Grim (A Peter Pan Fanfic)

Chapter 19: Rapunzel

                  

"Growing up is losing some illusions, in order to acquire others." –Virginia Woolf

***

            "If we split up, we could find them faster," Elly reasons calmly. Peter is refusing the idea, despite the fact that speed is mandatory in this situation.

            "And what happens if one of us finds Hook?"

            "We fight him?"

            "Alone?"

            "Yes?" Elly can't decide where Peter's sudden lack in faith in her is coming from. "We can take him, Peter."

            "What if one of you gets hurt?"

            "Unlikely. But if it happens, that's the game. And how many times have I told you that I won't let my girls die out there? I'd die a million times before I let one of them touch the other side."

            Peter's voice grows quiet. "That's what I'm afraid of."

            Elly rests a hand on his cheek. "Peter, you need to trust me. My girls and I can take Hook down. If you want, we can locate Hook and wait for you to catch up, but if I see an opportunity to take back what's ours, I'm going for it."

            "I hate your valor." Peter leans in to catch his lips on hers briskly but passionately before taking off in the Lost Boys' boat towards Hook's ship. While they venture there, the Wayward Women are going to check the caves and Skull Rock. The rendezvous is the Lost Boy's shelter in two hours. If they find Hook, they're supposed to send up a firework so the others can come to their aid.

            "Remember," Elly says as they start rowing their own boat off land, "if there's any sign of Hook, speak up. As long as Bubbles and Max are safe and in our sights, we fire. If not, we capture."

            "Someone'll have to restrain me," Menthol snarls. "That bastard won't make it two steps on my watch."

            "Menthol," Elly says firmly, "I'm counting on your self-control. Don't make sudden actions you'll regret." She nods stiffly, taking deep breaths.

            Lucky for them, Sahara was on a rowing team back on Earth, so with her tips and instructions, they're able to row around the perimeter of the island and check all the caves (there aren't many) within an hour and a half, giving them thirty minutes to check Skull Rock, which is further out.

            "I have a bad feeling about that place," Joro comments upon seeing the eerie fixture. Fog resides in a halo around the rock, slightly green and thick enough to be cumulous clouds. It looks like it deserves its own thunderstorm.

            "We'll have to go in," Elly realizes, as they can't see inside from the boat. Before she can add, they hear a nasty cackle from inside. "That's Hook! Someone send up fireworks!"

            Cyanides does so, a burst of red illuminating the sky.

            "Should we wait for them?" Joro asks.

            "No," Elly says along with Cyanide. "They'll come. We need to move in." As their boat docks on the rocky narrow shore of Skull Rock, Elly turns to the girls, making sure to keep her voice low. "Ladies, this will be a battle. Hook isn't alone in there; he'll have reinforcements. Like always, wait for my call to open fire. Even if Peter wants to attack, don't. We can't endanger Bubbles or Max."

            "Peter," Sahara mutters with a sly grin. Elly just rolls her eyes but can't help a small grin from appearing.

            "Watch each other's backs. This is what we trained for. I know we never worked with the Lost Boys before, but try to remain as focused as you can. Are you ready?"