My eyes snapped open and I screamed sitting up from my bed. I scanned the room, my heart hammering in my chest like a drum. I could feel the dream slipping away from my consciousness slowly. I couldn't even remember what it was about, but the terror was still gripping at my heart. Trying to stay as still as possible, I turned my head to see my clock at the side of my bed. It was 3 AM.
I wiped my forehead from the sheen of sweat and tiptoed to my bathroom. I grabbed a cup by the sink and filled it with water. I gulped it down and tried to regulate my breathing. I was still shaking from the remnants of the dream. I studied my reflection in the mirror with dissatisfaction. There were tear stains on my freckled cheeks and my blonde hair was matted to my head with sweat. My grey eyes were wide with fear. I shook my head to shake off the lingering uneasiness. It was too early in the morning to stay up so I figured I would try to fall back asleep.
As I walked towards my bed, I froze in place. A cold breeze was ruffling at my hair and tugging at my oversized t-shirt. Pivoting on my heel, I spun around to see my window open and the curtains blowing hauntingly in the wind. I didn't remember opening my window... That's when I knew that something was wrong.
I stumbled backwards to my door trying to find myself some logical explanation for why my window was open when a hand clamped over my mouth forcefully.
"Your just another lost girl." A male voice whispered in my ear and I writhed away wildly panicking.
The hand only tightened and I prayed this was all still part of my nightmare. I would wake up any minute.
I figured that even in my dreams, I would not be one of those helpless heroines who just submitted without a fight. I elbowed my attacker with all my strength in his stomach to get him to release me. Unfortunately, he was anticipating the move and blocked my attempt. I growled in frustration.
"Tut, tut, I figured you would've been a fighter just like your great grandmother and, what fun would it be if you came quietly?" The voice mocked me.
I struggled against the man when I saw shadows crawling through my window, I was totally outnumbered.
"We've got quite a journey my dear, I certainly hope you don't get sea sick." I could practically see the smirk on the man's face but before I was given the chance to see any true details, I felt a sharp pain at the back of my head and the world fell into utter darkness.
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I tried to sit up, wincing in pain from the bump on the back of my head. I tried to take in my surrounding without too much movement. I knew immediately that I was no longer in my bedroom. There were crates piled in the corner of a wooden room and were those cannons? I paused. Cannons... This didn't look good.
After making sure I was completely alone, I clawed my way into a standing position using the wall behind me. I took a few minutes to wait for my muscles to stop quivering. Was it fear or pain that caused me to shake, I wondered. I made my way to the stairs and crawled up as quietly as possible. It felt like the entire room was moving. I squinted as I reached the top of the steps, the bright sunlight streaming in through the cracks. I blinked a few times forcing my eyes to adjust to the light.
My jaw dropped as I realized I was on a boat. A boat in the open seas. No land in sight. This was not an ordinary boat. This was a pirate ship, complete with old fashioned pirates. The type of pirates that you read about in stories or see in movies. Except this was real life, MY life. Surprisingly I noticed that they were dressed fairly normal considering all the stereotypes. Most wore baggy white shirts, brown pants, black boots. The fancy hats and swords strapped around their waists conflicted with the casual outfit. Most of them had some prominent battle scars varying from their faces and one with an eye patch. The strangest part of it was that they were young. Not boys but not adults either. They ranged from 14-19. I was still trying to take all this in and make sense of it before I was spotted and the door was thrust open. I tried to make a run (more like a fall) back down the stairs but one of the pirates grabbed my arm and held me fast.
"Hey!" I exclaimed jerking my arm away.
"Hey yourself little miss, the captain wants a word with you." The boy mumbled looking down, almost.. shyly?
"Well I'd prefer if you asked that instead of man-handling me," I softened my voice crossing my arms. "Besides, I have questions of my own I would like answered." I boldly stated.
"Follow me." The boy let go of me rather reluctantly and to my surprised turned and walked away without a word. He obviously expected me to follow. I walked quickly behind him struggling to match his long, quick steps.
I was trying to process why and how I was so calm despite the fact that I had been carted out my bedroom, in the middle of the night, finding myself in the middle of a large body of water, surrounded by real life pirates! To be truthful I was quite proud of myself. No hysterics, no melt-downs, no drama of any kind. At least not yet.
The boy lead me along the deck, I held my head high trying to maintain my footing as the ship swayed back and forth from side to side. I refused to show any fear, any sign of weakness to these bullies. Yes, bullies, that's what they are. Kidnapping an innocent girl in the night. We appeared to be heading towards a man who towered above the others barking out orders as if he expected them to be obeyed without question.
We stopped right in front boy/man I assumed to be the captain. My guide seemed much more confident addressing the formidable captain than he had been when addressing me earlier. I wondered if I scared him. A giggle almost escaped my throat but I swallowed it back down quickly enough. I doubt any humour would be appreciated by this present audience.
"Here she is, Captain." He indicated towards me with a nod of his head.
The captain turned to face us and smirked "Give me and Miss Hennessey a minute, Scout." He said with an accent I couldn't quite place.
The boy, Scout, descended the stairs back down to the main deck.
I narrowed my eyes at the "boy" in front of me. How did he know my last name? "Look kid," I made sure to emphasize the word coldly. "I don't know what you think your trying to accomplish in kidnapping me; but I assure you, you have made a horrible mistake. My family, with their unlimited resources will not be long in coming to my rescue." I hated how snobbish I sounded but this was one time I was going to make my background work for me.
The captain's grin only widened and he leaned lazily against the helm.
"My dear Miss Hennessey, what if I told you we were no longer in England anymore or," he continued slowly "no longer where anyone you know could find you?"
I snorted with disbelief, what game was this kid playing at?
"Humour me 'captain," I said allowing the sarcasm to drip from my voice, "where could I possibly be that no one could ever find me?"
He smiled with cold satisfaction. "Welcome to Neverland, Miss Hennessey."
