BLACK BUTTERFLY

Rated: R- just be safe and all.

Chapter 5

She did as she was told. Washed and dressed in the long dark purple dress. Though still in the back of her mind she had little idea as to where she was and what was going to happen to her. Sighing, she glanced down at her wrists and the new set of fresh bandages that covered her arms from wrist to elbow. The sight of her gashes caused a spine tingling shiver to run throughout her body. She shuddered and shook her arms to get rid of the ice that was suddenly pulsing through her veins. Luckily the long sleeved gown enabled her to cover the hideous sight which she had caused upon herself.

Wanting to get the idea of death out of her mind, she made her away across the cabin and studied the contents it held, again for a second time. Apart for the double four posted bed that she had woken up with, the cabin held a large set of cabinets and draws, a solid oak dinning table with six firm wooden chairs, a desk with map after map stretched out across it's surface pilled upon on another; a compass, magnifying glass and a series of other objects scattered above the maps, a shelve lined with books dating back as far as the 17th centaury, a musical instrument that appeared to be a piano yet not, and could it be…no it couldn't….the far corner…How?

There was a large golden chest located in the far, far corner of the cabin. Different from the one Smee had searched through for her dress. It was larger, looked more solid and appeared much fancier.

A lock hung against one of its hinges, though that lock was not the only thing that caught her eye and aroused the possibility of what it could be. The frame of the chest was in gold, and sparkled in the sunlight that had come from the windows lining the far wall opposite the door.

Her mouth opened to form a silent wow as she took a step towards the object.

"A treasure chest?" she asked the sea air that was floating in through one of the opened windows.

"Don't be silly Jasmine, there is no such thing as tress chest. That's just a fairy tale.." she muttered to herself dismissing such an imaginative thought.

Then again, she wondered how she could dismiss such a thought when what she was experiencing now could be classified as a fairy tale. "Come on Jasmine, who every thought trying to commit suicide would take you to a place like this. Get a hold of your emotions, think it through logically. Remember the first rule in etiquette mother instructed…." She mumbled to herself as she walked closer towards the chest. "A lady must never let her emotions take advantage of her logic," she mimicked her mother's words in her mother's voice. "Just breath…" she whispered as she closed her eyes and concentrated on the darkness for a few seconds.

A small smile played upon her lips as she opened her eyes to gaze upon the chest again. "Oh Jasmine, your imagination runs wild sometimes. It can't be a treasure chest, they are only found in stories. It simply must be a fancy trunk used to transport goods as was the one this," she brushed her fingers over the silk dress, "came out of."

"Why is it only in stories such things can exist?" questioned a familiar male voice before the sound of the cabin door clicked shut.

Sharply she turned to gaze upon the man who she feared the voice belong to. She gasped and brought her fingers up to her lips to hide the 'o' her mouth had formed.

"You.." she whispered in a voice that dripped with detestation.

"Me?" the man questioned as he brought his hand up to his chest to indicate himself.

"Yes, you…" Swallowing air, she frighteningly took a step back, placing herself within a reasonable yet safe distance away from him.

"What of me?" the Captain asked as he placed his hand back down by his side.

"You are the man at the beach."

"Indeed I am," he remarked as he unbuttoned his coat single handed before hanging it upon the stand. "What of it?"

"You…..you ... you…" she was lost for words. Her feelings contained anger and fear and hate, yet she dared not show such un-lady like emotions.

"Yes, me…" the corner of his lips twitched.

Eyes narrowing she gathered all her strength and said something her mother would be extremely proud of had she seen it. "Must you repeat everything I say? Who are you?"

The Captain laughed deep and masculine in sound. "I am James Hook, Captain of the Jolly Rogger. Who are you?" His question was sarcastic, yet playful, mocking her words.

"Do not mock me sir. I demanded that you release me."

He laughed again and appeared to be enjoying their dramatic and comic exchange. Who was to think such a lady with a delicate appearance could contain such fire and passion within her soul.

"Release you…." A grin crossed his face, "why my fair lady, I see no chains indicating you a prisoner." His hand gestured to her form. "Though I thought and believed that one would be grateful and present manners to hospitality such as saving ones life?" His eyebrows cocked up in questioning.

