Chapter Twenty One

Jake sat in the dim corner of the dungeon, pulling his knees up to his chest. The cold stone wall pressed against his back as he absentmindedly toyed with his fingers. Despite the low murmur of voices and occasional coughs from the other prisoners, he felt more alone than ever.

His thoughts churned with guilt and hopelessness. They're going to wake up, and I won't be there. They're going to think I left them again. He exhaled shakily, gripping himself tighter.

His gaze drifted to the faint shaft of moonlight filtering through the barred hole in the wall, high above. He could hear faint sounds of pleasure from outside, cheers, laughter, the occasional bang of something that sounded like fireworks. Jake sighed deeply, his breath fogging in the chilly air. What now? he thought bitterly.

Outside, the Talsteins' celebration raged on. Captain Sebastian and his wife stood arm in arm at the bow of the Delta, their silhouettes sharp against the moonlight. Sebastian lifted his mug high, letting out a hearty laugh as Amber sipped from her own drink, her free hand resting on his shoulder.

"A beautiful night for victory, isn't it?" he declared.

Amber smirked, leaning in closer.

"Indeed it is. A shame it's almost over. There's still work to do."

"For the moment, I will bring myself to say work can wait." Sebastian chuckled, pulling her closer. "Tonight, we revel in what's ours."

Above them, on the upper deck near the wheel, a different scene unfolded. Jack stood tall, arms crossed and wearing his signature smug grin, while Patrick and Maverick cowered before him like scolded puppies.

Patrick clasped his hands together in desperation.

"I am begging you! Just this once, stall for us!"

Jack's grin widened as he tilted his head mockingly.

"Hmm… I don't know. Disobeying my parents isn't really the right thing to do."

"We are pirates for crying out loud when have you ever cared about doing what is right!?" the lad in green hissed, gripping his hair.

Maverick, wide-eyed and frantic, grabbed the front of Jack's crimson vest and pulled himself up on his tiptoes, attempting to look his older brother in the eye.

"Pule-he-he-ease Jack. Don't tell dad!" he whispered harshly. "If you do, he'll get very emotional. And that emotion will be a murderous rage!"

Jack raised an eyebrow, feigning ignorance. Patrick nodded fervently.

"You know he's going to lose it! If we can just buy some time here, we can sneak back to NeverLand and find the key!"

Jack tapped his chin thoughtfully, clearly enjoying their desperation. He finally shrugged and turned toward the stairs.

"Well, you've made your point. I think I've made up my mind." the eldest son chirped.

"And!?" Patrick and Maverick exclaimed in unison, clinging to each other as Jack descended the steps.

"You've made your hammocks, now sleep in them." With that, he leaped over the stairs with ease, landing perfectly on the deck below with a cocky grin. A moment later, Maverick leapt after him, though his descent was far less graceful. He landed flat on his stomach with a resounding smack, groaning as he sprawled out on the deck like a squashed bug.

"Nice." Jack muttered with a smirk, stepping over Maverick's prone form without even a glance.

"Ohhhhh."

Maverick let out another moan, attempting to push himself up.

Ignoring his younger brother's misfortune, Jack strode confidently toward his parents, straightening his crimson vest and flashing his most self assured smile.

Amber turned as he approached, her arm still linked with Sebastian's. Her lips curved into a soft smile, though the faintest trace of suspicion lingered in her eyes.

"Ah, Amber!" Sebastian boomed, raising his mug triumphantly. "We have the whereabouts of the chest and every pirate in Neverland under our control! Our mission is all but complete with the turn of just one little key." His voice was filled with unrestrained pride as he glanced toward his wife.

At his declaration, Amber's smile faltered ever so slightly. Her gaze flicked toward Jack, her worry evident in the brief hesitation before she looked back at her husband.

Jack cleared his throat, stepping forward.

"Uh, yeah, about that…" he began, his smug expression slipping into something more uncertain. "There's… uh… something I need to tell you, Father. Something I'm sure you'll be very happy to—"

Before he could finish, Sebastian clamped a heavy hand on Jack's shoulder, shaking him with a fatherly vigor.

"Happy?" Sebastian said, his deep, booming voice cutting through the celebration like a blade. He laughed heartily, patting Jack on the back so hard it nearly knocked the boy forward. "Why, I have all the happiness in the world right now, my boy!"

