Authors note - 'Bidziil' is a Navajo name meaning "He is strong".
Long chapter now that does include, I'm afraid to say, character death
that borders from non graphic to what I'd call semi graphic. (There's no
blood). There is also bad language and the use of a sexual swear word. (Two
guesses who comes out with it!) I believe Peter has gone mad....
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Chapter Twenty - The beginning of the end.
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The trek in the mud wasn't the most important thing on Nibs' mind. On the other hand bumping into Peter was. Jake who was with him, every so often moaned about the slippery mud. It was only until his conversation about his brother Jack came up that Nibs decided to listen. There had been no word of him or Curly for a while and although Nibs said to himself he didn't care anymore about their situation when there was more important things like the safety of the tribe to think about, he was kidding himself not to think about the safety of his best friend and Jake's brother.
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
"Well can I do anything?"
"Just get out of my way!" Betty muttered furiously with some boiling water as she went into the room.
Sarah had found herself moping around on the stairs for the past hour.
Sarah didn't expect Matilda to have her baby so imminently, in fact she was hoping it would have been a good two weeks or so, so she could completely understand the massive change and get to grips with the side of James that was starting to become irritating. She asked to see James who had put on a pair of trousers and was now in their room with Matilda. The instant Sarah had asked for a word, James said he was too busy to talk or think, Matlida had complained that she was putting her off in some way and so Betty had pushed her out and sent her away.
It left Sarah feeling numb. This wasn't what life with James was meant to be like.
Time seemed to go by too slowly and still no one acknowledged her. Sarah then decided to retire to the kitchen where it was far warmer. A cry echoed from upstairs and then there was silence. Time still dragged on and Sarah was contemplating whether banging her head on the wooden table would pass the time.
The words were said in her head. "Fuck this." The lost girl side of her had begun to come alive, now she wanted her own space with people her own age, with friendly faces who didn't push her away. Okay so maybe there was still a small handful who wouldn't be pleased to see her and if Peter happened to bump into her, well, she'd be ready and she'd blame James for not caring for her. Sarah gasped at her thoughts. Was she being selfish? No forget that, what she needed was a gun if she was going to venture into the jungle.
It was lucky Sarah had her dressing gown and slippers with her downstairs as she knew there was no way she was going to be able to enter her room and pack up a nice bag with girly, rich things in. Instead the slippers and dressing gown felt like they were enough and so without another word Sarah walked into the study and pulled out some parchment, then a quill and ink.
'Dear James,
Did you know sitting on the stairs is a good place to think about things? You've probably noticed since you told me the news about your baby, I haven't been my usual self. I honestly didn't know what to think about it and I still don't. I think that's why I'm writing this. If there is one thing I've learnt living in Neverland, it's that you can rely on more than just yourself in life, in fact you can rely on your family. When I met you, I thought you had none, but I noticed people who weren't blood related to you, who I would still consider your family; Betty and your crew mate Mr Smee for instance. They still hold a bond to you and in a sense they are your family. Then I found out you have a son, Ruben. Things may have gone wrong with him and you may not have the relationship you want with him but at the end of the day he is still your son, remember that. I guess that leads me to what I'm to say next. The bond of a child I think is one so special that it can't be cast aside, that is why I understand your urgency for your new baby, and it's new to you. I also know that the union of two people who create a child, usually, blossoms when it's born. I can't deny James that this has been the thought that has stayed in my mind the most. I see the way Matilda looks at you, wants to be by your side. She's a very beautiful looking person, that is what I know. I can't judge her because I don't know her, but first impressions tend to stand out about someone. I hope you are happy with your new child and her. To me James Hook will always have a place in my heart because you affected it. You made me feel real, you gave me the best and you treated me like a human being, like a woman. In the time I've spent, I've been able to view my new life and I completely enjoined it. I'm actually thankful that I was shot, but deep down, I know I don't belong here, sometimes it seems like it's too good to be true. I think now it's time we both are with our real families.
I'll always remember you,
Sarah.'
Sarah licked her dry lips and swallowed the lump that was forming in her throat. The small candle that lay on the desk was snubbed out by her fingers. One last trip to the kitchen was made and Sarah went to the chopping board. A large, sharpe knife glinted at her. She picked it up with care and stared at it. A creak on the stairs brought her mind back to the kitchen and she dropped the knife back onto the counter where it rolled down the side.
"Shit." Sarah whispered wanting to retrieve the knife. Reaching for it wasn't that hard and when she retrieved it, she frowned and laughed to herself and pocketed the item that Betty had obviously hidden for safety.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"It's perfect!"
"It'll do." Nibs agreed.
Both young men had come across another smaller cave, not so far away. For the mean time it would be cramped but perfect.
Time was of the essence and the sooner the lost tribe were out of the old cave the better.
"Will you be okay, while I go and get everyone?"
"Sure!" Jake nodded taking a long stretch and yawning.
"Don't fall asleep mind." Nibs joked before he dashed off as quick as he could.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"Peter?"
These days it would have been considered a taboo to cry out Peter's name, only in case he actually heard you.
His name sounded foreign to his own ears but once the words were spoken again, Peter let himself smile in an unpleasant way. So someone was after him, a girl to be exact. A quick frown played upon his now cleaner face as he tried to match a face to the voice.
"Winter?" Peter said out loud to himself. Another frown mingled with a sneer, lit up his face and he walked into the opening of his domain to see if she was about.
He waited a small while but sure enough, the figure of Winter approached, slightly dirty and slightly out of breath.
"Well, well, well...." Peter smiled maliciously.
"Peter oh, thank God!"
Winter slowed her quickened steps and walked the last part into the clearing. She took a quick glance around and found the camp, wrecked and destroyed.
A nervous laughed escaped her lips as Peter hovered around her, his feet a couple of inches off the ground.
"Peter, please, before you do..."
"What?" Peter asked, his smile considerably lighter.
Winter smiled apologetically. "Sorry."
"For what?" Peter's voice was soft and boyish.
"For leaving you silly. I didn't want to, they made me."
"Who?" Peter's eyes narrowed.
"Them, Slightly, Summer, Nibs."
"No surprise there." Peter replied landing on the floor.
"I didn't want to leave you, you know that don't you?" Winter looked up to Peter and was startled at the change. His whole face cried revenge.
"You could have left when you wanted to, you know that don't you?" Peter's sarcasm only slightly affected Winter.
