Untitled story

Prologue 

The ocean was as vast as the sky above, waves crashed against the ship there standing at the head of the wheal tall and imposing was captain James hook.

Captain Hook has seen many things in his time but nothing could have prepared the sea captain for what he saw.

In the water was a child. The men on board saw its body floating up on the surface of the water, a brown bag floating near its form, all the pirates stopped moving.

It was a girl?.

A compass locket clung around her neck the metal moved with the sea above tangling in the dark brown of her short hair the locket gleamed in the brutality of the sun's light.

The men parted as the captain moved gracefully towards the rails, his dark eyes squinted to see what he was looking at? Then as suddenly as she looked his eyes widened taking a step back he gulped the deck grow silent men waiting in nervous anticipation for commands.

“ hoist her up, men!”. Hook roared his command with full authority, no one questioned his orders “ Aye, aye captain!”. Hook's coat flourished behind him red as the blood he draws, the captain hat draw shadows across his face leaving him to be expressionless, unmoving and utterly terrifying.

They began the hoist the girl up onboard the ship. it seemed to come easy for each of them like the child weighed nothing but wet feathers.

Mr smee shuffled his feet on the Jolly Roger he placed the tray down on the barrel this was no time for tea murmured nervously to himself “oh dear”.

She laid on the wooden floors of the ship. Hook wasted no time walking towards her. The regal man swiftly kicked her in the stomach.

Jane darling woke up,coughing violently . salty water going out of her throat leaving it burning. Her dark eyes widened in horror.

Like a Hook the man in front of her. No. A stranger staring into her soul. Jane had seen a lot of things in her short life but what she saw looming over her was nothing short of a scandal of the mind. Childish pirates.

They were undeniably pirates. Jane stared into the eyes of the captain, the slender man in front of her his eyes focused and intense it felt uncomfortable even more uncomfortable then the salty burn. She couldn’t speak, if she could she would scream.

Jane glared at him defiantly struggling and trying her hardest, catching her breath. She stopped coughing. Her body wheezed. She backed away from them.

She growled, bearing her teeth at the captain hook, was unmoving and un-budgable but his grip from his hooked hand was tight, deadly tight. And suffocating.

Jane's eyes furrowed. He wasn't looking at her? His gaze was deadset on the locket around her neck. 

Jane's eyes fluttered from tiredness. She wanted to fight more, she wanted to bite him, she wanted to get away but she was useless at this moment, weak from the water and hunger. If she hadn't been caught off guard she would have tried to cold her own. her world darkened.

The girl fainted in the captain's arms. Leaning closer his hook wrapped around the chain pulling it over her head he dangled it up to his eyes peering into it like it's the most desirable thing in the world.

“ Mr Smee". He called out suddenly

“Yes captain?”.

Hook stood up with the girl in his arms a red line showed around her neck from the hook his arm was bleeding from the scratches.

“ take her to the lower deck”.

Handing the girl over to smee the captain walked off in the direction of his quarters the men on board went back to working it was quieter now no more did they sing there songs or sea shanies smee held a girl who didn't belong here the ship was now an uncomfortable fog and all the pirates on board know the source of it.         

Flightless Darling

The war was never ending. a beast against time and youth. a beast that seemed to be everyone in London's reality. But Jane was determined to outlive it.

There had never been a time where Jane hadn't seen destroyed homes. crying children or bombs or maybe there had been? Back when her father Edward was not in the army. She just couldn't remember it. Maybe the war had gone on way before she was even born? Now was not the time to dwell on trivial matters she had to get moving. Now

In her grandparents' home the party of guests were outnumbered though they had to bring their own rations, then last year. How the war didn't destroy all of the woman's gowns? She had no idea. Most of them should be used for something more practical like making pillows or being transformed into bandages so they could one day bandaging up wounds she couldn't deny how beautiful they were though they truly were a pleasantries for the eyes the way there faces looked angelic how some of their noses stretched out to sneer unlike the man's poised outfits it's a wonder why grandfather doesn't throw a party just for them?, then again it would be unseamly for an older gentleman throwing ravish gatherings for women when he has been wed for a while now. But nothing about war was ever seamily so why do we have to pretend now? Walking down stairs pulling open the window she reached on the floor for her bag with her things inside. The woman and gentleman were distracted by the music to realise what the young girl was doing. The bag fell to the ground with a thud! Jane looked twice for confirmation before pulling the window closed and patting down her purple dress she wore, straightening her back she stepped inside like Robin hood in those childish books in the nursery her brother adores, sniffing around with disguised trouble. She was posed and proper just to her grandfather's liking. She was never a child to favor silliness. In adults eyes but to Jane was it really so wrong to be driven? To want to win something so bad you would lose your mind over it? 

