The night lingered on for some time after the sudden war that had broken out across the surface of the ocean below, the dueling ships now at ease, one a floating smoldering graveyard, piles of ashen corpses littering what was left, floating upon wreckage as the last of it sank into the murky depths, leaving not a single living soul behind to tell the story, no witnesses left to spread the tale of the child manned pirate ship. Moira was filled with the greatest adrenalin rush of her life. She had killed a few pirates, all on her own. She had helped fight alongside the crew. She stood there side by side with them and watched as the other crew had burned alive until there was nothing left. She was instantly addicted to this feeling and never wanted it to go away. She craved it in her deepest soul, this was what she had been missing all along. The thrill of battle, the open ocean air, the intoxicating feeling of a truly earned win. She had spent all of her life doing what she was told and working an unforgiving job that gave very little back despite all of her best efforts. Her gray world was now vibrant with color and exhilaration. She could never go back, and she never would.
Eventually, after the other ships wreckage left behind only trails of smoke and silence, all were told to return to their duties. While the crew went about getting things back in order and patching up any holes in the ship that had been given via the opposing crew, Moira went about helping them. Pulling ropes, fetching nails and a hammer for one of the bigger crew members who planned to patch the side of the boat. She even helped Eartheneye's mend sails, climbing the rigging and ropes deftly, working alongside them happily. Peter watched all of this in severe silence, regarding this behavior as something to make him uneasy. She had taken to it far too well. He had a feeling he knew what was to come. This was going to be a struggle every step of the way, it seemed.
Once she had finished her work alongside the rigging rats, she wiped her hands off on her tunic and admired all of her hard work. Peter decided enough was enough. Quickly, he grabbed her by the arm and began leading her away from her work and towards the room. "When I say stay put..." He pulled open the door and shoved her in roughly, though making sure not to knock her down, "...I mean stay put."
Before he could shut the door on her, however, she shouted out, "You are just afraid!"
With that, he halted, going still, his head turned away from her to slowly rotate in her direction, giving her a dangerous stare that promised trouble ahead should she veer down this unwise path of self-destruction. Instead, he slowly stepped into the cabin, shutting the door behind him, turning fully towards her and lending an ear to this accusation. His voice was low and angry. "Explain, what am I afraid of exactly?" He asked, unblinking silver gaze glued to her visage as she stood her ground, though she could not help but feel somewhat intimidated by him now that they were alone and he seemed so aggressive yet calm, an eerie mix of emotions she could hardly confront.
Moira sucked in a slow deep shaky breath as if trying to remain calm and not lose her temper further. It was too late to back down now, and she refused to fear him or any man for that matter. "Afraid that I might be good at it, that I might enjoy it, being apart of your crew. What I can not figure out is why? Why are you so afraid of that? Why are you so desperate to get me to that island to meet my grandfather? Because I doubt it is for any of the reasons you have stated." She barked at him angrily, taking a step closer to him. They stood toe to toe, her staring slightly upward into his eyes, before whispering, "What self-serving reason is there truly for this need to return me to that island, Peter? If you are truly unafraid, then tell me." She whispered accusingly as his jaw tensed, staring her down.
Peter stood there in silence, it hanging heavy between the two of them as for a moment he appeared he might not answer her until finally, he spoke. "Silly girl..." Peter whispered then looked in at her, a crushing look of deception on his face as he leaned in real close to her face, almost nose to nose with her, her trying not to back down her appear as intimidated as she felt in that moment, "This was never about you."
YOU ARE READING
Building Neverland-Hook Rising
FantasyFifty years have come and gone since the Lost endured their "adventure" with Wendy at their leader's command. Now, however, the crew and Peter unfortunately find themselves aging. Having changed much in their years under their Captain's leadership...
