I collapsed into myself, a sob wracking my small frame. Hook kicked the body aside and the pirates advanced battle, forcing us to. There was no time to mourn. Instead of allowing loss to deter me, I pulled myself from Fox's arms and fought with even more zeal, not simply deterring the pirates but trouncing them. I worked my way through countless opponents, quickly overwhelming all who dared block my path. I almost skewered poor Twins before getting my senses.
Suddenly, Hook was within my sight. I raised my sword, ready to do away with him or die trying, when Peter appeared in front of me.
"No," he was suddenly stern, "Hook's mine."
I nodded, which he took as enough, immediately flying away once again. A flash of pain clipped my shoulder. I rolled over, missing what was meant to be the fatal blow. Jumping back to my feet I brought my sword up and buried it deep into his chest. I gasped as his body hit the ground, dropping my sword. I covered my mouth, smothering a scream. I just killed someone.
I just killed someone.
Blood slowly dripped into my vision, making everything look red. I fought the urge to gag.
"Annabel?" far away voices echoed around my skull.
"Annabel?"
"I'm taking her back!"
"Annabel look at me!"
"To much for her I reckon."
"ANNABEL!"
I gasped for air, jolting up, disturbing the sheets around me.
Sheets?
I was in a bed. With sheets.
A convulsion racked my body and I buried my head into my pillow.
Gabriel.
The blood.
So much blood.
A flash of color caught my eye. My hands they- they were stained red. I screamed, hitting my head against the wall behind me. In a blink the red was gone. I clutched myself, squeezing my eyes closed.
"Annabel, you're awake!" I heard Peter rush in. The joy bled out of his voice as he saw me, "You are awake aren't you? You sure do sleep a lot you know. It's been like a day or two."
"Go away Peter," I mumbled, still not looking up.
"What was that?" he answered.
"I SAID," I raised my head, but stopped. All the lost boys stood, hiding in the doorway and behind Peter, "I said… I said yes. Yes, I am awake."
"That's great!" his face broke into a wide smile. The boys came out slowly, crowding around my bed.
"Hi Annabel," Twins approached nervously.
"Hi Twins," I offered a small smile in return.
"Woulda like some water?"
"That'd be lovely," I responded and he instantly scurried out.
We sat in silence for a couple of moments, nothing but the damp Earth and dim light offering camaraderie. The boys were unusually patient, and I soon learned why.
"Annabel I'm… I'm sorry," Peter kept his eyes trained on the ground, "For your loss. For Gabriel."
"I- I didn't even know him. Not really. He- he was kind to me. On the last day before I came here. When I was home. Oh god I want to go home," I choked back a sob.
"We'll get you home," Peter promised, trying to be kind.
"His parents. Gabriel's. they'll have no idea! I can't just say 'Yeah, you don't know me, but I watched your son get stabbed by a pirate!" I was hyperventilating now.
"Annabel. Calm down," Peter gazed at me warily.
"I won't! I- I can't- I" I tried to breath.
"Annabel!" he commanded, "Listen to me."
I looked up at his desperately, trying to regain control. He grabbed my shoulders, steadying me, "I know what to do. You just come with me and I'll take you to someone who'll help. Okay?"
I nodded frantically. He took my hand, aiding me to rise, "One more adventure- okay? How does that sound? One more."
"Alright," I nodded again, "One more."
As we stepped outside, he covered my eyes. Coming very close he whispered, "The entrance to the Indian village is very sacred, and very secret. Very few have known about it and even fewer live to tell the tale. We're going to go there, but you aren't allowed to look until we arrive. Okay?"
"Yes."
"Close your eyes."
"Alright," I closed them. He once again took my hand, and I felt us slowly rise off the ground. A sweet breeze trailed our pass. The tips of leaves grazed my bare feet as we slowly made our way across Neverland. The oaky smell of smoke began tickling my senses, first far away but it grew more and more distinct. Suddenly the smells faded away and a great shadow fell over us, like a cave. Then the smell grew more pungent than ever.
"You can open your eyes," Peter instructed.
I did as told, and was assaulted by colors so bright I had to close them once again. A musty, sunlit orange surrounded me completely. It reminded me of Mars. I blinked rapidly, regaining my vision. A woman stood before me, in the same orange dress and twin braids.
"Come with me," she spoke with an odd accent.
I began to walk with her, hesitating as Peter didn't follow, continuing none the less. She led me to a teepee, larger than the others.
"It's you, isn't it? The one from the museum," I questioned suddenly.
She nodded, not speaking.
"How- how did you get there? You did they get there? Why?" I asked rapid questions, quieting only for her to answer.
She did not answer, instead simply continuing to walk briskly towards the teepee. Children scattered around her feet, not looking at her with fear, but a sort of admiration. She pulled aside the flap, bidding my enter. Casting one last look at the girl, I walked into the teepee.
