Fly me to Neverland

Believing you can Fly

In all the years that Eryn has lived in Neverland, there has never been such a large celebration as there is tonight. All the lost boys dance in a circle around the angry yellow and red fire, hooting and hollering that Neverland was saved. Eryn shook her head and smiled at the exuberance that the lost boys exhibited. The smile on their faces made stealing an innocent child from his family almost worth it. Almost. She still couldn't find it in herself to celebrate the arrival of the truest believer. This is why she- the one and only lost girl- was hiding from the festivities by sitting high up in a nearby tree, shielded from everyone's sight due to the dense foliage.

"A penny for your thoughts?" a male, British voice asks.

Eryn nearly jumped from her spot on the branch. Fortunately for her, the lost girl is used to Peter Pan randomly popping up next to her without any warning or sound and was able to catch herself before she could lose her balance. This is what happens when you spend over 100 years with someone. She rolls her eyes and looks at the man-child (he is 17; therefore not a boy, but certainly nowhere close to being a man) sitting beside her.

"I am just admiring the view. Why are you up here?" Eryn retorts.

Peter (she is the only one brave enough to call him by his first name) simply smiles- showcasing his dimples- before responding. "That doesn't matter. I believe the better question is why you are not down there?" He looks at her imploringly with his light blue eyes.

Eryn scoffs, staring down Peter for a few minutes. She eventually looks away, forfeiting the staring contest and sighs. "I just can't Peter."

"That is not the right answer. Try again." Eryn glares at him. Who is he to think that he is all high and mighty?

"Why does it matter?"

He pauses for a minute, most likely stunned that she is pushing back. But then he laughs, remembering that Eryn is the only one who dares to question him- the self-proclaimed ruler of Neverland. Even when she was a little girl, and Pan whisked her away for the night to play, Eryn would argue with him on what game to play. She was never one to be forced into anything.

"I suppose it doesn't matter. Are you prepared for our guests?"

With the last question, the mood suddenly becomes much more serious. She nods. "I am ready as I will ever be."

"That isn't good enough, Eryn," Pan scolds. "I need to you to be 100% positive that you are up to this. Too many things can go wrong if our plan fails. You of all people should know the consequences."

Her grey eyes widen at his harsh words and she looks down at her trembling hands that rest on her lap. She knows that he is correct, and that she has a lot to lose if the plan does no go accordingly. "I understand, Peter." Again, she looks him straight in the eye. "I am ready."

Pan smiles mischievously, his eyes alight with excitement. "Good. Then let the game began."

As she stays hidden behind a random bush, miles away from camp, Eryn can't help but ponder over Pans' use of the word 'game'. She knows that it is a figure of speech, but a part of Eryn is screaming out that the plan really is an elaborate game. She, Felix, and the lost boys are pawns, Neverland is the board, and the boy, Henry, is a prize to be won. Of course she understands that there is more at stake than bragging rights for winning, but it stills seems like he is taking the plan less seriously than everybody else is. This is saying something because Curly- the youngest lost boy who has a talent for turning everything a game- understands just how important this mission is. Thinking about Curly reminds her that he should be appearing with Felix any minute now, pretending to chase down the boy who 'escaped' from their clutches. And he does.

Together; Curly, Felix, and another boy named Tootles stampede past Eryn's hiding spot looking for the escape prisoner. Both Curly and Tootles fail to understand that Felix purposely allowed him to get away and are literally yelling out for the boy, as if he is daft enough to yell back and reveal his location. Eryn nearly snickers at the sight of the two boys, but holds it in just to keep from revealing herself. Like Peter, Eryn is supposed to play the part of an escaped prisoner that is trying to get home and it would be detrimental if the two lost boys called her out on her lie.

The two lost boys continue to blunder through the forest completely unaware that the believer is currently sneaking towards Eryn, who is conveniently next to Peter's hiding place. Felix, who is privy to the plan, begins to go in the direction of where they are hiding. Henry begins freaking out and was frantically searching for a place to hide. From his place beside her, Peter looks at her and nods', indicating that it is time to take the next move. Henry trips and falls right in front of them. Swiftly and quietly, Eryn and Peter creep out from their respective hiding place, grab the boy, and drag him back into the bushes. All three remain quiet as they wait for the lost boys to pass by.

"Thanks," the boy says to Peter and me, looking at me in particular with confusion.

I smile warmly at him. "Not a problem."

Peter doesn't go with pleasantries but choses to be blunt and serious. "Pan and his forces will search every grain of sand on this island. You must be careful." He begins to untie Henry's hands.

"Are you a lost boy?" he asks Pan. "Are you Tinkerbell?" he asks me.

