Chapter 11


Hook

The wind beat him resiliently with frigid cold air - like a whip striking his body at every wave. He stood on the top deck of The Jolly Roger at the wheel. The rest of his crew were working vigorously at preparing the ship for weighing anchor. They worked without staring their captain in the face, sensing his foul mood and knowing full well not to press him without expecting a beating in return.

It had been an hour since he had left his quarters. He could no longer hear the heated argument which had erupted when he left, no longer could he hear the tumble of books and the sound of bear feet against wood. Even though he was curious to know more about the argument between Nibs and Peter he knew it was not his business and he should leave it. When it did break out and the shouting started all of his crew had turned their heads in the direction of his quarters and had merely stood there staring at the locked door, then directed their gazes to him but his irritated glare had quickly made their curiousness fade and be replaced by the imposing fear of their captain.

Smee had since woken from his unconscious slumber - after getting hit in the head by a broken bottle neck he had bee sent sprawling onto the floor out cold like the other two pirates guarding the boys. He stood by his captains side with a bandage on his arm and a large gash on his head looking up at his captain. He knew it was only a matter of time before they reached mermaid lagoon ; he could see the internal war in his captain, he would have to be the one to face both The Lost Boys and the crew.

The overhang of stone hovered over the port bow, it had overhanging vines which dripped onto the side of the ship, dangling helplessly and clinging to the side of the wood. Hook turned the wheel two points and curved slightly into the bay, moving to avoid the jagged and shallow rocks that scraped at the wood. He watched his crew lift the anchor over their heads and throw it over the side, hearing the chains rattling on the way down. Now for the hard part.

The sound of a bolt shifting gained everyone's attention as they stared at the door. Hook entered attentively ; locking the door by a bolt resting at the top of the door, cautiously he approached the group of wild boys who sat on the floor on the left side of the bed, Peter sat on the right on his piano bench mindlessly scanning his music sheet that sat perched on the top.

Clearing his throat he told them "We are in Mermaid Lagoon, we will be dropping you off here so follow me."

"You could be luring us out to murder us!" Curly cried.

"Or worse! Turn us into pirates like you did Peter!" Nibs growled.

Peter's eyes hit Nibs with a hardened gaze, challenging him to say more. The others looked away and winced at their friends, obviously this had never happened before, never had they seen their friends, the oldest, argue and fall out. It was obvious they were afraid as well as confused. It was best to get rid of them, that way he could figure out what happen to Peter and why he was behaving like he was. Maybe then he could figure out why he wanted to protect him.

Reaching out Hook grabbed Curly's wrist and pulled him forward and wrenching him away from the group while Peter remained still but observed protectively at Curly. Nibs seemed to bee debating whether to run after Curly or not while the Twins were hugging each other and hiding behind Nibs' taller shadow.

"Wait Hook." Peter called, rising up from his seat,

"I'll take them back, it's too dangerous for them to go alone, the Indians were particularly vicious the last time I came into contact with them, after the incident with Tiger Lilly not much trust could be give to either of our sides, even with her return. If they go alone then he Indians will see them as targets and will kill them."

"Yes, take them back and make sure they are safe, return back after, we still have things to discuss." Hook responded, he released Curly's wrist and threw a scabbard which had been dangling from his belt towards peter then pulled the bolt at the top of the door and walking out, closing it behind him.

Peter

Peter attached the holster to his own belt and straightened his suspenders before looking towards the boys. The Twins ran up to him and grabbed one hand each, Nibs looked like he would interfere but seemed to be holding back whereas Curly stood holding his sore wrist.

"Come on, we leave now considering it will take a while." Peter told them, he pulled the Twins towards the door and let go of the twin on the left to open the door before taking his hand once more and striding out onto the deck. Nibs and Curly followed wordlessly.

The pirates on deck all stopped what they were doing and stared when Peter and the other boys emerged onto deck. Peter had assumed that much and without a word strode past all of the pirates with his head held high over to Mr Smee, Billy and two other pirates who held up ropes used to lower the boat which they would be getting in.

Peter watched Curly climb into the boat followed by Nibs who stayed standing while he received one of the twins from Peters arms, when Peter gave him the second twin their hands accidentally brushed and their eyes met, Nibs glared bitterly before wrenching the young boy from Peter's arms and placing him on the seat next to himself.

Peter stared up at Hook who stood on the top deck observing, he offered a gentle smile to the man and held up his hand in salute before bringing it down and using it to clamber into the boat. He looked to Billy who gave him a grin and then to Smee who gave him a soft smile and reached over to pat him lightly on the shoulder.

"Be careful laddie, don't want the Indians getting ya, ill be waitin' here with a bowl o soup when ya come back."

Smee retracted his hand and waved before backing up next to Billy and grabbing the end of the rope to help in lowering the boat.


Hi!,

please favourite, follow and review. I plan to add more later this week so look out, anyway my school breaks up on Thursday for a week off, knd of been stressful with having to pick my GCSE's (what to study).

See you later,

Lucy

xxx