He was smiling at herfondly.
When she picked a third child, who went to his death the same asthe first two, Sasha had stopped bothering to try to wipe her tears away.
Sidney was sitting on a small barrel by one of the masts, her head in her hands, weeping uncontrollably. She hadn’t looked up since the executions had started. Sasha didn’t blame her—and in fact, kind of wished she could join her.
But she wasn’t so lucky.
Hook pulled out his pocket watch. “Again.”
And a fourth.
Sasha felt as though she was going to have a mental breakdown. The air was feeling too close again. She focused on keeping her breathing slow and regular and deep. She didn’t know how many more of these she could put up with before she started screaming and pulling her hair out.
But it seemed she was at least spared more of that pain. It was time to switch to some new kind of torment.
Captain Hook snapped his pocket watch shut and tucked it into his pocket before casting her the fakest beatific smile she’d ever seen in her life. “Now, Mr. Smee. I have had a change of heart. I think it is quite bad luck to have a woman on board, and this Miss Wendy will just have to go. Time for her to walk the plank. Bring her here.”
Sidney shot up to her feet. “Fuck you!”
Sasha moved to stand between Hook and her twin. “No.”
“Mr. Smee, mutiny is not tolerated aboard this ship.” Hook walked toward them slowly, lowering his tone. The other pirates had fallen deathly silent as they stood to watch. “Eithershewalks the plank…or you do.”
Hook’s left eye began to glow purple, and Vile’s voice overtook Hook’s. “Do you think I care which one of you dies? Entertaining for me, either way.”
Sasha felt as though ice water ran down her spine. Suddenly, it all clicked into place. She wasn’t safe from him. Not at all. He’d only let her be the one who lived for as long as she was obediently on his side.
The purple in his eye faded. He was Hook once more. “Do you want to die, Mr. Smee? Shall I throw you both overboard?”
“N—no.” She was shaking. She couldn’t die to that crocodile. She couldn’t. She justcouldn’t.
“Sash—” Sidney grabbed her arm from behind her. “Please?—”
“Then move aside.” Hook stood inches in front of her, staring down at her and through her, calling her bluff.
Swallowing the rock in her throat, she did as she was told. She stood aside.
She was a coward. A complete coward.
Hook grabbed Sidney by the upper arm. Sidney screamed and fought, but Hook was twice her size and likely aided by whatever strength Vile had backing him up. The pirates began to cheer again, loudly celebrating what would be the most momentous death they’d had likely in a long time.
BLAM!
Hook froze.
Sidney froze.
The gunshot echoed off the nearby ridges of the mountains.
Hook turned to look at Sasha.
She’d stolen a blackpowder pistol from one of the pirates and shot Hook in the back as he’d walked away with Sidney. With “Wendy.”
Smoke curled from the barrel.
A crimson hole started to form in Hook’s chest as he stared at her, stunned, his mouth agog. He dropped to his knees.
Sasha lowered the gun. “At least it isn’t the crocodile this time.”