Jack swallowed, his confidence crumbling as Sebastian continued, his voice suddenly shifting to a lower, more menacing register.

"Nevertheless…" Sebastian leaned in closer, his dark eyes narrowing as they bore into Jack's. "Let me give you a bit of advice, lad. Loosen up a tad and enjoy the moment.." He straightened, his voice returning to it's low, menacing tone . "Because it's about to end very soon.." Sebastian spoke, his words carrying an ominous weight. He turned his gaze back to Jack, his grin sharp and predatory. "After all, I have an experiment to unleash."

"This is really important though!" Jack declared, his voice echoing across the ship's deck.

Sebastian sighed, running a hand through his thick beard.

"Alright, Jack," he said, his deep voice rumbling like distant thunder. "What is it?"

Jack opened his mouth, ready to spill the beans about Patrick and Maverick, when all of a sudden a hand clamped over his mouth. Before he could react, his body was slammed onto the deck by another, with a loud thud.

"Don't you dare say it!" Patrick roared, pinning his brother down with surprising force. One hand was firmly over Jack's mouth while the other grabbed at his vest, yanking it hard before shoving Jack's face into the wooden planks.

The older brother let out a muffled shout, wriggling under Patrick's weight, his shock quickly turning into fury. But if Patrick wanted a fight, he was more than ready to show him who the boss was.

With a grunt, Jack twisted his body and managed to knock Patrick off balance. In a heartbeat, the two were rolling across the deck, grappling, punching, and slamming each other into the wood.

"Patrick, I will end you! Get off!" Jack shot , his fist narrowly missing Patrick's shoulder.

"Never!" Patrick growled, swinging wildly.

The deck became a whirlwind of flailing limbs and angry shouts as the brothers descended into an all-out brawl, a blur of red and green being thrown around.

"Enough!" both parents' voices cut through the commotion like a whip. Amber stormed across the deck, her boots slamming against the wood with authority. Without hesitation and with a surprising strength, she grabbed Patrick by the back of his vest and yanked him away from Jack.

Patrick stumbled but quickly sat up, pointing an accusing finger at his brother.

"You better keep your mouth shut!" he snapped, his face red with anger.

Jack, still sprawled on the deck, crossed his arms defiantly.

"Or what?" he challenged, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth.

Patrick's face twisted in frustration.

"Or I'll… I'll…" He struggled to come up with a threat, his fists clenching in vain.

Before he could finish, the sharp clang of metal against wood silenced everyone.

Sebastian stood tall, his longsword unsheathed and glowing faintly gold as it rested against the deck. His piercing eye scanned the scene, his expression a mix of disappointment and barely-contained fury.

A trembling Maverick, unable to handle the tension, dove into a nearby barrel. The barrel shook violently as he tried and failed to stay still.

Sebastian's voice was low and commanding as he spoke, making the air around him feel heavier.

"Would someone like to tell me what happened and why my children are acting like wild animals?"

Jack stood up, brushing off his vest with exaggerated nonchalance, his smirk widening as he faced his father.

"I'd be happy to explain, Father," he said. "Good old Patrick and Maverick lost the key to the Talstein treasure chest."

Patrick's face went pale and he scrambled toward the barrel where Maverick was hiding.

"Mav!" he hissed, knocking on the side. "Is there any room in there for me?"

"No!" Maverick's muffled voice came from inside, trembling but resolute.

Sebastian pinched the bridge of his nose and exhaled sharply.

"Patrick," he said, his tone firm and brooking no argument. "Get over here. Now."

Patrick froze, his eyes darting nervously toward his father. Reluctantly, he obeyed, standing stiffly in front of Sebastian like a soldier awaiting orders.

"Maverick!" Sebastian barked, his voice making the barrel shudder. "You too!"

The lid popped off, and Maverick sprang out with a nervous salute.

"Y-yes, sir!" he stammered, trembling so much his knees wobbled. "C-c-can I keep my eyes closed? I hate the sight of things like this."

Sebastian raised an eyebrow but didn't address the comment. Instead, he turned to Amber, who was watching the scene with arms crossed.

"Well?' the father began. "What have you to say for yourselves?"

After swallowing hard, Maverick, after seeing his brother was practically broken, decided to speak.

"Uh—."

