Pan 13
Long, long, ago…
The noose was tightened around his throat.
Tight and snug.
He had tied it himself.
To be sure.
He had attached the other end to the high mast, tight and secure,
The best seaman’s knot he had ever tied in his life.
To be sure.
He had him, he was going to swing.
And he would push him off the plank himself.
To be sure.
“Wow,’ The boy said, to him. Looking up rope around his throat, wind in his hair, eyes green and bright.
He was smiling.
“You’re really good!” he looked around at the rope at the ship at all the pirates behind them watching. “ I think you might be the best. I don’t know how I’m going to get out of this.”
“You’re not.” Hook said, checking the ropes on the boys wrists, they were tied still tight, good solid knots.
“Are you sure?” Peter said, he was looking up at the clear blue sky, “I mean, I’m not sure how I’m gonna do it, but..”
He grinned wider.
“I’m the Hero, I gotta get away.”
“I don’t think so boy,” Hook said, “you’re no hero, not this time.”
“Oh come on, look around this is a grand adventure, heroes, villains. He looked at Hook his green eyes ablaze, “Death, Defying, Action.”
Peter took a deep breath and continued, “Look at you, you’re a Pirate, pirates are never the hero, that leaves me.”
Hook shook his head, “Not this time end of the line you little bastard.”
Hook looked at him.
Time to end this. He nodded at Smee.
The drum began to roll.
Hook turned the boy to face the sea. He put his hand between the boys shoulder blades.
“Off you go boy, the devil’s waitin for ya.”
Peter spun suddenly to face Hook.
“I bet to die would be an awfully big adventure, don‘t you think?” he whispered.
And Hook pushed Peter off the plank.
***
Two months ago...
“How’s the scotch?” Martin asked the Pirate who was now sitting in his Den with him.
“It’s very good.. thank you.” hook replied.
The Pirate fixed his eyes on him, this made Martin nervous.
“Well?” mrtin said breaking the air and the man’s stare, it was making him uncomfortable.
“Uh, look… Martin is it?”
He nodded his head.
Hook rubbed his chin and sighed, “ah, good, good, Martin. Look, your daughters been kidnapped by Peter Pan, He’s taken her to Neverland island, and unless you come with us and rescue her she’s never coming back, she’s as good as dead. Actully son she will be dead, and that’s that.”
Hook drained his glass and set it on the table.
“So what d’ya say?”
This must be like what Amy felt, Martin thought.
Was this for real?
Was he sitting in his Den with Captain Hook?
Was Captain Hook really telling him he hadn’t gone crazy?
Peter Pan had really taken Jessie.
“you’re not mad sir.” Hook stood up and started to walk toward him.
“You saw what you saw.” He continued
“He took yer little girl.” He was coming closer,
As he turned the corner of the table from where Martin was sitting. Hooks eyes fell on the bar, the side door was open, and just inside was a wooden box, and in that box a gun. There was a wet ring from a glass right next to it.
Hook reached over picked up the box and set it between the two of them.
“Looks like I got here just in time.” The Pirate mused.
Martin looked up at him, his eyes unsure.
“So instead of this son,” Hook said pointing at the gun, “How about we go get yer little girl?”
Martin looked at Hook, looked at the gun, and closed his eyes tight.
He started to open his mouth,
The door to the Den swung open, and Amy stepped into the room.
“Martin, we have to talk.” Amy said, and then she stopped as she saw, Martin, The Pirate, and the gun.
"Evening M’am,” Hook said tipping his hat with his hook.
***
Copyright fmyates 2008. All rights reserved.