Breathing deeply, she lifted her chin, held her manner high with pride to hide her fear. "Thank you? Oh I suppose I should also thank you for manhandling me at the beach. Perhaps you thought give me such hospitality was due to your lack of manners when you first encountered me."

"On the contrary my fair lady, you appeared to be a state of shock. You had lost a lot of blood, thus confirming your poor sense of judgment, which not only placed yourself but others around you in danger."

She gasped, this time with anger. "How dare you sir? Claim such a thing when it was you who raised his sword towards a lady and threatened to kill her. I see no excuse on your behalf for your ill manners."

He laughed. "I am a pirate…" he beamed with joy. "I need no excuses for my poor behavior. And since fair lady you are on my ship, and under my care you will seize your temper and do as I command of you."

"I will do no such thing…" she hissed, her breasts heaving with her effort to remain lady like in manner. Clearly this man was mocking and toying with every word that left her lips.

The Captain cocked his eyebrow at her words, but after a few minutes let the remark that played on his lips to escape, die. It was best not to bait nor scare the lass off. He had, had his entertainment for now. It was time for his playful manner to turn serious and retrieve his information.

She caught the glint of silver on his arm as he turned back towards her after hanging his coat on a hook by the door. Now wearing only his shirt, breaches, boots and belt with a sword, she could not help but flinched at the sight of the hook replacing his hand.

They stood watching one another in silence for at least two minutes. Both had different reasons for their observations. Jasmine was watching him with wonder on what he was going to do with her. Where as Captain Hook was watching her with wonder on how she came to resemble a person he knew.

"How did you get here?" he asked raising an eye brow, his tone had suddenly changed from his playful and mocking, to his serious and suspicious.

"I don't know…" she whispered, watching him walk towards the dinning table. The nearer he drew to her, the further away she walked from him.

Again he titled his head in thought, though this time clicked his tongue. "Do you remember anything?"

"I remember you and that other man. Nothing else." she whispered, her eyes darting from left to right as if she was watching out for any surprised attacks.

Interesting, the Captain thought as he observed her movement. How could one change from feeling confident to frighten so quickly. What was it about this girl that makes her special other than resembling…..?

Nodding, the Captain settled himself into a chair and regarded her standing form with more thought.

"What of those?" he gestured towards her arms with a nod of his head.

"What of them?" she asked quietly as she stepped closer towards the door.

"Why did you attempt it?"

This time she didn't't respond to his question. She only turned her head and looked away in shame.

"Well?" asked the Captain once more, after several minutes had gone by in silence between them once more. He picked a grape form the fruit ball sitting on the table and placed it in his mouth.

"Why am I here?" She answered his question with a question. In doing so, a nerve within him snapped and his eyes narrowed to reveal the first since of anger. His manner had suddenly changed, and he appeared to be a completely different person.

"Don't avoid my question. I presume a great enemy of mine is responsible for this." His hand waved at her direction indicating her was the 'this'.

"Let me go, I know nothing about this" the girl whispered helplessly as she took a step backwards towards the door. She was now standing four feet away, while the Captain sat eleven feet away at the dinning table.

"Do you have a name?"

"I do, thought I doubt the reason as to why I should tell you it."

His hook suddenly slammed into the dinning table, digging in deep into the solid oak. She jumped at the sound the splitting wood made.

"BLAST IT GIRL." He yelled as he stood up and wrenched the hook for out of the table, causing pieces of the split wood to fly in the air. "I am no longer playing silly and childish word games with you." Quickly he flung back his chair and stalked towards her as he growled. "You will obey me other wise I shall feed you to that dim-witted giant alligator that stalks the depths of these waters. Do you understand?"

His last sentence was spat in her face, for he had backed her up against the door and was now holding her around the neck with his hand while his shinny hook was held close against her cheek.

"Do you understand?" he asked again, shoving her deeper into the wooden door.

Tears trailed down her cheeks as she replied weakly with a broken voice, "yes."

"You're name?"

She managed to squeak, her reply for the Captains hold upon her neck tightened.

"Jasmine….. Rose….. Pan"