My Darling Girl *Disney fanfic*

21. The Little Mermaid

Hook's sword fell from his grip and slipped beneath the waves. He used one hand and his hook, to grab the monsters face – desperately trying to keep the thing's mouth from his throat. The spirit's jaws stretched wide, the skin tightening to a taunt colourless membrane, and Hook gauged his hook into the thin flesh. He gritted his teeth, groaning, as his arm shook from the jarring impact. The spirit lashed out with its tail, slashing Hook's arm.

Hook cried out and his grip collapsed. It was over for him now. The monster lunged, its jagged mouthful of teeth just scratching Hook's rough throat. The spirit screeched and Hook looked down, alarmed to see his sword sticking out of the creature's torso. The sword shimmered, it's sharp blade sparkling with magic it had not previously possessed. The beast arched its back, unleashing a ear-splitting wail.

A gust of wind stirred Hook's wild hair and he sank to his knees. Singing, he could hear singing. The Spirit of the Sea writhed and began to shrink, becoming smaller and smaller. Hook scanned the stormy sea, searching for the source of the singing. His bleary gaze fell upon... a mermaid. She was perched on the rocks. As the mermaid sang, the Sea Spirit broke apart – shredding into sea foam.

Hook sagged, his chest heaving, as he processed what was happening. His sword clattered to the ground in front of him –slick with a silvery residue. The beast was no more. The mermaid had done it, he realised. It was only her who was here. With the power of her voice, she'd blessed his sword and then, used it as a javelin to impale the Spirit. Hook stared at the mermaid. Never before had he seen something so beautiful. She smiled at him and Hook smiled dopily in return, entranced.

Numbly, he crawled toward her – oblivious of the blood that was seeping from his chest and arm. He stopped at the water's edge. The mermaid beckoned for him to come closer, her seductive stare riveted on him – like a cat, watching the mouse. She leant closer, adjusting her weight on her arms – poised. Hook barked a laugh. Was it the singing that was making him light-headed?

"Closer," she purred. The cave was filling with the rising seawater and the cave's opening was now completely underwater – plunging them into darkness. The shadows crept in closer but the mermaid emitted an ethereal glow. Her hair glittered as she flicked it over her pearly shoulder and she reached out a hand toward him. The mermaid frowned as Hook did something, that she hadn't expected. He covered his ears.

She stopped singing, affronted, as Hook forced himself to look away from her.

"Tiger Lily!?" He bellowed. "TIGER LILY!?"

The sea was crashing around him and pretty soon he was going to have to start swimming. He might have to tread water until the tide turned, but that wasn't what was turning his blood cold. "TIGER LILY!"

Wendy suddenly emerged, her head breaking through the waves. She gasped for breath and immediately coughed up sea water – her eyes wide and startled. "Tiger Lily?" Hook staggered toward her, wondering if he was hallucinating. Icy drops dripped down Wendy's ashen face. Grabbing her by the scruff of her clothes, Hook heaved her up onto the rocks. She was real, she was heavy.

Hook collapsed beside her, his breathing harsh and ragged. Too shattered for words – they stared at one another, their gazes full of wonder. How had they both managed to survive that? Wendy reached out and touched Hook's chest, her expression tightening with worry. A wound that deep could still be fatal. They both heard the disturbance across the water as the mermaid swam toward them.