Personally, Jane didn't think so. The world would just have to get used to her. The shining chandelier was in the centre of the room. People were dancing and others were in groups of conversations. 

She could sneak out of the house now? To gather more supplies for her family somewhere, but would it be too risky? She couldn't risk sabotaging herself for her impatience no instead shell play her part so well that those who question her intentions will be ridiculed for speaking such madness. sharp dark eyes scans across the room, the banter was light, her mother was getting Danny to settle down and the children were making a spectacle of themselves. It was better than them crying. I suppose the war hasn't been easy on anyone, especially my father.

Jane frowned.

This wasn't necessary with her help, father would be fine mother will be fine nothing is going to stop her if she can help it even if she has to go against authority figures something she would never do.

Mary Darling Jane's grandmother was entertaining the guest with polite talk . Mary wore an exquisite gown of pale pink of the highest modest fashion mother wore her signature blue as for Danny most guests couldn't tell? with him jumping and running around.

Honestly, what was Jane going to do with him?.

She smiled fondly at her brother and walked further into the room before being dragged abruptly by her grandfather into the faces of people she did not recognize; they smelled of old money and snootyness, another attribute her grandfather adored. She didn't know why.

“ Jane my dear meet lord Beaumont and his lovely wife” 

Gorge darling gestured with his hand towards them.

Jene looked at her grandfather then at them then at her grandfather then back at them again her brain releasing the situation she was in she immediately straightened and went to shake their hands.

“ A pleasure to meet you Mr and Mrs Beaumont I do hope you are enjoying the festivities”. She smiled smugly inwardly. She sounded so grown up so mature she felt like patting herself on her shoulder. She did it perfectly.

Mrs Beaumont smiled politely expecting a bow instead of a handshake she offered her hand to shake and chuckled.

“ She certainly is well mannered eh Gorge?”

“ haha indeed my granddaughter is very well behaved though she does have quite a temper haha”.

 He chuckled with his belly as did everyone else, everyone except Jane, that wasn't the reaction she was expecting?

“ she looks so much like your dear girl wendy when she was younger”. The man observed.

At that comment Jane tried to keep her expression in check, did she look like her mother? In some ways yes? but when she looked in the mirror she didn't see her mother at all, her hair was darker, her nose slightly bigger, her brows were different and her eyes, oh her eyes. didn't have her mothers shine to them. no they were as dark as the sea to come to the shore washing away the resemblance entirely. Her face however Jane couldn't deny it she did have a little bit of a resemblance but not much, no if she stood apart they didn't look that much alike Danny however did look like her mother wendy. Jane deep down she wished she looked a little bit like her father Edward. But wishes never came true if they did she would be with her whole family by now her uncle jone would be her so would uncle michel and teddy. And so would her father Jane had a nice thought of all of them standing together laughing and the war outside was still raging on but inside inside was safe inside was home.

“ Jane?”. 

Her grandfather shook her shoulder 

Jane sputtered “ h-huh?”.

She looked around her face, becoming a mask of her inner embarrassment.

“ I'm terribly sorry it seems you caught me dozing off”.

“ That's terribly alright, go enjoy the party”. The grown ups shooed her away smiling unaware of the sad thoughts in her mind.

Walking through the dance floor in her head she heard the clock tick by she was counting every minute to the hour until she would go.

If something were to happen to her she would have to leave enough supplies for her mother and Danny.

“Jane dear”. Wendy called out.

Turning at the sweet sounding voice of her gentle mother janes shoulders lightened she saw the wine glass in her mothers hand the growing tired smile and the way the other adults seemed to embrace her openly maybe for just tonight jane could allow some silliness even if she hated it she couldn't be the cowed of reality to dampen there moods. Curiosities getting the better of her she couldn't resist her nature even if her rational brain struck her for it. She walked over, passing through gowns and chains.

