Second Star to the Right: Prologue

  Second Star to the Right: Prologue  

In the beautiful realm of Neverland yet another sun began to set, leaving the sky a mixture of brilliant pinks, oranges, and a dapple blood red.

From the deck of the infamous Jolly Roger, a single man stood gazing up at the skyline, lost deep in thought. True, he had seen more than his fair share of sunrises and sunsets, but never before had there been so much red.

With solemn eyes, Captain James Hook watched as the vibrant color soaked up the clouds like a sponge and spread to every visible corner of the sky. It was a breathtaking sight, if only the man had actually been focused on the colorful goodbye of the sun. But in truth, his mind was far beyond the subtle novelties of such a natural occurrence.

Originally, the pirate had come out onto the deck to gain purchase to his thoughts, and find a quiet space. And instead of going to his cabin, he had opted for the deck. For it was once more the holiday of Scurvy Alice - a night that the raucous crew of the Jolly Roger filled with the sounds of glorious music until dawn. Usually Hook joined in the musical festivities- for he was gifted with a fine singing voice, and had been the original creator of the weekly holiday. But tonight he found that there was no tune worth his time. 

Lately, there had been nothing that held his attention; nothing that could be deemed worthy, and it was this demanding fact that had brought him to his current contemplation.

Steadily the Captain leaned against the railing of his ship, absently running his long fingers across the polished wood as he fought to calm the tempest rising within his breast. He watched the waves of Pirate Lagoon rise and fall and let his mind do the same.

There was only one explanation of why he was restless, but it had been something that the Captain had wanted to avoid. Now after weeks and weeks of repressing, the issue became something that the pirate could give his full attention to.

He had lost time.

Not in the normal sense where you gaze at the clock and wonder where your day went . . . But in the way where you feel abandoned . . .  discouraged even.

For more years than most mortal's memories would have served, James Hook had been stuck in Neverland- just as lost and forgotten as the Lost boys who roamed the island. But unlike the blissful Never-Youth, James had always wanted to go home.

Since the moment he had first set foot on Neverland’s shores, he had been trying to find his way back. But now, after numerous years of searching, it was quite obvious that the only way to leave the retched isle was to fly. And even if you were lucky enough to find fairy dust, you would easily get lost once amongst the ever changing never-stars before leaving the island.

Traveling between Neverland and the Mainland was a nearly impossible feat, and none knew it better than Captain Jas. So, he had stayed in the cove of the isolated realm, and fought to find another way.

There was none. But it had never stopped him from hoping. .  . Until now.

In that moment- standing upon the deck of his beloved ship- James Hook knew that there was no escape. No way to free himself of the infernal prison he had been banished to; no key to unlock the door to the Mainland.

Most people, upon coming to this realization would have been completely lost in destructive emotions and thoughts; but not the Captain of the Jolly Roger. For loss and pain were his life-long companions, and James would never have disgraced himself as much as to willingly submit to an old friend.

So, he took in a deep breath of the clean Never-air and once more lifted his gaze to the blood-red canvass above him.

Now, since he had accepted the truth, the pirate was able to witness the fully beauty of the sky, and couldn’t help the smile that rose upon his lips at the familiar shade.

Red; the composition of pure, undiluted scarlet- it was a powerful color, both majestic and pleasing to the eye.

Then as the sky began to grow dimmer and dimmer, Captain James Hook thought back to the first time he had ever seen such a beautiful red. And his mind recalled when his world had been simple, and his dreams few.

The Captain embraced recollection after recollection, as his memory sprung forth for the first time in decades. And as he did so, he couldn't help the small tear that trickled down the length of his cheek. For ever since James had come to Neverland, he had missed his youth.