Part Three
Even after the lengthy dispute about remaining together, their cat companion continued well ahead of the party. Once in a while glancing back to see where they stood, twirling around the weapon she'd taken. Fervent impatience kept her sprinting on along after a while.
The children and two pirates were rather weary of trying to close the distance between them and her. Adding to the disquiet was a angry silence the mood seemed to have enforced. The only words said were the occasional hollers to keep up or to slow down.
Lurking all around, were monsters and beast of every description. They had been well aware of the demons gathering for some time now, but for now all they did was lurk.
Mau however, was well aware of how close the threat was. There were gangs of monsters hiding all around, below and above and the children were easy pickings. She wanted to make sure they were safe, yet at the same time knew it would be better to find Hook first. Why would anyone prolong this longer than needed?
The fact that the monsters hadn't attacked also created an illusion of safety. They were waiting, but no one was sure for what purpose.
Suddenly a sharp scent caught Mau's nose and she paused to see which direction it was traveling from. Billy and Slightly quickly ran up to her, finally getting the chance. Having calmed down much since they'd joined up again, Billy inquired, "What is it?"
Concentrating she sniffed again murmuring, "He's close..." Abruptly her body tensed and she hissed, "I smell blood."
Dancing playfully around the Captain, Peter laughed as he believed they were just playing a game. He was slightly disappointed that Hook did not recklessly lung at him, and instead waited. With ease he blocked Peter's every swing, and it unnerved the eternal youth ever so slightly.
"What's the matter Codfish? Are you ill today?" he inquired, circling around the Captain.
"Nee boy, I've never felt better."
"Than why aren't you trying today?"
"Because, I'm trying to savor the moment."
"Oh," Peter paused, attempting to savor the moment too. In his unaware moment, Hook took a swing at the boy with his cutlass, which Peter dodged with ease. He laughed, seeing Hook had his spirit up again. Yet Hook didn't seem to tire chasing after him, and surely did seem healthy and fit. Peter wasn't too sure if he liked the way Hook was acting, but shrugged it off anyway.
"Focus boy!" Hook barked as he pierced through the boys right arm, terrifying Peter. Not about to drop his knife, Peter backed away in pain.
"What's the matter Pan, can't take a hit?" Hook jested. Excited by the challenge, Peter ignored his deep cut and charged the Captain to share him a cut too. Swiping across his cheek, Peter made a certain mark on the Captain's face.
Turning to see his work, Peter gasped to see that his knife did not cut, "You don't bleed! You're not Hook, who are you?"
"I am you're end boy."
"It's Hook." Billy realized too late, with Mau having raced ahead. The boy growled in frustration, pulling Slightly along with him quickly to keep up with her.
"Mau slow down!" Slightly implored to her, for what little good it did.
Glancing back, Mau knew she couldn't allow them to catch her, because they would surely die at Hook's claw. Maybe Billy was right after all, maybe all the bad things that happen were all her doing. With a fierce look she quickened her pace, to stay well ahead.
"What is she doing?" Billy asked in aggravation. "That stubborn stupid wench. Keep up with her Slightly!"
"Okay," Slightly lifted off the ground to fly after her.
Several more times he called her name, watching as she ran faster each time he said her name. She was relieved when she finally couldn't hear his voice anymore, but she didn't let her tempo falter.
The smell of blood and battle choked her breath as she burst into an open arena of the forest floor. Tensely waiting, she focused on the turned figure ahead, his dark cape blanketing his form.
Slowly he stood, cradling a small figure in his arms, and gazed into the sky. His blue eyes were painfully empty and deeply sorrowful. Those eyes cut into her quickly, sparking a remembrance of that look before.
Solemnly Hook grieved to the still form, shrouded by his cape, "The deed is done, the eternal youth is no more. Yet an emptiness lay in my breast, though I not know why. I should relish in your death, Peter Pan."
The folds of his dark cape fell away to reveal the quiet cadaver of the youth. Fire erupted inside of Mau and a moment too late Hook looked up to see the beast barring down to strike him. Hook dropped the body and thrashed at the cat, who in turn buried claws into his face.