“ what is it mother?”. She stood up straight, her arms folded behind her back seriously.

“ ah there you are jane i thought i lost you”. Wendy tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear.

“ Well now you've found me”. Jane said in a flat tone did she want something?.

“ no nothing wrong “. Wendy smiled.

frowning Jane  was about to say something but before she could, Wendy continued.

“ Danny had gotten himself and the other boys here in the back garden they were playing with nana two. Their clothes are ruined. I was just wondering”.

As her mother went on Jane looked around. Yes indeed there were mud tracks scattering the floors now and there was her story loving baby brother and his gang of mussy criminals roughhousing nana. Jane smiled exasperated, the other dogs were luckily clean but this just wont do mud doesn't belong in a house its childish not to mention gross it belongs outside with insects that benefit from the dirt. Danny's shirt was ruined. It's a good thing she was here to help.

Turning her head back to her mother, Jane clasped her hands hard on her mothers soft ones, in what she assumes to be comforting? Jane had to admit she never liked hugs? They are uncomfortable and awkward. and as for being affectionate it was not one of her best skills or a skill at all. Most people in the world find it so easy but some like Jane just can't get it. There are other ways of showing you care without saying it or having to be touched? Maybe she wouldn't mind it so much if she was just…… different …..if she tried to be…. Jane didn't know. 

Wendy stopped talking and stared at her daughter in a happy, surprised way that made Jane feel guilty for what she was about to do.

Clearing her throat she stared into her mothers eyes with maturity. If she dealt her cards right she could escape this party if she played the part no one would expect a thing. This was not manipulation, this was for them, this was for the better good she knows what she is doing and whether her mother likes it or not she put too much into her plan to back out now. Jane was not a quitter. She had never given up anything in her life, the only thing she had ever lost, the only thing the world forced her hand to lose, was her father. And for that she will never allow herself a chance to fall again, even if it hurts them she will make sure they are well taken care, of feelings be damned.

“ Jane-”.

“ dont worry about it mother ill just sneak out to the nursery to find Danny some new clothes for later no. one will notice if i go. why don't you let him have some more fun for a while?”. Jane placed a hand on her mothers back.

“ and hey you should talk with the other grown ups leave the childishness to me i got this”. 

“ well I-”.

“ Go enjoy yourself, eat cheese, I'll be back in no time”. She shooed her mother off, hooking her hands around the neck of an easy opportunity as she turned no one could see Jane's smirk. 

She left the room and went outside, walked behind the building and grabbed the bag then in the dead of the night she ran into the streets her mind set on a specific destination.

In the dark streets that weren't surrounded by officers or by the army or somehow survived the bombings this is where dealing are made trades promises and most importantly supplies. 

The walls smelt of clay smoke and urine luckily Jane didn't have to stay long because of a small familiar figure walking towards her with an ugly mug and an even uglier posture. Jane drowned the urge to frown. in a sea of unbotheredness.

This was Henry, a boy from her school which she unfortunately knows of. who both lacks the ability to charm anything including the dinner ladies but somehow miraculously has a lot of connections? in short. he's useful.

All too suddenly he started to move in the flick of the light. Lunging Henry tried to hug her in what she assumed was his version of ‘familiarity’.

“ Hey ya love-”.

Jane swiftly moved her body out of the way causing Henry to stumble and almost fall over. Catching himself, his smile didn't weather, in fact annoyingly it got worse he smiled more if that was even humanly possible? Was it just her or were smiles unnerving?.

Shaking her thoughts away she straightened up.

“ What? Can't say hello to an old friend?”.

Jane scowled he know why they were here, she had made herself perfectly clear? And yet he still expects what? Thankfulness?. This was all arranged all organised?. He really hasn't changed in some ways. Jane is glad of that, it means less chances of unpredictability. Clearing her throat she turned to face his dirty face and boyish scruffyness without fear. “ You considered us friends?” At her tone anyone with ears could tell it was more of a confirmation than a question.

“ Ay I do, in fact I believe that you see me as a friend too “. Henry rubbed at his spiky head pulling out his own bag sorting through the supplies inside which Jane could briefly see. Jane didn't hide her disbelieving expression or the fact he was being somewhat serious even if it was disguised in a joking matter? She couldn't distract herself any more, that was waiting time she really couldn't afford to be wasting. Besides it would be too awkward to outright tell him no she supposed if she just kept ignoring his attempts at friendship then he would grow bored of her eventually.

