A Tale That Never Was [Book 1 of Selvina's Tale series]

Chapter 10: Peter Pan

Captain Hook was looking through his skyglass at the battle happening a few hundred yards away. The merchant ship appeared to be losing badly as the pirates were already on board and slaughtering the crew. Selvina could hear their cries and it made her body tremble.

"Jack!" the captain called out, making Selvina jump at the sudden sound.

"Yes?" Jack, standing near her, asked.

"Get the girls to the cargo hold and stay with them. Under no circumstance are they allowed on the main deck until the battle is over." He turned away from his spyglass and gave the young man a hard gaze. "Do you understand me?"

Jack gulped as his face paled. "Yes, captain." He then gestured to a hatch near the middle of the ship and urged the young women to move. Selvina and Cindy were more than grateful. Red stood her ground.

"I can fight, Captain Hook," she said with a frown, her blue eyes staring at the man with the feathered tri-corn hat. She produced her crossbows and fit a bolt into each of them, grabbing two from the quiver she held against her lower back. "I can help you."

Captain Hook shook his head at her. "No. You go below, Riding Hood. You do not want to fight this monster."

"I've dealt with monsters my whole life, captain! I choose to do this."

"Red!" Selvina called from the hatch as she let Cindy climb down first. "Please, come down with me..."

"Stay with Selvina," the captain said with concern. "I am aware that you are capable and a skilled woman but I need you to stay out of this. Trust me on this."

Red took a few moments before sighing and responding. "Yes, captain..."

Captain Hook gave the battle another glance and then gestured to the open hatch. "Go. The pirates are headed this way."

Red glanced at the battle to see the merchant ship listing dangerously low in the water as the black sails on the brig were unfurling, the ship slicing through the water toward the Jolly Roger. She then hurried to the hatch and waited for Selvina to climb down. Jack brought up the rear and closed the hatch behind him.

Down in the cargo hold, Selvina huddled in a corner between several large crates with Cindy curled against her side. Red was pacing about, her crossbows still in her hands. Jack sat near the other two girls and kept them company. Above them was the crowded gun deck and one level higher was the main deck, where the battle would be fought. So far all was silent.

"Red," Selvina pleaded, her spine cold and goosebumps popping up all over her body. "Calm down and sit with us, please."

"I should be out there," Red growled. "I can help them, Selvina! I might not want to kill but I can still help them! I feel useless down here!"

"You're not useless! Red, I'm terrified. I never wanted to be in a battle! I just want to go home... I'd feel better if you were closer."

Red shook her head and her scarlet tresses waved about, framing her face like a wreath of fire. "I can't sit, Selvina. I need to be up there."

"Red," Jack said firmly. "I'm part of the crew. Don't you think I want to be up there fighting too? Captain Hook wanted us here so here we will be. Put your crossbows away and come with us."

Thunderous bangs that shook the entire ship suddenly cracked the air and had Selvina and Cindy shouting in surprise. There were several more bangs and hurried footsteps could be heard above them.

"They're getting all the cannons ready," Jack said, looking up at the planks above as if he could see through them. "Those first ones were test shots. Captain Hook is letting Peter Pan know that he wants a fight and gauging the range of his cannons at the same time."