"And I've heard enough already!" Sebastian interrupted. "Well done you two. Because of your incompetence my plan is put on hold. This calls for a good old fashion penalty, effective immediately!" he barked, before turning to his wife. "What do you think, my love? Should we remove their arms first or their legs first?"

Amber tilted her head thoughtfully.

"Well," she began, her tone calm and deliberate. "Sadly we can't just tear our own children apart willy-nilly," she said with a sigh. "And further more it will take too long. And we can't risk losing even more hours of productivity because of them," she explained. "But, if we absolutely must, I'd say let Patrick keep his arms. It takes at least four hands to run this ship properly.

Sebastian stroked his chin, pretending to mull it over.

"Fair point," he said, making both brothers visibly squirm. "I suppose I'll spare you both—for now. But at the very least, tell me, what idiot was foolish enough to put the key to my treasure chest in the hands of you two?"

Patrick didn't miss a beat, pointing an accusatory finger at Amber.

"Your wife, that's who!"

Both of Sebastian's eyes, good and bad, widened in shock.

"How dare you accuse my lovely and loyal partner of—"

"No, Sebastian, he's right. It was me," Amber interrupted, her voice as steady as the sea in a lull. "I entrusted the key to their worthless, useless hands. And I'm ashamed of myself for doing so. Can you ever forgive me?"

Sebastian immediately took her hands in his, his expression softening.

"There is nothing to forgive, my darling." he said, pressing a kiss to her fingers.

Patrick and Maverick exchanged incredulous looks, their jaws practically hitting the deck. Sebastian ignored them, still looking at Amber with a gentle smile.

"Do you have any idea where the key might be now, my love, so we can retrieve it?"

Jack stepped forward, gesturing toward his brothers with a smirk.

"Well, according to these two geniuses, the key was stolen by a group of little pirate kids. But turns out they just made that phony story up, and—"

"Pirate kids eh?" Sebastian interrupted, his voice sharp with interest. "I never thought I'd see the day where I'd be told there were other adolescent self proclaimed "swashbucklers" roaming the seas."

Patrick shook his head.

"Not adolescents, father. They're actually children. They act like pesky children too"

"Unlike anybody I know.." Sebastian uttered, giving his middle son an up and down.

Jack straightened, brushing his vest dramatically.

"We did manage to catch one of them, though."

Sebastian's attention snapped back to Jack.

"Only one? Why not all?" His voice grew sharp. "Your orders were to transport every living soul in Neverland to this wretched island and leave a rotting Peter Pan there for me to make my new lab rat!"

Jack held up his hands defensively.

"Relax, relax. These kids are harmless. Well, according to Patrick, they're short of a couple of well-deserved cannonballs to the head, but they're completely useless without their leader. And he's the one we did capture." His smirk grew wider.

Sebastian folded his arms, intrigued.

"Go on."

"He's the only one worth anything, the only one who could actually be classified as a real pirate. He's been absent from Neverland for quite a while because —well, from what we've heard—he's been exploring lands beyond the horizon. With Peter Pan. Well, that was until they stumbled upon this island and he drank from that little beverage we slipped in the lake. But back to the kid. We're not dealing with an amateur here. This one's not to be underestimated. Some even say he completed the Great Forever Quest."

Sebastian's expression darkened with intrigue.

"Really."

Jack nodded.

"Yes. And if that's true, imagine the secrets Pan may have shared with him. About you, your experiment and maybe even the key," Jack said smoothly. "Would you like to meet him?"

Sebastian glanced up at the cliffs that concealed their forest manor. His grin widened, his teeth glinting in the moonlight.

"Absolutely."

Back in the dungeon, Jake was half-asleep, his head bobbing against the cold bars of the cell. Almost everyone else in the room had succumbed to exhaustion as well. LeBeak slumped against the wall, snoring loudly, her nose occasionally twitching with each snore. Captain Hook, surprisingly peaceful for once, had curled up in Mr. Smee's lap, snoring softly like a baby.

The Pirate Princess's head had dropped onto Misty's shoulder, and the two of them were motionless except for the occasional twitch of Misty's lips as she exhaled. Sharky and Bones sat with their backs pressed against each other, their snores creating a strange rhythm. Even Red Jessica had dozed off, though her regal posture remained intact, as though she could sleep and still maintain an air of pirate authority.

The other pirates had all found their spots on the cold dungeon floor, slumbering soundly, while the parrots huddled together in their cages, their feathers puffed for warmth.

