Catherine's POV
"Catey?" the boy Pan referred to as Curly asks, peering into my face.
I am completely and utterly confused. No one has called me by that name in years. The only person who ever used that name with me was...
"Ethan?" I ventured uncertainly.
A huge grin spread across his freckled face and I knew from his dimples that it was him. He was here. He was real. And he was alive. I can't stop the grin that spreads across my own face.
"I can't believe it," he explains examining me from head to toe. "Its really you! You're actually here!"
Before I can reply, I find myself wrapped in one of his huge bear hugs that he only reserved for me. The act brings tears to my eyes. I hadn't felt his warmth, his love, in such a long time. We hear someone clear his voice from behind us, bringing us back to the present.
I turn and see an extremely annoyed Pan glaring at us. "Curly, would you like to share what's going on?" he inquires, eyes narrowed and scowl in place.
"Well... Um..." Ethan struggles to find the words to explain.
I look from Pan to Ethan and back again before I finally make the connection. I quickly shove Ethan away. "You're one of them?" I shriek, trying to put as much distance as I can between me and both boys. Ethan takes a few steps forward, attempting to explain, but stops after receiving a glare from Pan.
Hook then enters the conversation. "I'm afraid, my dear, that you have out stayed your welcome," he says coolly. "Men! Kill them!"
Ethan sighs exasperatingly. "Sorry, sis, but we'll have to talk later," he apologizes, lifting me into his arms. He then runs over to the side of the boat and tosses me over the side. An involuntary scream escapes my lips, but just before I hit the water, I thrust my arms out in front of me and I begin to levitate just above the water's surface. It looks dark and cold and threatening and I breath a sigh of relief. Above me, I can hear the sounds of a sword fight taking place on deck. I know that this will probably one of my last opportunities to escape, but the thought of my brother fighting up there with only Pan as support makes me nauseous.
Somewhat annoyed, I fly back up onto the deck and look around for a weapon I could use. Upon my arrival onto the ship, my spear had been confiscated, and without a means of defense I feel completely vulnerable. I spy a pirate that had already been dealt with and hurry over to obtain his weapon. The weight of the sword felt good in my hands, and I grin. Oh how I've missed this. I feel some one approaching me from behind, and I whirl around to face my first opponent.
He's a larger man with strong arms and an unshaven face with hair so greasy, its debatable as to whether or not he's ever bathed. He comes at me at full speed and I use that to my advantage. Just as he is about to tackle me, I leap into the air and land behind him. He collides with the railing of the ship, and I can see that the force of the impact has knocked the wind out of him. He recovers quickly, though, and charges me again. This time he's a little slower and I decide to once again use his speed against him. I let him get close enough to see the whites of my eyes before I use my magic to transport myself behind him. He stops and stands there confused at what had just happened. I lightly tap his shoulder. "Look behind you, dear," I say.
He whirls around to face me, but before he has a chance to do anything, I take a successful jab at him. The shock is apparent on his face as his now lifeless body sinks to the ground. I grimace. I haven't performed a deed like that in a long time. My hands are beginning to feel dirty again. I had missed the feel of a weapon in one's hands, but had forgotten the consequences of using one. I don't let the thought distract me, though, and begin to fight my way over to my brother. He is currently taking on three pirates and I cut one down on arrival. Ethan shoots me a quick look of gratitude and apology and I smile in return. All was forgiven. We were a team again.
I look around, trying to find others that are on our side, but the only one I see is Pan, who is currently occupied fighting with the captain. "Didn't you think to bring some back up?" I shout over the sounds of battle.
"Well, we didn't think that it would be this difficult to get you off the ship," Ethan replies. "I wasn't really expecting you to be you."
I groan. Sometimes my brother could be a real idiot.
We had already cut down seven of the pirates, but still more came to fill their vacant spots. I realize that we are extremely outnumbered and begin to look for an escape. I find it and jab Ethan with my elbow. I nod towards the balcony on the side of the ship where the croc waits below.
"Are you crazy?" he shouts.
"Its the only way!" I reply. "You just have to trust me!"
He reluctantly nods and I take his hand in mine. We then take off through a break we had just created between the wall of pirates. When we reach the balcony, we jump.
