Y/N

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MILLIE WASN'T around the first time I met the mermaids, so she was in for a surprise.

One that could possibly end with someone being drowned, soaked into oblivion, or thrown down the side of a waterfall. None of those options seemed exemplary, so I gave the fairy a warning beforehand.

"What do you mean they don't like you?" Millie scowled, letting out a huff, "they don't even know you!"

I stifled a laugh, "you didn't like me when we first met."

"Well that's different."

"How so?"

"Somehow," she said, ducking under a tree branch, "let's not bother with that anymore."

I smiled to myself, amused at her flustered behavior. If only Millie and I were friends before, I feel like things would have been different. Funnier, too.

As we neared the lagoon, the familiar sounds of running water filtered through the forest, along with the laughs of the mermaids below. I came to a stop at the edge of the cliff, peering over to get a good look.

They didn't see me yet.

"Down the path," I whispered to Millie, pointing to my right, "they won't see us coming from that way."

Doing as I said, the girl made her way towards the dirt road with haste. I wasn't sure what I was going to say to these girls once I reach them, but I hoped it would be enough to get them to give me what I wanted.

Which was Louis' location. Obviously.

As soon as I reached the bottom, I took a deep breath, and walked into view. The mermaids snapped their heads towards me once they saw me, and they didn't look happy.  Oh well.

I cleared my throat and went with the most blatant answer:

"Hey," I said, clapping my hands together, "where's Louis?"

A simple, yet effective approach.

The mermaid with hazel hair rolled her eyes, diving under the water and swimming away the second I began to speak; she clearly didn't want to be around me. The rest of them stayed, just giving me dirty looks and crossing their arms against the chest with disposition.

"As if we'd tell you," the brunette scoffed, "traitor."

So they knew I was a pirate.

Blasted rumors always circling around faster than you could blink. I wasn't a pirate, I was just forced to work for one, and now I was trying to make amends with those I hurt. Specifically my friends and the boy I liked (and screwed up my chances with, but we won't dive into that conversation just yet). 

If being a Pirate would shut them up, I'd do it.

"Well, you're going to tell me," I spat out, narrowing my eyes, "or I'll happily tell Hook where you are."

The red-head squealed, ducking to hide behind a rock. One of the starfish in her hair toppled into the water, landing with a loud splash. 

"We haven't done anything to you!" She whined, flapping her tail around, "leave us alone!"

I scoffed, glancing at Millie to show my disbelief, "you tried to drown me, remember?"

"It was only a bit of fun!"

I opened my mouth to send them another threat, but the brunette cut me off by letting out a stretched out yawn.

"You betrayed Louis," she stated bluntly, running her hands through her damp hair, "we aren't going to help you."

I frowned, "I didn't betray him."

"You tried to kill him."

How the heck did these people find out so quickly?

I swear there was no one in the forest when the situation happened, and yet they all know! Gosh, everything spreads like wildfire in this place, and it's making things a hell of a lot harder.

I had to keep my storyline consistent in order to get things done, so here came another round of piratical threats. 

"Yeah," I said, "I tried to kill him."

The blonde frowned, "we know."

"And I'll kill you all too if you don't spit out Louis' location."

For emphasis, I reached my hand behind my back to pull out my dagger, wielding the sharp blade out towards them. They had seen this before, but they had never seen it as a weapon in my hands. 

That's when the imposter syndrome kicked in. 

It had been laying low for the few weeks I had spent here, but now it was finally coming to full light. This wasn't who I was! I wasn't a pirate, I wasn't supposed to be in Neverland, and I wasn't supposed to be threatening someone's life to get what I wanted.

Swallowing my spit nervously, I tried to ignore the sudden shakiness of my breath. I didn't like the person I was becoming.

"I didn't betray anyone, because I never had an obligation to them in the first place," I continued, my eyes starting to flicker, "now tell me where he is before you see the Sea Devil running your little lagoon over."

Dammit, this was scaring the hell out of me. 

I guess when I first tried to fight Louis, it wasn't this bad; I knew I couldn't do it. But now I feel like I....might. Not kill, but like—gosh, what the heck is even going on— maybe I'd just play the part a bit longer.

"Tell me where he is," I repeated, clearing my throat, "I don't want to hurt any of you."

The mermaids stared at me, judging me entirely, but then they all gave in. I suppose my threatening stance finally got them to cave.

"You're too late anyways," the red-head yawned, covering her mouth with her hand, "your threats mean nothing."

I blinked in confusion, "why?"

"Where do you think Louis is?"

I couldn't answer that question, obviously, otherwise I wouldn't bother trudging my way over here to scare the heck out of a bunch of mermaids.

"How would I know?" I frowned, shoving my dagger back into its sheath, "where?"

The mermaids glanced at each other, and then back at me. 

"With Hook," they said.

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I didn't post yesterday, because I know a lot of my readers live in the States, and I understand that it's a very stressful time that I shouldn't distract from. Please stay safe and healthy! 

Sending my love, and wishing the best <3