Chapter 8: Like a Bat Out Of Hell
Twinkle? Twinkle, jingle, ringaling?
Peter didn't respond. He didn't move. He hadn't for days. He just lay there, frozen in the flowers.
Tinkerbell tried again.
Twinkle? Twinkle, jingle, ringaling? Twinkle? Twinkle? TWINkle?!
Peter opened his eyes. Tears bled from the obsidian insides.
"I'm going to kill him."
Tinkerbell darted back. Twinkle?
Peter lifted. Translucent, lavender petals clung to his body as he ascended into the sky. Tinkerbell flittered and jingled at him, but Peter walked through the pixie like an arrow in flight. Expression bent in anger and chest heaving in pain, Peter flew over Neverland.
He found Captain Hook's ship. Coals burned behind his eyes.
"Hook killed Wendy. He killed my girl."
Peter's dagger rung from its sheath. Tinkerbell recoiled as Peter growled, monsters in his throat.
"I'm going to kill him."
Peter flew. A hole burned through the air as he descended upon the Jolly Roger. The pirates countered the attack, spraying Peter with cannon fire and setting the ocean aflame.
But Peter fought with the advantage of having nothing to lose. Hopelessness gave him the upper hand, and despair was his secret weapon. Peter hacked until his hands were black with pirate blood. Remains he threw overboard, to be swallowed by the crocodile of Glutton or nibbled by the mermaids of Lust.
The ocean filled thick with pieces of pirates. Smoke tumbled into the sky. Peter lifted his chin. Heat flowed over his face, pulling tears over his pointed ears.
"I promised." Peter stared helplessly through the carnage, almost praying that someone would answer. "I promised to keep you safe."
Tinkerbell watched smoke and fire sift over Peter. He lingered there, hanging over The Jolly Roger like a bat out of Hell.
All for Wendy.
Tinkerbell spat. She could feel her birthmark, an upright infinity knot crossed with double 'x's', burning on her lower back. Glowing red as the flames, she flicked into the night.
Tinkerbell was a pixie. Pixies are so small they can withstand only a teaspoon of emotion, which roughly equates to one emotion at one time. Since Tinkerbell was a sinner on Envy, she spent most of her time being envious. Envious for Peter Pan.
Captain Hook would disagree, but Peter Pan was a fine subject of envy. Fine indeed. His smile was irresistible, his confidence magnetic, as his elfin features bizarrely charming.
Although Neverland was also inhabited by Indians, Peter was king. Both sects were sinners of Pride, but Pride of different flavors. The Indians' Pride grew from deep-rooted ancestry, which made the tribe haughty, secluded, and aloof.
Peter's Pride was different. Peter's Pride came from one belief: he was the cleverest. Nothing scared Peter, therefore nothing got in his way.
Until he met that Wendy.
Tinkerbell's birthmark stung. Flying hard, Tinkerbell grabbed her lower back. The Envy birthmark was malicious as the vice itself. The 'x's' within the infinity knots signified evil eyes and they stung when the emotion was strong.
Tinkerbell's birthmark stung the moment Wendy arrived in Neverland, and the feeling intensified every second she remained. Tinkerbell had no idea where Peter found her, how he convinced her to stay, or why he adored the girl, but one thing was perfectly clear to the little pixie: Wendy had to go. More appropriately, Wendy had to die.
That was why Tinkerbell agreed to help Captain Hook. Regularly, Tinkerbell did not concern herself with pirates. Wrath was so exhausting, and Captain Hook wasted all of his on Peter Pan. Since Tinkerbell had claimed Peter as her own, she was obligated to distance herself from Captain Hook. Morally, Tinkerbell believed in a healthy dose of blood-shed, but still it was the principle of the thing!
However, when Captain Hook proposed luring Wendy from Peter Pan, Tinkerbell just had to oblige! After all, the pirate had asked so nicely. Moreover, the process would involve a kidnap and kill – two for the price of one! A bargain! How could she refuse?
