Chapter 4
Frog collected the tray and left. The Captain had changed his clothes and was now as elegant as always in blue velvet. There was no trace of blood left on the claw, but I shuddered nevertheless when I saw it. He came to my chair and cupped his hand under my chin, tilting my head so I had to look up at his face.
-"Wendy, you should have listened to me, I told you that it was up to you how much things would hurt. Now, you will listen. No one knows you are here, no one can come to your rescue. If I cut your throat right now, no one will ever avenge your death. Do you realize that you are at my mercy, wholly and completely? Have I not proved to you how very uncomfortable it can be to disobey me?" And trust me, I could hurt you much much worse."
I nooded. Captain Hook continued;
-"I am a man who has a forgiving mind. I will forget yesterday. I have ordered a bath for you. I will provide you with an oil that will ease you aches. Then you will get into one of your nice dresse and we will eat a nice dinner. After that you will be very nice to ME. Do you understand me?"
I nodded again, What else could I do? The Captain smiled.
-"Now you tell me how much you look forward to it."
I closed my eyes. I wished that when I opened them again I would be home and all this would have been a nightmare.
-"Well. Tell me." -"I look forward to this evening. Very much."
The Captain laughed; -"No you donīt. But I see that you have learned a lesson."
He then left me and shortly afterwards pirates arrived with a bathtub and hot water. Frog came with some food and some toiletries and the promised oil. It was nice to have a bath. I examined my limbs and found that the bruises already looked old. I thought it must be because we were close to Neverland, were there are lots of magic. The oil had a lovely fragrance and soothed away most of my soreness.
I choosed my blue dress, because it came with a scarf that I could drape over my bruised arms. I had some difficulties closing it without wearing a corset, but I was slim and not in the habit of tightlacing. The bodice had itīs own boning at the seams, so after exhaling I was able to close it. I carefully combed my hair, as it had tangled quite badly. I had no hairpins so I could not put it up like a proper lady. Then I just had to wait. My thought went unwillingly to the man that had been killed and it was a relief when Frog came to set the table.
He was looked very grim and talked very fast and serious;
-"Tomorrow when we reach Neverland the Captain will take most of the crew and go and look for Pan. I will be left, because I am the only one the Captain will trust with the keys to your cabin. In the middle of the day, the men left will take a nap and that is when I will come for you. You must take care to pack what you need and get dressed so you can swim. You know how to swim?" -"Oh yes, Iīm, quite good at it." -"Good. We have to swim to the shore but it will not be too far. Then we will go and look for Pan. Do you know were to find him?"
I didnīt, but I had a fairly good idea how we would find him, which I told Frog.
-"Miss Wendy, I am very sorry that we canīt do it tonight. I canīt do anything to help you tonight. But please, donīt fight him anymore. You were very brave yesterday, but if you fight tonight, he will break you. Tonight you bend and obey him and he will think that he broke you yesterday. You do as you are told, and it will not be so bad. It will please him and if he is pleased he will be, perhaps not kinder, but not so bad. Trust me, I know this. You will bend and not break and tomorrow we will flee.
As he was to leave I called out after him; -"Frog, what was the name of the man who was killed. And what is your real name?" -"His name was Pete, Miss Wendy. And my name is Jean-Baptiste. -"Please, donīt say Miss anymore, Jean-Baptiste."
End of Chapter 4