrival of Peter. Curly and the Twins sat near the entrance shoot in silence. A chill in the air passed them as the silence became frightening.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"But Peter, Sarah!?"
Peter turned to Slightly a little out of breath. They had both been running for quite some time through the tropical jungle. Light scratches swam all over the young men's bodies, more so on Slightly's. Peter's fuming gaze told Slightly to keep quiet but Slightly was in no mood for silence.
"You just fucking left her there Peter, she could be dead."
Peter stopped dead in his tracks and turned around to face Slightly.
"Maybe she deserved to be, it could have been us!!!" Peter snapped back, slapping his chest for emphasise. "You forget Slightly, I fucking saved us back there! She ran out onto the beach, didn't you see?"
Slightly looked over Peter.
"You're sick." He said quietly, sneering.
"What did you say?" Peter asked grabbing Slightly's neck.
"I said your sick!" Slightly spat louder. "I saw you push her out. Some of those men, they looked like Hooks. Sarah could now be lying on the beach with a hook impaled in her and you don't give a fuck."
Peter pushed Slightly into a tree still holding Slightly's neck a couple of seconds before releasing him.
"Your wrong, I do give a fuck and if you say anything like that again Slightly, I'll kill you and that's a promise. You're lucky I still like you at the moment."
Slightly's eyes widened as the menace in Peter's eyes grew. He rubbed his hand over his neck giving Peter a quizzed look.
Peter sniffed and turned to Slightly, his eyes watering. His voice soft.
"I love Sarah with all my heart."
Slightly made a gesture with his shoulders and arms in a defence, startled by Peters sudden caring.
"Hey, I didn't mean, it's just. I didn't think that you. I'm sorry, but." He started to mumble.
Peter turned his face only for a second, his unusual caring character slipping with a suppressed smile before he composed himself again to look at Slightly for a couple more seconds with tears in his eyes.
"We, we should get her body." Slighty added.
"The mermaids will find her, they find all the bodies that lie on the beach, dead or alive."
"So we go back and get her!"
"What and, and walk into the pirates!? I don't think so!!"
"YOU pushed her Peter!"
Peter took a heavy swing at Slightlys face; his fist ached with pain from the force.
"I did not and if you say I did Slightly your last breath will be tonight. Do you want to argue about it?"
Peter changed his attitude, Seeing Slightly glare at him threateningly.
"Were friends aren't we Slightly? Friends stick together don't they? You'll be my friend Slightly wont you? You're my right hand man, you my favourite lost boy. Haven't I looked out for you? Haven't I been there when you needed help? Why do you think I asked you with me tonight? You're the bravest, the quickest. I trust you. Don't you trust me?"
Silence.
"Of course I do Peter." Slightly replied quietly.
"Well, then. What's happened is in the past and we can't change it. We can only get on with the future."
Peter looked over himself a patch of dark blood on his shirt from fighting.
"Yours?" Slightly asked noticing Peter look at his chest.
Peter shook his head pulling at the linen shirt seeped in dark red.
"We'd best get to the underground."
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"What do you think has happened!?" Nibs asked Curly quietly.
"Dunno?" He shrugged looking around the room.
All the lost boys and girls looked tired and worried. Curly knew the only way they'd smile would be if Pan walked into the room, but there was no sign of him.
Instead, a bright light suddenly buzzed up and down in an uneven way coming from the old entrance shoot.
"Tink?" Nibs cried.
Everyone turned their attention to the little light.
The petite fairie flopped onto a high root and everyone ran surrounding her. She tinkled a little before sighing and lying down.
"She was knocked out! The pirates, Hook's pirates, a big fight!" Nibs cried.
Everyone gasped.
"Don't worry Tink you just rest ok." Nibs said softly noticing her bent wing.
Everyone's attention turned to the new face in the room.
Winter ran over to him briefly hugging Peter who didn't return the embrace.
"Oh God, Peter." She cried unable to finish her sentence as Peter pushed her off his body slowly, walking to the congregation of people, noticing the familiar bright light dimming on and off.
Peter frowned and pushed his way through everyone only to gasp, his eyes widening.
"Tink, what happened angel?" He asked seeing her crumpled little form.
Tink looked into Peter's enticing face, noticing the cuts and gasped, animatedly.
"No don't worry about me, what happened to you?"
Tink spoke to him holding her arms out to him.
Peter picked her up carefully and Tink sighed resting her small cheek into his thumb. Everyone now parted for him and he walked away over to his old bed and sat with her speaking softly.
Autumn rolled her eyes at Tink and Winter folded her arms heatedly.