"Well?" Winter found she was struggling with her words.
"It's okay, Winter." Peter said softly. He smiled at her and hugged her briefly. To Winter this was the first step to her reward. "I'm glad you came back, I was starting to get lonely." Again the sarcasm lingered. "So tell me Winter, where are my tribe, or even, who is my tribe?"
Peter stood beside her and wrapped an arm around her shoulders as he started to walk.
"You mean who's there?"
"Bingo." He smiled sweetly.
"The usual, except, Jack and Curly."
"What's Jack doing away?"
"Don't know but he's with Curly...probably looking for Sarah..."
"Who is still in hiding with that glorious James keeping her all to himself. I think that's very rude, don't you?"
"Erm?" Winter replied.
"'Yes' Winter, you should have said 'yes'."
"Y-yes."
"So good old Nibs is back with the tribe I presume, I can't seem to find him anywhere?"
"Yes, he is, acting like he's the boss and everything.
"Well, we always new Slightly would never make leader, that is why I made him vice. Nibs on the other hand is a natural born leader, that is why he wasn't my second, he'd probably over throw me."
"Not you, I mean? I think he's scared of you."
"Are you trying to be funny?"
"No."
"Well then, don't say stupid stuff like that. As much as I'd like to think that true."
"Peter, where's Tink?"
"Oh you are on the ball aren't you? Anyway, Winter, tell me where my tribe are?"
Winter hesitated and Peter's impatience came out in a laugh to himself.
"Okay, Winter, what's wrong?"
"Your revenge."
"What about it?"
"Is it going to be on everyone?"
Peter paused a moment before speaking.
"You know I only have it in for the ones who primarily went against me. Nibs, Slightly, Curly, Sarah. That's all."
Winter gave a weak sheepish grin and swallowed.
"I'm an outcast now."
"And we'll have a party for you, a real special one, now where are my tribe Winter."
"You know by Parma falls, along from that set of fur trees before it reaches the snow? They're near there, in a cave. There's quite an open space near it where the mud will still be wet, you'll find them there."
The pair had reached a large tub that held dirty water.
"Do you want a drink?"
Winter frowned. "Drink that?"
"Why not?" Peter cried as he grabbed the back of her neck and plunged her head into the tub. Winter flapped her arms about but Peter used his weight to pin her beneath the water. Winter's body wriggled furiously but still Peter held her down, deciding to whistle to pass the time. After a minute or so Winter's limp body still lay in the tub and Peter picked himself up.
"Oh by the way, thanks for the info. As much as I believed you were telling me the truth, A) you could have still been lying for one of those bastards who you obviously consider leader and B) If you were on my side, Winter, you would have left the minute you heard the tribe where leaving. So there you go..." Peter started walking away from the body but paused to turn around.
"Before I forget...the reason I've left you in that tub is because I can't stand you're fucking, ugly, dog face! Bye, bye."
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"I thought she said here?"
"She did...didn't she?"
Jack looked over to his friend and shrugged his shoulders. "We could set up camp here?"
"What in all this mud? No thank you. Besides, we need to find everyone." Curly replied, grudgingly walking on.
Jack caught up to him and the pair walked on further spotting the snow covered trees.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"Head count. Is every one here?" Slightly asked.
Immediately a chorus of 'no' echoed the small cave.
Nibs grinned at Slightly and turned to look at the tribe, getting some half annoying looks in his direction.
"So is everyone here?" Slightly asked over to Summer.
"Yes, calm down, honestly you'll give yourself a hernia or something." She smiled lightly.
A few of the older girls giggled, watching Slightly positively becoming agitated and anxious.
Summer smiled again at him and winked before she sat down near Autumn who looked quiet.
"You ok?" Summer asked tucking a strand of curly blonde hair behind her ear.
"I guess, just..."
"Confused?"
"Yeah."
"We all knew Winter had a weak spot for Peter."
"So did Wendy but she never betray the tribe for love."
"I don't think it was love, lust I'd say."
"I agree with you there." Autumn replied looking over to Slightly and Jake.
Summer looked in her direction and back at Autumn.
"See something you like?" Summer asked with a raised eyebrow, pondering whether she was looking at Slightly, but a smile broke out when she noticed Autumn's eyes weren't on Slightly.
Summer looked around the room carelessly and muttered to herself. "I wish he'd take his cap off sometimes, he's got beautiful hair."
"Yeah." Autumn replied quietly and dreamily before she realised what she had said. She looked at Summer and blushed.
"Someone take your fancy? And here's me thinking Peter was your number one."
Autumn shook her head sheepishly after she looked around to see if anyone was eaves dropping.
"What brought this on?" Summer asked quietly.
Autumn looked to the girl who was the same age as her but more mature than she'd ever be. She shrugged before she spoke.
"I always knew I'd never be Peter's girl. I gave up hope a long time ago but Winter never."
"She was too love struck to give up hope."
"She's nothing to be proud of, not if she loves a nasty person like him." Autumn added.
Summer nodded and Autumn twirled a piece of copper hair with her finger and thumb before she spoke in a quiet whisper. "Jake's different, I've noticed for a while. He's sweet, but I can never get him alone, he's always with Jack."
"Boys take longer to grow up Autumn. Look at Slightly, he's meant to be grown up but he still has his odd childish moods."
"Yeah but a least Slightly considers you a woman, not a girly pest, that's what all the boys of the tribe think about me."
"Not when they realise what's between their legs they won't. They'll be after you like that." Summer clicked her fingers for emphasis. "I'm sure Jake knows what other functions his...you know... does but, well some guys are shy with girls, look at Nibs." Summer added.
"But Nibs is weird. I mean he's the most gorgeous bloke on the whole island..."
"Don't let him hear you said that..." Summer smiled
"Why? Because it'll go to his head?"
"No, he'll probably come after you to kill you... actually? I think I see your point." Summer smirked. "I don't how why he hates all the attention he gets?"
"...And he could have any girl he wants but he doesn't, don't you think that's weird too?" Autumn asked taking a quick glance at the person she was talking about.
"Nibs is just sensible I guess. He's waiting for the right person."
"Summer?"
"Yes?"
"You mean sensible like....not getting girls pregnant and all, right?"
"Yes also."
"We'll I'm surprised that you're not."
Summer smiled lightly but Autumn noticed that the smile held more pride and radiance in it.
"No." Autumn asked, her smiled brightening into a giggly sort.
"Well were not too sure but."
