Neverland's Key

by R. V. Bowman

  Chapter 30:

  Deception in Motion

  Rommy, Alice, and Francie sat on the bed in Rommy’s cabin. Tiger Lily leaned against one of the walls. Rommy wasn’t sure what time it was, but it had to be nearing dawn in a few hours. Even though everyone must have been as exhausted as she felt, nobody wanted to miss anything. In only a few more hours, they would be leaving Neverland forever.

  With her father.

  If things went as planned.

  Tiger Lily straightened and began pacing back and forth.

  “Can’t you sit down?” asked Francie. “You’re making even me nervous.”

  “Something does not feel right,” said Tiger Lily.

  Rommy couldn’t deny that the same feeling had been nagging her most of the evening. In fact, she had barely eaten any dinner.

  “What does that even mean?” said Francie and blew out a breath. “We only have a few more hours before we can leave, right? We just have to sit tight until then.”

  Rommy shook her head. “Tiger Lily’s right,” she said. “It just seems too easy.” She paused and then said, “I don’t like that Finn and the others are tied up below decks. And where are the fairies? And Tinkerbell?”

  Tiger Lily shook her head. “The fairies would not want to be anywhere near your father,” she said. Seeing Rommy’s face, she lifted a shoulder. “Enchanting this ship came at a great cost.”

  “And Tink’s probably back in that tree in the middle of the swamp,” said Alice.

  Rommy felt disappointment spear through her. She looked down at her hands. She had hoped to see Nissa and the rest at least one more time. At least to thank them for all they had done. She had expected them to see the quest through to the end, but then, maybe they saw the end of the quest as turning the key.

  “You’re probably right about the fairies,” she said. “I had forgotten their bad history with Papa.”

  “Does yer old man have a good history with anyone?” Alice asked.

  Rommy felt her cheeks heat. “I suppose you’re right,” she said, her voice small.

  Alice patted her arm. “It ain’t yer fault,” she said. “‘Sides, maybe leaving this place will do him good.”

  Rommy put her arm around Alice and hugged her. “I hope so,” she said.

  Francie’s head started to nod, and she jerked back upright. Rommy patted her shoulder. “If you’re that tired, Francie, why don’t you sleep a bit? There’s still an hour or two to sunrise, I think.”

  Francie nodded drowsily and without further encouragement, she curled up on her side. Alice flopped down next to her and yawned hugely.

  “Ain’t you sleepy?” she asked Rommy.

  Rommy shook her head. She didn’t want to say she couldn’t shake the uneasiness that had been plaguing her for the last several hours. Rommy opened her mouth to speak only to realize that both Francie and Alice had already dozed off.

  Tiger Lily stopped pacing and looked down at the sleeping girls. “I cannot sleep, either,” she said. “I will scout things out.” She turned toward the door.

  Rommy hopped to her feet and put a hand on the other girl’s arm. “I don’t know if that’s a good idea,” she said. “You may arouse suspicion, and besides, I don’t know how safe it is. Maybe I should go instead.”

  Tiger Lily raised an eyebrow. “Nobody will know I am about,” she said and then sniffed. “The same cannot be said of you.”

  “It’s not safe for you,” Rommy said again. “I’m the captain’s daughter. All the men know my father will keelhaul them if they bother with me.” She crossed her arms. “The same cannot be said for you.”

  Tiger Lily pursed her lips and then let out a breath. “You probably speak the truth,” she said. “Come, we will go together.” She walked purposefully toward the door.

  Rommy got there first and put her hand on the knob. “Let me at least see who’s out there first.”

  Tiger Lily merely shrugged. Rommy slowly opened the door. She had a moment of déjà vu from when she and Alice had sneaked off the ship what seemed like ages ago. Tiger Lily poked her in the back.

  “Why are you not moving?” the other girl asked.

  “Just a minute,” said Rommy “I want to make sure there isn’t anyone about. It’s awfully late, and I don’t want to make anyone suspicious.”

  She peered around the door and down the narrow path beside the cabin. The light from the lanterns on the main deck cast shadows back here.

