Chapter twenty one- Crocodile Creek

Captain James Hook was smirking. He would not permit himself a smile yet but could not help the faint twitching of the right corner of his mouth. Smee had asked how he was feeling, "never better" was the cold reply. Victory could not be celebrated yet, but soon. Very soon. After the bitter disappointment of not securing Wendy, he had to resort to a more drastic option. He rolled the tip of his whiskers between his thumb and forefinger, sitting in his captains chair on the Jolly Rodger, feeling very jolly indeed. His feet resting upon his desk in a carefree manner, he watched as Smee was mapping out important locations.

"Shall we go visit our special guest?" Hook mused.

"Y…y..y..yes." Smee stuttered as he circled some final areas. "The ship has been anchored and dinner is served."

Hook rose from his chair as he opened a wooden box, tracing over the burnt outline of "Tarantula". He reached in and grabbed his favourite cigar. It felt appropriate that he should have one in light of his recent accomplishments. He lit the cigar and started to button his coat, walking towards the front of his cabin to grab his hat. He turned to look at Smee who followed like a lost puppy, before making his way onto the boat.

As they emerged his crew were working hard, preparing for the next phase. Pirates were covered in dirt and grime fighting, stacking cannonballs and preparing gun powder. When he appeared, the pirates ceased their actions and waited for a statement. They had become more determined in their actions, becoming more serious and less impertinent.

Hook took his time surveying the pirates then dismissed them with a quick "get back to work." The pirates sighed and continued making their preparations.

They stepped into a boat, attached to the side of the Jolly Rodger, and were lowered down to the base of a riverhead where Smee began to row as fast as his short arms could take them. As they navigated their way through, Hook kept an eye out for any unfortunate surprises along the way. The moment he heard the ticking of the blasted alarm clock was the moment he would run, faster than humanly possible, back to his ship. Descending into the caves of Crocodile creek was a calculated risk that he was willing to take, especially when the stakes were so high.

Hook made no effort to make conversation, his mind busy plotting the next steps of his plan. It was never wise to underestimate your opponent and better to believe that the enemy was always two steps ahead. This way, he believed he worked harder to even out any possibilities or surprises to get the upper hand in his battles.

After much mulling, they finally arrived at their destination, amid Smee's heavy breathing, leaving no element of surprise. Not that it mattered sneered Hook, as he started to take loud even steps, making sure his arrival was known. He continued to a mouth of a cave that could be easily missed if you didn't know where to look and waited for Smee to part the vines and debris out of his way.

He glanced at Smee, stepped into the cave and motioned to return to the ship. Smee nodded his understanding and moved away from the entrance, remaining subtle in his movements while returning to the boat. Hook watched with disapproval as he shook his head then grabbed a nearby torch waiting to be lit. He struck a match, then descended the small path down to the depths of the cave, emerging into a cavern throwing his torch directly to the centre.

He watched as the flames danced in his eyes, lighting the figure of a woman bound and gagged on the cave floor, the torch missing her by inches. Although it wouldn't have mattered if she had been burnt, he did need her alive. And he had oh so many needs.

"Well my dear, how are you enjoying your stay with us so far?" He grinned.

Silence was his response.

His moustache twitched in delight, "We would not want to be rude to our host now would we? I might get offended and you already know what that means."

He again was met with silence.

"Oh my dear!" he responded "someone must have left that rag in your mouth! Let me remove that for you so we may engage in a…proper… conversation."

Tigerlily's eyes looked up in fear. Once confident and proud, now shrivelled and chained to the floor of a cave. Hook made his way over to her, making sure she could see every movement he made. He unceremoniously ripped the cloth from her mouth, throwing it beside her.

"Well?" he asked.

"My stay has been long." Came the quiet response.

Hook knelt down in front of her face. He stared at her, bound tightly and struggling to breathe. "My poor, broken girl. However did it get to this? All you had to do was what I asked but now, I have had to get extra… help." He stroked her face with his hook.

He sighed as he knelt back up, twisting his hook to scratch the side of her cheek. She did not wince. No matter, he thought, she will soon enough. He started to pace the cave, twirling his moustache in the process.

"My dearest Tigerlily, you are well aware that there is nothing I won't do to get what I want, and what I want, is for you to help me. I understand that my…visits… have been quite… promising, but now is the time for you to act."

A tear rolled down her cheek.

"I need you to bring me Wendy and her brothers. Alive, but no matter if they are harmed. Leave Peter. He is of no importance to you. Do you think you could do that for me?" He spun on his heel and looked her dead in the eyes.

She held his glance but remained silent.

Hook frowned, "Oh Tigerlily my dear, wrong answer. I have spoken to you before about manners and being polite to your host, but it seems that you have forgotten. No matter, I shall certainly make you scream instead."

Tigerlily's eyes widened in horror for the tiniest moment, before she resigned herself to her fate. She closed her eyes and breathed deeply. She had learnt that showing the smallest of emotion would make it worse, however horrible the treatment became. She stifled a sob as Hooks hands came ever closer.

Smee marched his prisoner back to the boat, encouraging swiftness and compliance. Any sudden movements would mean trouble. Once they were both seated, the boat rocking violently, Smee started to row once more.

"It's ah, a lovely day for a boat ride?" Smee began, trying to make the journey a little less intimidating.

His passenger sat stony faced, no hint of emotion was visible. He had taken up a significant amount of the boat and his disappointment was evident. Smee felt incredibly small and thanked his lucky stars Hook had secured his bindings.

He rowed his boat as quickly as he could, arms screaming from the exertion.

Tigerlily's sobs caught in the back of her throat as Hook finally finished his idea of punishment- resulting in her humiliation. She had endured so much, and her spirit was strong, but she was unsure how much more of this she could take. Hook finished adjusting his clothing and turned to her, eyes gloating.

"Well my dear, looks like the party is here."

She glanced up and saw her father standing, bound and disappointed, beside Smee. She cried out for his attention, but Hook jammed a rag back in her mouth. A salty yet musty taste filled her mouth and almost made her gag, but she swallowed the bile down so she wouldn't choke.

"Now I have your attention, there is something I have asked Tigerlily to do and she has refused." Hook explained to the room. "That's no trouble at all because now I've reunited family and I believe family can always help each other out." He walked over to Great Big Little Panther and withdrew an intricately carved dagger. He looked calmly over to Tigerlily and held her gaze as he plunged it deep into Great Big Little Panthers stomach.

"Oh dear me." Hook sighed, "seems you now have a choice. Bring me the darling children or I leave him to die." He continued to hold her gaze as the last spark vanished from her eyes.

He thought to himself 'at last.'