I giggle at his assumption that I am Tinkerbell. I have met Tinkerbell and we are nothing alike. She likes to wallow in her misfortune and keep to herself. While I, on the other hand, prefer to take action. But it makes me wonder how he knows of Tinkerbell and why he assumed I was her?

"I was," Peter replies. "But I escape. This is my friend, Jane." I cringe at the use of my first name but then quickly say hello. "For some reason Pan brought me here. Never said why. I am trying to get home as well but now they are after us" I explain, gesturing to Peter and I on the last part of my explanation.

"There is no more time for questions. We must get moving. Come on. " Peter hauls Henry up from his position then grabs my hand and begins to lead us through the jungle. We all run as fast as possible in order to escape the lost boys. After about ten minutes, we run into an open area that is surrounded by dense trees. The boys catch their breath while I lean against a tree trunk for support and slide down it, closing my eyes as I sit in the dirt. My hands are trembling worse than they were earlier, and my vision is starting to blur. Once upon a time, I could have run miles without feeling the effects. But as the Island grows weaker, I grow weaker as well.

"I think we lost them."

"Ok. Can we rest for a moment?" Henry asks. Peter looks at him then to me. Noticing my weary form and labored breathing, he nods his head in agreement then walks over to me. He hands me a flask that he had on hand, telling me to drink it. Inside it is water from a special waterfall in Neverland. At the moment, it is the only remedy that makes me feel better. I take a couple gulps then hand it back to Peter. He smooth's my hair back, kisses the top of my head, then turn back to the boy. There was a time that I would have blushed at his actions, but I am now used to it. For some reason, Peter has always been affectionate towards me. He only shows that side when we are alone.

"You're new," Peter says blatantly. "Did the shadow take you too?"

Henry shakes his head. "No. I was kidnapped by some people who work for Pan."

Peter grimaces. "I'm sorry. If he sent for you, he wants you." By that time, I feel well enough to stand so I go walk over to stand next to Peter. "If Pan wants, he will get you." I add for emphasis.

"Why does Pan want you?" the boy asks, looking to both Peter and I. I bite my lip uncomfortably and look to my companion. He says nothing but pulls out a vile that is attached to a string on his neck. "Pixie dust." He says. "We stole it from him because we thought we could use it to fly away."

"To go home," I chime in. "But it doesn't work, though. It is useless." I look down, tears welling in my eyes. It is all an act, but when I think of home, I think of my mother and Emily and wonder what happened to them.

"Don't worry," Henry says. "My family is coming to rescue me and you both can come with us."

"You really think that you are the first boy to believe that his family is coming for them?"

"My family is different," Henry explains. "We always find each other."

"You better hope they don't" I exclaim. "Or Pan will rip their shadows into oblivion." Henry walks up to us both and places a hand on each of our shoulders. I smile at his sweet gesture. There is no way this child will survive what else is in store for him. It makes me feel guilty all over again.

"It's ok. I promise," he says to Peter and me. "Don't lose hope. All we need is time. Is there a place we can hide from the lost boys?"

Both Pan and I look at each other hesitantly and nod. The boy is playing right into our trap. "There is a place they can't track us." Peter says slowly.

"The Echo caves," I tell the pre-teen. "It isn't far." Suddenly there is a rustling noise coming from the jungle. All three of us pause, waiting to see if it is one of the lost boys. I sigh in relief when nothing comes.

"Then what are we waiting for?" Henry asks us. "Lead the way." Peter turns to me and smirks before running off towards the direction of the Echo Caves. I smile and gesture for Henry to follow him while I bring up the rear. For a minute I think that everything is going so well, but then I hear thunderous footsteps behind me and voices shouting, 'Get them!' Peter, Henry, and I begin to run faster in hopes of outrunning the lost boys. Luckily, we are close enough to the caves to reassure Henry that we will be safe.

"We are close to the caves so keep running!" I yell at Henry, who had slowed down to a stop. Both Peter and I stop running to look at the boy. Suddenly an arrow whizzes inches away from Peter's face and imbeds itself in the nearest tree trunk. My eyes widen in fear. That arrow was way too close for comfort.

"They cut us off. They know about the caves," Henry says frantically. "We have to go this way!" he points to a slightly hidden pathway that is covered with various leaves and twigs. We briefly stare at the adventurous boy with a maniacal expression (well, Peter is) before following him. Our small, ragtag group zigzags through the trees, jumps over logs, and travels through a cave until we come upon a dead end on the other side. It is dark and gloomy out (which is not uncommon nowadays) but I can still see the treacherous black sea dancing beneath us as a small collection of pebbles fall into it. Better yet, the voices of Felix and the lost boys grow closer.

"What do we do? Is there any way to the echo caves?"

I grimace. Now I am starting to feel bad for the poor kid. He is so worried that not only he is going to be caught, but us as well. He truly does have a heart of gold. Hopefully he has the one of the truest believer as well.

