Lost In Neverland

Chapter 17: Lost at Sea

Gwen

“Peter!” I screamed, my voice breaking. His hand was inches from mine, his face twisted in desperation as he lunged toward me. But Tinkerbell’s magic surged again, and he was thrown back, his shout echoing as the light consumed me completely. For a moment, there was nothing but silence. Then the ground slammed into me, knocking the air from my lungs. I lay there, disoriented, my chest heaving as I tried to process what had happened. The golden light was gone, replaced by the soft glow of moonlight filtering through thick foliage. The air was warm and humid, filled with the sound of rustling leaves and distant waves. I wasn’t in the cave anymore. I pushed myself up, my hands sinking into damp grass. I was on a hilltop, surrounded by dense jungle. The distant roar of the ocean told me I was still on the island, but this place felt different—quieter, more isolated. “Tinkerbell,” I whispered, my voice trembling. “What did you do?” The golden light flickered to my left, and Tinkerbell reappeared, hovering in the air. Her glow was dimmer now, but her eyes still burned with that unsettling yellow light. “Why?” I asked, my voice breaking. “Why did you take me?” Her chimes rang out, soft and mournful, and for a moment, her glow faltered. But before I could say anything else, she disappeared, her light vanishing into the trees. I was alone. My heart sank as I looked around, the weight of the moment crashing down on me. “Peter…” I whispered, tears stinging my eyes. He was out there somewhere, desperate to find me. And I didn’t know how to get back to him.

The night stretched endlessly as I wandered through the jungle, my legs trembling with exhaustion and my heart heavy with worry. The golden glow of Tinkerbell’s magic still lingered in my mind, her sharp chimes haunting my every step. She had torn me from Peter, flung me into this strange part of the island without a word of explanation.

I called his name, but the dense jungle swallowed my voice. The oppressive humidity clung to my skin as I pushed through thick vines and uneven terrain, my eyes scanning for any sign of him. But there was nothing. Only silence, broken by the occasional rustle of leaves.

When the first rays of sunlight pierced the canopy, I stumbled onto a beach. The pale light revealed a wide expanse of sand stretching toward the horizon. The ocean glistened, calm and endless, as if mocking the chaos in my heart.

I turned slowly, searching for anything—anyone—that could help me. The beach was deserted, the sand pristine except for my own footprints. Despair clawed at me, but then I saw it: a thin plume of smoke rising in the distance.

Hope sparked in my chest. Smoke meant people. And people meant a chance to find Peter.

I started toward it, my feet sinking into the sand with each step. The ocean lapped gently at the shore beside me, the sound soothing and constant. But as I walked, a sudden, sharp pressure gripped my ankle.

I gasped, looking down just as something cold and slimy coiled around my leg. A scream tore from my throat as I was yanked off my feet and dragged toward the water.

“No!” I screamed, clawing at the sand as the thing pulled me into the surf.

The water closed over my head, muffling my cries. I thrashed wildly, trying to kick free, but the grip on my ankle was unrelenting. A monstrous form loomed beneath me—a mermaid, but nothing like the stories. Her skin was pale and slick, her eyes black and soulless. Long, jagged teeth gleamed as she hissed, dragging me deeper into the ocean.

My lungs burned as I struggled, the light from the surface growing dimmer with each second. I clawed at the water, desperate for air, for freedom, but my strength was fading.

Just as darkness began to creep into the edges of my vision, a shadow appeared in the water. It moved fast—too fast to be human. I barely registered the clash of limbs and the sudden release of my ankle before strong arms wrapped around me.

I was rising, rushing upward, the light growing brighter until I broke through the surface, gasping for air.

“Hold on, love,” a deep, familiar voice murmured near my ear.

I clung to the broad, muscular chest of my savior, my vision clearing just enough to recognize the dark hair and piercing ebony eyes. Hook.

He carried me through the surf, his powerful strides steady as he brought me to the shore. Water dripped from his body, his shirt noticeably absent, leaving his defined chest and shoulders glistening in the sunlight. I was too weak to do anything but cling to him, my breaths coming in short, ragged gasps.

When we reached the sand, he didn’t set me down. Instead, he carried me further, past the tide’s reach, before finally laying me on the soft ground.

“You’re safe now,” he said, his voice rough but steady.

I shivered, the cool breeze biting into my soaked clothes. Hook noticed, his brows furrowing as he reached into a bag slung across his shoulder and pulled out a cloth. He knelt beside me, dabbing the seawater from my face and gently moving my wet hair aside.

“Careful,” he murmured, his touch surprisingly tender.

I forced myself to sit up, though my limbs felt like lead. My gaze drifted to his chest—broad, tanned, and glistening with droplets of water that caught the sunlight. He was… stunning. The realization sent a flush to my cheeks, and I quickly looked away, embarrassed by the sudden heat in my stomach.

