Jody in Neverland

Chapter 18 - Facing Fears

The remaining pirates began to celebrate Hook's imminent victory over Peter. One pirate produced an accordion and another a fiddle and the merriment began. There was singing and dancing and lots to drink. By the time Hook returned darkness had ascended the ship and lanterns and torches had been lit. Most of the children had fallen asleep but were soon roused by cheering and whooping as Hook boarded the ship. Celebrations continued and were even livelier than before. Soon the pirates were so inebriated that a drunken brawl was started. A couple of pirates began duelling, jabbing and thrusting at each other and trying to dodge each others blows. The swords clinked as metal struck metal. They fought with such speed that Jody could barely keep track of their movements. It was a blur of thrusts, swipes and endless deflecting. At last they began to grow tired and one sustained a nasty flesh wound to the upper arm. Starkey drew his own sword and swung it in between the two men and their swords smashed into it.

Enough! Growled Starkey

The two men staggered back in surprise, eying Starkey warily. One angrily plunged his sword into a near by sack of sea biscuits and the two lumbered off in separate directions. Starkey sheathed his sword, and then returned to drink with the rest of the crew.

Jody noticed the sword had been left behind, stuck into the sack. A couple of hours later when the pirates had finally ended their celebrations and the deck was silent, Jody shuffled over to the sack and managed to position herself with her back to the sword, so that she could reach it will her bound hands. At first she tried to pull the sword out, but it was stuck fast and she couldn't get much grip on it. Then she had another idea, she began to rub her bindings against the sword to cut through them. The rope around her wrists was thick and her hands were so tightly bound and so painfully pulled behind her back that she could barely move them. After an hour or so of rubbing the ropes against the sword, she was puffing, panting and sweating, and her hands and arms were so painful, that each time she rubbed it felt like the bindings would slice right through her arms. Suddenly, the rope broke as the sword sliced through the final fibres. Jody rubbed her aching wrists, the bindings had left angry red gashes.

Jody got unsteadily to her feet and crept over to the lost children. She began to work on Nibs bindings trying to them but her hands were so sore and the bindings were tight.

Jody, its no good. Go and find Tink, she's the only one that can get to Peter in time urged Nibs

But what about all of you?

We'll be fine, just go, their isn't time to free us.

But I don't know what the pirates have done with her.

Smee took her into the Captain's cabin. So look there.

Jody couldn't think of anything she dreaded more than entering Hook's cabin. She felt sick just thinking about it, but there was nothing for it, Jody had to look for Tink as she was the only one who could warn Peter in time.

Jody crept to the captain's cabin, she carefully opened the door and held her breath as she listened for any signs of stirring. She could hear Hook's rhythmical snoring, and she breathed a silent sigh of relief. She crept on hands and knees into the room, squinting in the darkness. She made it to the captains desk and rifled through the drawers. Nothing of interest there. But she came across a small dagger, Hook evidently used it for opening letters . She put it in her pocket and carried on searching for Tinkerbell. Her eyes were slowly becoming accustomed to the darkness. A single guttering gas lamp, throwing out just enough light to see by. Jody made her way around the room, she went to a cupboard and slowly opened it, trying to be as a quiet as possible. Inside was a few chipped plates and cups, a couple of dusty bottles of wine and a box of cigars. She closed the cupboard and began to search around. Where could Hook have put Tinkerbell. Jody was almost ready to give up when she noticed a bird cage hanging by Hook's four poster bed. Jody tiptoed over to the birdcage and there in the bottom of the cage underneath a handkerchief was Tinkerbell. Jody tried the door but it was locked. 

Tink, Tink! whispered Jody urgently

Tinkerbell woke up and yawned. She threw off the handkerchief she was using as a blanket and stood up.

Tink, it's me Jody, I've come to rescue you. Where's the key? 

Tink responded in her fairy language but of course Jody did not understand. It took quite a lot of gesturing and acting from Tink for Jody to realise the keys were in Hook's coat.

The coat was hanging on the back of the chair behind the captain's desk. Jody crawled over to the desk once more and found the keys in the pocket. The keys clinked as she took them out and Jody froze, her heart pounding in her ears, expecting Hook to wake up and find her. Thankfully his snoring continued and Jody finally unlocked the birdcage and Tink flew out.

Once outside of the cabin, Jody hurriedly told Tink what had happened.

Please go and warn Peter, please

Tink at once sprang into action and flew offjust as the sun began to peep over the horizon.