"You again! I should have suspected!" Hook drew his blade to cut her open as she landed to the ground. "Be a good pet and play dead!"
Feral hissing responded as the weapon stroked down, missing the agile creature completely. Again Hook tried to deal a fatal blow, but she wisely kept her distance, keeping a eye out for what was granting him such power.
The belt's jackal figure head finally caught her green eyes, glowing brightly with rage. Stupidly she reached for it.
The silver hooked arm lashed out, burying into her arm and jerking her away. Mau tumbled into a heap, holding her wound. Blood drizzling down her arm and a sickening feeling filled her stomach. Something wasn't right, Hook shouldn't have been able to do cut her.
"Seems like I scratched the cat, do you need to lick your wounds pet?"
"Stop calling me that!" she hollered, lunging again. Mau swerved around Hook's back while he took another swing. Clawing into his back she bite down on his neck, like a lioness would kill its prey.
Hook didn't even flinch as he reached up and yanked her off to face him. The feeble girl had no power against his wicked magic, Hook laughed. It was like her own magic had abandoned her.
"I grow tired of these foolish games, run away little girl." Hook tossed her away, sheathing his sword. The voices of the others shouted out from the distance and they'd soon be their to fight Hook too. Instead Mau panicked, looking across at the second boy Peter Pan, that had died today. Their hearts would be broken, and than Hook would slaughter them all with ease. Snarling more violently, Mau attacked again, leaping right into the silver claw, and feeling it tear right through her chest. The eyes of the belt burned with enchantment.
The air escaped her lungs and a blinding light flamed around her body. Strangely, she felt like she'd been in a dream… floating, no sound, no smell, no feeling, no sight. In the next second, air burns her lungs like she was drowning in a sea of nothing. She could feel her body falling fast, until she hits the ground, crushing her body.
A terrible and very real pain coursed in her being, she felt numb and ached all at once. If it weren't for the voices screaming all around her, she probably wouldn't have opened her eyes.
"Curious," Hook commented as he held the small dangling figure in front of him. Mau's mind screamed out as she suddenly saw the lifeless bronze colored cat hanging from the hook, "That's me! But... how?"
The sight is just as shocking to Billy and Slightly as they surround Mau, ready to protect her while she recovers.
Starkey and Nibs arrive next, and quickly drawn their weapons to strike at the Captain. The fight is distracting enough to let the boys help the girl up, her body bruised and bloodied.
"Are you okay?" Slightly asked, pulling her to her feet.
"What happened?" Billy asked, equally concerned.
"I don't know," she stuttered, trying to straighten herself.
Starkey flicked his blade across Hooks arm, merely cutting the fabric of his coat. Hook shoved his boot into the mans chest, pushing him down effortlessly. From the air Nibs circled his enemy, but his strike does nothing either and he is swatted away like a gnat.
Seeing their efforts fall short, Mau tried to push away to help, only falling over again.
"What are you doing?" Billy hollered at her.
"I must finish it! It's the belt! I must get that belt!" she feverishly cried, unable to escape them.
Hook swung at his traitorous crewman, slicing him across the arm with a bloodthirsty grin. Knowing how futile this battle was, Starkey turned tail, pass the trio. "I insist we have another retreat lads and lady."
Nodding, Billy lifted Mau up while the two lost boys sailed away. Desperately she pounded on his chest so that he might release her, "Billy let go! I told you let go!"
Ignoring her like she had to them before, he fled the forest, forcing her cooperation. Resonating in the air, the Captain chuckled, "Run you cowardly dogs! You'll not survive this night!"
The Lost Boys should have realized that this was how they'd be spending the remainder of their night, running. Running from the dark, the things that went bump in the night, and especially from Hook. Running deeper and deeper into the forest for an escape they'd never find. It was an island after all, surrounded by sea and the emptiness of space.
