Neverland

Chapter Twenty-Three

"What do you want?" I say. My mouth and eyes seem to be the only moving parts of my body. Wendy and Hook are motionless. Jack moves with incredible speed, taking Wendy and shoving a long blade under her throat. My sword.

"I think this will be a nice little trophy to keep," Jack says. At that moment, Hook reveals his silver hook and snaps it back in place. Hidden this whole time. Firelight flickers a little ways away.

"Let her go!" I shout. I will not lose more to death than necessary. Jack gives me a crooked smile. The little traitor.

"Ah, how touching," he says. "You see, I need this girl." He lifts my sword closer to Wendy, the blade pressing against her. "She is the key I need to take your powers for my own." Hook moves to my side.

"He's playing with you," Hook says out of the corner of his mouth. "Don't give in." But I can't help myself.

"You could never do anything for yourself," I say quietly, but Jack still hears.

"And you are not the least bit smarter," he says. "Remain in ignorance for a while longer, little brother." He breathes in the scent of Wendy, who is white and stiff. "Time to fly." Wendy shouts my name once as I watch Jack wave his hand to me and Hook. Black spots eat my vision, but I still see Jack fly away with Wendy before all I see is darkness.

Cold water splashes on my face. Through my blurry vision, I see the unfocused figure of Hook. I want to curl up in this hopeless situation.

"No use in mourning, mate," Hook says. He extends a hand and I take it reluctantly. Hook helps me to my feet.

"I don't understand any of this," I mutter. "I don't want to believe." A hard edge sets in, making me realize what I have lost. don't feel anymore. Let go of whatever it is that Wendy made me feel. I reject it.

Chills shudder through me unexpectedly. The fire flickers off on the silver hook next to me. The owner sighs heavily.

"I've said the same thing," says Hook. I stay silent while Hook continues. "And look, now I'm a one-handed pirate, thanks for that.

"You are quite welcome," I say with a small smile. "Do you have anymore of those... what's the word... guns?"

"Aye, wouldn't that be nice," Hook says. "If I did, I would've shot Jack the moment I came to. He paces around our imprisonment. "I would think you have come to the same conclusion as I."

"And that is?" I say. What could our thoughts have in common?

"You need to stop all... this," he says, gesturing to me. "You need to embrace yourself and stop trying to be someone you're not." The words Hook says acts as a trigger, breaking the dam holding back my emotions. Again.

"Your point is?" I say coolly. I need straight to the answer.

"Like it or not, but an alliance needs to be formed," Hook says. I laugh wickedly.

"Like a truce?" I say. "You must be joking."

"Believe me, I would love to put this aside and kill you," hook says. I stare at him doubtfully. "I've picked up a few tricks, you know. But to get out of here, we need to fight our way out."

"What if I don't need you?" I can tell that the cowardly boy is not me. Hook is a little taller than me, so I have to look a bit upwards as he steps closer.

"You do," Hook says quietly. "I have been around a lot longer than you, Peter Pan. I've seen things you have only imagined. Being a pirate wasn't always easy, during those years. I learned that there are far worse things than death. And do you know what only adds to this predicament?"

"What?" I say.

"Neither of us have our shadows," says Hook. "Somewhere out there, is a portion of our existence. Destroy a person's shadow, you destroy the person as well. Since Neverland's spirit is a part of you, the spirit also controls your shadow."

"Then what's there to live for?" I ask. "Why not kill me now before the shadow can get to me and you?"

"I prefer to watch the show," Hook says. He steps back and spreads his hands. "Jack won't kill Wendy, nor will he kill you. If he does, how is he supposed to get your magic, then?" I shrug because really, I would prefer to die now. Then realization hits.

"Of course she's the key," I say.

"What are you talking about?" Hook says.

"Wendy," I say. "She's the key. At one point, you and Wendy both held Neverland's power. Jack must think there is still something in there."

"Then there's no telling what he'll do to her," Hook says. "We need to find a way out, and fast." I agree, but when did Hook start caring about Wendy? There must be something going on, but I don't say anything.