Forever Neverland(40)
Peter’s eyes darkened dangerously. “Yes. And the sooner we go after them, the better.”
“Then you’d better heal fast.” Tootles retrieved the tea from the table and gave it to Peter. “It’s got pixie dust in it. Drink up.”
*****
“Cap’n?”
Hook straightened, just a little, at the sound of Smee’s voice. He felt the familiar tension ride through his arms and up to his broad shoulders. In a few moments, he would have a headache. It always worked that way.
He sighed, knowing what was coming and not at all certain what to do about it.
“Yes, Mr. Smee?” he asked, softly, without turning to look at his first mate.
Smee stood to the side, his hands behind his back, his pose nervous. “Forgive me, Cap’n, but I was just wonderin’. . . . What would you have me do with the Miss Wendy?”
Hook eyed him for a moment, taking in the uncertainty in his first mate’s gray eyes and the nervous twitch to the man’s whiskered mouth.
Hook sighed. “I assume you’re curious as to how I reached my conclusion concerning Wendy Darling.”
He waited and, when Smee’s gaze dropped to the planks of the ship and he didn’t answer, Hook took it as an affirmative.
“Tell me, Smee. Did you by any chance notice the garment that Miss Darling is wearing – the one with the red ‘X’ marked upon it?”
Smee seemed to consider something for a moment, his whole roundish body going abnormally still as he searched his recollection. And then he looked up, sharply, and nodded. “Aye Sir, that I did. Strange and peculiar mode of dress, if I may say so myself.”
“Indeed, Smee. However, it is the ‘X’, itself, which I find most interesting.”
Again, Smee went still, however because he was looking at Hook as he again considered his captain’s words, Hook could see the thoughts chase each other, like clouds, through his storm-gray eyes.
Then Smee blinked. And his eyes widened. “Oh, Cap’n. You don’t suppose Miss Wendy has something to do with the treasure marked on that map, do you?”
Hook’s lips curled into a slow, knowing smile. “No, Smee. I don’t think she has something to do with it. I believe she is it.” He leaned forward. “The treasure, that is.” His response was calm, his tone low, his voice a mere whisper. He wasn’t certain, at that moment, that he wanted the rest of the crew to hear what he had to say about Wendy Darling.
Smee, he trusted. The others – not so much.
He grabbed a surprised Smee’s upper arm and dragged him further along the prow of the ship, away from the others, who didn’t seem to notice his actions. Then he leaned in close and continued. “Consider this, Smee. Darkness lies like a shroud across Neverland and then, suddenly, the Jolly Roger takes to the skies. A map of unknown origin falls into my hands with a red X marking some equally unknown treasure. And then the fair Wendy falls into my arms as well. And we return – home – ” He said the word with the distaste for Neverland that he had always felt, but paused only momentarily before he continued. “To see the sun rise after more than a thousand years. What has changed, Mr. Smee?” he asked.
Smee blinked rapidly, his expression becoming more excited as Hook went on. But he didn’t answer. The first mate knew that the question was rhetorical.
“Wendy, Smee. It is Wendy that has changed.” He straightened then, his blue gaze searching the deck of the ship and stopping on the door to his cabin, where he knew the young Miss Darling waited beyond. “And it is Wendy who has changed everything around her.”
The first mate was quiet for several long moments. And then he pushed his glasses further up on his chubby nose and squinted behind them as he, too, glanced toward the door to Hook’s cabin. “Well, Sir, if you are correct – and I’m certain that you are, Cap’n – then what type of treasure do you suppose Miss Wendy represents?”
Hook shook his head. Once. Again, his tone was but a whisper when he answered. “I do not know, Smee.” He looked down at the silver hook on his right arm, turning it ever so slightly so that it flashed and gleamed. “I do not know.”
*****
Wendy paced nervously in the giant cabin. Her thoughts were a jumbled mess. Nothing made any sense. She hugged herself and blew out a sigh, sinking onto the edge of Hook’s large four-poster bed.
There was a knock on the door.
Wendy’s head snapped up. She didn’t know whether she could face Hook again right now. When he’d told her that she was the reason for Neverland’s sunrise, she’d been well beyond shocked. She’d simply stayed in her seat, staring up at the man above her, unable to speak or reason or even object.