"You kept that one quiet."
"Didn't want it to leak out, look at today, could you imagine?"
"You're right." Autumn replied feeling a hint of guilt for being the best friend of the person who betrayed the tribe.
"But this has to stay with you, promise me that." Summer asked quickly realising her confession.
"Of course."
"So you two must be really at it? God my sex life is non existent."
"When you meet the right person it'll happen." Summer replied taking Autumn into a deep hug and looking over to Jake with a smile on her lips.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"Looks, dark, even in the sunlight." Jack mentioned as they strolled further to the entrance.
"Yeah."
"So ya scared?"
"Nope."
They walked a little further in.
"Sounds quiet." Curly added as an after thought. He glanced at Jack who was rooted on the spot.
"After you my friend." Jack mentioned and Curly gave him a raised eyebrow.
"Ok, I'm just a little scared."
"Of what and when have you ever been scared?"
"You're right, it's just I had a funny feeling, like a twin thing."
"Twin thing?"
"Yeah."
"And so?"
"I dunno?"
"Point made Jack." Curly laughed quietly to himself.
The cave narrowed in its passage way and became pitch black.
"Gee, you'd have thought they would have had a fire going?" Jack muttered.
"They can't. What if Peter sees the cave's inhabited?" Curly replied.
Curly paused. "Hello?" He called.
"Curly?" Is that you?"
Curly's smile lit up on his features at the response of the voice.
"Nibs?" Jack called walking along rapidly with Curly. "Why are you in the dark?"
Curly paused and looked around the deserted, dark cave and his stomach dropped.
Jack frowned at first but then his eyes widened as Nibs' voice came out of the shadows from behind them.
"Didn't think I see you again." The voice changed into the unmistaken tones of their former leader.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"You look bad." Slightly mentioned to Jake. He waited for the 'twinish' comment to come back but Jake blanked him. "Jake, are you ok?"
"I dunno?"
"You do look kinda pale. Have you eaten something that hasn't agreed with you?"
Slightly came and sat beside him. A quick glance around the small cave told him that people were close and could listen if they wanted to. Nibs was now talking to some of the younger boys who had decided to finally talk to him. 'Maybe they're starting to get scared again and want Nibs to be on their good side?' He thought. Another quick glance told him that Summer and Autumn were close together with the younger girls near by who all still looked scared. They kept looking to the entrance of the small cave and back behind themselves as if there was another way into the cave. Slightly wished he had someone like Curly around to look after the girls, he always seemed to be able to talk to them without himself blushing or the girls giggling or blushing too. Slightly's skill in talking to young girls was fairly good but could be better.
"What's up?" Slightly asked quietly to Jake.
"Really funny feeling."
"Just recently?"
"Yeah."
"Sick feeling?"
Jake nodded.
Slightly looked at his face. It was blank, completely blank.
"I'd get you some water but I think it's best now that we don't wander, I'm sorry."
There was a pause between them and then Jake looked up to Slightly.
"I don't want water but....do you ever get the feeling something bad has happened?"
Slightly laughed to himself. "All the time." But noticed Jake wasn't laughing like his usual self. "Err, why?"
"I had this horrible feeling, nothing special, just this panic came over me. I wanted to bolt out of this cave, it was freaky."
"I don't know what to say Jake?" Slightly felt his leadership skills betray him.
Summer and Autumn made an appearance before him and both Jake and Slightly looked up.
"Ladies." Slightly nodded.
"Can I have a word with you?" Summer asked to Slightly offering a hand to her lover to help him up.
Slightly smiled lightly to her but didn't take the hand as he looked back to Jake instead.
Jake kept looking away from him, more interested in his fingers than the mini crowd.
Slightly patted his shoulder in a reassuring way before walking off with Summer.
"Yes my dear?" Slightly asked taking a glance at Jake.
"Stop looking at him." Summer argued playfully.
"What? Why? I'm allowed to be concerned for my tribe." Slightly smiled lightly at her.
"I know, but I think Jake needs time without you, I was thinking on the lines of a girl."
"Are you proposing to go over there and make me jealous?"
"Nope, just another season needs to talk to him, that's all."
Slightly looked over to Jake but Summer took his chin and directed it to her face. "Talk to me instead." She purred.
"Not in front of the tribe."
"Your mind is dirty." Summer stated with a smirk.
Slightly just grinned a devilish smile.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"Hey."
"Hey."
"You okay?"
"Yeah. You?"
"Just had a bad feeling, that's all."
"Oh. Can I sit down?"
"Oh yeah, sorry." Jake mumbled gesturing to the ground, hugging his knees.
Autumn licked her dry lips in nervousness.
"Do you think Winter has found Peter?" Jake asked.
"I hope not. Do you think your brother and Curly will find us soon?"
"Well I don't know. Last I heard they were in Ravens town. But I had this weird feeling."
"Like a bad one?"
"Yeah."
Autumn looked away from him for a second not knowing what to say that wouldn't sound petty or too much like flirting.
"I'm just going to be with the girls if you..."
"No." Jake asked turing his head to her. "Erm, Stay. I can't just sit and mop about here complaining can I."
"Not by yourself." Autumn replied smiling lightly. "And I guess I want to rant on about how stupid I was to be Winter's best friend. I feel a bit guilty."
"You shouldn't be. Not about that stupid bitch."
Jake waited for a defending comment but there was none.
"She was a real bitch, the biggest bitch and the ugliest too!" Autumn smirked recalling Jake's previous comment in the other cave about Winter.
Jake smiled at her remembering his comment with boyish pride. "You know you've just gone up in my books a hundred points for saying that."
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Peter sat crossed legged, half a metre from the floor. He was voicing his angry opinions to the dead corpse of Winter who had turned a gross shade, her eyes still open.
"You said they were there Winter, you told me they'd be THERE!!!!" Peter shouted the last word grounding himself on the floor. He kicked her body with such force she tumbled out of the dirty water while the murky liquid flooded over the soil.
Peter took a few deep breaths to over come his anger, his hands on his hips.
He laughed to himself as he looked at Winters body.
"And now I'm back to step one, step, fucking, one!!!!" He roared, balling his firsts up and letting out a growl. He put a hand to his ear as if he was listening to something.
"Oh what's that, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I can't hear you, do you want to repeat that?" Peter asked the corpse. Bending down to it and grabbing Winter's neck so her lifeless head bobbed. "I'm not only a fucking bitch Peter, I'm a fucking liar too!" Peter said in a terrible imitation of Winter's voice. He dropped her body carelessly on the floor and took a couple of steps.