  “Where do they keep the boys?” Tiger Lily asked.

  “I’m not sure,” said Rommy.

  “We must look,” said Tiger Lily.

  “We can’t just wander around looking for the brig,” said Rommy.

  “Why not?” asked Tiger Lily.

  “Well, because...won’t the men wonder why we’re doing that?”

  “You worry too much,” said Tiger Lily. “As you say, the men know you are the Captain’s daughter.” She drew herself up. “I am the Chief’s daughter. My people do not question why I am here or there.”

  Rommy paused. Maybe Tiger Lily had a point. Maybe skulking around would be more suspicious than just taking a little walk.

  “Perhaps you’re right,” she said. “I can just say we were curious about what getting the ship ready to leave looks like.”

  Tiger Lily smiled in approval. The two girls stepped out into the space that ran along the cabin walls and walked toward the main deck, which bustled with activity despite the late hour.

  Chapter 31:

  Fool Me Once

  The two girls dodged around the men and made their way to the bow of the boat where they both leaned against the railing. Tiger Lily had been right. Nobody questioned what they were doing out of their cabin.

  Rommy looked out over the water. The moon’s light sent fingers of silver over the gentle waves of the Cove where the ship bobbed. After a moment, she turned back to look at the deck. Lanterns cast a warm glow over the men as they worked.

  Rommy’s eyes roved from group to group. Big Red stood with his arms crossed, barking orders at several of the men, including Stubbs, who was complaining rather loudly about why they were all still up. Corelli was there, too, his bald head bent toward his task, but he kept looking around furtively.

  A trickle of unease made her stomach queasy. She didn’t see Gentleman Jack anywhere. She looked around for her father. Maybe the two men were together somewhere else on the ship.

  Just then the door to Hook’s cabin swung open, and he strode out onto the deck, Smee rushing along in his wake. He spotted Rommy and made his way over, Smee trailing behind him.

  When he reached the two of them, he frowned. “You girls should be back in your cabin. It’s late,” he said.

  Rommy shook her head. “I can’t sleep, and besides, I’ve never seen what all it takes to get the ship ready to go.”

  Hook opened his mouth, but Smee interrupted him. “Aw, Capt’n, what’ll it hurt to let the girl and her friend watch for a little while. We have a long trip back to London. They can get their beauty rest then.”

  Her father looked like he wanted to argue, but then he shrugged. “All right, but stay up here, out of the way,” he said. “I don’t want either of you to get hurt.” He gave Rommy a meaningful glance.

  She reached up to hug him and took that opportunity to whisper in his ear. “Where’s Gentleman Jack? Shouldn’t he be back by now?”

  “Don’t you worry. He knows what he’s about,” Papa said quietly before releasing her and straightening.

  Rommy opened her mouth to protest, but he held up his hand. “Let it be, my dear,” he said. “You’ve done your job; now let me do mine.”

  He turned to the men and held up his hands for their attention. The clattering on the deck gradually became silent as the men waited for what their captain had to say.

  Hook smiled benevolently at them all. “Perhaps I am becoming kinder in my old age,” he looked down at Rommy. “Or perhaps it is having my daughter onboard, but I have decided to giv
e you a choice about our next excursion.”

  A murmur moved through the crowd of men. Apparently, Captain Hook did not give choices very often.

  “Our trip to London will be longer than normal. I have several tasks that I need to complete while we are there,” he let a thin smile curl across his face, “besides delivering our little present.” There was a ripple of laughter from the men. “I also want to spend some time with my daughter and get her friend settled into the academy. This means we will be gone for at least a month.”

  Rommy heard the undercurrent of talking amongst the men. Her father held up his hands again, and once again silence descended.

  “I know some of you aren’t too keen to spend too much time within England’s welcoming embrace,” he smirked, “so you may choose to stay here. You will need to let me know as soon as possible, and I will only allow the first 10 to stay.” Her father chuckled. “After all, I need someone to man my ship.”

  The group of men erupted in conversation, and several shoved their way toward Hook. He squeezed her shoulder and gave her a little push toward her friend, out of the way of the pirates now crowding around him.