Around them, in hiding and in the open, creatures of death laughed and howled wildly at the children's follies. Unable to run anymore Wendy fell to the ground, dropping Michael from her arms. Slowly everyone stopped running and blended back into a group. Mau kicked and flailed against Billy in a childish tantrum, "Let me go! Let me go!"
Finally Billy just let her fall flat on her ass in a most humiliating manner.
"How dare you!" she hissed, much of the force in her voice drained, "You let him get away! I had him and you wouldn't listen." She moved to strike him, but Billy snatched her wrist first and easily pushed her away. Twice as furious now she proudly hissed, "I should have let you die."
The air cracked as Billy struck her across the cheek, and tears flooded her eyes. The façade of a mighty guardian was gone suddenly, leaving only a stubborn, foolish little girl.
Even though she cried, no one came to show her any sympathy, the sting unbearable against her soft skin. It stung so much, how could he have hit her so hard, or thrown down her like a doll?
While the self appointed leaders of the group quarreled once again, the younger children got a chance to look around at their surroundings. Tootles noticed the many shadowy demons lurking in the forest. Wendy passed aimlessly, wondering when they would resume searching for John and Peter, because she never saw what the others had.
The red headed twin wore a terrified and lost look on his face. Gently Tootles approaches him, "Twin?"
"That hurt," Mau whispered to the ground.
"So did what you said," Billy stood over her, looking over her changed body. She looked so fragile now, her features changed to look even more human and her once bright eyes darkened.
"No I mean that hurt. You hit me."
"Oh, I'm sorry."
"TWIN!" Tootles voice cried to gain the others attention as he pulled at the hand of the one Twin. Wendy glanced around at their ranks and realizes the second Twin was missing, but since when?
"Where's the Twin?" she cried in desperation.
Seeing their confusion and dissension, a frightful specter takes pursuit towards the two disoriented boys. In freakish packs, other demons descend from the sky to prey upon the children. The Lost Boys scramble about in every direction to avoid being caught.
Tootles screamed again as the spirit nears, but the Twin remained frozen on the spot. The young lost boy begs for him to run, entreating desperately on deaf ears. Nibs boldly flew towards them, praying that he has the speed to get to them before the demon.
Terrified, Tootles finally ran away, abandoning the Twin. Nibs was grateful he did so, because it meant he only had to reach the twin. Diving for the petrified lost boy, Nibs touches him at the exact moment the ghostly demon does. It passes through Nibs' leg, its painful touch searing like fire. Still he managed to gather up the Twin and struggles to fly to safety. The ghost having injured him, weaves around to burn him again with it's hurtful touch.
Several more ghost soared and dived for the children running on the ground. Starkey tried to slice down one of the transparent foes, only to have it fall safely through. "Any thoughts old girl!" he called to Mau, who still lacking her wits.
"Light… light will disintegrate their forms!"
"Bloody good news, but I doubt that will happen any time soon."
"I find that running in terror is equally as effective a plan as any chaps," Tootles calmly interceded, before running off.
"But what about Nibs?" Curly shouted, powerlessly watching Nibs struggle with the ghost. Shocking him at first, Mau implored, "If you want them to survive than just don't watch!"
Curly nodded despite his fear, flew to intercept his friends with Slightly's help. With far quicker and more agile movement the boys played keep away with the ghouls towards their comrades. When Nibs saw them approaching he commanded, "Go back Lost Boys!"
"And let you have a slightly bigger adventure than us, we just can't do that Nibs," Slightly joked while taking one of his arms over his shoulder. Curly swooped down to take the Twin out of Nibs' arms, "I can take him. We really need to get out of here fast."
"But there's no where to run for you," The Twin cryptically spoke, his eyes dead.
The remaining children were far ahead now, and surprisingly the ghost gave up the hunt quite quickly. Yet again Wendy faulted over her feet, too tired to run anymore. She fretted that without Peter there, they would certainly be caught by the monsters. This was just like a living nightmare... no matter where you run or how fast, your monsters find you. Sweat started to trickle down from her hair and her tiredness showed as she slowed to walk.
