Chapter 3: The Voyage of Mad Men

Journey to Neverland

 Michael ascends the rope hanging from above the clouds with intense fear. He looks back down at Hook who is standing on the balcony, holding the rope and gesturing for him to keep going. Michael grabs another part of the rope with sweaty palms as he takes it one step at a time. As he gets closer to the top, he passes through the clouds in the sky. He struggles to see through the thick cluster of clouds until finally his head emerges from the top and he can see an old pirate ship floating conspicuously above him.1

He slowly pulls his self up the rope and grabs hold of the side of the boat, struggling to climb over the side of the ship. Michael gains footing on the ship and is immediately overcome by the surreal situation he is now in. For a moment he seriously thinks about jumping overboard but instead summons the little courage he has and begins walking. He slowly paces around on the worn, wooden deck that has a unique squeak for every floorboard. The deck seems strangely vacant, apart from the two pirates near the edge of the boat. They stand whispering to one another, sneaking awful glances at Michael; who nervously fidgets with his circular rimmed glasses.2

Michael pretends he doesn’t notice them, especially the one who was previously in his room, still holding the same scowl on his face. Michael wakes to the other side of the ship and waits for Hook. “I can’t believe I’m actually here again,” he asks himself, looking across the vast ocean of clouds stretched out before him. “How clever; He waited for a cloudy night before he entered this world.” He says, leaning on the side of the ship. Michael turns around and notices the other two pirates rushing toward the moving rope. As Hook claws on to the side of the ship, pulling himself up, Michael watches closely.3

“I’m far too old for this,” Hook grumbles as his men help him on board. “Only in this world can my age catch up to me; in Neverland, I sail way too fast for it to find me.”4

Michael watches quietly as the three speak to each other about something seemingly serious. Hook breaks from the two and hollers at Michael, “Forgive me a moment old friend, I have business to attend to,” he says as the three walk to the captain’s cabin. Michael stands around alone in the night, listening to the eerie silence of the ship.5

“What on earth are you doing Michael,” he asks himself, shaking his head. “I must be out of my bloody mind.”6

Watching in awe of the beautiful and clear, moonlit sky, Michael is sadly reminded of John. 7

The day they left home and soared through the skies to Neverland was placed forever in his mind as the happiest day of his life. Not just because of the magic of the moment; it was because for the first time in his life, he and his brother were on the same level. They both flew side by side, sharing in the moment. And the first time in his life, Michael felt a part of something special.8

He spends the next few minutes looking out and reminiscing on old times. Michael’s eyes well up as he watches a flock of geese flying in a v-formation across the wide and wondrous full moon. “It’s just not the same without you,” he says, sighing and wiping his eyes. 9

“Tis a beautiful thing, isn’t it” says hook, leaning on the side, next to Michael.10

Michael flinches, startled by Hook’s swift appearance and then regains his composure saying, “Yes it’s quite breathtaking.” 11

Hook rests his head on his hand while examining his hook, depressingly. “What I wouldn’t give for a cup full of rum right now.”12

For the first, Michael looks at Hook as a man who suffered a tragic event instead of his childhood enemy. “Does it hurt,” he asks, with a concerned look on his face.13

Hook looks back with a slightly surprised face. “What’s that, oh this?” he asks, holding up his hook. “I suppose it does sometimes,” he says, depressingly. A gradual smirk appears on his face as he says, “Sometimes I have dreams of feeding that cursed boy to the very same crock which consumed my hand. In those dreams, my hand is magically restored thereafter. But when I wake…” he stops in the middle of his sentence, observing both his good hand and hook.14

Hook turns around and leans on his back, looking up at the stars. “Ah, being in this world brings back so many memories,” says Hook, changing the subject. 15

“You mean your time of piracy, right” Michael asks in a judging tone.16

Hook laughs out loud saying, “Ah yes, you know I was once the boatswain for the most fearsome pirate in the seven seas. 17

Michael is struck with total surprise, “You mean…Blackbeard!?” he asks as he is drawn more into the conversation. “I grew up hearing stories about his conquests.”18

“Oh yes,” he replies. “In fact, that’s how I came to commandeer this vessel we call Revenge.”19

“I thought this looked different from the Jolly Roger,” Michael says, listening intently to Hook.20

“My Captain stole this ship from a so called “Gentleman Pirate” but later, had it stolen from him by a wretched pirate named Long John Silver,” he says as Michael becomes more wide-eyed in excitement. “Years later, when my Captain died, I gathered a crew of my own, took the Jolly Roger, and confronted him on the sea. I boarded his ship and faced off with his cowardly crew, and in the end, I made the lot of them walk the plank,” he says, chuckling. “Ah those were the days.”21

The two exchange smirks as the ancient pirate ship glides softly over the clouds.22

“That sounds absolutely exhilarating,” says Michael, turning around and observing the stars with Hook.23

Hook taps Michael on the shoulders, getting his attention as he leans in as if he were telling a secret.24

“You know Michael, soon you will have your own adventures to reminisce on,” he says in low voice with a grin on his face.25

