Page 46 of Hush Darling
Several men chuckled as they crowded around her, and her courage evaporated. They grinned down at her with missing teeth and dreadful scars. It was then she understood some fates were worse than drowning.
The weathered wood whined as the ship rocked, and the tall mast loomed overhead as ripples of black sails whipped overhead.
“What a pretty little thing she is.” The men crowded closer, leering and blocking out her view of the night sky.
“Capitan’s gonna like her.”
“What’s your name, princess?”
The pungent odor of their unwashed clothes stole her breath. Gunpowder misted the air like fog, reminding her how dangerous these men were. She worried for Peter and the Lost Boys.
“Please,” she begged, awkwardly scooting back as much as she could with her arms tied. “My family has money. They can pay you. I promise they’ll reward you if you keep me safe.”
“It ain’t your money he’s after.”
“That’s enough gawking, boys.” The terrifying man with the dreadlocks reached for her once more.
“No!” she shouted in protest. “Please!” But none of the other men came to her aid.
Terrified of where he might be taking her and what he planned to do, Wendy bit into his arm until she tasted blood.
He yanked her head back by the hair and growled, “Bitch!” His teeth were filed into points and covered in silver.
She spit at him, and he flinched and dropped her to her feet, but still kept hold of her arms.
“I’ll see that you pay for that,” he threatened, wrestling her toward a door that appeared to lead below deck.
“She sure hates you, Jukes,” one man snickered as the others watched complacently.
She dragged her feet, scraping her heels along the splintered planks. “Help!” Her flailing was of no use when he hoisted her onto his shoulder again, this time knocking the wind out of her so hard she nearly vomited.
His heavy footfalls stomped along the black planks, taking her deeper and deeper into the bowels of the ship. The sound of the sea disappeared as they entered a cramped hall that led to a dimly lit stairwell.
She completely lost her sense of direction by the end of the labyrinth. Then he threw her down once more. This time, she landed on an ornate carpet, but it still hurt like hell.
“Bastard!”
He sneered. “I’m far worse than a bastard, princess.”
He lit a candle, and she blinked at her elaborate quarters, startled by such opulence. Fine furnishings, books, and maps filled the dim space. In the corner, a chest brimmed with gold and strings of jewels. The musty scent of old wood and a faint whiff of rum tinged the air, but also something else. Something rich and threatening. Something…familiar.
“Who are you people?”
“Your worst nightmare.” He tossed a pile of rusted chains on the floor.
“Please—”
“Begging won’t save you.” He yanked her to her knees and roughly tugged the ropes.
The moment her arms were free, she sprung to her feet, but he was faster.
Her face hit the floor before she took a single step, and she whimpered when he pinned her beneath his indomitable weight.
Breath hot on her cheek, he snarled, “Next time you try something like that, I’ll break your arm. Nod if you understand.”
She closed her eyes, swallowing back another whimper, and nodded.
“Sit up and hold out your arms.”
