"Come away with me, Lucy."
Peter Pan neared closer to her, his hands ready to claim hers. Little Lucy backed away the further he came forward, feeling uncertain of the idea of running away with him so impulsively.
"P-Peter, that's too fast, don't you think? Mummy and daddy will miss me, and..and I can't leave without Susan, Edward or Peter. I just can't."
"Very well. Then bring them along. Neverland is open for everyone."
Lucy brightened with a smile and threw her arms around his neck. "Thank you, Peter."
Lucy's brow knitted to the center. Her body stirred uncomfortably to the side. Her hands curved tightly into fists and pulled them close to her chest.
Peter took Lucy in his arms and pulled her to his lap. She sat on his lap and played around with the acorn that hangs on a necklace he put on his neck. His eyes bore on the little girl's innocent face. The smile, the fresh fear of growing old was what he saw in all the boys. But Lucy was different, he desired her to the point he wishes her to stay in eternity with him, without any boundaries that can tempt her to stay here.
"Do you like it?"
"It's pretty. Can I have it?"
"Sure."
He removed the necklace from his neck and helped Lucy to put it on. She smiled now that she has the necklace to herself.
"Thank you, Peter. It's wonderful."
"It's yours to keep. Forever."
"I'll treasure it always. It'll signify as our friendship."
"Actually," he locked his hand and pressed his palms against her stomach. "I was thinking that it could signify something more than just friendship."
"What do you mean? What we have is just a friendship, Peter. We agreed that I'll stay here with my siblings for a little while and head back home together."
"No, Lu." He pressed his cheek on the crown of her head. "Eternity was what I was thinking of."
"A-An eternity? What are you saying? You want me to stay here forever? My parents are waiting for me in the other world. I haven't even had the chance to say goodbye to any of my friends. And what of my siblings' -"
"Hush." He started to waver her back and forth. "You belong here, Lucy. Not back in that other world. Here is where you belong and where you'll stay with me."
Her eyes burst open. Involuntarily, she sat upright, her back leaving the support of the chair.
It wasn't real. He's not anymore. Relax..Relax.
One of the flight attendants passed by. Lucy quietly cleared her throat for her attention. The woman smiled and went back to Lucy's seat.
"Would you like anything, miss?"
"No. Nothing like that. Do you know where the lavatory is on this plane?"
"Straight ahead at your left. But are you alright? You don't look so well."
"I'm fine thank you." She lied.
"We serve aspirin on this plane if you have a headache."
"No it's not that. Just..Just a bad dream."
"Well if there's anything else you need, just call for help. Alright?"
"Thank you."
The flight attendant walked ahead to check on the other sleeping passengers.
Lucy unbuckled her seat belt and slowly shuffled out of her seat. She bit her lower lip as her legs brushed against Caspian's. His body stirred but he did not wake up. As she successfully got out, she let out a sigh and followed the woman's directions.
Another passenger was there waiting outside the door. The passenger was a young man with short hair that falls to his ears and his pale blue eyes almost gave a slight glow from the slight darkness.
He gave her a small grin as she stood behind him.
"It's going to take awhile." He whispered.
"Oh. Who's in there?"
"An old woman. Probably time to take her malox, must be getting hot flashes. She kept fanning herself to death I was afraid her wrist will snap."
Lucy weakly laughed, not feeling the mood for any humor at this point. "That's the issue with aging. I'll be her in the future."
"Yeah, in like seventy years. You got a lot of time before you complain about your age."
She gave an uncomfortable, small smile at that. The man smirked and eyed at the natural wrinkles on her cheek as her mouth curved to a beautiful smile. He extended his hand out for hers.
"I'm Peter."
She took it and gave it a shake. "Lucy. Nice to meet you."
"Are you from London?"
"Yes, I was raised there all my life."
"Is it appropriate for a lady to receive this?" Peter lifted her hand to his lips and gave it a light kiss. Lucy awkwardly widened her eyes and let out an uncomfortable chuckle.
She released his hand and pulled back as gently, respectably as possible. "In some places, I suppose."
"Forgive me, was that too straightforward?"
"A..A little."
"Sorry, didn't mean to cross the line."
"No please, don't trouble yourself it was nothing."
"So why did you come to Miami? For business?"
"Yes, I came here for a wedding. My friend got married and I prepared the wedding cake for her. Thankfully it was delivered here in one piece and the guests enjoyed it."
"You're a baker?"
"Yes, I have my own business in London. And you? Why are you going to London? Were you transported overseas to work in some kind of company or something?"
"No, family."
"Oh your family is British?"
"My stepmother is English and I haven't visited her for over four years. I figured it'll be nice to spend some quality time with her."
"That's very thoughtful. And your work? What do you do?"
"Nothing special. Just government overthrows, flashy high-profile assassinations, the usual."
Lucy nodded, considering this his strange way of flirting. "That's..That's very interesting."
