A PIRATE'S TREASURE

Chapter 21

    "What do you mean the magic won't let me cross?!"

James was fuming while Jane was trying to explain calmly.

    "It's just something Pan would say, but no one has ever left, so..."

The pain was random and nothing James couldn't handle at first. But it suddenly intensified in his chest. He could feel his heart pounding uncomfortably as if it were trying to escape his body. As he clutched his chest, his legs gave out, and his whole body seized. It could've been just his mind playing games, but he swore he heard his wife call out for him. He whispered, her name reaching out towards the sound.

He could hear Tinkerbell and Jane fighting about the side effects of the spring water,
 
    "There shouldn't be any side effects at all."

Then Pan came down smiling at James, squirming on the ground.

    "Ah, I remember that pain. Don't worry, my pirate friend, it'll pass."

    "What's going on, Pan?! What did you do to him?"

    "Nothing, my sweet Jane, this is all connected to his now-dead wife."

James heard the word but didn't want to believe it. Jane bent down, trying to get him to focus on her, but the pain was too much.

He wished he would just pass out from the pain, but something inside was keeping him up.

    "Jenny, no, please."

He whispered her name, and he knew Pan was right. He felt it all.

Pan lowered glaring at the pirate,

    "The pain never really goes away. It'll settle somewhere deep inside and will fester until you finally snap. Have fun, Hook."

James pulled his gun to aim at Pan, but Jane pushed it away before he could pull the trigger.

    "What are you doing?!" She asked.

    "What's it look like?"

    "You aren't a murderer James,"

    "Aren't I? I already killed before I met my wife. There was so much blood on my hands, and I never felt a thing. I killed Ariels' friend without thinking and chose my life over hers. I'm just becoming the person I should've been."

Jane could see him changing already.

    "Please stop! Think about your family and the memories -"

    "Memories don't bring back the dead."

    "But they keep her alive in your heart."

His heart? Felt like his heart was trying to beat out of his chest. He wished he could pull it out so he wouldn't have to feel this pain.

    "I promised her I'd come back. How long have I been gone, Jane?"

He rarely cried, but his emotions were all crashing down on him at once.

    "Time is different here, James. I couldn't tell you how long because everyone here just stops keeping track and just lives freely."

He settled on the ground, just trying to let the pain settle until he could get up. He couldn't succumb to the sadness because he did still have part of his heart back home. He then heard his compass click with Jane watching it spin.

     "I used to have a compass-like this when I was older. The merchant swore it was magic to point to what I would want most."

James was surprised because that's what Jenny said.