"Yes, Winter I could have done your voice but now you're just not worth it. You made me lose my tribe!!!! My tribe for God sake. I nearly had them and now they're gone and I'm gonna have to find them." He turned to her body which was now in a nasty looking heap. "Don't you get smart mouthed with me you stupid cunt!"
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
Sarah assumed that the Indians at first weren't intending to help her and she was right. Thankfully by the time the afternoon came around John and Lily were around and very happy to see her as was she. The skins of the tepee's weren't that private if one was to be outside listening, but the Indians had respect for each other, something the lost tribe found hard at times to give to one another. The case for the Indians not being helpful was probably the fear that she was still connected to the infamous Hook.
"And so you've left James with his new child."
"Yeah." Sarah's tone was sad. She sipped her hot drink she'd been offered and found it relaxed her again.
"I just can't get over the fact he has this new baby, I would have never expected him to be like that. And his other son too, it's incredible." Lily voiced her thoughts.
"Well, the other son makes sense doesn't it, James Hook is an old man, sorry Sarah, but it's not like he's a young man or anything. He's had years to produce a family of some kind"
Sarah had frowned a 'hey' at John's words.
"You know John..." Lily stated holding Michael on her hip. "They say older men have something that girls want, something that men like you don't have."
"What's that? Fat?" He asked raising an eyebrow.
Lily smirked at him falsely. "No, its love, they've been through their lust and flings, they've had their fun. Older men have knowledge, look at our tribe." Lily smirked to herself at the thought.
"Ah, but Lily, I think your forgetting something called 'young love' which I think you should know very well."
"I hardly call seeing you hang upside down revealing your manhood 'love', I'd say a joke."
"Ha, ha Lily, but I'm not talking about that."
Sarah did catch the ever so small blush John had acquired on his cheeks.
"I know, I was smitten, I'll admit."
"Was it love Sarah?" John asked sincerely.
"I thought it was. Age wasn't a problem. It doesn't seem to be a problem in Neverland and especially not with rich men, it's the norm in Ravens town. Deep down I know it was repayment at first. It then went into caring and lust. It might have been more but my jealously over came me. I was treated like a queen with him. I became a different person and I loved it. I loved not drinking water from a wooden cup, instead a silver goblet filled with the most expensive wine money could afford. I loved being able to wash properly in sweet smelling baths and then wearing the finest material over my body.
Lily was watching with a smile on her lips, rocking Michael contently. John was listening to her story with interest and thinking about pirate life. The stories he'd listen to were ones with blood and gore and savages when he was young. Sadly they'd become real but he hadn't opted for that kind of life style and he was thankful. He was amazed he'd never thought about how wealthy a pirate was or how much education and class he could possess and the pirate in question had more then he'd ever know.
"Everyone thinks he's a monster and he is, in his own ways. I never saw the 'Captain' side, it was only James and I like it. We had our arguments, but doesn't everyone? One thing that I seemed to notice though was that I was lonely or at least I started to feel that way. No wonder he's so rich. He's always off doing something. I believed it was at first his work, I was gullible, new to Ravens town. I still don't know if he was seeing a mistress but I know he was now delving into his family business. It was odd when he asked me if I wanted a baby."
"I bet." John commented.
"But it was even more heart breaking to find out it wouldn't be part of me. Then I thought it doesn't need to be. This was me just being selfish. A child is a child and it needs love. Then I thought about caring for it. I could do that with my eyes closed but I wouldn't be able to feed it and that was what was heartbreaking." Sarah looked at Lily who half smiled sympathetically at her and handed Michael to John.
Lily embraced Sarah and rubbed her back.
"I think the spirits have told you the right thing to do Sarah. But what you said about Matilda. I have a strange mind towards her. She sounds?"
"Like a bitch?"
"John. Not in front of Michael."
"He doesn't know what were saying." John smiled.
Sarah smiled.
"The thing that made me feel like a mother was to hold Michael in my arms but I felt so much more when he was at my breast."
"Sarah I feel your pain, Lily obviously doesn't know that the father bonds perfectly well without having to have something stuck on their nipple." John joked.
Lily gave him and icy stare but burst into a giggle. "John you're crazy." She smiled.
Sarah was laughing at the pair too.
"I know what your saying and its true Lily, it's also true what your saying John but when you are a woman, which I am, I think I'll have to side with Lily.
"You know the rich society get nurses and such to feed their offspring." John stated.
"Thank you for that information John." Lily replied
Both girls laughed at him.
"Well it's true." John added flatly.
"Oh another subject, what are you going to do about the lost tribe. Do you want an escort to walk you down? I know Bidziil would happily do it and he's single still." Lily winked at the last part.
"Well if he doesn't mind." Sarah replied.
"Of course he wouldn't he's my younger brother."
"He is trust worthy, Ill admit.
"John is just jealous because Bidziil has a very good body if you know what I mean."
"But not all girls like muscle, they like intelligent...."
"Pale faced, sickly looking English gentlemen, yes I do, I'll admit." Lily smiled jokingly.
John smiled at her shaking his head.
"Anyway let me go and get him." Lily smiled.
Sarah finished off her drink which had gone a bit cold. She pulled a funny face as it touched her lips but hoped John hadn't seen her.
"I know tastes like shit doesn't it, but it does relax you."
"Well, I wasn't going to say that but..."
"Oh, don't tell Lily, she's proud of it." John joked. "Here would you take Michael for a moment?"
"Sure."
Sarah held him and the child was quite content on just trying to sleep.
"This is for you." John mentioned as he showed her a small parcel.
"What is it?"
"Well I was thinking about a pair of knickers but...." John saw the grin of Sarah lips and smirked himself. "It's just an Indian fur for you, to keep you warm in that cave. It's colder than it looks."
"Thank you John." Sarah smiled putting Michael in his crib. Hugging John with a tight embrace. "I don't know what I'd do without you."
"Ready?" Lily asked but before she could say anymore Sarah had picked up her fur parcel and hugged Lily tightly.
"Thank you for your friendship Lily."
Lily smiled and hugged her friend even deeper. "Take care of yourself. And don't worry, Bidziil is with you."