I can hear my brother screaming next to me and below, I can see the croc's jaws opening wide. I summon all of my strength and pull up. We are now floating just above the wide jaws with deadly sharp teeth and I sigh with relief.
Unfortunately, since I haven't used magic in a while, my powers are a bit rusty. We are slowly getting closer and closer the giant crocs mouth. I wrap both hands around Ethan's and pull harder, trying to get higher, but its no use. All it does is drain my strength.
Just as we are about to enter the predator's mouth, a pair of deceivingly thin but strong arms, wrap around my waist. We immediately are pulled up and are rocketing through the air. Ethan whoops below me, but I cannot share his joy. The one who saved us can only be one person, and I know that there is absolutely no chance of escape now.
When our rescuer is sure that we are a safe distance from the ship, he turns back and shouts, "I'm sorry, captain, but I'm afraid our dual will have to continue another day!"
"You insufferable pipsqueak! Come back here and fight like a man!" Hook bellows from the balcony of his ship.
"Sorry Hook, but as you can see, my hands are full!" Pan laughs. He then turns and takes off with us in the direction of the forest.
"FIRE!" Hook orders his crew. The cannons sound behind us but Pan doesn't dare turn around. In fact, I can feel us picking up speed.
We soar over the tree tops and after a while, the sounds of cannon fire begin to fade away. Once Pan's sure we are far enough inland, he begins his decent. When we get close enough to the ground, he drops me. I quickly scramble to my feet and get into a fighting stance, prepared for anything he might throw my way.
As expected, Pan lands in front of me, but to my surprise, his attention is focused on something behind me. I turn and see Ethan standing there, brushing himself off as he rises to his feet. He's smiling at me and some of the tension leaves my body. I take a step towards him just as an iron grip takes hold of my wrist. I wince.
"Ah ah ah. You're not going any where, love," Pan scolds me, wagging a finger in front of my face. "Infact, no one is leaving this spot until I get some answers," he says transitioning his gaze from me to Ethan.
Ethan shifts uncomfortably under Pan's gaze, and peers into my face. I send pleas to him with my eyes to stay silent and we both say nothing for a time, until finally Ethan sighs.
"Alright, Pan. You win," Ethan relents, shoulders slouching in defeat. He then leans back slightly, crosses his arms, and looks directly into Pan's eyes. "What is it you want to know?"
"How do you two know each other?" he asks after a short silence.
"Catey is my baby sister," Ethan replies shortly.
Pan nods and asks his next question. "Why didn't you tell me she was your sister when you saw her earlier?"
"I wasn't positive that it was her until just know on Hook's ship, sir," he answers.
Seeming satisfied with these answers, Pan then turns his attention to me. "Now its your turn, love," he says smirking. His grip on my wrist is relentless as I struggle to free my arm.
"I won't answer any of your questions until you loosen your grip on my arm," I say, glaring at him.
He grins. "I'll do you one better, love," he says letting go entirely.
My shock must be apparent on my face for his grin widens. I begin to rub my wrist and take a step back from him.
"Now," he begins, frown returning to his face. "How is it that a girl like you is able to fight as good as, or maybe even better, than any of my men? And on top of that, go missing for over an hour without even me being able to track you?" he asks.
This question causes Ethan to look surprised and I shoot him a warning glance. "I don't know, Pan. Guess you and your boys are just having an off night."
"Don't play coy with me, love. Your little escape attempt has already left me in a foul mood," he threatens, taking a step closer to me.
"I'm sorry, but I truly have no idea how I successfully pulled off my 'little escape attempt' as you call it," I reply, standing my ground.
His scowl deepens and he grabs my arm bringing his face only inches away from my own. My breath catches at his closeness and I can hear my heart pounding in my ears, feeling positive that he can hear it too.
He then whispers into my ear, "I'll ask you one more time, love. How did you do it?"
I take a deep breath to calm myself and reply, "The answers you seek can only be found in the past. Only you can unlock the memories that lie within."
He then shoves me to the ground in frustration and I smirk up at him, knowing I've won this battle.
"You deal with her, Curly. I am in no mood to do so," Pan orders and then disappears, transporting himself to another part of the island.
I breath a sigh of relief at his departure. My secret is safe. For now.