The quiet of the dungeon was almost eerie, until the sharp slam of the dungeon door reverberated through the chamber.

Everyone jolted awake.

Patrick and Maverick strode in, their heavy boots echoing against the stone floor as they made a beeline toward the cell shared by Jake, Hook, LeBeak, and Mr. Smee.

Mama Hook groaned from her corner, her voice raspy and annoyed.

"What is it you little ingrates want now?"

Patrick's mouth twisted into a bitter sneer.

"What do I want? What do I want!?" he hissed. "I would like nothing more than to sail off into the sunset, far away from this awful family and this awful island. But I can't, can I?" He turned and glared at Maverick, gesturing wildly. "Because I'm just the worthless, brainless spare, right, Maverick?"

Maverick sighed, clearly used to this outburst.

"Right."

"Wrong!" Patrick shouted, throwing his hands in the air. "That's when you're supposed to say, 'No, I'm sure Mom and Dad love you too!'" he growled, before throwing his hands in the air. "Ugh! My brother won't even lie to me anymore!"

Hook rolled his eyes, leaning against the bars.

"Oh boo hoo. Cry me a river, you melodramatic buffoon."

Patrick shot a glare at Hook.

"I would, trust me, but I'm far too busy. Believe it or not, we're not here for us."

"Oh, that's a real shocker." the Pirate Princess muttered, barely lifting her head from Misty's shoulder.

Patrick ignored her, shaking his head in exasperation.

"No, no it really is not," he grumbled. Patrick smirked and stepped closer to Jake's cell. "We're here for him!" he declared, pulling out a set of keys from his belt.

Jake sat up straighter, his eyes narrowing.

"Me?"

"Yeah you!" Patrick spat. He unlocked the cell and stepped inside. Before Jake could react, he and Maverick grabbed him by his arms, dragging him out of the cell as the door slammed shut behind them.

"B-b-better the puny pirate than me." Hook trembled, reclining back into Mr. Smee's lap.

"Oh d-d-dear," Mr. Smee muttered worriedly, wringing his hands. "It's been nice knowing you, lad."

Jake immediately thrashed, trying to twist free.

"Where are we going!?" he demanded.

Patrick tightened his grip and smirked down at him.

"To see someone who is very eager to meet you." he said ominously.

Maverick chuckled nervously, nodding in agreement.

"Yeah, he's probably happier to see you than he is to see us. And we're his sons!" he added, though his trembling voice didn't inspire confidence.

Jake's protests echoed through the dungeon as Patrick and Maverick dragged him out, slamming the heavy door behind them with a resounding boom.

The next moments were a blur for Jake. He kicked, struggled but their grip never faltered. Every time he tried to twist free, Patrick shoved him forward, growling. Maverick mumbled half-hearted apologies under his breath but didn't loosen his grip. Jake's boots scraped against the floor as they dragged him through dimly lit hallways, up narrow staircases, and finally through a heavy wooden door.

The world stopped spinning as Jake found himself strapped tightly to a chair. He blinked, taking in his surroundings. Much like the mysterious lighthouse top back in Neverland, the room was small and cramped, with walls lined with crooked bookshelves overflowing with books. Chests cluttered the floor, their lids cracked open to reveal glittering treasures and strange artifacts. The tables were covered in flasks and vials filled with glowing liquids, some bubbling faintly, others emitting thin wisps of smoke.

On one wall hung a painting, its vibrant colors catching Jake's eye immediately. His breath hitched as he recognized three familiar faces. Jack, Patrick, and Maverick. They looked younger in the portrait, especially Maverick, who seemed to be about Cubby's age. They also wore more civilized looking clothing rather than the bright and colorful rags they wore as pirates. But it was the two figures standing behind them that made Jake's stomach flip. A man and a woman, dressed regally, with proud, almost defiant expressions.

Jake's eyes widened. He had seen them before. His mind raced back to that eerie night he had explored the abandoned lighthouse. That painting, the one he saw as he climbed up the spiral staircase, the one of the two adults and their redheaded child, flashed in his memory. That child must have been Jack Talstein. Which meant...

His heart sank.

The woman in the painting was a younger version of Mrs. Talstein. And the man, there was no mistaking it now, the man was—

"Captain Sebastian Talstein, at your service, my lad."

