Second on the Right (38 page)

"Many a pirate have hooks for hands, mate,"
replied another crewman, crossing his arms and leaning back against
a beam.

"Aye, but 'is is sharpened an' ready for
anythin'. It’s said that ‘e would dig ‘is ‘ook into ‘is own crew on
a whim," another crewman chimed in.

"He'd kill one of his own crew?" another
crewman asked, his voice faltered.

"Aye. If it suited 'im, 'e would," the first
crewman explained. "Face like a ghost, ‘e ‘as. Rage like a demon.
You cross ‘im, you surely die."

Silence fell over the group as they each
thought about this unknown being, Captain Hook. Rumors fueled the
fear. Not one crewman desired to deal in any way with that captain.
Unfortunately, duty called them to explore the area for both
captain and ship, to arrest him and bring him back to England. As
the future weighed heavily on their shoulders, each man pondered
quietly whether or not jumping ship would fare them better than
facing the hook.

The Jolly Roger
and her captain were
now greatly feared. James knew the name alone,
Jolly Roger
,
would serve to guard the ship for miles. In fact, the
Endeavor
II
, a ship sent to capture him, ended up mutinied before the
task was even attempted. James only hoped, after completing his
journey, he would then be able to make something of his life.

Neverland drew closer, and with it, so did
Peter. He clenched his jaw in anger. That boy had cost him
everything. He felt a powerful desire to teach him a lesson, to
make
him
pay and experience the suffering James continually
experienced. Revenge would taste sweet, for a while. It acted as a
drug, keeping James going, living. Once Captain Hook and Peter meet
there would be only one outcome. If Hook was meant to kill Peter,
what then? James was never one for taking the easy way out, but
once he completed his task, he wondered if Robbie would return with
him. He seemed so different, so much older.

Will he even remember me?

The wait felt like a lifetime to James. The
Jolly Roger
finally reached Neverland. Dropping anchor near
Pirate’s river, James ran to the railing, surveying the land
stretched out before him.

Neverland teemed with life. The white sandy
beach, a vacationer's dream, lay at the feet of the jungle. Sounds
of various animal life emanated from the trees and foliage. Farther
in the distance, James could see a lone mountain with other smaller
rocky formations. The distant roar of a waterfall could be heard
over the jungle. The view was awe-inspiring and gave him pause.

Eileen would have loved this island,
he thought, a twinge of sadness hitting his heart.

He forced his mind to focus on the task at
hand. His senses were tingling at the thought of how close he was
to reaching his goal. Shouting orders, the anchor dropped into the
ocean, the sails set to counteract each other, bringing the ship to
a standstill. The
Mistral Thief
slowed to join the
Jolly
Roger
.

As evening came, both ships were hidden in
the darkness off the coast of Neverland. A skiff was set in the
water, prepared and ready to take James and a few other crewmen to
shore. By the light of the moon, James could make out the familiar
silhouette of Captain Benedict climbing into a small boat next to
the
Mistral Thief
. As soon as both groups of pirates neared
the shore, James was the first to jump out. Grabbing hold of the
stem, he pulled the skiff ashore. All save for Benedict joined in
hauling the boats. Once on land, Benedict jumped out and led the
group onto the island.

The pirates pushed through heavy vegetation,
heading to the area that had been labeled on the map as Peter's
Hideout. Nearing the spot, Benedict's ears picked up a sound,
different from those heard in the jungle of the island. Holding up
a fist, he silently commanded the group to freeze in mid-step. He
narrowed his eyes and peered through the foliage. In the distance,
he could make out a group of small bears. His brow furrowed, trying
to make sense of what he saw. Turning his head slightly, he nodded
to a none–too-patient James. He, too, seemed confused by the
sight.

Bears
?
Cubs?
he mouthed
to Benedict.

Their ears picked up the sounds of laughter.
Benedict moved forward for a better look. He stopped again, holding
up his fist. The small group of what he thought had been a sleuth
of bears was actually a group of young boys dressed in animal
skins. He heard a hiss from James. Following his gaze, the
captain’s eyes fell on a darker figure, taller than the rest. He
was dressed in dark green. Unkempt, dirty blonde hair tufts jutted
out over the head of the boy, not much older than the others.

Benedict felt an odd sensation, somewhat like
déjà vu. Looking back at James, he mouthed, Him.

James gave a nod.

Benedict witnessed as an eerily glowing mist
drifted from a brown-haired boy, entering into Peter. Peter seemed
to become more lively, the other boy more subdued, his appearance
slightly changed. He looked older.

As Benedict was about to turn away, the
corner of his eye caught a glimpse of an auburn-haired young boy.
His head snapped back. The child was around the age of eight. Where
had he seen him before? He looked familiar and almost reminded him
of Eileen.