Pulling out her own bag she couldn't resist but asked her tongue she could hold no longer.

“ ….. Why did you want stuffed animals, Henry?”. The teddies in her bag weighed nothing. It was an odd request? At some point in their ‘ friendship’ she assumed he was bluffing but now with him standing here keeping his end of the deal she could tell he wasn't. Who in their right mind would trade valuable supplies for stuffed animals? It was madness wrapped in a lay of audacity. Couldn't be understandable?. Maybe Henry didn't have a family? Maybe he just really liked stuffed animals? Or maybe he just has the wrong priorities?.

Their fingers touched both of them traded the bags Jane looked down at him from her height. The clutter of boots were distant and faint, the hairs on her neck prickled. At least she wouldn't have to pull out her Plan B now that she has the bag. The whole situation was very odd.

Blinking Henry stepped forward swiftly he stepped on the ball of his feet leaving too close for comfort catlike eyes scanned the surroundings he whispered  “ oh so you are interested in my life? You do have a heart”. He teased into her ear.

“ no. I never said that”. Jane crossed her arms

“ Tisk, you wound me love. How shall I ever recover from this harsh treatment”.

“ you're avoiding the question”.

“ Ay this here world seems to be so cruel to me, must ya be so too? Wont ya show me more of ya heart”.

“Sigh, forget I asked”. She turned to walk away.

Standing in front of her he stopped smiling.

“ Fine ... .if you really must know.. They are for some of my friends”.

“ Friends?”. She called out softly

“From school?”. She continued

“ You could say that..?”.

“ You offered your supplies for them?” her mind was a puzzle connecting the pieces.

“ You know Jane”. He drawled “ I never took you for the nosy type”.

Scowling she spluttered “ Well im not I simply thought it was strange thats all”.

“ Strange hmmm? Well I’d say this situation is a little more than a bit strange?”. 

“ At least we can agree on that”. Walking past him she began going home.

He stood in the shadows, his eyes going into slits, his smirk going sharper dipping his hat he murmured into the fog.

 “ Until we meet again, locket”.

Jane's feet stopped suddenly.

 she spun her neck around. He was gone? But he was just here?. Shaking her head she walked faster brushing off the weird evening her fingers searched through the bag checking over everything over and over and over again. He had kept his deal, that's the last time she'll see of good old Henry.

The sky was growing darker her feet ran home until they burned. At last she had made it to nana twos dog house. There, a massive mother tree with thick roots and twisting turning branches were Jane's regular view. It was her normal like the war they were here way before she was growing up seeing this tree living in war if she were to ever live a day without them she would probably feel a strange sort of unease for at least a few years like the numbing of a lost teeth leaving your gums aching it wont kill you but it's certainly not a comforting feeling? Neither are hugs.

She climbed up the tree huffing and puffing the tick tick tick ringed in her ear she could hear her mothers foot footsteps coming up the stairs.

“Jane?” 

She heard her voice through the wall. Pushing open the window she dove on the floor pushing the bag under her bed swiftly. With rushed fingers she threw her coat out off the window. The footsteps were right outside the door.

Jane through everything out of the closet boxes hangers everything leaving a mess behind in her hands she snatched Danny's clothes and ran to the door that began to creek open.

“ Jane dear”. Wendy's melodic voice was cut off.

“ I HAVE IT MOTHER! HERE YOU GO!!”. Jane pushed it into her mothers chest before closing the door abruptly.

“ Goodness Jane, are you alright?” Wendy was very concerned by her daughter's odder than normal behaviour.

“ um yes yes mother im quite fine, I just um lost my dress button I need to look for it”.

“ Well, do you need any help looking for it?”. 

“ no thank you mother im alright ill find it soon”.

“ alright then ... .if you need anything ill be downstairs, i love you”.wendy called out through the door.

Silence.

………

Quietly Jane said back.

“ …… thank you”.

“  Wendy dear, come down and join us where did you go?”. The ladies called from down the stairs.

………….

………….

With a sad smile Wendy swirled her blue dress away and walked back down the staircase.

Sliding down from the door she palmed her face and breathed her plan had worked of course it did, but it didn't calm Jane's nerves.