The voice was deep and smooth, yet it carried an edge of menace that sent a chill down Jake's spine. He froze, unable to turn his head toward the voice, but he didn't need to. The weight of those words told him everything he needed to know.

Before he could gather his thoughts, Maverick scurried over and spun the chair around. Jake was forced to face the man himself.

There he stood. Captain Talstein. The same man from the painting, the same pirate from Peter's tale. But something about him was...off. Different from what he saw in the painting. It wasn't just that he had aged several years, if not decades since, but one of his eyes…it was completely white, like a lifeless pearl. It wasn't the first thing Jake noticed, but it was haunting enough to linger in his mind.

Standing at Sebastian's side was his wife, her features just as sharp and commanding as her husband's, though softened by age. The couple bore an air of authority that seemed to make the cramped room feel even smaller.

Jack leaned casually against a nearby shelf, arms crossed and a smug smirk on his face. Patrick stood rigid near the door, and Maverick had quickly scurried to his side, looking like he wanted to be anywhere but here.

Sebastian stepped forward, his boots clicking against the wooden floor. He knelt in front of Jake, his intense gaze locking onto the boy's wide eyes.

"Of course," Sebastian said, his lips curling into a smile. "Now I remember you," His voice dropped into a lower tone, almost teasing. "You're the little one I saw sneaking around my lighthouse a few nights ago," Jake's throat tightened as the pirate captain leaned closer, his smile growing wider. "Good thing I didn't snag you then and there or else we wouldn't have had a proper introduction such as this, would we?"

Jake's jaw clenched, but he refused to break eye contact.

"What do you want with me?" he demanded, trying to keep his voice steady.

Sebastian chuckled, standing up to his full height.

"Straight to the point huh? I like that. But as of now, patience is all I request from you."

Jake couldn't stop staring at the man's white eye. It wasn't just eerie, it was unnerving. The lifeless, pale ball seemed to see right through him, as if it didn't need sight to pierce into his soul. He forced himself to look away, his gaze landing on the woman standing at the doorway. Her fair, soft skin practically glowed in the dim gold light, her wavy red hair spilling over her shoulders, and her piercing blue eyes locking onto him with a look he couldn't quite place.

Sebastian noticed Jake's shift in focus and let out a low chuckle.

"Well I see you've noticed my other half," he said, his voice smooth but tinged with mockery. He gestured toward her with a flourish. "Allow me to introduce the lovely and deadly Amber Talstein."

Amber's lips curled into a sly smile as she stepped forward, her heels clicking lightly on the wooden floor. She crossed her arms and tilted her head, her blue eyes scanning Jake from head to toe.

"You know.." she began, her voice as smooth as silk. "It's almost difficult to fathom how he could possibly be in the way of us. He is such a cute little fellow."

Jake's jaw clenched, his defiance burning hotter at her condescending tone. He glared at her, but her smile only grew.

"Which means," Amber continued, her voice dropping into a tone that sent a chill down Jake's spine. "He'll be easy to break," Her smile turned razor-sharp, and she glanced over at Maverick, who stood fidgeting near the door. "But don't feel too special, darling," she added, her tone dripping with mock sympathy. "You're not alone in that. My Maverick knows all about being easy to break."

Maverick cocked his head, confused.

"Wait—what?" he said, his voice breaking slightly.

Amber ignored him, her gaze snapping back to Jake like a predator sizing up its prey.

Sebastian stepped closer, his shadow falling over the boy strapped to the chair.

"So tell me," he said, his tone casual but laced with menace. "Has Peter Pan ever mentioned anything about me to his fellow forever quester?"

Jake's blank expression didn't change a bit, refusing to let the fear creeping up his spine show.

"So what if he has?" he shot back, his voice steady. "Either way I'm not telling you anything."

That just got a chortle out of the captain.

"Not even if I scare you?" he asked, mockingly.

"Well you don't!" Jake shot back. "And if you're trying too, good luck!"

With a sudden burst of force, Sebastian yanked the chair forward, the legs screeching against the wooden floor as Jake was pulled inches from the Captain's face.

"If you think I won't fight a child…." he growled, his voice dripping with mockery. Jake's heart pounded, but his glare didn't waver. "…frankly, you'd be right. Such a colossal waste of time. My sons on the other hand, would leap at an opportunity as such," His tone was casual, but the threat beneath it was sharp. "But, of course, that's only if you refuse to start talking."