Sarah released her embrace and noted Tiger Lily's younger brother who stood taller than John and broader. His skin was the most beautiful tan and his glossy black hair was hanging by his face and ending at shoulder length. Sarah swallowed and smiled lightly to him. 'This was going to be the best walk I'll have in a while.' She thought.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Chapter Twenty - The beginning of the end.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The trek in the mud wasn't the most important thing on Nibs' mind. On the other hand bumping into Peter was. Jake who was with him, every so often moaned about the slippery mud. It was only until his conversation about his brother Jack came up that Nibs decided to listen. There had been no word of him or Curly for a while and although Nibs said to himself he didn't care anymore about their situation when there was more important things like the safety of the tribe to think about, he was kidding himself not to think about the safety of his best friend and Jake's brother.
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
"Well can I do anything?"
"Just get out of my way!" Betty muttered furiously with some boiling water as she went into the room.
Sarah had found herself moping around on the stairs for the past hour.
Sarah didn't expect Matilda to have her baby so imminently, in fact she was hoping it would have been a good two weeks or so, so she could completely understand the massive change and get to grips with the side of James that was starting to become irritating. She asked to see James who had put on a pair of trousers and was now in their room with Matilda. The instant Sarah had asked for a word, James said he was too busy to talk or think, Matlida had complained that she was putting her off in some way and so Betty had pushed her out and sent her away.
It left Sarah feeling numb. This wasn't what life with James was meant to be like.
Time seemed to go by too slowly and still no one acknowledged her. Sarah then decided to retire to the kitchen where it was far warmer. A cry echoed from upstairs and then there was silence. Time still dragged on and Sarah was contemplating whether banging her head on the wooden table would pass the time.
The words were said in her head. "Fuck this." The lost girl side of her had begun to come alive, now she wanted her own space with people her own age, with friendly faces who didn't push her away. Okay so maybe there was still a small handful who wouldn't be pleased to see her and if Peter happened to bump into her, well, she'd be ready and she'd blame James for not caring for her. Sarah gasped at her thoughts. Was she being selfish? No forget that, what she needed was a gun if she was going to venture into the jungle.
It was lucky Sarah had her dressing gown and slippers with her downstairs as she knew there was no way she was going to be able to enter her room and pack up a nice bag with girly, rich things in. Instead the slippers and dressing gown felt like they were enough and so without another word Sarah walked into the study and pulled out some parchment, then a quill and ink.
'Dear James,
Did you know sitting on the stairs is a good place to think about things? You've probably noticed since you told me the news about your baby, I haven't been my usual self. I honestly didn't know what to think about it and I still don't. I think that's why I'm writing this. If there is one thing I've learnt living in Neverland, it's that you can rely on more than just yourself in life, in fact you can rely on your family. When I met you, I thought you had none, but I noticed people who weren't blood related to you, who I would still consider your family; Betty and your crew mate Mr Smee for instance. They still hold a bond to you and in a sense they are your family. Then I found out you have a son, Ruben. Things may have gone wrong with him and you may not have the relationship you want with him but at the end of the day he is still your son, remember that. I guess that leads me to what I'm to say next. The bond of a child I think is one so special that it can't be cast aside, that is why I understand your urgency for your new baby, and it's new to you. I also know that the union of two people who create a child, usually, blossoms when it's born. I can't deny James that this has been the thought that has stayed in my mind the most. I see the way Matilda looks at you, wants to be by your side. She's a very beautiful looking person, that is what I know. I can't judge her because I don't know her, but first impressions tend to stand out about someone. I hope you are happy with your new child and her. To me James Hook will always have a place in my heart because you affected it. You made me feel real, you gave me the best and you treated me like a human being, like a woman. In the time I've spent, I've been able to view my new life and I completely enjoined it. I'm actually thankful that I was shot, but deep down, I know I don't belong here, sometimes it seems like it's too good to be true. I think now it's time we both are with our real families.
I'll always remember you,
Sarah.'
Sarah licked her dry lips and swallowed the lump that was forming in her throat. The small candle that lay on the desk was snubbed out by her fingers. One last trip to the kitchen was made and Sarah went to the chopping board. A large, sharpe knife glinted at her. She picked it up with care and stared at it. A creak on the stairs brought her mind back to the kitchen and she dropped the knife back onto the counter where it rolled down the side.
"Shit." Sarah whispered wanting to retrieve the knife. Reaching for it wasn't that hard and when she retrieved it, she frowned and laughed to herself and pocketed the item that Betty had obviously hidden for safety.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"It's perfect!"
"It'll do." Nibs agreed.
Both young men had come across another smaller cave, not so far away. For the mean time it would be cramped but perfect.
Time was of the essence and the sooner the lost tribe were out of the old cave the better.
"Will you be okay, while I go and get everyone?"
"Sure!" Jake nodded taking a long stretch and yawning.
"Don't fall asleep mind." Nibs joked before he dashed off as quick as he could.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"Peter?"
These days it would have been considered a taboo to cry out Peter's name, only in case he actually heard you.
His name sounded foreign to his own ears but once the words were spoken again, Peter let himself smile in an unpleasant way. So someone was after him, a girl to be exact. A quick frown played upon his now cleaner face as he tried to match a face to the voice.
"Winter?" Peter said out loud to himself. Another frown mingled with a sneer, lit up his face and he walked into the opening of his domain to see if she was about.
He waited a small while but sure enough, the figure of Winter approached, slightly dirty and slightly out of breath.
"Well, well, well...." Peter smiled maliciously.
"Peter oh, thank God!"
Winter slowed her quickened steps and walked the last part into the clearing. She took a quick glance around and found the camp, wrecked and destroyed.
A nervous laughed escaped her lips as Peter hovered around her, his feet a couple of inches off the ground.
"Peter, please, before you do..."
"What?" Peter asked, his smile considerably lighter.
Winter smiled apologetically. "Sorry."
"For what?" Peter's voice was soft and boyish.
"For leaving you silly. I didn't want to, they made me."
"Who?" Peter's eyes narrowed.
"Them, Slightly, Summer, Nibs."
"No surprise there." Peter replied landing on the floor.
"I didn't want to leave you, you know that don't you?" Winter looked up to Peter and was startled at the change. His whole face cried revenge.
"You could have left when you wanted to, you know that don't you?" Peter's sarcasm only slightly affected Winter.
"Well?" Winter found she was struggling with her words.