Curly frowned not believing Peter. The whole tribe looked anxiously around one another, curious to what had happened. Peter had instantly forgotten everyone and concentrated on his fairie not telling the tribe what happened out on Pearl sands. Curly's anger boiled in his veins.
He braced himself to say something but luckily for him, Slightly made an entrance.
Summer ran over to him, eyes wide as she saw the cuts over his face. She hugged him tight and he smiled briefly holding her.
"Are you alright what happened, where have you been, what did you see?"
"Woah, calm down Summer, listen."
"Where's Sarah?" Curly asked dolefully, cutting them both off, noticing her absence.
Curly's eyes closed as he saw the look in Slightly's. Summer looked from Curly to Slightly and buried her head against Slightly's chest slowly, her eyes filling up.
By now many had turned their attention to Slightly and not Peter, their faces frowned unclear of what had happen. Faces then blanked understanding.
"I'll kill them all Tink, I will." Peter spoke, in his own world with her.
Tinkerbell nodded sadly before holding her hands out and standing to his face. Peter bent closer to her and the little fairie kissed his cheek, holding her body against him. She tinkled, smiling into his cheek.
"I love you too Tink, always, you know that."
Tink turned to the tribe noticing their sniffs.
Peter also looked over and saw everyone starring at him.
"She's dead?" the twins asked sorrowfully.
Peter looked over to Slightly who had obviously told them something.
Peter took a deep breath and spoke.
"She died for us. She died a hero. She told me she wanted to sacrifice herself for me, for all of us."
"That's a lie." Curly bitterly spoke.
Peter looked over to his hesitant comrade and frowned.
"That's not what happened at all." Curly spoke his eyes filled with rage.
Peter gave a quick glance to Slightly, a slight panic over coming him.
"Are you deifying my words, when you weren't even there Curly!?" Peter asked angrily.
"Sarah wouldn't have sacrificed herself, she isn't that brave."
"No, but stupid, yes. I didn't want to break it harshly to you but, she walked straight out into the pirates trap. What was coming came."
"Peter?" Slightly gasped still holding Summer.
Tinkerbell sneered in Slightly's direction.
"Slightly?" Curly turned to the young man, who suddenly looked tense. Peter narrowed his eyes at him.
"Err." He uttered seeing Peter petrifying glare in his direction. "I, I need some air." He quickly spoke dashing off, Summer following. Curly frowned.
"You see, it's tragic, it brings, Slightly, one of our bravest, to shock and tears!"
Tink who had been listening intently, her eyes flashing dangerously at Curly and Slightly before looking at Peter suddenly got up and flew around the room tinkerling and explaining her side of the story before she fell. A story that linked well into Peters.
Curly turned his gaze to Peter during the story and noticed Peter just starring at him with a smirk on his face, shaking his head at him.
"I think it's best if we all stay here tonight and sleep, we need rest."
"P-Peter?" A young boy's voice called to him. "Will we be safe tonight?"
Peter put a sincere smile on and walked over to him putting a hand on his shoulder.
"Of course we will, the pirates have now gone."
The boy smiled and went to find a sleeping spot. Peter turned his head to Spring who stared at him. Peter smiled and went over to her and brushed her cheek. Spring flinched in his touch and closed her eyes sadly.
"Goodnight Spring, sleep well."
"Goodnight." She nervously replied.
Everyone sighed deeply and took up sleeping positions and gradually fell asleep.
Peter stayed awake noticing Curly who stood up, making his way to get out.
"Curly." Peter said softly, not waking anyone. "You walk out that door and you don't come back, do you hear me?" He finished dangerously.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The first breath that drew into Sarah's lungs wasn't pleasant. A faint cloud of tobacco smoke drifted in the air along with the smell of distilled alcohol and salt. The light of the room that she lay in was fairly dark and the wooden floorboards creaked as people, now and again walked in and out. Sarah blinked rapidly customising herself to the room. She felt the hardness of the wooden bed she lay on. A thin sheet covered her, smelling of freshness and soap.
"Ah, you're awake." An unfamiliar voice spoke.
Sarah looked over to a corner of the room where a late middle aged woman sat knitting. Her hair was greying and in a tight bun. Her face was warm and the skin under her eyes and round her mouth lined.
"Don't move too suddenly, you'll hurt yourself." She spoke looking up from her knitting.
Sarah winced as her right shoulder shot up in agony.
"I told you." The woman said focused on her knitting.
Sarah took a deep breath and moved a little to face the woman.
"Here." The woman added, setting down her knitting by her stool and coming over to Sarah.
