Chapter 7

Leah's Decision

---

No matter how much he pleaded for his eyes to look away, Peter couldn't tear his sight from the fur that was crudely nailed to the ship's wooden hull. Then, in gruesome reality, he noticed that the blood was fresh, and felt a wave of nausea over take him.

Leah felt his hands on her shoulders tighten further and knew that by morning she would have bruises. Her heart twisted agonizingly in her chest, for she could only imagine the horrible images and thoughts that must be plaguing his mind. It was wrong, all wrong. No one should have to suffer through this. Before she could fall any deeper into the darkness of her thoughts, he broke the silence.

"When?" He asked, voice barely above a whisper, and cracking as it caught the suppressed tears that clung to the back of his tighten throat. Leah tries to ignore him, turning her head away and feigning great interest in the torch flame on the opposite wall. But that only succeeded swelling his frustration, and in doing so, forced his short nails deeper into her shoulders.

"When?!" Peter asked again, shaking her lightly in his agitation and desperation for the truth.

"A few hours ago." Hook's voice permeated the silence that hung heavy in the air. Peter and Leah both started at the captain's sudden and unexpected appearance, and turned sharply to look at his frame, now haunting the doorway, seemingly far too small for his imposing presence. "Now, kindly release her so that she may return to her regular duties. For as I see it, she is done here."

Peter's blood boiled and surged in his veins, and his eyes flashed with hatred. He would like nothing more in all of Neverland then to be able to wrap his fingers around the arrogant captain's neck, and not relent until he was sure that the man was dead. But his current condition hindered him, and all he could do was glare.

"What? No witty comment? No statement of superiority?" Hook taunted as he stepped forward, the firelight casting half of his face into ominous shadow. "I guess I win then." He turned and walked to Tootle's fur hanging on the wall, and ran a finger through it. Peter tensed and was about to lunge at him with all the strength he could muster when Leah gripped his upper arms in a firm grasp. But despite her efforts, he paid no heed to her, and strained against her hold.

"I'll kill you! I swear I'll kill you even if it's the last thing I do!" He cried. Hook slowly turned and surprised Peter with the smile he had placed on his furtive features, a hauntingly pleased air about him. Methodically he stepped forward and leered over Leah's shoulder to challenge Peter.

"I'm sure it will be." Peter felt as if he had just had cold water thrown over him, Hook's icy stare barring into him with unconstrained detestation. Then he was gone, out the door and up the stairs, leaving as suddenly as he appeared. His assertion still rang loud and reverberated around in Peter's head. Once the door was fully closed and latched, Peter sank into Leah, pressing his forehead into the crook of her shoulder.

His world was beginning to crumble around him. The only stable thing he had was right in front of him, holding him gently to her caring warmth. Maybe Hook was right. He was winning.

"He only wins if you give up." Peter lifted his head and stared into her eyes. He hadn't realized that he had spoken aloud. He searched her face for some sign deceit, but there was none that he could see. All he could find was pure and innocent honesty. She was so naïve, she didn't understand. Peter slowly shook his head defeatedly and dropped his hands from her shoulders, and let them hang heavily by his sides.

"I…" He trailed, turning his eyes back upon the blood matted fur. Tootles is gone. Gradually he began to plummet into the abyss of his mind, allowing for the grief to begin taking over him. Then from outside the darkness, a warm hand pressed against his cheek, delicately averting his gaze to its occupant. She gently caressed his cheek with the pad of her thumb, then rose on her knees to press her lips to his temple. He sighed and wrapped his arms around her, pressing his ear against her chest. Comforted and content to just listen to the steady beat of her heart.

But the world wouldn't let him enjoy the moment, for a banging upon the door and a rough voice from beyond it, broke them apart. Leah watched Peter shrink away from her as the heavy door was thrust open and the two burley guards entered.

"Time for 'im to go back up." One grunted, dangling a new set of chains out in front of him delightedly. Leah stood and stepped out of the way as the guards roughly grabbed Peter by the upper arms, dangling him between them like a rag doll, and brusquely chained him. All the while she watched as he didn't even attempt to fight back. This wasn't the person she had met her first day in Neverland. This person was defeated and broken, unwilling to fight for what he still had left.

The two pirates slapped their hands together and congratulated each other on a job well done as they left the room. Leah sneered at their retreating persons; they were despicable, vile creatures. To feel proud about having restricted and tortured Peter. She couldn't stand it!

Leah looked over at Peter, his chin resting against his chest, eyes tightly shut. She had to get him out of here. If she didn't, he would die; if not physically, then in spirit. She couldn't allow that to happen.

"C'mon girly. Time to leave." Leah hadn't even realized one of the pirates returned until he forcefully seized her arm and began to drag her out of the room, while the other guard extinguished the torches. As the door shut, through the crack of light that was still shining into the room, she could see Peter lift his head and take pleasure in the last bit of daylight upon his face before he was once again cast into shadow.

-----------

Yes, we do know how absolutely long it has been and we are so so so terribly sorry! Please forgive us! We also know that this chapter is pretty short and we apologize for that as well. We hope that we can update soon! And we also thank everyone for their continued support!

Lots and lots of thanks for the reviews!

Star and Glade

11/14/04