"Is she awake yet?" asked a young British voice? That must be him. The answer came from an older but still youthful voice.
"No, didn't even wake up when we brought her to camp. Why did the Shadow pick up a girl?" I laughed to myself, interested to hear the other's response. I kept my eyes closed and my breathing even so they wouldn't know I was awake as I took in my surroundings by sense. I was still wrapped in the blanket I had fallen asleep in, but I wasn't on my couch anymore that was for sure; I was on the ground and, going by the crackling sound and smoky smell, there was fire nearby. The air was clean, like in a forest, and a light breeze ruffled leaves in the trees around me. I made it, finally: Neverland.
"She was asleep when she got here? Did you carry her, Felix? Interesting," drawled the youthful voice that must've belonged to Peter Pan. I could hardly help but smile to myself.
I stretched my arms and legs and let out a waking up sort of groaning noise. My joints were grateful to stretch and pop a bit. I sat up "criss-cross applesauce" style and looked around me with wide eyes and an excited grin. It felt like Christmas morning. I was in a clearing about 30 feet across. It was surrounded by tall trees and there was a campfire in the middle. Just as I suspected. There were about five or six tents scattered around the edge of the camp and, looking up, I noticed elaborate structures in the trees that were almost perfectly camouflaged by the vines and branches.
"Wow," I breathed out. This island was even more beautiful than I thought. I looked at the faces around me. There were a dozen or so teenage boys sitting, or crouching rather, five feet away. They all wore the same sort of get up: dark green and brown clothes with black cloaks and leather boots. Two boys were standing immediately to my left. I looked up t them and covered my eyes with one hand to see them right. One was taller and looked like the others. He had blonde hair and a single scar running down his left cheek, but he was undeniably handsome aside. The other was only an inch or two taller than me and had dark hair, blue eyes and the most perfect face I could've imagined. A casual and friendly smile sat on his boyish face.
I stood up and wrapped the blanket tighter around myself even though it was warm outside. I looked more closely at the boy's outfit because it was different from the others'. He had bands on both wrist and a belt around his waist. He radiated an energy that made me want to be near and trust him. He was definitely Peter Pan.
"Hello, I'm Peter. Peter Pan," He introduced. I smiled and giggled.
"I know. Those are the Lost Boys, this is Neverland and- and-wait. Where is Tink? I thought she was always with you?" I asked. I leaned in to look closely at his shoulder, searching for a little ball of light that was a fairy. No luck. I frowned and straightened up to see a disbelieving face.
"How did you get here, girl?" He asked suspiciously. Damn, I had said too much.
"Simple! I just wished on the star. You said all I had to do was believe, and you were right. I even dressed up, see?" I pulled open my blanket to reveal the jeans, t shirt and tennis shoes I had fallen asleep in. I had known that night would be the night I would go to Neverland, I had just felt it. I smiled at him hoping to lighten the mood.
"So, what? You just willed the Shadow to bring you here? Peter you obviously had something to do with this. She's lying." Felix was looking from me to Peter with an incredulous look on his face. Peter looked equally confused.
"Not exactly. I mean, I felt her believe and I knew when she arrived, but I didn't send for her. How odd," He trailed off. He walked around me, analyzing everything about me. I was beginning to feel more like a circus freak and less like an excited newcomer. Did I invade Pan's island? Was it wrong of me to be here? I suddenly began to regret coming to Neverland. Peter made it back around and faced me. The feeling of wanting to be near him returned as he looked me in the eye and stuck out his hand.
"I'm Lexi, by the way. I'm sorry if I've invaded your space. I can leave. I didn't mean to interrupt anything." My apology stumbled out of my mouth. I shook his hand and dropped mine to my side. I felt intimidated and everything about him screamed "LEADER" and dominance. He was smiling.
"Oh no, I want to learn more about you. Besides, you couldn't leave without my permission. No one does." I shiver ran down my spine. Is that a warning?
"Do you like games?" He asked taking a step towards me. I relaxed again and nodded. This was the Pan I expected to find.
"Good! I have the perfect game!" He turned towards the other boys and put one arm around my shoulders. I shrugged my blanket back around my shoulders. He smiled at the boys a more sinister smile that made me nervous. The Lost Boys shared a small laugh and I got the feeling that this game wouldn't be Follow the Leader.
"You want to be a Lost Girl, right? Stay here with us; go on adventures, that sort of thing?" Peter asked glancing back at me. I stood up straighter and got excited.
"Yes! More than anything! I'll train harder and longer than anyone before. I-I'll stay up all night to guard camp. Anything you want." I replied. I immediately face palmed mentally. I had let myself get too wrapped up in my desire to stay and now I looked like a crazed fangirl. I tried to backtrack my words but Peter held up his hand and cut me off.
"Harder and longer? All night? Anything I want? Why, Lexi, don't give me any ideas." He smirked. Shit. I blushed and attempted to explain what I had really meant but it was useless. The boys were laughing and Peter looked too triumphant. One point Peter, zero Lexi.
"Don't worry about it, Lass. Back to the game, how about Hide and Seek? But reverse. You'll hide and the boys will try to find you; it's over when I say so or if the boys bring you back to camp." The Lost Boys nodded in agreement and I thought looked at Peter skeptically.
"Where does that put you?" I asked.
"On your team, of course! Should the boys get too…rowdy all you'll have to do is ask and I'll be there to help you. Fair enough?" He didn't give me a chance to reply and clapped my shoulder before turning back to the boys. His encouraging smile dropped turning his face more serious.
"Alright, boys" He raised his voice and sounded more commanding, "Ground rules: no dreamshade, Lexi is our guest and we don't want her…compromised. Next thing, no face hits, direct knife throwing or knock outs." The boys all groaned as if these rules took the fun out of the game. My eyes widened. What have you gotten yourself into?
"Oh don't be so disappointed. Arrows, nets, traps and hand to hand is fine. Does everyone understand?" I pulled on his shirt and he leaned his head to the side. I whispered in his ear.
"What's dreamshade?" He laughed as if it was the silliest question. Felix, on the other hand, rolled his eyes.
"C'mon, Pan. Is this even fair? She probably can't even throw a punch right without breaking her wrist." Felix sighed.
"I resent that!" I said clearly offended as I turned to my left causing Peter's arm to fall of my shoulder and glared up at him. He was only about three inches taller than me so I straightened up and punched him as hard as I could in the arm. Nothing. He looked from me to Peter with his eyebrows raised as if to say, "Really?"
"That's why she has me on her team." Peter explained. There was no way I was gonna be asking him for help. I can be tough and macho too. This definitely wasn't the game I had expected but that didn't matter. I was determined.
"Ready, Lexi?" Peter asked. I turned away from Felix and looked at Peter nodding. He shook his head and shrugged his shoulders.
"Well? Get going, you only get 30 seconds head start and the clocks ticking." Oh. I dropped the blanket and booked it trying to put as much distance between the camp and myself as possible.