Jake glared up at him, defiance blazing in his big green eyes.

"Well then that opportunity is coming sooner than they think because I'm not talking."

Amber, still standing at the doorway with that sly, unsettling smile, answered for him.

"Listen boy, if you don't want to end up like that Peter Pan," she said smoothly. Her voice was almost sweet, but her words cut like glass. "Poisoned…hanging by a single thread…" Jake clenched his fists. That's what you think, he thought to himself, forcing his expression to remain steady. "Then you most certainly will."

"So you're the one behind that too, aren't you?" Jake snapped, narrowing his eyes at Sebastian.

The captain grinned, straightening up.

"The correct terminology, child, is genius," He let the word hang in the air for a moment before continuing. "But enough setting the stage. Let's get to the question of the day, shall we?"

Jake froze. He already knew what was coming. His mind echoed the words in perfect sync with the pirate captain:

"Where is the key?"

Jake was ready. He'd been bracing for this.

"I don't know what you're talking about." he said, his tone sharp and confident. It wasn't a good excuse in the slightest, but it was all he had managed to conjure up within the last few hours of his captivity.

Patrick, standing off to the side, rolled his eyes and stepped forward.

"You are such a liar. Looked like you knew exactly what key it was when you and Pan were scrambling to get it back aboard Hook's ship!"

Jake shrugged, trying to appear indifferent.

"Yeah, that's true. But what's also true is I saw your brother shoot it out of a cannon. So, no, I don't know where it is!"

Sebastian raised an eyebrow, unimpressed.

"We shall see about that," he said coolly. He turned to Amber. "Your key necklace to the chest of potions, may I borrow it? This interrogation calls for a very special concoction from the chest on the ship."

Amber let out an exasperated sigh, crossing her arms with a flourish.

"Well, I'd be more than happy to hand it over, my dear," she said, her tone then dropping. "Had it not been stolen."

Sebastian's eye narrowed dangerously.

"Stolen?" he echoed, his tone low and simmering with menace. "By who?"

Amber's lips curled into a knowing smirk, her gaze shifting lazily to Jake.

"By most definatly one of his little friends." she said smoothly, her voice sharp as a dagger.

Jake's stomach dropped, and a cold sweat began to form on his brow. He fought to keep his expression steady, but his mind raced back to the delicate silver key Izzy had shown him not long ago, dangling innocently from a thin chain. That had to be the key they were talking about.

Sebastian's glare shifted toward Patrick, his expression like a storm on the verge of breaking.

"Are these not the same children that you assured me were rendered useless? Incapable? Completely helpless!?" he growled, his voice cutting through the air like a blade.

Patrick's mouth opened and closed like a fish gasping for air, his face flushing red.

"Th-th-those were Jack's words, not mine!" he blurted out, pointing a trembling finger at his brother.

Sebastian let out a guttural growl, pinching the bridge of his nose as if trying to suppress an explosion of fury.

"Then we are dead in the water," he said, his voice rising with each syllable. "My experiment also requires a potion from that chest and that chest cannot be opened without the silver key!"

Maverick, fidgeting nervously by the door, raised a timid hand.

"Um…why not just make another potion?"

The room fell deathly silent, save for the faint bubbling of flasks on the cluttered tables. Slowly, Sebastian turned to face his son, his expression a mix of disbelief and barely restrained rage.

"Because we are running on a time schedule, dope!" He slammed his fist on the nearest table, making the vials clatter ominously. "We need both keys back. The key to the potions and the experiment, and those other meddling children are our first place to look!"

Jake's breath hitched audibly, and his heart raced. Sebastian's sharp eyes darted to him immediately, a sinister smile spreading across his face.

"Well," the captain said, his voice dripping with mock delight. "Judging by your face, I'd say we're on the right track, wouldn't you agree, lad?"

Jake opened his mouth to deny it, but the words stuck in his throat. He squirmed under the weight of the captain's gaze, his mind scrambling for an escape.

Jack, leaning lazily against a crooked bookshelf, chuckled darkly.

"Oh, stop pretending," he said with a wave of his hand. "Your reaction completely gave it away!"

Jake's panic rose as he thought of his crew. He had left them behind in the middle of the night, completely unaware of the danger closing in on them. Even worse, he had taken Izzy's pixie dust with him, leaving them entirely defenseless in an emergency.