Sarah watched her, still unsure of this woman and her new surroundings.
The woman put and arm round Sarah's left side and slowly propped her up a bit further, fluffing her pillows up with her right hand and covering Sarah with her sheet.
Sarah lay onto the pillows now supporting her upper back; a small smile lit her lips.
"Better?" The woman asked.
"Yes, thank you."
"Good." The woman replied getting back to her knitting.
Sarah opened her mouth to speak but frowned when another spoke before hers.
"Want to know where you are hmm? Let me explain."
Sarah gasped at the woman's story as tiny memories sparked her mind. She remembered the gun fire and the falling, feeling so limp that she could have been frozen.
"Your shoulder needs rest, a lot of rest so you will stay here for a while. It's only been four days after you were brought here. Out like a light you were."
"It feels like an eternity. Forgive me for being so naïve but where are we?"
"Ah, why you're in Ravens Town, the smuggling congregation, off pirates cove."
Sarah made an 'o' shape with her mouth and her eyes widened.
"Don't worry love, it's not that bad, I bet you've heard of the stories, bloody Pan and his tales, gives this place a bad name you know. But, I guess there is truth to the matter, you just have to be careful of the bars, that's all love." The woman smiled.
"Forgive me Madame; I think I missed your name."
"Oh, of course, I completely forgot. It's Betty. I'm house nurse for the Brockhurst family, you know? The sugar merchant and his wife? " She smiled.
"No." Sarah replied, extremely confused. "But why are you here and not at the house, I take it they live in a big house. I don't mean to be rude Betty but this, isn't a big house."
"True, you're not at the Brockhurst manor; you're in my old house. James made arrangements with the family for me to look after you."
Sarah thought over what Betty said and was beginning to get an idea of this new change.
"Betty, thank you for stitching me up."
"Don't thank me, you should be thanking James, he was the one that brought you to me. Ohh just thinking about him gives me the shivers."
"Hook?"
"Yeah, Cap'n James Hook."
"Does he scare you?"
"Ohh no! Quite the opposite, there ain't a woman in Ravens town who wouldn't love to be in the attention of the Cap'n. Ohh, he, so, so."
"So, disgusting." Sarah finished the sentence off.
"How can you say that!? He's handsome and dashing, brave, poetic, polite; I could go on all day."
Sarah pulled a face, looking slightly quizzed.
"Are you and him?"
"Ohh, no, I'm old enough to be his mother!" Betty laughed "But I'd love to get my hands on his cheeks and not the ones on his face!"
In truthfulness, this did make Sarah laugh and although it made her shoulder twinge, it felt extremely good to laugh and flooding sensations of happy thoughts came back to her.
"Now you." Betty said. "What's your name love, tell me about yourself."
"I'm Sarah."
"Oh, what a beautiful name. How old are you? You're obviously not a child."
Sarah held up the crisp sheets closer to her bust.
"No, I haven't been for a long time. I'm seventeen, I think, I could be older, I don't remember."
"What were you doing with those pirates?"
"What pirates?"
"Awh bless, got amnesia, it happens to all of us, though, I think mine comes with age. You were with those other pirates, bet they captured you didn't they? Poor Sarah, I bet it was awful. Your face and body was covered with bruises when you came here. I think you should tell me if they did anything this else to you my dear."
Sarah looked at Betty but said nothing.
Betty frowned but carried on with her talking.
"Anyway, as I said, no strenuous activity, gonna take some time for that to heal but you can still walk and talk."
Sarah smiled at Betty.
"Awh, you look lovely you know, you've got a beautiful smile."
"Thank you." Sarah lightly blushed, receiving compliments which she hadn't heard in a while. "Betty? Is it ok if I get up and err, put some clothes on?" Sarah added seeing her own nakedness.
"I'll give you a wash first, change your bandage and get you dressed. I'll make you look like a princess." Betty smiled.
Sarah smirked at the comment feeling some much needed pampering coming on. "Betty?" Sarah asked shyly. "Is it ok if I can have something to eat, It's just I'm famished."
"You'll have to wait my love; the Cap'n requests your presence for dinner tonight."
* * * * * * * *
The hot water of the bath wasn't as pleasant as the warm springs in the Neverland jungle but was pleasing and smelt particularly nice. Sarah gave up her dignity and let Betty help her wash properly. Once dried, Betty led Sarah to a wardrobe and picked out a beautiful peach coloured silk gown, beaded and embodied, classically. It didn't have a bodice sown in and was very light, but fitted nicely to her body.
