Well, that was kind of normal for ships, she supposed. It was Hook’s arrangement that was overly lavish.
A bed took up the length of it, built into the closet at around thigh height. A shelf was above it, and it looked like “her” things were stored above and below the bed, the pillow at the head of the sliding door that pocketed into the wall. With a beleaguered sigh, she kickedout of her boots and socks, shrugged out of as much of her clothing as she felt comfortable with, and climbed into her goddamn closet.
Pulling the blanket up over her shoulder, she shut her eyes and let out a breath. It was a tiny little cot-sized thing. But at least the closeness of the walls meant she wasn’t going to fall out if a wave hit the boat and?—
“Shut the door, Mr. Smee, don’t be a savage. But I’ll allow you to keep it cracked an inch for air.”
She opened her eyes, stared at the shelf above her, and fought the urge to scream. “You’re so kind.”
“I know.”
She knew she was an idiot for asking, but she had to. “Do you think they made it out okay?”
Hook chuckled. “How charming that you think I care.”
No.Screw this. Everything about this wasshit.
Fuck flying.
Fuck the mermaids.
Fuck Neverland.
Sidney wanted to gohome.
The tide was almost all the way in, and they were entirely out of rocks to climb on. They had climbed all the way to the top of the rocks in the center, but now they were out of places to go. She was wearing nothing but the blue nightgown, and Peter was still steadily bleeding out from the gash on his chest.
It was getting harder and harder to keep him awake.
And that nightmare of a crocodile was still circling them. She’d watched it eat a dead pirate.
The sound of crunching.
And the ripping of wet meat.
She knew that would be something that’d haunt her for the rest of her life—for however long that’d be. She hoped she made it home totell her therapist about it, but the odds of that were starting to look slim.
“Peter, please—youhaveto fly us out of here. You have to.” He was the only hope of them getting out alive.
Vhmmmmmmm-SNAP!
“Love to, Wendy,” his words slurred together. He wasn’t really focusing on her when he talked. “But I don’t think I—I can.”
The mermaids were long gone, not like they’d be any help. One, because they’d probably sooner drown her than help her, and two, because of thethingin the water.
They wouldn’t make it until morning. And their last bit of safety was rapidly disappearing.
“To die will be an awfully big adventure.” Peter smiled dreamily, his eyes drifting shut.
“No, no, it will not be, I swear to fuck if you die on me, you little shit, I willfucking kill you!”She shook him by the shoulders.
Peter grunted, blinking his eyes open. “So—sorry—I—” He groaned. “How would you kill me if I was already…that doesn’t make any sense…”
“Shut up.” She glared at him. “And come up with a plan.”
“What’s that?” He pointed.
“If this is a ‘made you look’ prank, I swear to God.” Lowering her voice, she threatened him. “I’m going to throw you to the goddamn crocodile.”
