Pan's Shadow

by AthenaWise

All his life, Peter Pan had lived alone. The only thing that stayed with him was his shadow. Everyone else was temporary. Emelia was abandoned by her true family. The only people she's known is her adoptive father and the crew of his ship. After years of loneliness, all she wants is someone to truly love her. When Emelia makes her way to Neverland, nothing will ever be the same.

"Emelia Jade! Come here this instant!"

I rolled my eyes and finished applying my lipstick. Puckering my lips to check my work, I heard my father's voice again, louder this time.

"EMELIA!"

As fast as I could, I stashed the jagged shard of mirror I'd been holding under my bed and rushed to the front of the ship.

"What do you want, Daddy?"I asked.

My father didn't even bother to turn around to face me. He stared intently out into the ocean as he steered the ship. He must have sensed my presence, though, because he muttered:

"I told you to help the crew clean up the deck,"

"And...?"

My father clenched his left fist. His right was slung lazily over the wheel as he steered the ship. Without looking.

"You DIDN'T help! You've been sitting around in your room all day,"

"We're going to Neverland today, Daddy. I've just been getting ready,"

"What for?"

Batting my eyes, I replied: "For all the Lost Boys..."

My father whirled around. His dark eyes were bright with pure fury. He took a step toward me and bent down so his face was inches from mine. When he spoke, my face grew damp with saliva.

"What the hell makes you think you're meeting any Lost Boys? We're going to Neverland so we can gather intel on Pan, then we're leaving. During that time, you are not to leave this ship. And don't even think about disobeying me,"

"Sure, Daddy," I mumbled.

"Emelia," he snapped, squeezing my shoulders with painful force, "I mean it. It's dangerous in Neverland. And everyone there'll be even more cruel to you because you're my daughter. Just promise me you won't try anything,"

"Fine, Daddy. I promise. I won't leave the ship,"

The ghost of a grin presented itself on his features.

"Good,"

Turning back around, he added:

"There's still time for you to help clean up the deck," he winked.

I rolled my eyes and headed up the rickety wooden stairs.

Up on the deck, majority of my father's crew hurried around, scrubbing at the wood and backing away boxes. Upon spotting the person I was looking for, I took off across the deck.

"Franz!" I yelled out.

Franz was a 24 year-old deckhand that my father had recruited just over two months ago. Let's just say he had earned a special place in my bed.

He turned to me and smiled.

"Darling, if Daddy asks if I helped clean the deck, will you tell him I worked really hard?"

Franz thought for a moment, then nodded and grinned.

"Thanks, baby. I'll see you tomorrow night," Winking, I turned on my heel and headed back below the deck.

Just as I made it to my quarters, the ship abruptly stopped moving. I stumbled and crashed into my door. Above me, a cheer erupted among the crew.

Realization hit me and my smile made my face ache. We had reached Neverland.