Never was Tinkerbell so motivate by her Envy. Manipulating Wendy's imagination, Tinkerbell gathered her sister pixies into the Will o' the Wisps – a twinkling path to peril. Relying on Wendy's innocence and wonder, the pixies fashioned a twinkling trail. Stringing through Neverland like a chain of Christmas lights, Tinkerbell lead Wendy into the jaws of Captain Hook.
Tinkerbell smiled. And now – according to Peter – Wendy was dead. Oh happy day!
Almost.
Tinkerbell rubbed her stinging birthmark.
Even in death, Wendy still drew Peter's affections. It was infuriating. Peter had become so volatile, pathetically curled up in one moment and massacring pirates in the next! It was quite uncharacteristic of Peter to be so noble, especially for someone else. And Tinkerbell was green eyed as the greenest eyed monster that the 'someone else' was Wendy.
So, Tinkerbell rationalized, it was her duty to warn Captain Hook. She could not justify Peter's motives. Even Captain Hook was worth saving to disgrace the memory of Wendy!
Luckily, Captain Hook was not aboard the Jolly Roger. Tinkerbell had seen him skulking amidst the hyenas of Glutton and mermaids of Lust – both parties she detested almost equally as Wendy.
Twinkle! Tinkerbell called, spotting the captain's red hat and iron hook. Thrusting back her arms, Tinkerbell dove. Twinkle! Twinkle! Jingle! Twink –
Tinkerbell staggered. Her wings hobbled uselessly as the air turned acidic. She could taste the bitterness rubbing like sandpaper across her tongue.
Wings crimping, Tinkerbell sputtered onto Captain Hook's hat. Whether or not he noticed, Captain Hook did not react. Hand on Mr. Smee's head, he stared at the intersection of sea and shore.
Tinkerbell hoisted onto Captain Hook's brim. She followed his gaze, then cowered at the sight.
It was the Horned King. The Devil.
Tinkerbell shrunk into Captain Hook's hat. She'd heard of the Horned King only in ghost stories, and everything was untrue. The Horned King was worse than anything she could imagine. It hurt to be in his presence. Tinkerbell felt raw, as if she had been pulled through a meat grinder.
However, Tinkerbell was a sinner. And like all sinners, she was engrossed. She had to watch.
The Horned King was not alone. A Black Cauldron sat within his robes. And slung over the cauldron was a little mermaid. She lay like a knight pushed through his sword. Mouth filled with red hair, the mermaid sucked for each breath as the Horned King spoke.
"Ariel, sinner of Lust."
The mermaid lifted deep blue eyes.
The Horned King extended a rotting finger.
"Human form, for your soul."
His finger touched her lip.
"Bring me the girl. And the thief is yours." The Horned King clawed his finger, drawing blood. "My Devil Incarnate."
The mermaid started to scream. Then she choked. Spine undulating, she recoiled as the Devil scalped her soul. The spiritual fabric peeled from her body, collecting into a shining scab.
The little mermaid collapsed. For a moment she saw her soul, brilliantly beautiful and familiar as her own name.
Then the Horned King clenched. And the little mermaid screamed as her soul leaked between the Devil's fists and into the Black Cauldron.
Tinkerbell grabbed her ears. She squeezed both eyes shut. It was not until Captain Hook pinched her wings did she look.
"What's this?" Tinkerbell dangling from his fingers, Captain Hook strode to the water. As Mr. Smee followed, he angled his hook. "A pretty pixie. Miss Bell. What a pleasant surprise."
Tinkerbell swatted the hook. The momentum spun her about so she faced the sea. Suddenly remembering the Horned King, Tinkerbell curled into a ball.
But the Horned King had vanished. There was no indication of his attendance, save for a sour edge to the air and the little mermaid sprawled in the sand.
Slowly, Tinkerbell unfolded. Then, she gasped.
The little mermaid was not a mermaid anymore. She was a human. Replacing the green tail where two long legs. Her scales had melted into shimmering fish nets, wrapped around her for modesty. Tinkerbell snorted: amusing, considering she was a sinner of Lust.
The little mermaid turned a cheek. She wriggled her toes. Then, painfully, she spread a foot against the sand.
"Ah!"
Captain Hook smiled.