Hook didn’t seem to notice. Or maybe he did because his gaze lingered on me, his expression shifting. His eyes darkened as they dropped to my shirt, now completely soaked and clinging to my skin.

The tension between us was palpable, and the air was thick with unspoken words. I shifted uncomfortably, clearing my throat. “Thank you,” I said, my voice shaky. Thank you for saving me.”

The beach was eerily quiet except for the sound of my labored breathing and the distant crash of waves. Hook knelt beside me, his dark eyes scanning my face with an intensity that sent a shiver down my spine. His touch was surprisingly gentle as he wiped seawater from my face with a cloth, his rough fingers brushing against my cheek.

“You’re lucky I was nearby,” he murmured, his deep voice low but laced with something sharp. “The ocean doesn’t forgive carelessness.”

I tried to sit up, but my limbs were weak, trembling from the ordeal. “Tinkerbell,” I rasped, my voice barely audible. “She… she dragged me here. Away from Peter. The, that thing pulled me into the ocean.”

At the mention of Peter, his expression darkened, the softness in his gaze vanishing like a cloud passing over the sun. His lips pressed into a thin line as he looked away, his jaw tight.

“You almost drowned,” he said flatly, his voice cold. “And Pan wasn’t there to save you, was he?”

The words stung, but I didn’t rise to the bait. “I don’t know where he is or where I am. I need to find him.”

Hook’s laugh was harsh, almost mocking. “Of course you do.” He stood towering over me, his broad, shirtless frame dripping seawater onto the sand. The sunlight caught on the sharp lines of his muscles, and his ebony eyes glinted with something unreadable.

He turned abruptly and crouched down, grabbing me by the waist before I could protest.

“What are you doing?” I gasped, but before I could wriggle free, he hoisted me over his shoulder like I weighed nothing.

“You’re coming with me,” he said curtly, striding toward the shoreline where his ship loomed in the distance.

“Put me down!” I shouted, squirming against his grip.

“I am not putting you down, love,” he replied, his voice calm but firm. “You’ll hurt yourself trying to play the bloody hero. And if you run off again, you might not be so lucky next time.”

I pounded my fists against his back, but it was like hitting a wall. He didn’t even flinch. From my awkward vantage point, I could see the water growing closer as he waded into the surf, his long strides cutting through the waves with ease.

When we reached the ship, he climbed the ladder with me still slung over his shoulder, his strength unnerving. My protests fell on deaf ears as he carried me onto the deck, ignoring the curious glances from his crew.

“Captain?” one of them called, but Hook silenced him with a sharp glare.

“Not now,” he barked, his voice brooking no argument.

He didn’t stop until we reached his quarters. The cabin was dimly lit, and the rich scent of salt and aged wood filled the air. Maps and charts were strewn across a desk, and a single bed sat against the far wall, its dark covers neatly made.

Hook kicked the door shut behind him, the sound echoing in the quiet room, and lowered me onto the bed.

“You’re staying here,” he said, his tone leaving no room for argument.

I sat up, glaring at him. “You can’t just lock me up like some prisoner!”

His eyes narrowed, a flicker of irritation crossing his face. “You’re not a prisoner. You’re a guest. One who seems intent on throwing herself into danger at every turn.”

“I need to find Peter!” I shot back, standing despite the dizziness that swept over me.

Hook stepped closer, his broad frame towering over me. “Do you even hear yourself?” he growled, his voice low and dangerous. “You’re chasing after a boy who’s more lost than you’ll ever be. Do you think he’s going to save you? Do you think he even can?”

“You don’t know him!” I shouted, my chest heaving.

“I know him better than you think,” Hook snapped, his voice sharp. “And I know he’s not worth this.”

His words cut deep, but I refused to back down. “I care about him,” I said, my voice trembling. “I see his pain. I see how much he’s been through. And I understand it.”

Hook’s expression faltered for a moment, something flickering in his dark eyes. Pain. Regret. But just as quickly, it was gone, replaced by anger.

“You’re better off here,” he said, his tone icy. “Without him.”

I clenched my fists, my heart pounding with frustration. “You don’t get to decide that!”

His jaw tightened, and he took a step back, running a hand through his wet hair. “You’ll stay on this ship where it’s safe,” he said, his voice quieter but no less resolute.

Before I could argue, he turned on his heel and stalked to the door. The lock clicked into place as he slammed it shut behind him, leaving me alone in the quiet cabin.

I stared at the door, my heart sinking. I wasn’t just trapped on this ship—I was trapped in a conflict I didn’t fully understand. And the man who had saved me now felt as unreachable as the boy I was desperately trying to find.