"Oh, it's beautiful" Sarah smiled, a nervous feeling entering her stomach as she looked out into the night, the daunting silhouette of the famous 'Jolly Roger' peering majestically from the harbour, it almost made her feel like crying she was that terrified of it tonight.
"You alright?" Betty asked placing some loose undergarments for her. "Now these shouldn't be too restricting for your shoulder, like your dress, it's loose fitted but still very, very Pretty."
"Betty?" Sarah spoke quietly.
"Yes?"
"Has anyone called for me? No. Let me rephrase that. Has anybody been stalking around the area, any young men?"
"No, not that I've seen, young men you say? Pirates?" Betty asked a little excited.
"Hmm, no, not pirates." Sarah smirked at Betty's playfulness. She looked out the window wrapping herself in the light dressing gown she wore, hoping for a crazy reason that Peter would be visible, sitting on one of the rooftops.
"Sarah?"
"Hmm?"
"I asked you if you liked lobster." Betty raised an eyebrow
"Betty, do, do I have to go to dinner? It's just, I don't feel well, that's all." Sarah asked, slightly pleading.
Betty looked over Sarah and smiled reassuringly.
"He's not all that bad you know."
Sarah looked into Betty's genuinely smiling eyes and saw the trust laid in them.
"He's a gentleman; he won't lay a finger on you. He'll just escort you and be courteous."
"But Betty, what if kills me!?"
Betty smiled shaking her head.
"Well, I don't have any table manners; they were long gone when I was younger. I can't remember how the etiquette goes. For Christ sake I haven't worn a dress in four years, let alone underwear!"
Betty smiled suppressing her laugh.
"Calm down dear! It'll be alright. Trust me, just be you. As long as you show a form of respect and make polite conversation, you'll be fine. Now let's get your clothes on."
* * * * * * * * * * *
For four days and three nights, the Neverland lost boys and girls had taken life back into their stride. The night of Sarah's death had been sad but Peter had made sure that his followers didn't dwell on the past. Slightly had spoken very little, afraid his words may slip to tell another tale.
Curly had grown mournful and cried to the stars the night his friend died. There was no place with Peter and the lost boys anymore and that had settled the night he walked out on Peter. Now banished and an outcast, he wandered the island looking for a new role feeling more lonely that he ever did in his life. Nibs now and again when he knew Peter was in the camp, would walk to Curly's favourite spots, praying that with some hope he'd be there and could try and persuade him to come back, but he was never around. The lost girls did shed their tears but held them when Peter was watching. Autumn and Winter felt sorrowful but did not cry and this put them in Peters good books or so it seemed. An odd rain fell over Neverland on the following day Sarah had departed. A cold, tropical rain that chilled your face and hands if you stood in too long and this made Peter's mood even more appalling.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * Sarah took a breath when she heard the door knock downstairs in the house she had been resting in. She heard Betty answer the door politely, the muffled sounds of light conversation vibrated through the walls. Sarah looked at herself and the beautiful attire she was wearing. The mirror showed her true form which she hadn't seen in a while and was surprised at how mature she looked, a spitting image of her mother from a previous life or so a memory seemed to convince her. Her face still had marks all over but were fairer tonight, possibly the powder that Betty put on her face helped and the rouge on her lips and cheeks.
In the heat of the moment, Sarah's nerves got the better of her and she rushed to the window of her room, pushing the shutters open. She pulled up her dress and stepped out onto the small balcony that lead out into the night. She had never realised how far away the harbour was until she saw the elegant horse and carriage pulled up in the street, ready to pick her up. The wall below her held a gutter type contraption and uneven bricks stuck out here and there. Using what vigour she could muster in an un lady like fashion, Sarah gradually made her way down from the small two story building, only managing to snag her dress a couple of times. One of her earrings fell from her ear mid way down but the light was too dim to find it once she reached the ground.
"Hoy, you girl, what do think your doing?" A voice called.
Sarah looked up to the driver of the carriage, panicking, before she darted off down the road, hearing Betty call her name from inside the house.
James stood from the small balcony, his blue eyes focusing on the running figure dashing down the road. A slight anger flared his mind but also a sense of novelty.
He made his way down to the front door, Betty apologising profusely.
"I am so sorry James, she was here a moment ago, I swear."
"Betty, don't worry, it's not your fault." James spoke chivalrously before leaving the house. He placed an expensive leather clad boot on the step of the carriage before stepping off it to retrieve a glistening item that shimmered.
James smirked to himself, placing the jewellery into a safe pocket, a sarcastic comment coming to mind.
"I thought it was meant to be a shoe."