Second Date

Chapter 23: Second Date

Chapter 23: Second Date

Peter was livid. But he wasn't sure at who.

"You codfish! You dirty, rotten, stinking, stupid, smelly, old - "

"Jafar! Hans! Gaston! One of you..." Captain Hook said. "...silence that brat or cut out his tongue."

"Oh dear, dear twiddle-de-me!" Mr. Smee jogged behind. "Don't slur the poor captain Peter Pan! You're going down to the dungeons! Miss Wendy is already there! No need to sully the Captain!"

"Mr. Smee!" Captain Hook growled. "Shut up! It is your fault Pan is going to the dungeons! Pray that I do not feed you to the villains upon our return."

Mr. Smee gulped. Captain Hook was right: It was his fault. After Wendy had fallen from the plank, the villains had intended to celebrate with a second round of torment. But as they dragged Peter from his table, Mr. Smee was confused. And per his usual nervous habit, Mr. Smee called attention to his confusion.

Having been chosen referee, Mr. Smee pointed out that Wendy had "reached" Peter before she fell. They brushed fingertips; Mr. Smee saw it with his own eyes. He'd even polished his spectacles for the occasion.

The villains were infuriated. However, as dictated by Captain Hook, the children would win the game if they "reached" the other.

Now villains are evil, make no mistake. But, villains are also true to their word. Their vows are held sacred and their promises are steadfast. It was an ironic virtue, but it was the only way to be a respectable villain.

So, the villains were trapped. The children had reached each other fair and square. They had no choice but to award Wendy and Peter a date in the dungeon. Curses. Curses galore.

"Quickly." Captain Hook entered the dungeon. "Bring him inside."

The dungeon was a frightening place. Each prison cell was carved into the floor and fortified with rock and metal grate. A ten foot drop prevented escape and allowed the villains to observe their victims by the light of an acid-green glow.

It looked less like a dungeon than a burial ground.

Striding to an empty cell, Captain Hook kicked the trap door. As the lattice swung, he vaguely noticed Wendy curled in the adjacent pit.

"Drop him." Captain Hook ordered. Grouchily, he waited as Hans, Gaston, and Jafar threw Peter into the cell. Peter swiped for the edge, but missed.

Peter fell. Mr. Smee flinched as he thumped.

"As promised." Captain Hook sneered as Peter frisked the dungeon walls. "The remainder of your precious night spent in a dungeon, absent of villainous company. Just you..."

Captain rapped his sword over Wendy's cell. "...and your lovely date."

"Oh dear. Peter Pan doesn't look too happy with your hospitality, Capn." Mr. Smee adjusted his glasses. "Neither does the little miss."

Captain Hook scanned Wendy's cell. It was dark, but her glare was unmistakable.

"Oh. Don't look at me like that, my dear. Tis only an hour or so until midnight. And remember...."

His sword clicked over the metal grate. "I did warn you. I said that you would pay. And pay you have, with a perfectly horrid date. But, what can you expect. After all..."

Captain Hook sharpened his words, hoping that they would cut her.

"Why shouldn't a date go awry, with a boy who cannot love?"