Just then, a strong gust of wind blows Hook’s hat off and sends it rolling down the deck. The sails catch the wind, shaking the ship, and sends Hook and Michael to ground. The two rise to their feet and peek over the edge in a crouched position. Michael straightens his glasses and sees a stunningly beautiful wave of brilliant colors, rolling through the sky. “An Aurora Borealis; what’s going on,” he shouts loudly as the two fight to stay up through the loud, fierce wind.26

Hook looks at him and smiles, “The adventure begins, my boy,” he shouts, laughing as he dashes toward the helm.27

Michael looks back with fear as the colors begin flapping violently, like curtains in a storm. He crouches down, running toward Hook as the two other pirates run past him in the opposite direction. “Release the rest of the sails men and load those cannons!”28

As Michael runs toward Hook, a gust of wind almost tips him over but Hook stretches out and grabs his arm as his hook clings tight to the wheel. Michael looks up, seeing Hook’s grinning face as he struggles to regain his footing. “Thanks for the help,” he says, shielding his eyes from the wind, “But what the hell is going on?”29

“Tis the veil of Neverland; she rejects us.” 30

“Why? I don’t remember this happening last time,” he screams.31

Hook laughs, appearing almost like a mad man to Michael, “Well your situation has changed, my boy; Neverland is not so accepting of adults,” he says as Michael’s face frowns up, staring back at the rift.32

“I WILL make it,” Michael says under his breath.33

The front of the ship pierces the magical rift, the wind abruptly stops and a dead silence comes over them. They quietly drift in what seems to be a dark void illuminated by bright and colorful lights that hang in the air.34

“We are now in the ‘In-Between’,” Hook utters in a low voice as Michael looks at him, confused.35

A pirate runs up to them, trying to catch his breath, “Captain the cannons are loaded but we lost the few men we came here with and now we have an unmanned cannon.”36

Hook rubs his mustache while he thinks of next move.37

“…You lost men? What happened to them and why do we need cannons,” Michael asks, paranoid as Hook stays silent, still thinking.38

The pirate looks at Michael, annoyed, “Do you know nothing boy? The ‘In-Between’ is filled with Neverangels. 39

“Never…Angels?” he replies.40

The pirate shakes his head and rolls his eyes. “They are the guardians of Neverland and they attack anyone not guarded by the ignorance of youth. We came on this crazy voyage and lost good men just to bring you back,” he says, spitting at Michael’s foot in disgust.41

“Come now Asher, enough of that. Go see if two old hags are done with their spells yet,” Hook says, steering the ship cautiously through the quiet void. The pirate begrudgingly leaves the deck and Michael puts his head down in shame.42

“He’s a good pirate,” says Hook with his eyes still focus on their path. “He’s just a little upset at our situation right now.”43

“Why risk all of this for me?”44

“Because my boy, I and the rest of the pirates know how important you are to the cause,” he replies as Michael stays silent. 45

Just then, one of the hanging lights slightly bumps against the side of the ship. The pirate manning the cannon at the front of the ship looks back at Hook with concern.46

“Michael, brace yourself,” Hook says in a quick and serious tone, turning the wheel violently. “Asher, fall back on deck right now!” Hook screams as the sound of cannon fire sounds off in front of the ship. 47

“Captain they’ve awaken! The Neverangels, they come!” scream the pirate manning the cannon.48

Asher returns running back on the deck, armed with two pistols and ready to shoot. He takes his place at the cannon on the left side of the ship, opposite his crewmate. Michael watches with terror as he slowly crouches behind some empty barrels.49

“How are we on the Moon spell, Asher?” Hook asks.50

“Ready when you are Captain,” Asher replies.51

“The other pirate looks at Asher saying, “Try not to die here; I don’t want to have to start buying my own rum,” as the two begin laughing in a loud roar. 52

“Alright men, you know the drill; second star to the right and straight till morning.53

Author's Note

It's numbered for easier reviewing.

Reviews

[James Watts]

“I can’t believe I’m actually here again,” he asks himself, looking across the vast ocean of clouds stretched out before him.( This doesn't sound like a question. Maybe something like he says would work better.)

“What on earth are you doing Michael,” he asks himself, shaking his head(“What on earth are you doing Michael?” he asks himself, shaking his head--you could also probably get by without the "himself")

“Why? I don’t remember this happening last time,” he screams.31(“Why? I don’t remember this happening last time!” he screams.31--try not to use commas for every emotion, remember you do not need to overuse exclamations but sometimes they are needed to get your point across.)

Above are just examples and are my opinion. Overall I do enjoy the story in concept as I mentioned before. I grew up with this story and I like to see where you take it.

[The Fatal Lover]

Wow. This was just as great as the first two chapters. But the never angels seem really creepy. Can't wait to read the next chapter. Great job. I love it. =)

[Dutch Jr.]

A good idea to number your paragraphs, makes my job a heck of a lot easier...lol.

Throughout the whole chapter, I noticed, as well as in other chapters, that your writing gets very verb-confused. It's starting to sound pretty awkward in the present tense. Overall, it was a nice, well written chapter, with a good dose of action.

[Tia Sanchez]

A good chapter. This is a hooking storyline you have going here.