Looking through her fingers she saw the destruction her lies had caused. Actions and words are one in the same really? The line is so thin whether she said or did something the outcome would still lead her here. On the nursery floor leaning on the door. Her ugly actions rearing their nasty heads in the light. Time washes away mistakes Jane doesn't have time to wash away. All she can do is move forward and keep her lies together. 

She's a Darling after all. She could get through anything it was in her blood in her nature. Besides she doesn't lie often this is temporary and unknowing necessary that her family did not know of.

Picking herself up she pushed her bangs out of her face and glared at the challenge ahead jane began clearing up her mess folding cloths packing away the supplies she kneeled down nimble fingers picked at the wood under the floor bored she picked it up then hide them underneath she coughed at the dust the party sounds from downstairs were brief from up here surprisingly she felt….. Calm?.

Standing up she spun to her progress the only thing left was an old box.

She picked the box up walking a few steps she stopped inside something caught her attention? Curiously she began to open the cardboard top.

Was it her baby things? Weird she thought they were long gone. Looking down she saw the faded j.a.n.e on the side so faint it almost blended into the skin of the cardboard box. Rummaging through the box her fingers lightly brushed against something hard yet soft? Sturdy yet durable? Pulling it out Jane's eyes softened she smiled lovingly. The photo was old the black and white was far too clean and proper for the chaotic image in her hands.

It was jane when she was a small baby wrapped in purple her baby hands pulled at her mothers dress her father Edwords was smiling in the photo as was grandmother and grandfather  wendy smiled in the photo too her mother looked tired Jane didn't know how a woman could be that beautiful or how it managed to produce a thing like her? Danny hadn't been born yet it was just the three of them, her mother and father….. She supposed nane tow and her grandparents as well?. 

Jane kissed the photo softly, her heart feeling lighter. She placed the photo in her pocket.sitting on her knees her hands began searching through well technically her ‘ belongings?’. Soft Woolly Blankets baby bottles and a crocodile pacifier she paid no mind too, no. what her curiosity really lied, was at the bottom?. Call it instincts, call it intuition or nature, but she found herself searching through there specifically.

Jane stopped….

Her fingers picked up a round bottle? The glass smelled salty. It was stained with a weird yellow colour that couldn't be rubbed off? She assumed it was maybe a chemical glass? Or perhaps it was due to tobacco?. Jane placed it on the floor beside her, something glowed in her eyes. Straightening her back she didn't move.

The box was empty now the only thing left was something quite peculiar yet underwhelming?. A golden locket that had a compass pendant.

 The pendant was big. She had never had an opportunity to have a compass before but she assumed it was not much different from the golden one in her box? If she ever had one she could use it to explore islands studying plants and wildlife. She would do it for research and have her own organised journal that isn't covered with things about the war or organization or supplies or dates. It would be actual factual research and it could be all hers.

The thought was nice to have.

She grabbed the chain, her ring finger running circles around the smooth corners of gold. Unlike the yellow mystery bottle the compass didn't smell of anything except wonder for Jane's mind? Who had bought it? Was it really hers? And what type of person sells a necklace such as this one? It didn't have a brand or any sign of a recognisable company or country it was just here? Like its home was in the box.

Opening the compass the lights suddenly whooshed off.

Was that a powercut? Weird?.

Glancing down sitting on her bruised knee was a very folded burnt piece of paper? That or very old gum?.

She began to gently open it. It was more delicate than anything she had ever known, maybe even more delicate than a flower petal? 

The paper went bigger and bigger the more she unfolded.

The image wasn't anything unusual? it was just baby jane in a strange intricate wooden cradle? The golden compass was around her fat baby neck and she looked like she was sleeping, at least Jane can now confirm it was hers to some extent?. What was with this paper quality? The paper was weird, the burn was massive, there was her mother Wendy standing beside what she assumed to be her father? It was hard to tell, seeing how the side of the paper where she assumes her father should be is completely burnt, the edges were brown and black from the fire. Her eyes suddenly widened, bringing the paper to her nose. She squinted there was a hand? a man's hand? Who would burn this why? It couldn't have been mother?.

Frowning, she threw the image back in the box carelessly.

Jane tucked her necklace under her. 

“ right back to work”. 

The party downstairs was getting louder. Jane's window had been blown open, not that Jane had noticed.