And now, they were the family's next target. No. This was crossing the line.

"Hey!" he shouted. "Don't you dare hurt them, you hear me!? You just stay away from them!"

Sebastian stopped mid-step, turning slowly to face Jake with an amused smirk.

"It appears I've managed to bring out the ferocious pirate within the boy," Sebastian observed, calmly, despite Jake's constant wriggling against the chair. The man leaned in closer, his piercing gaze locking onto Jake's. "Funny, though. I know your type so well..," he added, his voice dropping into a dark mutter. "You don't seem to think about how your actions affect your friends, that is… until after it's too late."

Jake's heart skipped a beat as Sebastian strode over to a large wooden barrel. From within, he pulled out a curved blade that gleamed ominously in the dim light.

"Too late?" Jake stammered, his voice trembling. "What…what are you gonna do?"

Sebastian didn't answer. He ran his fingers along the blade's edge, his expression thoughtful.

"Interesting how sharp the blade of a pirate is?" he asked, almost to himself. He glanced at Jake, his smile widening. "Such a shame that fine weapons like this don't get used nearly enough…"

Jake stayed silent, his eyes fixed on the blade.

Sebastian's gaze shifted to his son.

"Wouldn't you agree Maverick?" he asked, holding up the blade.

Maverick scratched his head, his pale face betraying his unease.

"Uh, yeah…a-a-absolutely." he said weakly, giving a nervous smile.

Sebastian chuckled darkly.

"That settles it then," he said, his tone filled with finality. "Time to go big game hunting."

Jake's eyes widened.

"NO! Don—" the boy quickly shut himself up when the towering captain pointed the sword in his direction. There truly was nothing he could do.

"I've heard enough out of you!" Sebastian snarled. With a quick, calculated motion, he tossed the blade toward Amber. She caught it effortlessly, twirling it in her hand as if it were an extension of herself. "Bring the thieves to me," Sebastian commanded, his voice hard and commanding. "And the keys," He turned to Patrick and Maverick, pointing at them sharply. "And dare I say take one of them with you for extra assistance?"

Patrick immediately stepped forward, his chest puffed out.

"I'll go!" he said confidently.

But before anyone could react, Maverick shoved Patrick aside with exaggerated strength given his skittish form, nearly toppling his older brother.

"The Tunnel of Fury you are!" Maverick proclaimed dramatically, puffing out his scrawny chest. "I'm goin'!"

Patrick scrambled to his feet, his face red with indignation. He loomed over Maverick, glaring down at him.

"I called it first, fair and square!" Patrick snapped. "So I'll go to Pirate Island with Mother, capture the kids, and get the key!"

Maverick crossed his arms defiantly.

"No, I'LL go to Pirate Island with Mother, capture the kids, and get the key!"

The two brothers continued their heated back-and-forth until their father finally snapped.

"Both of you shut up! Please!" his voice cut through the room like the crack of a whip, silencing both boys Captain took a deep, steadying breath, her piercing blue eyes narrowing.

"You'll both go to Pirate Island with her, you'll both capture the kids, you'll both get the key. Understand?"

Patrick and Maverick exchanged a glance, neither daring to argue with him.

Jake's eyes were fixed on the door as Amber, Patrick, and Maverick filed out. The mother led the way, her posture regal and her grip firm on the blade. Patrick trailed behind her while Maverick stumbled slightly as he tried to keep up, grumbling under his breath. The heavy wooden door creaked shut behind them, leaving Jake alone with Sebastian, Jack, and the suffocating weight of his own fear. His heart pounded so loudly in his chest he was sure everyone in the room could hear it.

Sebastian stood silently for a moment, staring at the closed door as if lost in thought. Then, with a deep sigh, he turned back toward Jake.

"Oh don't look so worried," he said, his tone casual, almost lighthearted. "My beloved will make sure those two morons won't do too much damage to your friends tonight."

Jake dared to lift his head slightly, hope sparking in his chest.

Sebastian smirked.

"I can't exactly speak for tomorrow though."

Jake slumped back in the chair, finally ceasing his struggles. He let his head fall forward, his bangs casting a shadow over his eyes. For a long moment, he said nothing, his thoughts swirling with guilt and fear.

'Oh mateys…I hope you're ready for this..'

To Be Continued...