  Rommy made her way to Tiger Lily. “Where do you think we should look for that door to the brig?”

  The words had barely left her mouth when Smee came bustling up to them. “There you are, my darling girl,” he said, stopping in front of her.

  She smiled at the small, round man. “Hello, Smee,” she said. “Does Papa need me?”

  He shook his head. “Oh no, my dear,” he said. He looked around and then leaned toward her. “Your young man wants a word.” He winked at her.

  Tiger Lily choked back a snort, and Rommy felt her cheeks heat up. “I’m not sure what you mean, Mr. Smee. I don’t have a young man,” she said.

  He patted her cheek. “Now, now, Miss, let’s not be coy,” he said. “We’ll just nip down, and you have a word with Finn, and nobody will be the wiser.”

  A flash of panic welled up in Rommy. “Is something wrong?” she asked.

  Smee seemed flustered for a moment. “Oh no,” he said, “nothing like that. Not at all.”

  Relief flooded over Rommy. “Okay,” she said. She stood and gestured to Tiger Lily, but Smee stepped between them. He put his mouth near her ear. “I think your young man would like a private word.”

  Rommy flushed. “Well, I guess,” she said. She turned to the other girl who raised her eyebrows. Rommy put her hand briefly at her waist where her dagger was strapped. “I won’t be long. Maybe you can meet me back at the cabin.”

  Tiger Lily merely nodded.

  Smee bustled ahead of her, and she followed him, skirting the men who were still clumped around her father.

  Smee led her toward the cabins and then around the side toward the back of the boat, which got more shadowy the farther they went.

  They cleared the side of the cabins, but a commotion on the main deck caused Rommy to twist back around. Smee grabbed her hand and pulled her forward.

  “Just a little further, my dear,” he said.

  Rommy stumbled and put a hand on the railing to right herself. She looked around and frowned. “I didn’t know the door to the brig was back here,” she said. She looked around but didn’t see anything that could be a door. She looked back at Smee in confusion.

  He had backed up several steps and there was a sad smile on his face. “I’m so sorry, my dear,” he said.

  Confusion and a growing sense of alarm made her swing back toward the sounds from the main deck. But before she could take a single step, a bag came over her head and blocked her vision. Someone put an arm around her neck and pulled her roughly back. A horribly familiar voice spoke in her ear.

  “You’re mine now,” said Peter Pan. “Now and forever.”

  Chapter 32:

  Everyone Has an Agenda

  Rommy felt her breath go out in a whoosh, and a cold ball formed in her stomach. The inside of the bag smelled like sweaty feet, and she gagged a little.

  She shook her head, trying to clear her thoughts. It took a moment for Smee’s treachery to register in her brain. She twisted her head in the direction he’d been standing. “Why, Mr. Smee?” she asked.

  Smee’s voice was muffled. “I can’t let the Captain leave Neverland,” he said. She heard the man tsk several times. “As usual, he just doesn’t know what’s good for him. I have to take care of him, my dear.” She felt him pat her hand. “And we know he won’t leave without his darling daughter. Now don’t you worry your pretty little head. It’ll all work out. You’ll see.” She heard him turn away and start walking.

  Pan laughed in her ear. She shivered and tried to slow her breathing. Calm. She had to stay calm. She didn’t know what time it was, but it had to be only an hour or two, maybe less, to dawn.

  “Come along now,” Smee said. “We need her on the main deck.”

  Pan pushed her forward, and she stumbled. His arm came around her waist and pulled her closer. She tried to pull away.

  “It’s okay, Rommy,” he said. “I won’t let those pirates hurt you. You’ll see. We’ll be happy here. Together.”

  Rommy stayed silent and tried to listen to her surroundings. He moved her forward again, and she shuffled her feet, afraid of tripping. As they made their way back toward the main deck, the sounds of swords clashing and fighting got louder and louder.

  Pan stopped, and the lights of the deck penetrated the cloth over her face. Smee gave a loud, shrill whistle and the sounds on the deck died down.