She kept her eyes ahead at the closed door. She chewed on the inside of cheek, wanting that door to open.
"Don't you want to know what I could be?"
"Uh..Okay. A spy."
"Not even close."
"A hit man then."
"Nah. I'm a lousy shot."
"Well, then um are you a CIA agent?"
"Wrong again."
Lucy bravely lifted her eyes up to his that look surprisingly intimidating for the glow they brought were first beautiful but now just frightening to look at, almost look as if he's a threat.
"Look, uh, whatever you do, it's your business, P-Peter- is that right?"
"That's right."
"Right. Um, whatever it is you do, I get it, as long as you're not..."
His eyes firmly looked at her, his brows growing tense. "As long as I'm not what?"
"Hijacking the plane." She said in the lowest voice that she can manage."
He chuckled and shook his head. "Oh no, I'm not suicidal."
"That's good to hear."
"Yes, you know you're right. It is my business and right now my business involves you."
"What?"
The door opened at last. The old woman stepped outside after collecting the last of her things into her purse. Lucy gasped as she felt his hand grab firmly to her arm. He stepped inside the restroom and pulled her in. He pushed her to the small sink and shut the door behind him, locking it.
"Who are you? This is clearly harassment, Peter."
Peter slowly turned around with a mad smile curved on his mouth. She backed away further to the sink, both hands gripping firmly to the edges of the cold sink.
"I'll scream if you don't let me go. Save any trouble and let me out."
"Scream then, it'll cost a lot of lives if you do."
"You are suicidal."
"Please, Lucy. To die is an awfully big adventure."
Lucy fell tense from that familiar line. The last she heard from Peter Pan was when he failed to bring her back to Neverland. Her brother used him for his book. Surely this could not be Peter, just a crazy fan.
"Peter, if that's even your real name, let me out."
"I told you growing up is no adventure to go through. You don't even recognize me after all the times I spent with you."
"Please cut it out. This is not funny."
"The night we were alone by the lagoon, you were about nine then. I carried you into my arms and you sat on my lap."
"Stop," She begged. Her eyes firmly squeezed shut.
His hands went to her arms and it drove her mad of how harshly he rubbed them against her sleeves.
"You wanted my acorn necklace and I gave it to you. Don't tell me that I'm lying, you remember it, and that's not even written in your brother's damn book."
"You can't be Peter. Peter would never get himself to grow up."
"He would if he had a reason to. I figured you wanted to settle a life like your parents, growing up as adults than children. So I stayed in Earth for my body to mature."
"You're not real."
"Look in my eyes and tell me I'm not real."
"Leave me."
"Look into my eyes or I will hurt you."
She slowly opened her eyes but could not find the strength to look up at him.
"Look at me," he growled.
She did so.
"Why are you here? To ruin my life all over again?"
"I'm trying to save your life."
"How? By barging in here in a plane and convincing me to leave with you again? I never agreed to leave with you all those years ago, Peter, and my answer is going to be the same."
His hands went to her hips. She angrily grabbed his wrists to pull them off her. He smiled for she was unsuccessful. She fought him as his hands slipped underneath her blouse. She was short in breath as she felt his hands touch the bare skin of her waist.
"Get your hands off me."
"I'll do what I want because I am capable to control you."
"No you don't."
"Didn't you hear me before? I have the capacity to endanger every single living being who is on this plane."
"What can you do? Really?"
"I am the only one capable of flying. One door open, the air comes in, everyone blows away and we escape together, alive in one piece."
"W-What?"
"I will destroy this plane if you don't do exactly as I say."
"You wouldn't. Yo-Peter, I thought you learned how murder is wrong. First my sister and my parents, now you want to take away more lives? Don't you have a heart?"
"Don't you have a mind? I go with my instincts."
"You are unbelievable."
"Lucy, listen, I gave you happiness and you enjoyed that life. Admit it."
"I was little. I didn't know any better."
"Which is the best benefit to be an adult. I trust this time you'll make the right decision."
~ Lucy and Peter exited the bathroom. One of the flight attendant gave them a disapproving look.
He grabbed her by the arm and lowered his neck until his mouth was near her ear. "Don't you dare get yourself out of this. When the plane lands, these people will live and you will come to me. Is that clear?"
"Yes."
"Good."
He smiled and gave a kiss to her cheek. "I missed you every day, Lucy. I'm glad to have you back."
She yanked her arm free and returned back to her assigned seat. She was not too careful as she shuffled in, and as her legs hit Caspian, this time he awoke. She sat down and fastened on her seat belt.
He opened his eyes and smiled as he saw her. "Hey."
She snapped her head to the side and gave him a weak smile. "H-Hi."
"Are you alright?"
"Yeah, I'm..I'm fine," she lied. She laid back down and turned her back from him. "I'm tired. I'm sorry I woke you."
"It's fine. Goodnight."
"Goodnight, Caspian."