"It's okay, Winter." Peter said softly. He smiled at her and hugged her briefly. To Winter this was the first step to her reward. "I'm glad you came back, I was starting to get lonely." Again the sarcasm lingered. "So tell me Winter, where are my tribe, or even, who is my tribe?"
Peter stood beside her and wrapped an arm around her shoulders as he started to walk.
"You mean who's there?"
"Bingo." He smiled sweetly.
"The usual, except, Jack and Curly."
"What's Jack doing away?"
"Don't know but he's with Curly...probably looking for Sarah..."
"Who is still in hiding with that glorious James keeping her all to himself. I think that's very rude, don't you?"
"Erm?" Winter replied.
"'Yes' Winter, you should have said 'yes'."
"Y-yes."
"So good old Nibs is back with the tribe I presume, I can't seem to find him anywhere?"
"Yes, he is, acting like he's the boss and everything.
"Well, we always new Slightly would never make leader, that is why I made him vice. Nibs on the other hand is a natural born leader, that is why he wasn't my second, he'd probably over throw me."
"Not you, I mean? I think he's scared of you."
"Are you trying to be funny?"
"No."
"Well then, don't say stupid stuff like that. As much as I'd like to think that true."
"Peter, where's Tink?"
"Oh you are on the ball aren't you? Anyway, Winter, tell me where my tribe are?"
Winter hesitated and Peter's impatience came out in a laugh to himself.
"Okay, Winter, what's wrong?"
"Your revenge."
"What about it?"
"Is it going to be on everyone?"
Peter paused a moment before speaking.
"You know I only have it in for the ones who primarily went against me. Nibs, Slightly, Curly, Sarah. That's all."
Winter gave a weak sheepish grin and swallowed.
"I'm an outcast now."
"And we'll have a party for you, a real special one, now where are my tribe Winter."
"You know by Parma falls, along from that set of fur trees before it reaches the snow? They're near there, in a cave. There's quite an open space near it where the mud will still be wet, you'll find them there."
The pair had reached a large tub that held dirty water.
"Do you want a drink?"
Winter frowned. "Drink that?"
"Why not?" Peter cried as he grabbed the back of her neck and plunged her head into the tub. Winter flapped her arms about but Peter used his weight to pin her beneath the water. Winter's body wriggled furiously but still Peter held her down, deciding to whistle to pass the time. After a minute or so Winter's limp body still lay in the tub and Peter picked himself up.
"Oh by the way, thanks for the info. As much as I believed you were telling me the truth, A) you could have still been lying for one of those bastards who you obviously consider leader and B) If you were on my side, Winter, you would have left the minute you heard the tribe where leaving. So there you go..." Peter started walking away from the body but paused to turn around.
"Before I forget...the reason I've left you in that tub is because I can't stand you're fucking, ugly, dog face! Bye, bye."
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"I thought she said here?"
"She did...didn't she?"
Jack looked over to his friend and shrugged his shoulders. "We could set up camp here?"
"What in all this mud? No thank you. Besides, we need to find everyone." Curly replied, grudgingly walking on.
Jack caught up to him and the pair walked on further spotting the snow covered trees.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"Head count. Is every one here?" Slightly asked.
Immediately a chorus of 'no' echoed the small cave.
Nibs grinned at Slightly and turned to look at the tribe, getting some half annoying looks in his direction.
"So is everyone here?" Slightly asked over to Summer.
"Yes, calm down, honestly you'll give yourself a hernia or something." She smiled lightly.
A few of the older girls giggled, watching Slightly positively becoming agitated and anxious.
Summer smiled again at him and winked before she sat down near Autumn who looked quiet.
"You ok?" Summer asked tucking a strand of curly blonde hair behind her ear.
"I guess, just..."
"Confused?"
"Yeah."
"We all knew Winter had a weak spot for Peter."
"So did Wendy but she never betray the tribe for love."
"I don't think it was love, lust I'd say."
"I agree with you there." Autumn replied looking over to Slightly and Jake.
Summer looked in her direction and back at Autumn.
"See something you like?" Summer asked with a raised eyebrow, pondering whether she was looking at Slightly, but a smile broke out when she noticed Autumn's eyes weren't on Slightly.
Summer looked around the room carelessly and muttered to herself. "I wish he'd take his cap off sometimes, he's got beautiful hair."
"Yeah." Autumn replied quietly and dreamily before she realised what she had said. She looked at Summer and blushed.
"Someone take your fancy? And here's me thinking Peter was your number one."
Autumn shook her head sheepishly after she looked around to see if anyone was eaves dropping.
"What brought this on?" Summer asked quietly.
Autumn looked to the girl who was the same age as her but more mature than she'd ever be. She shrugged before she spoke.
"I always knew I'd never be Peter's girl. I gave up hope a long time ago but Winter never."
"She was too love struck to give up hope."
"She's nothing to be proud of, not if she loves a nasty person like him." Autumn added.
Summer nodded and Autumn twirled a piece of copper hair with her finger and thumb before she spoke in a quiet whisper. "Jake's different, I've noticed for a while. He's sweet, but I can never get him alone, he's always with Jack."
"Boys take longer to grow up Autumn. Look at Slightly, he's meant to be grown up but he still has his odd childish moods."
"Yeah but a least Slightly considers you a woman, not a girly pest, that's what all the boys of the tribe think about me."
"Not when they realise what's between their legs they won't. They'll be after you like that." Summer clicked her fingers for emphasis. "I'm sure Jake knows what other functions his...you know... does but, well some guys are shy with girls, look at Nibs." Summer added.
"But Nibs is weird. I mean he's the most gorgeous bloke on the whole island..."
"Don't let him hear you said that..." Summer smiled
"Why? Because it'll go to his head?"
"No, he'll probably come after you to kill you... actually? I think I see your point." Summer smirked. "I don't how why he hates all the attention he gets?"
"...And he could have any girl he wants but he doesn't, don't you think that's weird too?" Autumn asked taking a quick glance at the person she was talking about.
"Nibs is just sensible I guess. He's waiting for the right person."
"Summer?"
"Yes?"
"You mean sensible like....not getting girls pregnant and all, right?"
"Yes also."
"We'll I'm surprised that you're not."
Summer smiled lightly but Autumn noticed that the smile held more pride and radiance in it.
"No." Autumn asked, her smiled brightening into a giggly sort.
"Well were not too sure but."
"You kept that one quiet."
"Didn't want it to leak out, look at today, could you imagine?"
"You're right." Autumn replied feeling a hint of guilt for being the best friend of the person who betrayed the tribe.