"No. We're done for." Peter begins to remove the vial of pixie dust from around his neck. "I will give him the pixie dust. Maybe they will let us live."

"You just want to give up?" Henry yells at us. Apparently the word quit is not in this child's vocabulary.

I roll my eyes. "We don't have a choice. They have us cornered! This is the end." I tell the boy with tears rolling down my freckled cheeks. Peter puts a comforting arm around my shoulders. Henry looks around, looking for a way out when he suddenly zeroes in on the vial of pixie dust. He swiftly yanks it off Peter's neck. The plan is going accordingly.

"Maybe it's not. He then proceeds to grab me by the wrist and pull me back. Since his arm is around my shoulder, Peter has no choice but to follow.

"What in the world are you doing?" I cry out, pretending to be confused despite the fact that I know exactly what his plan is.

"Getting a running start."

"For what?" Peter and I ask in unison.

The truest believer rolls his eyes at us. "Everyone knows that pixie dust is for flying."

My grey eyes widen in surprise as I pretend to just realize what he wants to do. Peter continues to play the role of the sceptic and points out that it doesn't work. Henry simply looks at the both of us and says that you only have to believe. From my place tucked into the crook of Peters arm, I smile and nod to the boy to show him that I will follow.

"I certainly do not believe," Peter (of all people) tells him.

"It's ok," Henry reassures him. "Because I do." He then proceeds to open the vial and drag the three of us off the cliff. I squeeze my eyes shut as our feet leave solid ground only to open them when I don't feel us plummeting towards out death. Rather, our trio is surrounded by green dust as we float high above the water in midair. I laugh loudly in wonder as we continue to soar across the sky, watching the trees from above and gazing at the beautiful full moon. I take a moment to glance at Peter, who is smiling just as widely as I am. He carefully slides his arm from around my shoulders and traces his hand down my arm until his fingers slip through mine. I give him a secret smile then squeeze his hand with excitement. Our plan worked!

Eventually Peter points out a small opening in the woods and together the three of land (ungracefully, I might add) on the hard ground. It was a rough landing for the boys but I luckily had a soft landing since I fell right on top of Peter. I blush when I notice how close our bodies are and quickly get up and dust myself off.

"See?" Henry asks us both. "If you believe, anything is possible."

I stare at the boy in awe. This is truly a miracle in the making.

"You couldn't be more right, Henry." Peter says, his tone of voice changing to a more commanding and condescending tone. He smirks when the boy's face falls.

"How- how do you know my name?" he asks as he slowly begins backing away. "I never told you."

"Let's make it a game," Pan proposes, slowly walking towards Henry. "A puzzle to solve."

"You lied to me! You are a lost boy, you work for Pan."

"Henry," I call out gently. "Hear him out. You should hear-"

"You!" Henry exclaims, cutting me off. "Who exactly are you? Do you work for Pan?"

"Not exactly," Peter says calmly. Henry turns his attention back towards Pan. "I am Peter Pan. And Eryn here," he gestures to me, "is the one and only lost girl- my right hand advisor and 'mother' to the lost boys."

The boy looks at me in awe and confusion, obviously confused in my part in this. "But you told Greg and Tamara that magic is bad and that you would help them destroy it. Why?"

"Because I needed there help. And it is so much easier to get people to hate something, than it is to believe."

"Why did you bring me here?" Henry asks Pan, his voiced now laced with fear.

Peter suddenly stops advancing and begins to pace, only glancing at me briefly. "For quite some time, I sought something extremely important. Something more elusive that the greatest of all mysteries."

"What?"

Peter stops pacing and stops near my side. "The heart of the truest believer."

"When you took that pixie dust Henry, and jumped off that cliff" I chime in, "you proved yourself to us." I gesture to Peter and I then walk over to Henry and crouch down to that we are equal height. "You," I point to his heart, "are the owner of that very special heart."

"Now, you and it are mine," Peter tells him, pointing to himself as he says this. I roll my eyes at his theatrics but move to stand beside him anyway. He then unsheathes his knife, hoists it in the air and calls for the lost boys. All of them move quietly like ghosts from the trees, slowly circling the truest believer like vultures. The only one who doesn't is the youngest boy, Curly (he is only 8 years old)- who rushes to my side, clutching the end of my cerulean blue cloak as he smile up at me, obviously hoping for some sort of praise for his work earlier. I smile and ruffle his curly wheat blond hair then look to Peter, awaiting the signal for the next move. Sensing my gaze, he turns to me, smiles, and then turns back to Henry and yells, "Let's play!"

Henry looks from Peter to me, catching my eye with his fearful expression. I look down to avoid his gaze, knowing that if I look at him, then I will become more attached to this boy who is supposed to not only save magic, but myself as well. Let the games begin, indeed.