Abruptly someone pulled her along by her arm, it was Mau, "Come on!"
"I just can't run anymore."
"Of course you can… you have to!"
"I…" Wendy began to protest, but instead she screamed as the ground beneath them, gave way. They'd been herded into a dead end, though the drop wasn't very fall down, it was enough. Soon the weak earth gave way beneath everyone's feet and at the bottom lay a disastrous pile of children.
The only ones spared were the few children at the end, just catching up. Ghouls hovered towards them, cackling wickedly at their misfortune.
"Are you okay?" Slightly called from the top of the drop. At the bottom inaudible curses were said amongst a mixture of groans before Jukes shouted back up, "No!"
"We fell down a bloody cliff boy, how do you think we are?" Starkey howled too.
Michael cried, crawling into Wendy's arms for comfort. The fall seemed to have snapped her out of her stupor for the moment.
"This is stupid!" Billy punched at the dirt in frustration.
"I've had enough too," Nibs exclaimed, throwing off his hat.
"Nibs? Billy wait, you can't give up. Remember you said to stick together?" Slightly chimed in.
"For the lot of good that's done us." Starkey laughed.
"What does that have to do with anything Slightly?" Nibs shouted.
"They're fighting again." Tootles reached to cover his ears.
"I don't know! I was slightly trying to help!" Slightly's tone matched that of the second-in-commands."This bickering isn't solving anything!" Wendy joined in, her voice rising above all.
"Well there goes Neverland." Mau rolled her eyes at the children ahead of her, at the most inappropriate moment.
"Stay out of this!" all barked. Snubbed, Mau inched away towards the younger Lost Boys, who were more concerned with the Twin now. Glancing back once at the bickering group, Curly restated, "Yep, we're all doomed."
At least they were a little quieter, she grumbled to herself. Absently her eyes examined the cuts and scraps decorating her skin. Each one stung and itched, but the shock of her ordeal was far stronger in her mind than pain. She felt her now flat ears and her senses seemed dull, like everything was a shade grayer than before.
The bickering continued, each individual having something or another on their mind. Everyone had their own plan too, which didn't agree with anyone else. While they quarreled, a tiny little beetle crawled up to Nibs' hand.
Suddenly he yelped in pain, startling the others from their argument. He reflexively held his hand as they all gather around to see what happened to him. His face filled with guilt, he denied, "Nothing. I thought I saw something but it was nothing."
Suspicion crossed all their minds, but since no one spoke up, they accepted his lie. Besides Nibs' seeing nothing, they had more important things to talk about.
"Looks like we need a plan B," Jukes concluded as everyone tried to cool down. Turning away, Nibs examined the large red welt forming on it. Whatever it was took a nasty bite out of him, but it's long gone now he imagined. A silly bug bite is nothing to worry about besides.
"I plan to leave Neverland completely. Anyone else in favor of saving his skin say aye," Starkey's own hand raised to his plan of action. In protest, Tootles turned from the Twin, "But we can't leave Neverland. This is our home."
"It's not anymore," Billy sadly shook his head.
With a heavy heart, Wendy agreed, "I think Mr. Jukes might be right. We may not be able to stay here any more."
"But what about John and Twin!" Michael cries out.
"We'll find them Michael, and Peter, but maybe it's time to go."
Hearing the lost children's names made Mau's stomach sicken. How could they not know that they were all dead, that none of them were coming back? Billy Jukes WAS right, they had to leave Neverland or die here. Even if Hook could be stopped, it was still best for them, just to be safe.
Rising in front of the group, Nibs sighed, "We can't stay still for long."
"Well if Hook's back that way, than I guess we go this way," Slightly indicated the other direction, towards a dark, foggy path.
"Fine. If anyone doesn't want to come, than they can stay here. Lost Boys, follow me!" Nibs waved everyone forward again, marching into the darkness. Giving them all a wary glance, Mau hesitated to enter the dark path with them. The only other choice was up, and the demons were up there waiting for them… the demons and Hook.