"But this has to stay with you, promise me that." Summer asked quickly realising her confession.
"Of course."
"So you two must be really at it? God my sex life is non existent."
"When you meet the right person it'll happen." Summer replied taking Autumn into a deep hug and looking over to Jake with a smile on her lips.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"Looks, dark, even in the sunlight." Jack mentioned as they strolled further to the entrance.
"Yeah."
"So ya scared?"
"Nope."
They walked a little further in.
"Sounds quiet." Curly added as an after thought. He glanced at Jack who was rooted on the spot.
"After you my friend." Jack mentioned and Curly gave him a raised eyebrow.
"Ok, I'm just a little scared."
"Of what and when have you ever been scared?"
"You're right, it's just I had a funny feeling, like a twin thing."
"Twin thing?"
"Yeah."
"And so?"
"I dunno?"
"Point made Jack." Curly laughed quietly to himself.
The cave narrowed in its passage way and became pitch black.
"Gee, you'd have thought they would have had a fire going?" Jack muttered.
"They can't. What if Peter sees the cave's inhabited?" Curly replied.
Curly paused. "Hello?" He called.
"Curly?" Is that you?"
Curly's smile lit up on his features at the response of the voice.
"Nibs?" Jack called walking along rapidly with Curly. "Why are you in the dark?"
Curly paused and looked around the deserted, dark cave and his stomach dropped.
Jack frowned at first but then his eyes widened as Nibs' voice came out of the shadows from behind them.
"Didn't think I see you again." The voice changed into the unmistaken tones of their former leader.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"You look bad." Slightly mentioned to Jake. He waited for the 'twinish' comment to come back but Jake blanked him. "Jake, are you ok?"
"I dunno?"
"You do look kinda pale. Have you eaten something that hasn't agreed with you?"
Slightly came and sat beside him. A quick glance around the small cave told him that people were close and could listen if they wanted to. Nibs was now talking to some of the younger boys who had decided to finally talk to him. 'Maybe they're starting to get scared again and want Nibs to be on their good side?' He thought. Another quick glance told him that Summer and Autumn were close together with the younger girls near by who all still looked scared. They kept looking to the entrance of the small cave and back behind themselves as if there was another way into the cave. Slightly wished he had someone like Curly around to look after the girls, he always seemed to be able to talk to them without himself blushing or the girls giggling or blushing too. Slightly's skill in talking to young girls was fairly good but could be better.
"What's up?" Slightly asked quietly to Jake.
"Really funny feeling."
"Just recently?"
"Yeah."
"Sick feeling?"
Jake nodded.
Slightly looked at his face. It was blank, completely blank.
"I'd get you some water but I think it's best now that we don't wander, I'm sorry."
There was a pause between them and then Jake looked up to Slightly.
"I don't want water but....do you ever get the feeling something bad has happened?"
Slightly laughed to himself. "All the time." But noticed Jake wasn't laughing like his usual self. "Err, why?"
"I had this horrible feeling, nothing special, just this panic came over me. I wanted to bolt out of this cave, it was freaky."
"I don't know what to say Jake?" Slightly felt his leadership skills betray him.
Summer and Autumn made an appearance before him and both Jake and Slightly looked up.
"Ladies." Slightly nodded.
"Can I have a word with you?" Summer asked to Slightly offering a hand to her lover to help him up.
Slightly smiled lightly to her but didn't take the hand as he looked back to Jake instead.
Jake kept looking away from him, more interested in his fingers than the mini crowd.
Slightly patted his shoulder in a reassuring way before walking off with Summer.
"Yes my dear?" Slightly asked taking a glance at Jake.
"Stop looking at him." Summer argued playfully.
"What? Why? I'm allowed to be concerned for my tribe." Slightly smiled lightly at her.
"I know, but I think Jake needs time without you, I was thinking on the lines of a girl."
"Are you proposing to go over there and make me jealous?"
"Nope, just another season needs to talk to him, that's all."
Slightly looked over to Jake but Summer took his chin and directed it to her face. "Talk to me instead." She purred.
"Not in front of the tribe."
"Your mind is dirty." Summer stated with a smirk.
Slightly just grinned a devilish smile.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"Hey."
"Hey."
"You okay?"
"Yeah. You?"
"Just had a bad feeling, that's all."
"Oh. Can I sit down?"
"Oh yeah, sorry." Jake mumbled gesturing to the ground, hugging his knees.
Autumn licked her dry lips in nervousness.
"Do you think Winter has found Peter?" Jake asked.
"I hope not. Do you think your brother and Curly will find us soon?"
"Well I don't know. Last I heard they were in Ravens town. But I had this weird feeling."
"Like a bad one?"
"Yeah."
Autumn looked away from him for a second not knowing what to say that wouldn't sound petty or too much like flirting.
"I'm just going to be with the girls if you..."
"No." Jake asked turing his head to her. "Erm, Stay. I can't just sit and mop about here complaining can I."
"Not by yourself." Autumn replied smiling lightly. "And I guess I want to rant on about how stupid I was to be Winter's best friend. I feel a bit guilty."
"You shouldn't be. Not about that stupid bitch."
Jake waited for a defending comment but there was none.
"She was a real bitch, the biggest bitch and the ugliest too!" Autumn smirked recalling Jake's previous comment in the other cave about Winter.
Jake smiled at her remembering his comment with boyish pride. "You know you've just gone up in my books a hundred points for saying that."
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Peter sat crossed legged, half a metre from the floor. He was voicing his angry opinions to the dead corpse of Winter who had turned a gross shade, her eyes still open.
"You said they were there Winter, you told me they'd be THERE!!!!" Peter shouted the last word grounding himself on the floor. He kicked her body with such force she tumbled out of the dirty water while the murky liquid flooded over the soil.
Peter took a few deep breaths to over come his anger, his hands on his hips.
He laughed to himself as he looked at Winters body.
"And now I'm back to step one, step, fucking, one!!!!" He roared, balling his firsts up and letting out a growl. He put a hand to his ear as if he was listening to something.
"Oh what's that, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I can't hear you, do you want to repeat that?" Peter asked the corpse. Bending down to it and grabbing Winter's neck so her lifeless head bobbed. "I'm not only a fucking bitch Peter, I'm a fucking liar too!" Peter said in a terrible imitation of Winter's voice. He dropped her body carelessly on the floor and took a couple of steps.
