BEYOND THE LOOKING-GLASS: Book One in the BEYOND Series by Gordon Rothwell

tangle of jungle onto a stretch of white sandy beach. He stood staring at the schooner peacefully moored in the lagoon in front of him. He could just make out the ship’s name in the early morning light.
    The Hispaniola.
    Suddenly, boyhood images of pirates on the high seas flashed across his mind.
    Reaching into one of his pockets, he retrieved his miniature chip tracker. He flipped the “ON” switch. A loud beeping began to sound.
    They’re very close now.
    He figured they were most likely aboard the pirate vessel moored in the lagoon.
    He splashed some cold water in his face, and shook off his morning cobwebs. Then, he waded forward and began swimming out to the schooner.
    In minutes, he reached the vessel. He paddled over to a huge rusty anchor chain and slowly inched his way up it, hand-over-hand.
    When he stealthily climbed over the ship’s rail, he saw a beehive of sailor activity on deck. The schooner was preparing to sail. A lot of pirates were dashing around carrying gear and supplies. Others were scurrying up the schooner’s rigging like jungle monkeys. The climbers unfurled huge canvas sails and called to their mates below.
    Anton sneaked up behind a pirate staring up at the sails above him. In a flash, he swiftly put his hand over the startled man’s mouth, delivered a crushing blow to the head, and dragged the pirate’s limp body into the shadows.
    With the fallen pirate’s cutlass in hand, he moved cautiously along the ship’s railing. He eyed the entire scene before him with the trained eye of an experienced police officer.
    Little Tress was frolicking with her brother, Jace. Her parents were standing nearby talking to Long John Silver. The little girl playfully began climbing up on a lattice-work of ropes. She called out in glee and began to swing back and forth.
    He watched Tress, as he inched forward. Come to me child . You shall be the instrument of my victory.
    Like a deadly reptile, Anton struck!
    He leaped up and grabbed hold of Tress and dragged her down from her perch. He put the razor-sharp edge of his cutlass up against the girl’s naked throat.
    Tress cried out in terror. Everyone on deck whirled about as they heard the child’s anguished voice.
    Anton held Tress close to his body. She squirmed in his grasp and turned her head to look at her captor. He stared into the frightened child’s bright blue eyes. They were wide with fear. A few tears ran down Tress’s flushed cheeks.
    Anton looked over at Aleeta and Kellen. They had stunned expressions on their faces. He had them both at his mercy, and he was enjoying every moment.
    “Your daughter has enchanting eyes, my dear,” Anton said, with a touch of menace in his voice.
    “She has her father’s eyes,” Aleeta replied.
    “And her mother’s beauty as well,” he said, as he slid the wicked blade of the cutlass up and down the little girl’s cheek. “Let us hope she continues to stay that way.”
    The armed pirate crewmen began to move toward Anton with blood in their eyes.
    “Careful, gentlemen.” he snarled. “I warn you all against doing anything foolish at this moment.”
    “Anton,” Aleeta cried out. “Don’t hurt her!”
    “That depends on you and your pirate friends.” He waved his cutlass at Long John Silver. “You, Long John,” he snapped. “Have your men place all of their arms upon the deck. Quickly, now. I’m not a patient man.”
    Long John started to charge Anton. But Aleeta grabbed hold of his sleeve and stopped him.
    “Don’t do it,” she pleaded. “He’ll kill my daughter, or maim her. Do as he commands, for God’s sake.”
    Long John stared at Aleeta for a long moment. Then he motioned to his men. “Do as he says, messmates. I fear the scurvy dog means to do harm to our little Miss. And I fer one won’t let that happen, by thunder.”
    Anton watched the pirates dump their cutlasses and flintlock pistols on the deck with a resounding clatter. When the last weapon landed, he looked over at the