Chapter Six
James
Iwas wrong, this day can get weirder. Because standing in front of me in the middle of this unfamiliar setting and these strangers faces is Vera Jones, that screenwriter we recently bought a script from.
“Oh, I get it now,” I say reaching up to slap my head. I stop just short remembering that I have a hook. I stare at it as my mouth keeps moving. “This is a promo for the movie, and no one bothered to tell me about it.”
Except I don’t get it because there is no way this is a promo. It’s too early in production to start marketing. And why would no one tell me this? It isn’t like it’s a hidden camera thing. Someone changed me into completely different clothes without me being aware of it. Did they drug me to do that?
That’s got to be illegal…in a lot of different ways.
Not to mention chopping off my hand and replacing it with a hook seems a bit drastic.
Do I have any enemies? I didn’t think I did, but I don’t know who else would do this to me but an enemy. Unless Vera has enemies and I somehow wound up in a twisted case for revenge.
Did they see our totally professional emails, assume I was her boyfriend, and drag me into this?
“Actually, I don’t know her at all,” I say quickly, turning to Smee. “I’ve never seen this woman before in my life. I don’t know who she is. She’s probably a weirdo.”
I know I’m babbling now, but I just hope that it’s convincing.
“James?” she squeaks again, she looks just as shocked and bedraggled as I feel which further messes up my promo theory.
Why would the screenwriter even be in a promo? She may be cute, but that doesn’t mean that she will be getting any screen time.
I point at Vera with my remaining hand. “Do you have any idea what is going on here?”
She looks like she is about to respond, but then Smee draws his sword. “Siren!” he cries.
“Huh?” I turn to him, just in time to see him toss the sword at me. I barely manage to catch it before the sword gives me a close shave. What is this guy’s problem?
You don’t throw swords at people.
I stumble back a step, tripping on the end of this coat which is just too ridiculously long. I manage to catch myself by digging the hook into the end of one of the crates.
I glance out of the corner of my eye to see that there’s another person behind the crates with Vera. A brunette I’ve never met before, but she appears to be dressed in nothing but an over large shirt.
I quickly turn my attention back forward as two more men burst through the door. They’re tall, lanky guys with shocks of brown hair. I wouldn’t think that they are much trouble if not for the fact that they are both holding swords.
If they try throwing those at me too, I’m ducking behind the crates and taking my chances with Vera and the shirt girl.
I raise the sword ever so slightly. I hope it looks threatening and like I know what I’m doing. I think it would be a bit more convincing if my hand wasn’t trembling so hard that the steel wavers in the air.
Smee’s eyes widen with horror. “The siren’s songs are working against our captain. John, Michael, take her out.”
John and Michael? Okay, why do those names sound so familiar?
“If it’s a siren then I’ll get Wendy,” the shorter of the two says before he races off. Leaving me with Smee and the taller of the two.
I nearly throw down my sword in disgust when I realize why the names sounded so familiar. “Can we not with all the Peter Pan references?”
Vera grabs my arm and holds it up, her eyes widening as she takes in the hook on it. “I don’t think they can help it.”
I whirl on her, with surprise. “Do you know what is going on here?”
I don’t get a response to my question because I must have turned too quickly, and my ankle twists. Or maybe my ridiculous floppy boots got caught up in my too long coat. All I know is I pitch to the side. I try to grab at the crate but my fingers just skim the wood, probably gaining me a splinter for my efforts.
I have no idea how I’m unable to catch my balance even once. I’m just going to chalk it up to the type of day I’ve been having. Even stranger still, I drag Vera, who is still holding on to the hook, down with me.
