Authors Note: This is an AU story, an in this timeline Peter Pan never met Wendy. This story takes place in the 21st century.
Disclaimer: Peter Pan was created and written by J.M. Barrie - I only own a few characters in this story.
-Sweet Dreams-
CHAPTER .THREE.
- You're No Fun! -
The dream use to only haunt me in slumber, but now I see the wash of colors pour and stream in the surrounding environment; it flows down the busy city streets, it washes across the tall buildings, wrapping around street signs and lights; it pours out anything within reach. No matter where I went, the colors would appear and then disappear. Of course, I am only imagining it, but sometimes the reality of the dream is intangible; now I can never tell whether I am asleep or awake.
"Mira! Hey Mira! Wait up!" Lerin came running down the busy city street; she wore black boots, with dark denim skinny jeans and a black military peacoat, a dark brown leather messenger bag was strapped around her torso, carrying her school books and minor, yet necessary toiletries. She ran up to a girl about her age, who had a peaches'n crème colored skin, milky and smooth, and curly blonde hair that went an inch or two past her shoulders; the girl worn a light pink peacoat that went down to her knees, a black blouse and tight pencil skirt underneath, and her shoes were black and white Mary-Jane high heals.
Lerin ran up to the girl, out of breath and panting; the beautiful girl was sucking on a small ruby red lollipop, with a humph, the girl elegantly removed the sucker from her mouth, "Why hello there Lerin," said the girl slightly amused, "Running late as usual I see" she finished with a brilliant smile.
"Whatever, Mira. I'm here now so let's go," said Lerin slightly irritated at her friends comment; she observed the environment around her. People of all shapes and character briskly walked by, passing in opposite directions. Some on their cellphones, others with their morning coffee in hand, carrying briefcases and bags full of whatever business consumed their daily lives.
"Oh no, not today love, I have other plans," said Mira twirling the lollipop between her well manicured fingers, "You know, things to see, places to be. School just isn't on the agenda for today."
"It's not supposed to be optional!" Lerin huffed, "You know, School is one of those mandatory 'things' that is always on the agenda five days out of the week!"
Mira pouted her pink pedal lips, "Ooooh come on darling, live a little. You are an heiress after all and a brilliant one at that," she said giving Lerin a perky wink, "So why fuss over such a draaaab thing like 'school'? We're two young and beautiful girls, we deserve to have a bit of fun now and again." Mira nudged closer to Lerin, wrapping one arm around her friend's shoulders, "Cooooome on, pleeeaaase."
Lerin gazed into Mira's pouty brown eyes, her walls were caving in and a familiar right eye twitch began, "You are so irritating, but" Lerin paused and her features soften "But cute none the less."
"So you're in?" Mira asked, her eyes sparkling with hope and excitement.
"No, I'm not. I might be an heiress and so called 'brilliant' but I have a duty to fulfill; I'm going to be in charge of my parent's technological empire someday. I need to be ready," said Lerin looking away from her friend to stare out listlessly into the crowded streets.
Both girls stood quietly for a moment; Mira sighed stepping away from her friend, "Darling, your way to serious. Maybe if you loosen up a bit you'd stop having those freaking dreams of yours," the blonde girl carelessly said. Lerin gazed coldly at her Mira, her bright blue eyes turning a cool silver.
Mira giggled at her friend, "Oh love, you could render anyone helpless with that gaze of yours," she said flirtatiously, "Be careful with that." With a brief kiss on Lerin's cheek, Mira made her way down the street, turning her head slightly to the side, "Ciao, darling." And with that, the blonde vixen disappeared into the city crowd.
Lerin rubbed the wet kiss from her cheek, "Pft, whatever" she said still staring off in the direction Mira had taken. She turned right and headed down the busy sidewalk. She checked her pocket watch, lovingly rubbing her thumb across its gold cover before flicking it open.
"Shit" Lerin mutter; she pocketed her watch and began a light sprint, elegantly dodging the people passing by. She came upon an alleyway; it was sketchy looking to say in the least. 'Come on Lerin, it's a short cut, just take it!' she said, subconsciously egging herself onward. She moved cautiously down what seemed like an empty alleyway, she came across a fork in the road, not knowing exactly what either direction lead to. "Oh come on! The school is right on the other side of this block!" Lerin huffed. She looked to her left and then to her right.
"Eeeerrrgh, Whatever!" she said exacerbated by the scenario; she turned and started heading down the alleyway to her left. A few minutes later she came to a dead end, sky-high brick walls surrounded her.