  She heard her father bellow, “Smee, what is the meaning of this?”

  “Now, Captain, you need to settle down,” said Smee. “This is all for your own good.”

  “Pan, unhand my daughter at once, or you will regret it with every fiber of your being.” Her father’s voice was loud and commanding.

  Rommy heard a harsh laugh and guessed it was Corelli. “I don’t think you get it, Captain,” said the rough voice. “You ain’t givin’ the orders anymore.” There was a pause, and then Rommy felt something cold and sharp press against her neck. She froze.

  “Nah-ah, Captain,” the pirate said. “Unless you’d like to see your pretty little girl’s throat slit, I suggest you drop that sword.”

  “No,” Rommy yelled, her hands clutching into nothing. “No, don’t do it, Papa.”

  Pan pulled her in tighter. “Don’t fight,” he said. “I don’t mind making you bleed a little.” Rommy tried to twist away from him, but she felt the cold blade bite into her neck. She stilled.

  A guttural laugh sounded. “Brave little thing, I’ll say that for her,” said the voice. “Aww, Captain,” the word was said with a sneer, “don’t look like that now. As long as you do what I say, I won’t harm your daughter. I just want this ship. I don’t care a tuppence about her. She can go play with the Lost Boys for all I care.” The man’s voice got harder. “Or she can join you at the bottom of the sea. The choice is yours. Now drop your sword.”

  A metallic clatter made Rommy’s heart sink to her toes. Her mind flew from her father to the girls to the Lost Boys to Finn.

  A loud cry startled Rommy so much she jerked, and Pan’s knife bit deeper into her throat. A warm wetness trickled down her neck.

  “You liar,” cried Smee.

  The guttural laugh sounded again. “You stupid old man,” he said. “Did you really think I was going to turn the ship back to the Captain here?”

  There was a pause and then a terrible scream followed by a dull thump.

  She heard Smee’s voice, garbled now. “I’m sorry, Cap’n. I only...wanted...to...save...” And then a horrible gurgling sound before everything became silent.

  Rommy squeezed her eyes shut even though she couldn’t see anything. Poor Smee.

  Corelli’s voice rang over the deck once more. “Nobody else has to die—well, except for the dear old Captain here, as we can’t have him running around loose. Swear allegiance to me, and you can live.”

  There was the sound of scu
ffling, and then Corelli spoke again. “There’s always a few in every crew.” He made a disgusted sound. “Dumb blokes! All right, round them up with the Captain.”

  Pan started to float upwards, taking Rommy with him. She kicked against him. There was no way she was leaving her father, not now.

  “Shh,” Pan hissed in her ear.

  “Stop right there, Pan,” said Corelli.

  “You promised I could have her,” said Pan. “You have the Captain. You don’t need her anymore.” Pan floated higher.

  “Go any further and I’ll shoot her and then you,” said Corelli. Pan drifted to a halt. Corelli continued, “The good Captain still has a few secrets we don’t want him takin’ to his grave with him. And he won’t be nearly as agreeable if his daughter isn’t right here to convince him, isn’t that right?”

  Rommy heard the muffled sound of something hard hitting flesh. She flinched again, and tears welled up in her eyes. She blinked them away. Now wasn’t the time to start crying. Think, she told herself. There had to be a way out of this.

  “That pride of yours needs to go,” said Corelli. Another thump and a faint groan made Rommy bite her lip.

  “Bring her here,” said Corelli.

  Pan didn’t move.

  A loud blast made Rommy’s ears ring, and something whistled by her ear.

  “I said, bring her here, Pan,” said Corelli. “The next shot will go right through that lovely forehead.”

  Pan hissed but flew downward. They landed on the deck, and the bag was whipped from her head. Rommy blinked against the lamplight, trying to adjust her sight.

  Her father was standing in front of Corelli, his hands bound behind his back. Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth, but that didn’t stop the sneer from twisting his face.

  Corelli reached out and grabbed her by the hair and jerked her toward him. She stumbled away from Pan, but the boy’s dirk snaked out and was pointed at Corelli’s throat before she could right herself.