"Yes, Winter I could have done your voice but now you're just not worth it. You made me lose my tribe!!!! My tribe for God sake. I nearly had them and now they're gone and I'm gonna have to find them." He turned to her body which was now in a nasty looking heap. "Don't you get smart mouthed with me you stupid cunt!"
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
Sarah assumed that the Indians at first weren't intending to help her and she was right. Thankfully by the time the afternoon came around John and Lily were around and very happy to see her as was she. The skins of the tepee's weren't that private if one was to be outside listening, but the Indians had respect for each other, something the lost tribe found hard at times to give to one another. The case for the Indians not being helpful was probably the fear that she was still connected to the infamous Hook.
"And so you've left James with his new child."
"Yeah." Sarah's tone was sad. She sipped her hot drink she'd been offered and found it relaxed her again.
"I just can't get over the fact he has this new baby, I would have never expected him to be like that. And his other son too, it's incredible." Lily voiced her thoughts.
"Well, the other son makes sense doesn't it, James Hook is an old man, sorry Sarah, but it's not like he's a young man or anything. He's had years to produce a family of some kind"
Sarah had frowned a 'hey' at John's words.
"You know John..." Lily stated holding Michael on her hip. "They say older men have something that girls want, something that men like you don't have."
"What's that? Fat?" He asked raising an eyebrow.
Lily smirked at him falsely. "No, its love, they've been through their lust and flings, they've had their fun. Older men have knowledge, look at our tribe." Lily smirked to herself at the thought.
"Ah, but Lily, I think your forgetting something called 'young love' which I think you should know very well."
"I hardly call seeing you hang upside down revealing your manhood 'love', I'd say a joke."
"Ha, ha Lily, but I'm not talking about that."
Sarah did catch the ever so small blush John had acquired on his cheeks.
"I know, I was smitten, I'll admit."
"Was it love Sarah?" John asked sincerely.
"I thought it was. Age wasn't a problem. It doesn't seem to be a problem in Neverland and especially not with rich men, it's the norm in Ravens town. Deep down I know it was repayment at first. It then went into caring and lust. It might have been more but my jealously over came me. I was treated like a queen with him. I became a different person and I loved it. I loved not drinking water from a wooden cup, instead a silver goblet filled with the most expensive wine money could afford. I loved being able to wash properly in sweet smelling baths and then wearing the finest material over my body.
Lily was watching with a smile on her lips, rocking Michael contently. John was listening to her story with interest and thinking about pirate life. The stories he'd listen to were ones with blood and gore and savages when he was young. Sadly they'd become real but he hadn't opted for that kind of life style and he was thankful. He was amazed he'd never thought about how wealthy a pirate was or how much education and class he could possess and the pirate in question had more then he'd ever know.
"Everyone thinks he's a monster and he is, in his own ways. I never saw the 'Captain' side, it was only James and I like it. We had our arguments, but doesn't everyone? One thing that I seemed to notice though was that I was lonely or at least I started to feel that way. No wonder he's so rich. He's always off doing something. I believed it was at first his work, I was gullible, new to Ravens town. I still don't know if he was seeing a mistress but I know he was now delving into his family business. It was odd when he asked me if I wanted a baby."
"I bet." John commented.
"But it was even more heart breaking to find out it wouldn't be part of me. Then I thought it doesn't need to be. This was me just being selfish. A child is a child and it needs love. Then I thought about caring for it. I could do that with my eyes closed but I wouldn't be able to feed it and that was what was heartbreaking." Sarah looked at Lily who half smiled sympathetically at her and handed Michael to John.
Lily embraced Sarah and rubbed her back.
"I think the spirits have told you the right thing to do Sarah. But what you said about Matilda. I have a strange mind towards her. She sounds?"
"Like a bitch?"
"John. Not in front of Michael."
"He doesn't know what were saying." John smiled.
Sarah smiled.
"The thing that made me feel like a mother was to hold Michael in my arms but I felt so much more when he was at my breast."
"Sarah I feel your pain, Lily obviously doesn't know that the father bonds perfectly well without having to have something stuck on their nipple." John joked.
Lily gave him and icy stare but burst into a giggle. "John you're crazy." She smiled.
Sarah was laughing at the pair too.
"I know what your saying and its true Lily, it's also true what your saying John but when you are a woman, which I am, I think I'll have to side with Lily.
"You know the rich society get nurses and such to feed their offspring." John stated.
"Thank you for that information John." Lily replied
Both girls laughed at him.
"Well it's true." John added flatly.
"Oh another subject, what are you going to do about the lost tribe. Do you want an escort to walk you down? I know Bidziil would happily do it and he's single still." Lily winked at the last part.
"Well if he doesn't mind." Sarah replied.
"Of course he wouldn't he's my younger brother."
"He is trust worthy, Ill admit.
"John is just jealous because Bidziil has a very good body if you know what I mean."
"But not all girls like muscle, they like intelligent...."
"Pale faced, sickly looking English gentlemen, yes I do, I'll admit." Lily smiled jokingly.
John smiled at her shaking his head.
"Anyway let me go and get him." Lily smiled.
Sarah finished off her drink which had gone a bit cold. She pulled a funny face as it touched her lips but hoped John hadn't seen her.
"I know tastes like shit doesn't it, but it does relax you."
"Well, I wasn't going to say that but..."
"Oh, don't tell Lily, she's proud of it." John joked. "Here would you take Michael for a moment?"
"Sure."
Sarah held him and the child was quite content on just trying to sleep.
"This is for you." John mentioned as he showed her a small parcel.
"What is it?"
"Well I was thinking about a pair of knickers but...." John saw the grin of Sarah lips and smirked himself. "It's just an Indian fur for you, to keep you warm in that cave. It's colder than it looks."
"Thank you John." Sarah smiled putting Michael in his crib. Hugging John with a tight embrace. "I don't know what I'd do without you."
"Ready?" Lily asked but before she could say anymore Sarah had picked up her fur parcel and hugged Lily tightly.
"Thank you for your friendship Lily."
Lily smiled and hugged her friend even deeper. "Take care of yourself. And don't worry, Bidziil is with you."
Sarah released her embrace and noted Tiger Lily's younger brother who stood taller than John and broader. His skin was the most beautiful tan and his glossy black hair was hanging by his face and ending at shoulder length. Sarah swallowed and smiled lightly to him. 'This was going to be the best walk I'll have in a while.' She thought.