Page 42 of The Last Lost Girl

“West,” Hook answers, never looking away from me. “And as soon as we are moored, I want to speak with the entire crew for a moment.”

Smee nods and spins on his heel, shouting to whomever mans the wheel to take her west. Then he relays his captain’s message.

“Do you want me to wait until your crew has gone ashore before freeing her?” It will no doubt upset them – not that I care if they hate me for it, but Hook gained their respect by pinning her there in penance for taking their friend’s life. He might lose it just as quickly for allowing me to remove her from the ship.

“No. My crew and I keep no secrets. I’ll reveal the conditions of our agreement.”

“Will they know Belle?” I ask, wondering if they’ve all forgotten her and whether he’ll need to show them his journaled memories to prove who she is and why she is valuable to them all.

“We tell stories to remember the basics. They’ll know her name and what she stole. I wasn’t the only one she helped escape Pan. She aided us all in more ways than I can describe in one night.”

I nod. “Hook, how did you get the hook?”

“A story for another time, Ava,” he answers, his voice thick.

“Then can I have a few minutes alone?” I ask. “I want to change back into my clothes.”

“Of course.” He strides out the doors, raking his hand through his dark hair before turning to shut them.

I hear him shout for his crew to gather around when they can find a moment and hurry to set up the privacy screen.

sixteen

I step onto the deck in my clothes and now-dry Chucks and feel every crewman’s eyes fix on me. Hook hasn’t said a word yet. He waited until I finished changing and walked outside.

“None of what I’m about to say is up for discussion, so I’ll speak, and you will listen, then return to your duties before going into town. I hope that you enjoy your night and limit your indulgences, because I’ll be calling on you as soon as supplies are loaded onto the ship, at which time we’ll sail to Neverland. We’re going to hunt for a treasure I know each and every one of you will be eager to find.”

The crew perks up.

The tip of his iron hook points at me as Hook announces, “Ava is Tinkerbell’s sister.” The men are taken aback. Their faces ripple with confusion. All but Smee and Paris, who patiently await the rest of Hook’s words.

“Tinkerbell returned to Neverland last night – with our shadows, and with Ava.”

I can see the men struggling to remain silent and calm. There is joy in their lungs, hope in their hearts, and much on their minds.

Hook continues, “Upon landing, the two became separated. We will quickly and efficiently comb Neverland to find her before Pan does, and since Ava knows Tink better than anyone else, she’s agreed to help us do exactly that, and ask Tink to return our shadows – under two conditions.” He uses his hook to tick off his fingers. “Firstly, Tinkerbell and Ava are not to be harmed or killed. And secondly, Ava will free the beast serving as our figurehead.” A murmur of disapproval earns a cutting stare from their captain.

He smiles, and it’s wicked and hungry. “I’ll leave you with this: Imagine how furious Pan will be when he hears Tinkerbell is back in Neverland, and that she’s on the ship with us where he cannot reach her.”

The crew roars in delight.

“Dismissed!”

The crew disperses amid a frisson of excitement. The town is a glittering jewel. I can’t make her shape out in the dark, but I hope to see her when dawn finally breaks. I make my way to the bow, Hook falling into step at my left and Smee flanking my right.

“Are you protecting me from your men?” I ask. A few looked like they’d rather see me tossed overboard than see the mermaid set free.

Hook scoffs under his breath. “Hardly. You’re perfectly safe among the crew. None of them would dare cross me – or your sister.”

Said every pirate mutinied on in the history of the world before said mutiny was waged.

“I figured you could use this,” Smee says. He hands me a claw-toothed hammer – old and rusted, imperfectly and beautifully shaped by hand instead of machine. I curl my fingers around its worn handle.

The mermaid hears our steps and her head lolls sideways. She’s spent, and I worry that I took too much time negotiating and it might be too late to save her now. I was too wrapped up in learning about Pan and my sister’s role in these people being trapped in Neverland.

The slits on her throat flap, completely dried out, as she exhales. She doesn’t try to push herself up or move as I tentatively approach, wondering how I can best reach her.

Smee looks at Hook, who nods.

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