Erica slid the knife out of her pants and cut the rope. She couldn't do anything about the magic cuffs, but she could escape. Erica stealthily snuck out of camp. When she left the borders, she felt very little, and Erica smiled. She ran quietly toward Tink's hut. When she tried to jump, however, she was repelled. Tink flew out and gasped.
"You wear the cuffs," She observed sadly. Erica looked down at the cuffs, which were radiating purple light and pulsing it through her skin.
"I guess that…I'll just be visiting from now on," Erica whispered. Tink pulled her into a hug and waved her hand toward camp.
Erica sat down with her food. James approached her and pushed her plate to the floor.
"Oops," He said with a smirk. Erica scooted away, but he grabbed her hair and yanked her toward him. He leaned in.
"Big mistake you made earlier," He said darkly. Erica squirmed, but made no move to touch him. Peter would be very angry.
"Want to have a rematch? Want to tell me how you fired that bow and arrow so well? How did you fight so good?" He hissed into her ear. Erica gritted her teeth as he dug his nails into her arm. James wrapped his slender fingers around her neck. When he squeezed, Erica gasped.
"Never," She whispered. James kicked her down from the log. He had no problem whipping his knife out and pressing it to her neck.
"Was it magic? Tell me now," He demanded. When she sat still and did nothing, he pressed the knife harder into her neck, drawing some blood. Erica sucked in a breath, but didn't do anything else. James pressed the point further in. Erica felt trapped.
"Erica!" Tootles shouted. The littler ones ran to greet her. James let her go and walked away. Erica spent the rest of the day with the kids.
"Everybody! Felix is home!" Someone shouted. All the boys ran to the clearing. Erica went with Slightly and Curly. A tall boy with dirty blond hair stood greeting everyone. When he saw Erica, his eyes widened and he smiled a wicked smile.
"Well, who's this, boys?" He asked loudly. Ace stepped forward, one of the older boys who actually respected her.
"Erica, our first real Lost Girl," He stated proudly. Felix looked her up and down.
"She wears the cuffs," He observed.
"She escaped Pan for months," Ace replied. Felix smiled wider. Erica stood her ground.
"And did you give her our...special initiation?" He asked. Ace winced. Felix laughed. Well, let's do it, then!" He shouted gleefully.
Erica's pulse quickened. They as tied her to a tree and were going to use her for target practice. Then they would leave her for one day. They all lined up. As they got younger, lower in rank, their shots worsened until she would get grazes on her cheek or arm. It was over quickly and they left. They left the arrows that had cut skin there and did nothing else.
Finally. Almost time for her to go back to camp. It was boring. Suddenly, thunder boomed and rain crashed down on her, drenching her. She cursed. Now, they would not take her back. They wouldn't go out in the rain for her. Erica shivered violently.
"Erica!" Tootles exclaimed. Erica looked up quickly. They untied her.
"The guys told us we could come get you," Curly exclaimed. They went back to camp and Erica hurried into her cabin. She kept her outfit on, but wrapped a warm fluffy towel around her.
"Cold?" Felix sneered. Erica snorted.
"Of course I'm cold," She retorted. Felix sat up on her bed.
"I control the weather around here," He said with a laugh. Suddenly, an icy wind blew around her. She shook her head.
"Wow. I'm so not frightened of you. Get out so I can change," She growled. Felix stood up quickly.
"You don't tell me what to do," He whispered. Erica shook her head.
"Get out," She insisted. Felix grabbed her arm and threw her out roughly.
"This is my cabin now," He laughed. She felt her clothes hit her back. She pulled them into her arms and she stood up. Felix stood in the door of her cabin. He smiled and waved to her. Erica sighed and trudged to the small log cabin. She wedged herself in between the logs and fell asleep.
