B2. Peter Pan: Part 7

Chapter 13: Do You Believe in Fairies?

That evening, when the forest was dark, the Lost Boys climbed down the trees one by one.

The pirates grabbed Curly first. Their rough hands bruised his skin. They threw him from one pirate to another until he landed at Hook's feet. The other boys were also tossed around like bags, while the pirates laughed.

However, Wendy was treated differently. Like a gentleman, Hook removed his hat and offered her his arm. She was so surprised that she forgot to scream. For a moment, she almost liked the captain, which would be a big mistake.

The boys were tightly tied up so they couldn't fly away.

"Take the boys to the ship," Hook said. "I'll find Pan."

The pirates threw the tied-up children into Wendy's little house. They lifted up the entire house, and carried it back to the ship.

Hook looked for Peter in every room. Finally, he found him asleep. Hook crept up to Peter until his shadow fully covered the sleeping boy.

Even in his sleep, Peter still wore the cocky grin that Hook hated so much.

Then, Hook remembered Peter cutting off his hand and throwing it to the crocodile.

Hook took out his sword as quietly as possible. He raised it above Peter, ready to strike. Lightning flashed outside, showing the murderous look in Hook's eyes.

Then, Hook hesitated. He thought, To kill a man in his sleep? That is bad form.

Instead, Hook noticed a cup next to Peter. He poured deadly poison into the cup. Then, he wrote a fake note from Wendy saying, "Dearest Peter. Please take your medicine." (pic)

Hook tried not to laugh as he quietly left, leaving Peter to his fate.

The storm's wind woke up Peter.

Tinkerbell flew through the window, wet and shivering. "The boys and Wendy have been captured!" she jingled.

Peter rubbed his eyes, stood up, and grabbed his sword. He opened the door, and it swung open with a loud bang.

As Peter turned to leave, he saw the medicine and Wendy's note. He thought, Wendy will be pleased if I take it the medicine. He took the cup and raised it to his mouth.

"No!" said Tink. She tried to pull his arm down so he couldn't drink it.

"Don't worry, it's just medicine!" said Peter.

As Peter put the cup to his lips, Tinkerbell flew into the cup and drank all the poison herself.

Then, she flew around the room dizzily. She wobbled and fell from the sky, landing in Peter's hand.

"You silly boy," Tink whispered. "You silly, silly boy". Her light faded. "Hook poisoned the cup. Now, my light will go out forever." she said softly.

"Tink, tell me what to do! Don't leave me!" Peter panicked.

"I can only survive if more children believe in fairies."

Her tiny body got colder in Peter's hand. Her heartbeat slowed, each pulse weaker than the last.

Peter realized he was losing her, and he didn't know how to save his best friend.

Peter turned to all the children out there, asleep in their beds. "Do you believe?" he cried out. "If you believe, clap your hands! Don't let Tink die! Please clap your hands."

"Clap!"

"Clap!"

"Clap!"

And you know, many people clapped! And maybe you clapped too (wink emoji)

Slowly, Tink's light shone brighter and stronger. Peter put her in her little room and watched her until she fell asleep, which only took ten seconds because everything happens faster for a fairy.

Peter ran out the door, determined to save his friends. As he moved through the forest, he came across the fallen warriors, including Tiger Lily. He kneeled beside her and gently closed her eyes. He whispered, "Good night, princess. See you in the next great story." Then, her body transformed into a beautiful white lily, and fresh grass grew all around it.

Peter thought of all the adventures they would never share together, and his fists clenched.

Peter's mood mirrored the thunder and winds of the storm. He thought, Neverland will never be free as long as Hook is here.

Peter promised himself he'd find and kill him, "Hook or me this time."

While Peter ran towards the pirate ship, he saw the enormous crocodile sleeping silently. Peter listened carefully. The tick-tock is gone, he realized. The clock has stopped! Without the ticking, Hook won't know the crocodile is near. Peter had a clever idea.

Peter was now ready to face his greatest enemy, and to fight for the freedom of Neverland, and for everyone who called it home.

Chapter 14: The Pirate Ship

Hook's pirate ship was in the bay. It had all-black sails and a smiling skull figurehead, perfect for its ruthless crew.

On the ship, the pirates celebrated. There were card games, and the sounds of laughter, clinking glasses and violins.

Only Captain Hook was worried. He walked back and forth, with troubling thoughts. He should have been happy — Peter was gone and the boys about to walk the plank. So why did he feel empty inside?

He watched Smee sew. Hook thought, Why do the children like Smee more than me?

Then, the Lost Boys were brought to Hook's cabin and lined up. The boys stood in silence. Hook pretended not to see them and finished sharpening his hook.

Then, he walked back and forth in front of the boys. "Now then," he said, "Who wants to join my merry crew?"

The boys didn't want to make Hook angry. Tootles stepped forward politely, "You see, sir, my mother wouldn't like me to be a pirate."

Slightly, John and Michael all said the same - their mother wouldn't like it.

"Tie up their mother!" Hook said. "Make her watch the boys walk the plank!"

The pirates grabbed Wendy and tied her to the mast. Wendy glared at Hook with such anger and disgust, that he nearly fell over in shock.

The pirates readied the plank. The sound of the waves grew louder. They lined up the boys in front of it, Tootles first. His little body trembled. The boys were terrified, but tried to be brave for Wendy.

"Are they to die?" Wendy asked in a voice cold as ice.

"They are," said Hook. He turned to his crew, "Silence, all, for a mother's last words to her sons!"

Wendy said. "These are my last words, dear boys! I have a message from your real mothers. They said — we hope our sons will die like brave gentlemen!"

The boys all shouted they would! And were no longer afraid.

Suddenly, a familiar and dreadful sound came from the water.

"Tick-tock, tick-tock"

The pirates were too afraid to move. Their eyes were wide with terror.

"The croc!" Hook screamed. He ran across the deck as far from the sound as possible.

The boys ran to the side of the ship to see it. Instead of the crocodile, they saw Peter climbing up the side of the ship. He was mimicking the crocodile's ticking sound, to trick the pirates.