James followed his line of sight. Gasping, he
whispered, "Robbie." He jumped up. Benedict yanked him roughly back
down, his nails digging in. James fell onto his back and scurried
to stand. Benedict glared at him, then pointed at the boys and
mouthed, "Watch."

Robbie sat quietly off to the side of the
group. A bonfire had been set in the center of the circle of boys,
but even with the aid of this light, it was still difficult to read
his face. He stood when Peter approached him. James' muscles tensed
and again Benedict held him back.

“Beary,” Peter said in a dark, seductive
tone. He was holding a small animal in one hand while he spun
around a small weapon in his other hand until the hilt of it was
facing Robbie.

“Peter,” Robbie nodded. Crossing his fingers
as if to sign the letter “r”, he swung them towards his sides while
answering, “I’m ready.”

James looked on in wonder. His son’s voice
had changed so much, deeper now than before. If it weren’t for the
signing, he might not have recognized him. Robbie no longer had the
voice of the innocent three year-old James once knew.

Without hesitation, Robbie took the knife.
Peter held the animal by its scruff, waiting. With a swing, slash,
and a primal scream, Robbie slit the throat of the animal. Peter
crowed triumphantly, followed by Robbie, who repeated the crow. The
boys around them cheered. Peter walked over to Robbie, ruffling his
hair and took the knife back. He turned around as the others
nudged, gave high-fives and celebrated. Robbie, whose face had been
hidden by the shadows, was now fully visible. He had a grin, from
ear to ear, satisfied with what had just taken place.

Seeing enough, Benedict turned to retreat. He
caught the look in James’ eyes an instant before James stood. The
desperate father was preparing to jump in, without a plan. Like
lightning, Benedict smashed his pistol into the back of James’
head, stopping him cold.

James groaned and held his head. The blow
he’d received from the butt of Benedict’s pistol had left a small
lump.

Realizing what the Captain had done, James
snapped, "You’re a sorry excuse for a man, you know that? You're
surprised Eileen never loved you? Why? You show no love for her
now! This," he said, waving his hand about the room. "This is
nothing but a joke to you. If she could only see you now, what a
disappointment! The man she admired, nothing but a fraud. Afraid to
fight."

Not all of what James spewed did he believe.
He was tired, of the constant grief from missing Eileen, of the
absence and phantom pains of his right hand, of putting up with
Benedict's arrogance, and especially tired it was taking so long to
exact his revenge. The discovery that his son was still alive was
almost too much for his heart to bear.

Benedict, who had been drinking since
dragging the unconscious James back onboard the
Mistral
Thief
, lit in on James. "Boy, I've grown tired of yer
impudence!" he said with a snarl. "Ye have no right ta be speakin'
that way ta me! I've survived the seas since I was but a lad.
Earned me way ta be captain o' the
Mistral Thief
, suffered
through more than ye can imagine! I could’a let ye run half-cocked,
but nay, I put a stop ta that. Ye need a plan, boy. Nay, ye are tha
sorry excuse for a man an' a pirate. Yer only motivation is ta seek
revenge. And once that is achieved, tha whelp killed, pray tell,
what then? Ye live happily ever after, alone? Ha! Yer foolin'
yerself."

Meeting James square in the eye, he made sure
to be heard on his last point, lowering his voice in seriousness.
"And if Eileen were ta see ye now, she'd be horrified. Tha passive
man she grew ta love, now a monster. Hook for a hand. Rage and
bitterness controllin' tha heart and actions. Nay, if she were to
see us now, it would be me she'd be with…not you."

James stared at the captain, the harsh words
sinking like stones in the pit of his stomach.
A monster…is that
what I've become?
He shook with fury.

Benedict continued, "I failed ta teach ye
right proper last time. I won't be makin' tha same mistake again."
He took hold of the hilt of his sword, partially unsheathing it.
“Ye need no help killin’ tha whelp that killed Eileen. I be takin’
me leave of ye. Let there be no mistaken, tha next time we see each
other, there be a score ta settle. Savvy?"

James swallowed hard, turning to face
Benedict. Perhaps he had been too harsh with the captain. After
all, Benedict was the better swordsman. The man seemed to blow off
any care he had for Eileen. He said quietly, nearly nose to nose
with Benedict, "I will kill him. I will save Robbie. If you truly
loved her, you will help me if I, and Eileen's son, need your help
on our return."

Benedict stared at him for a while. In a
voice barely audible, he answered, "Jas, it be best if we part
ways.”

James pushed past Benedict, leaving his
quarters. He had counted on Benedict’s love for Eileen to be enough
to gain his allegiance. Back on deck of the
Jolly Roger
, he
pushed all thoughts of Benedict aside. Adrenaline rushed through
him. James felt a surge of energy. The
Jolly Roger
was
anchored at Neverland. At last, he felt free from Benedict, and
soon, he’d be free from his burden for revenge.