Take the Yellow Brick Road [Ways to Wonderland Book 1] [OLD VERSION]

Stitches

Captain Hook escorted the group aboard. "Welcome to the Jolly Rodger." He said, gesturing to the black skull emblazoned flag above them with his hook. "If you're going to be staying with us for the voyage, whatever's ours is yours."He snapped his fingers and a short man came running towards him.
"Smee, would you take these two and get them cleaned up?" He waved at Carter and Georgia.
Smee nodded and gestured for the pair to follow him.

Carter soon found himself sitting on a wooden bench with a bandage wrapped tight around his chest and pressing a cotton pad against his face. Smee walked over to him with a large needle and a spool of black thread. Carter flinched at the sight of the needle.
"Is there some kind of medicine or anaesthetic or something?" He asked quickly, failing to mask the fear in his voice. Smee laughed and grabbed a dark glass bottle from a nearby shelf.
"Drink some of this lad." He said. He had a strong Welsh accent. Carter took the bottle the bottle and had a swig. He spat it out, sending the brown liquid across the room.
"Rums the closest thing we got boyo, your choice." Smee chuckled. Carter grimaced, took a gulp from the bottle, and shivered. Smee approached with the needle. Carter ground his teeth as Smee began to stitch shut this open wound. He hated needles, and having one sewing up his face was enough to make him pass out. After what felt like years, Smee cut he thread and handed a different bottle to Carter. This one was tinted a faint blue colour. He uncorked it and nervously took a sip. To his relief, the bottle was filled with water. Carter stared off into space and scratched Otto behind the ear as the cat purred on his lap.

The was awoken from his daze by a yell from close by. He looked over at Georgia. The gash across her face was much deeper than his , meaning the needle had pierced further into her cheek. Carter gagged at the though, though it could have been the rum. He approached Georgia and slowly handed her the rum bottle. She quickly grabbed it from her hand and took a long gulp. She flinched as Smee made another stitch. Carter squeezed Georgia's shoulder, looking at the expression of pain across her face.
"Did you wash that needle?" He asked.
"Course." Smee grunted, a length of thread between his teeth.
"In what?" Carter pushed further. Smee spat out the thread, took a flask from his hip and took a sip.
"Rum." He answered. Carter realised why Georgia was in more pain than he was. He very much doubted that rum was the best thing to clean an operating needle with. Eventually, Smee finished stitching Georgia's cut and left the room. Georgia leaned panting against the wall. Carter sat down next to her. He took back the rum and sipped it. If rum was his only painkiller, he had better get used to it.

A few minutes later he, Otto and Georgia left the small cabin. Pirates sat in clusters around the deck, laughing and drinking. Some played card games whilst other group danced to a pirate playing a fiddle. A group of them appeared to have etched a track into the wood and were racing small, vibrant green crabs. A few others were huddled around a low wooden box, cheering. Carter approached the box and took a look to have a look. Inside were two crudely fashioned wooden dolls. Each had a tiny metal sword, no larger than a toothpick. Carter watched as one dodged the others swing and stabbed its opponent through the back. The doll fell to the ground, seemingly dead. A pirate fished it out of the box and sprinkled some dust over it.the doll sat up on his hand as the would closed. Another was put in the box. It reminded Carter of Robot Wars. He felt a pull of sadness as he reminded himself of yet another part of home that seemed so far from reach. Attempting to shake the feeling off, he hurried after Georgia.

The two made their way to the top level of the deck where they found Felix, Fiona and Captain Hook all standing together. Carter took a sip of the rum. Hook turned to them as they approached.
"You must be Johns grandson aye?" He asked Carter.
Carter nodded. "Yes sir."
Captain Hook shook his hand vigorously. "Sir? There's no need for formalities here son. Call me Hook. Everyone else does."
Carter nodded. Hook turned to Georgia. He kissed her hand once again.
"And you must be the twin sister of Fiona. All pleasure to meet all of you." He look back at Carter. "You alright mate?" Carter swayed on the spot. Hook yanked the rum bottle from his hand. It was almost empty. "I think you've had enough of this mate."
Carter didn't respond. Instead, he turned his back to the group and vomited over the edge of the ship..

He wiped his mouth on his sleeve and turned back to the group. His head felt clearer.
"So," Hook said, "Where are we heading?"
Felix scratched his neck. "Wonderland."
Hook dropped the bottle of rum, letting it smash against the deck.
"Wonderland? You've got to be joking!" Hook said, rubbing his hand anxiously against his hook. "Do you know how dangerous that is?"
Carter looked awkwardly at his feet, before Hook clapped him on the shoulder.
"Lucky you've got the pirate who deals with such dangers all the time!"
Carter ran his hand through his hair. "Really? So you can do it?"
Hook swept off his hat and sat it on a nearby crate, revealing an untidy mess of black hair. "Of course. It'll only take a month or two."
He left the group, moving towards the front of the upper deck to yell orders to his crew.

Carter leant against the ships railing.
"A month?" He muttered, resting his head on his arms. "Really?"
He felt a hand on his shoulder.
"We'll get you home England." Georgia said. "Eventually."