𝐂𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐞 ⎈ 𝘗𝘦𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘗𝘢𝘯

Chapter 2: Game Over

Rowan's POV

𝐈 𝐖𝐀𝐒 𝐈𝐍 my room, staring at myself in the mirror. The smile was no longer on my face. It was replaced by a grim scowl. My hair was tied back. My belt was still on, but the holster and sword sheath was replaced with two daggers. The one in my belt remained right where it was. My best pair of boots were laced up to my mid-thigh. My fishnet tights were peeking out from under a leather skirt. My corset was tied over a maroon off the shoulder shirt. Best of all, my Captain's hat was still on my head.

This hat was my fathers. He used to wear it when he was in the navy. None of the crew knows about his past military career. He doesn't like to share it with them. But he still wore the hat. When I was about 12, he gave it to me, in addition to giving me the title of "First Mate". Six years later, I still wear it, but I no longer carry the title. About three years ago, he dubbed me co-captain.

I couldn't lose to Pan. Winning meant Pan get to lose three of his boys. And losing three of his boys could be revolutionary. Maybe then we could defeat him. Maybe then we could finally find a way out of this godforsaken world.

We could go somewhere safer, somewhere happier. My father and I could sail the seas and explore instead of being tied to this island.

I heard a rap on my door. My father strode in and stood next to me, looking at the both of us in the mirror.

"I don't like this." He said, breaking the silence after a few minutes.

I sighed, "I know."

"I don't want you to go." He continued.

"I know."

He smiled gently, "But you're too stubborn to stick him up."

I smiled back. "I know."

His smile faded and he wrapped his arm around my shoulders. I closed my eyes for a brief moment before wrapping my arms around his torso. My dad hugged me back, tightly, rubbing his thumb over my shoulder blade. I savored this moment. It may be the last time I hugged him. I then pushed the negative thoughts that were flooding my head. I would win. I could win. I had to win. I had no other choice. I'm not letting this boy take me.

I pulled back, holding terrified eye contact with my father. He put his hand on the side of my face. "You can do it. You have to do it. We can't lose one of our Captains. And most importantly, I can't lose my Rowan. Aye?"

"Aye." I agreed, nodding slightly.

My dad brought me into another hug. He kissed my forehead then lightly brushed my cheek with his thumb, giving me an encouraging little smile. He then turned and walked out of my room, he gave me one more look from the doorway and walked off. I could hear his boots as he walked off the ship.

I turned back to my reflection. I saw the determined look in my eye as I thought about the fight.
I knew Pan was a killer fighter. Literally. He's violent and intense and headstrong. Luckily, so was I. I knew that he would fight fairly. If one thing is true about that boy, it's that he doesn't cheat. If a boy as indecent as he wasn't a cheater then, I wasn't going to be a cheater either.

I took a deep breath and walked up onto the deck. I was five minutes early, but I would rather be there waiting for the lost boy then have him wait for me.

I got to the top deck and watched the island. I could see my crew on a small stretch of land aways away. I looked over the coastline, searching for some sign of my opponent.

"You're early," Pan said from behind me.

I didn't turn to face him. I kept my eyes on the water but turned my head so he could hear me from behind. "So are you."