"Is it not teasing, Miss Bell?" he said, prowling around the writhing mermaid. "When the Horned King plays his little jokes?"
The mermaid panted. Again she tried to place her feet. Again she cried out, legs jerking from the ground and into her hands.
"The Horned King loves his tricks." Captain Hook continued. Reminiscently he lifted his hook. "If in fact, he is capable of love. Regardless, the Horned King teaches his Devil Incarnates the meaning of eternal Hell, whilst we live. Whether that be an iron hook in place of a hand….or…"
Captain Hook nudged his toe beneath the little mermaid. Swiftly he wrenched, kicking her into the sea.
"...or human feet." he said as the mermaid's legs transformed back into a glimmering fish tail. "Human feet that walk on invisible knives with every step."
"Ahmen." said Mr. Smee, removing his hat.
Impassively, Captain Hook watched the little mermaid. Red strands weaving through the waves she sunk, too exhausted to swim and too devastated to try.
"Lovely. Now." Captain Hook flicked sand from his boot. Then, following a regal huff, he shook the pixie.
"Miss Bell. I believe you came for me."
An assembly line of emotions surged through Tinkerbell: anger, fury, rage, hate, anger, fury, rage, hate, anger, fury, rage, hate –
- oh! Envy!
Jangle, ring, jingle! Tinkerbell made known her resentment of being handled less delicately than she deserved –
"—my apologies — " said Captain Hook.
- but Twinkle! Twinkle! Ring! Clang! Twinkle!
Captain Hook raised an eyebrow. "He did, did he? And all of my crew are dead?"
Mr. Smee clasped his cheeks. "No!"
Tinkerbell nodded. Twinkle!
"Indeed." Captain rubbed his moustache. "And all because he believes Wendy is dead? Charming. Interesting. And terribly satirical. Considering…."
Captain Hook tossed Tinkerbell aside.
"Considering Wendy is alive." he said, brushing pixie dust from his hands.
Tinkerbell was flabbergasted.
TAH-WIN-KA-LE?
"Unfortunate, I agree. But true. It seems…" Captain Hook fingered his sword. "…a thief of Greed stole her in the night. The Horned King was most displeased."
Tinkerbell shook her fists. Twinkle!
"Yes Miss Bell." Captain Hook wryly said. "I assumed you would be too. But fear not. The Devil wants our little Miss Wendy and will blister Illtyde until she is found. The sinners have been dispatched. I myself have offered a reward for her capture, and I would be most….pleased if I were the one to deliver her to the Horned King."
Captain Hook flexed his fingers. Hungrily he gazed at his good hand. "To feel flesh again. To grip a sword. To strangle a lovely white throat."
"But Capn!" Mr. Smee pointed to the sea. Faint ripples spread from where the mermaid had sunk. "What if the little mermaid finds the thief first? Lust is a mighty powerful force, it is! And dear me! With half our crew unto the mercy of Peter Pan, why we'll have a full plate! Can't do no hunting for the girl with these messy circumstance!"
"Smee, your diligence is nauseating." Captain Hook answered. "But scrupulous as ever. It is times as these I consider you worth the fuss."
Mr. Smee glowed. He almost considered a hug. "Thank you Capn!"
"Shut up, Smee before I run you through. Now, Miss Bell…"
Diplomatically, Captain Hook folded his hands.
"Miss Bell. I believe we have once again ventured upon mutual territory. I propose an alliance. You want Miss Wendy dead – "
Tinkerbell nodded ecstatically.
"—and I want to deliver Wendy to the Horned King, so I might have her flesh for my phantom hand. Are we in accordance?"
Again Tinkerbell nodded, albeit a second hand would assist Captain Hook's vendetta against Peter Pan. But as far as she was concerned the Devil may care. After all, envy always comes first.
Twinkle, twinkle, ring, ting? she asked.
Captain Hook eyed the fading ripples.
"Follow the little mermaid whilst I preoccupy Peter Pan." Methodically he sliced his hook like a whetting stone against his palm. "She'll lead you right to them."
Evilly Tinkerbell grinned. Twinkle?
Captain Hook nodded. "Yes Miss Bell. Like a bat out of Hell."