Page 13 of Beneath the Starlight and Storms

A jolt of panic rushes through me as I hear more twigs snap closer behind me. It seems whatever beast is following me, has gained ground on me.

Ignoring the urge to look behind me, I think on my feet and instead of continuing on past the third tree, I rush around its thick width and hide behind it. Hoping my swift disappearance will distract the beast long enough for it to forget about me.

Trying to catch my breath, I listen out for any sound. But everything around me grows silent. Too silent. As if the trees themselves have stopped moving and are also waiting for something to jump out and attack them.

Time seems to crawl by as I continue to wait, lighting my nerves the longer I hear no sound. Seconds pass, feeling almost like hours with nothing happening, lulling me into a false sense of security.

Knowing I can’t wait much longer with Hook on my tail, I move slowly, peeking around the tree to try to spot the waiting beast. But there’s nothing there.

Staying hidden behind the tree, I scan the area for anything in hiding but still find nothing. Relief quickly fills me as I turn around.

Only to jump as I’m met with a pair of familiar blue eyes and a savage smirk. I take a step to move but he moves quicker, blocking my path.

“There’s a beast,” I tell him, hoping it shows up soon to distract him. But that smirk only grows.

“What beast?” he asks, his eyes lighting with amusement as if this is all some joke. That I wasn’t just running for my life and freedom.

“Something was chasing me,” I grit out.

He takes a step closer. “Apart from my men and now you, there’s nothing other than small birds on this island.”

But then...

“The onlybeastthat was chasing you… wasme.” His smile turns wicked at my look of confusion.

Then the entire time, there was never any beast… It was him.

“You cheated.” I glare daggers up at him. “But how did you move so fast?” He was just a human, or was he?

“A story for another time. All you need to know right now is that you lost. And that means you’re mine.” A gleam of something lights up Hooks eyes.

I shake my head, taking a step to the side but he leans forward placing his hand on the tree, blocking me. I try to move to the other side but his other hand snaps out, caging me in.

“I don’t belong to you or anyone else.” Flashes of being shackled and beaten slide across my mind as I look for a way out. My stomach twists and churns, my chest turning tight.

“You can’t just take what you want. I don’t belong to you.” I don’t belong to anyone but myself.

Hook’s eyes narrow, losing some of the lightness from them. “You’re on my island. There’s no way off it unless I allow it. So, until I decide otherwise, you’re stuck here with me.”

It’ll be like Neverland if I stay here. And it seems like I’ll be trapped by another monster too.

He shifts and a glint flashes across my eyes. I follow it, spotting a small dagger on Hooks hip. With my mind still in survival mode, I quickly grab it and shove him back a step before placing it at his throat.

But instead of fear lighting his eyes, they dilate and turn dark with lust. I shiver at the intense look he gives me. A look that turns challenging as he moves closer toward the sharp blade.

“Don’t move,” I warn, and hold it in place just as his skin meets it.

“Such a vicious little thing,” he breathes, his tongue darting out to wet his bottom lip. I hold the dagger in place, but he pushes forward, not heeding my warning. A drip of blood coats the blade and he chuckles.

There’s a madness in his eyes. Nothing as dark and cold as my last captor or the ones before that. But it’s there. And I know it won’t be long before he becomes just like them.

I hold my stance and tighten my grip on the hilt of the dagger.

“How far are you willing to go?” He smirks as if he already knows the answer.

But do I? Am I willing to kill someone? But not just someone. Could I kill Hook? Could I take his life and watch it slowly drain from his eyes as he leaves this world forever?

In truth, I already know the answer. I knew it the day I found out what my power could do and when I chose to never use it again.

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