Hooked

Chapter 11

Dawn came. I awoke to Hook smiling down at me.

“Good morning, beautiful,” Hook said and I raised my eyebrow.

“Someone’s an ass kiss this morning,” I laughed and Hook chuckled.

“Well, we are going to look for your siblings today. I want you to be in a good mood.”

I chuckled and finally we got out of bed. The crew got ready once more, and, at last, we headed back to the island to find my family. We decided to start on the Indians’ side of the island first. Nothing. We made our way to the opposite side and again, nothing. The pirate Smith suggested we look at the mountain top. Hook and I agreed and we started the long trek up the face of the mountain.

“How’s your side?” Hook asked me about half of the way up.

“Fine actually, a little sore, but nothing too bad,” I replied as I continued to follow the long string of pirates up the mountain. I chuckled to myself.

“What are you laughing at, Clara,” Hook smiled.

“Oh just thinking if my father could see me now,” I looked up at the company of rugged men…and he thought travel was bad gossip.

“Your father seems like an uptight man, what is he the king of England?”

“Close,” I chuckled, “He’s the Duke of Canterbury. My family’s held the title for ten generations.”

Hook looked shocked, “You mean you’re in line to be a duchess?! But how, you’re too down to earth to be royalty!” I laughed.

“Well my mother wasn’t royal, much to my Grandmother’s dismay, so I was raised by a pretty ‘down to earth’ woman.”

“Wait, your father scolds you for wanting to travel, but yet he married someone out of his social class?” I was surprise Hook remembered I had said that.

“Yes, quite the double standard, he argues that my traveling will bring bad gossip, and bad gossip is what he willingly accepted to marry the love of his life.” Hook chuckled at my frustration.

“Well, M’lady,” he bowed jokingly, “After you.”

“Oh shut up,” I laughed and pushed his shoulder.

“Don’t make me have to show off my pirate charm for royalty,” Hook mocked and shook his hook in the air. I laughed, but then heard a small gasp. My head shot in the direction of the sound and I looked through the vines and trees. Hook’s face held concern now, “What is it?”

“I heard a child,” I searched the bushes, but the child was hiding very well, “John? Michael? Wendy?” I yelled out into the forest. The caravan now stopped to turn and look. There was a rustle in some shrubs nearby, and slowly Michael’s face peered out, “Michael!”

I dropped to my knees as the dirt covered boy hobbled over to me. His nightgown was ripped at the bottom and streaked with mud. In his arms he held his teddy bear tight, it too looking like they had both rolled in the brown earth. I hugged him tightly and picked him up. He was crying and whimpering into my shoulder.

“Clara! Where were you?” He whined, his thumb went into his mouth, but I didn’t rebuke him. I was just happy he was alright and that Pan hadn’t gotten to him yet.

“I was looking for you! Where are Wendy and John?” I asked frantically hoping that he had been with them. Michael sniffled.

“John is back at out hiding place, but some mean boys took, they took Wendy and ran!” I looked at Hook. He mouthed Lost Boys to me and I knew Pan had her, “Clara?”

“Yes?” I asked trying to hide the sadness in my voice for my brother.

“Why are you with Capain Hook?” I felt myself smile at the way he didn’t say the “t” in Captain. I looked at Hook, who surprisingly was smiling as well.

“Well, he saved me from drowning that first day, figured I could at least help him defeat Pan.”

“Oh, but I though he had long hair!” I laughed and Hook looked confused.

“No sweetie, that was only in our stories. Now, will you take us to John?” Michael nodded and he motioned for me to put him down. He grabbed my hand and started walking. The crew, Hook, and I all followed him to the opening of a small cave.

“John! John!” Michael called and hopped around, “Come out, I found Clara!”

Sounds escaped from the cave as the brown headed boy walked out, equally as filthy as Michael. When he saw me his eyes widened with shock.

“Clara!” he exclaimed and ran to me with a hug. When he pulled away, an odd look crossed his face as he looked me up and down, “I say sister, what on earth are you wearing? You look like a pirate!” I heard snickers from the crew as well as Hook.

“Well John, I am,” I smiled and nodded towards Hook.

“Jiminy! Captain Hook!” John said amazed, and Hook looked somewhat amused.

“Hello John, Michael. Pleasure to make your acquaintance,” Hook said sounding sincere. John looked to Hook, then to me, and hummed something softly. I knew what he was thinking, but decided not to respond to it. I looked at Hook and he nodded, knowing that I wanted to get them back to the ship before something bad happens.