"Wow, way to go darling!" she said sarcastically, throwing in Mira's affectionate pet name for her. The sound of a can clanking caught her attention, Lerin whipped around to see two big brawly looking men standing in front of her.
"Well what do we have here?" said one of the men in a husky voice. He had a scar across his right eye that traveled down the length of his cheek to his chin, "You lost, sweetie?"
Lerin smirked; straightening her posture, cocking one hip out to the side and placing a hand on it, "It looks that way, huh?"
"Sure does," the other man replied. He had a serpent like voice and sharp yellow eyes to match his reptilian articulation.
"Well sorry to disappoint you fellas, but I'm not lost. And if you don't mind, I'm running a little late," Lerin coolly replied as she began walking towards the men. Before she could pass by, both men moved directly in front of Lerin, the scarface man harshly grabbing her arm. "Actually, we do mind," he said with a disgusting smirk.
Lerin grimaced down at the meaty claw that wrapped around her arm; she brought her cool gaze up to the man's face, "That was a big mistake."
Before the scarface man could even blink, Lerin jammed her slender knee into his gut, sending the guy backwards a few feet; he landed with a loud thud, clutching his stomach while gasping for air. The serpent man stood shell shocked for a moment, staring back at his partner. He snapped his attention back to Lerin, "What the hell? You bi-" but before he could finish his rude remark, Lerin's boot made contact with his face. Blood spurted out from both his mouth and broken nose. He flew back and land right beside the other man, both writhing and moaning around on the dirty floor.
Lerin adjusted her coat and bag before walking up to the two beaten men, "Fourth degree black belt boys, maybe next time you'll think twice before picking a fight with a girl," she said. Without a second thought, Lerin moved passed the whimpering men and continued down the alleyway.
She recognized the area surrounding her, the alleyway's fork was just up head, 'Almost there' she thought to herself. Suddenly a rustling sound came from behind; she sighed.
"You fellas need another lesson?" she mockingly asked while confidently turning around to face the men. But there was no one there, in fact nothing was there; no dumpster to hide behind, to crack or hole on the wall to slip into, just sky high brick walls with clutters of trash gracing the grimy floor.
Lerin's eyes swept over the area, but she saw nothing. It was quite, the sound of the lively city absent from the environment. 'Something is not right' Lerin warned herself. A familiar tingle crept up her spin.
"Shit!" Lerin said as she spun around and began booking it down the alleyway.
It felt like something was chasing her; she would look back over her shoulder, but nothing was there; she brought her attention back to the path in front of her, but it was too late. Lerin ran head first into a brick wall; with a loud crack she fell back, hitting the ground hard. She lay sprawled out, her hair fanning out around her head, her eyes fluttering; the world was spinning so fast. Lerin groaned as nausea began to creep up her throat; she brought her hands up to her head, as if trying to still the spinning world, but it was to no avail.
The world around her became dark as a shadow passed over her; Lerin tried to open her eyes and move her head around. Her movement was limited and she couldn't see the owner of the shadow. She groaned again and groggily spoke out "Please…either help me or just let me be."
Lerin began to feel a weight lifted from her body, she became weightless as if floating in a pool of water.
'I must be blacking out,' she thought to herself; Lerin smirked "Just great…" she said just before the loom of unconsciousness took over.
-SD-
Lerin floated in and out of consciousness, her eyes felt heavy and she struggled to open them. She could hear voices near hear; they were so close, as if standing right next to or over her sprawled body. She wanted to move and call out but her body refused all cerebral demands.
"I found it! Isn't it interesting? I've never seen anything like it before!" chirped a voice. The speaker was male, his voice smooth, innocent and lively, almost sing-songy, but there was an underlining hint of mischievous nature bubbling around his words.
Another voice scoffed in reply, "Pft, and just what is so interesting about this thing? Whatever it is, it doesn't belong here! So get rid of it!" snapped the other male. His voice was crude, smug and pompous with an underlining hint of danger, cool and sharp. "Come on, we need to get going. Just leave it here for now and we'll take care of it later" said the crude voice.
"You're no fun!" said the other boy with an obvious pout in his tone. Lerin could hear their footsteps moving away and off into the distance; she fought hard to stay conscious. The smell of wood and earth filled her senses, 'Come on, just open your eyes!' She continued to struggle and plead with her own body, but all efforts were futile. Slowly the darkness crept up and consumed her senses once again.
-To be continued-
