When Stars Fall

Chapter 26 - Dying Dreams

Captain Hook's fingers shoot forward and dig into Peter's pocket. The skinny fingers, two of which were no more than bones, closed greedily around the little star.

"Tie him up! TIGHT!" he commanded icily. As Mullins had to hold Peter, Hook's gaze went accordingly like lightning to Smee. The latter, however, was kneeling by the girl. He helped her to sit up, for her arms were still bound. Blood had stained her beautiful face and stuck to her hair at the slashed spot on her forehead.
"What are you waiting for?!" barked Hook in response, overcoming the steps to his boatswain because the latter did not obey immediately.

"Ab-But Captain she-" he stammered.

Then Hook lashed out and struck him squarely in the face with the hooked hand with the iron body. The force flung the more petite man to the side, and Smee whimpered as he wiped the blood from his chapped chin. His body shook, and his eyes were wide, like those of a child whose dream had turned into a nightmare.

"Did I order you to take care of that wench?!" the voice thundered, mixing to a new shaking of the mountain. The ground shook, a rock dislodged, and fell in chunks from the ceiling. With a loud crack and crunch, more shots pulled into the cave's rock, and huge pieces of the stone steps fell, rumbling, into the depths.

"It's time to end this hell and everything in it," Hook hissed, watching as Smee tied a rope around one of Peter's wrists, then the other, and finally pulled them together. Mullins then took over, lashing it down, pulling a punch across Peter's skull, and pushing him down onto his knees in front of him.

"That's how I like you, Pan," Hook laughed, looking at the image he had dreamed of for many years. Everything was going according to plan, and now ...Hook reached out and held the star out to Smee."Wish for it," he commanded, pinning the gaze of fiery hellmouths on his right hand.

Peter narrowed his eyes as Smee's hands tremblingly accepted the star.

"Get up, Peter! DO SOMETHING!" rose Sitara's voice, and Peter blinked at the woman, trying to reach her feet. She swayed, visibly affected by Mullin's blow, and moaned as she squinted one eye to keep the blood out.

But Peter had no strength left. He shook his head, deep regret reflected in his eyes.
"I'm sorry... I only ever made things worse," he murmured, and Peter's shoulders sank. He had wanted to defeat Hook and, in doing so, had let the Darling children die, and his most loyal friends die. Peter had tried to bring them back and, in doing so, had cut the web of heaven and ruined the fabric of this world. He had wanted to save the falling star and condemned her to a body where she was now injured. Peter wanted to defeat Hook, had been reckless, and Sitara had had to waste the precious star for HIS life. Then he tried to warn the natives and not only led Hook into the most sacred site on Neverland... but had condemned Tink to death. And because of him, Hook had the last star. He had been unable to protect anyone and, instead, had doomed all of Neverland.

"Stop feeling sorry for yourself, Pan! Get a hold of yourself!" Tears welled in Sitara's eyes. "Nothing is lost yet! Everyone can fail, and everyone can make mistakes. But no matter how hopeless a situation looks, how many times you fall or stumble ... the most important thing is to get back up and keep going! And you ALWAYS did that, Peter!" Sitara's golden eyes swam with soft tenderness. "We've always watched you. I watched you. All these years. Every time, in all your adventures, all your exploits. You are Peter Pan! You are the hero of Neverland. You could do it. For I have chosen you, and I believe in YOU. No matter how bad things looked, you always found a way, and you will this time too, Pan. I know you will ... PLEASE."

"Enough with the chatter!" this time, Hook roared, taking a step towards Sitara. Suddenly, however, Smee reached into the crimson fabric for his sleeve, and the captain paused jerkily. He turned his head, and his gaze settled dangerously slowly on the life-weary man.