The next day, I decided to try again. This time I thought of Peter as I closed my eyes. I was surprised that when I opened my eyes, I was in the Lost Boy's house.
"Father," Tootles started. "Can we play outside today? You have been very sad for days now."
"You guys go ahead," Peter responded.
"I'll play!" I exclaimed expecting no one but Peter to hear me.
"Mother!" yelled Slightly as he ran up to hug me. His tiny arms actually managed to make contact with my glowing form. Many of the other Lost Boys did the same. There were only a few who seemed completely confused. Peter jumped out of his chair and stood in front of me.
"I can't believe it," he said.
"Neither can I." I then turned my attention to Tootles who had suggested playing. "So what shall we play? I don't have much time you know." Immediately a chorus rang up of Lost Boys asking to play their favorite games. In the ruckus, Peter and I were able to discern that the majority wanted to play Tag.
"You're it!" I shouted as I hit Peter on the shoulder. Then everyone scattered. Peter tagged Tootles who tapped Slightly on the shoulder as he fell into a giant hole. Slightly tagged Peck who happened to run into me as I was running away. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Peter run past me. I took off in his direction and managed to tackle him to the ground. The second we hit the ground we were laughing hysterically. Peter was grinning like mad but the grin faded as I felt myself start to fade.
"I'm going to find you," he said. Then he hugged me tight to his chest and I reappeared in my room on the ship.
The next time I left I went back to the tree palace. Garnet wanted to know what I knew about our destination. Sapphire just wanted to make sure that I was okay. Topaz was worried about me too. He didn't show it, though because he didn't want his older brothers to think he was weak. One night, however, when I came he let me in on the secret.
About a week after my first visit, Amethyst did some research and found that I possessed the power send my spirit to them. It was an ancient power that hadn't been seen in centuries. I also had her research why I could control several different elements.
"Remember when I said we didn't know yet what kind of fairy you are?" she asked me one day.
"Yes," I answered. "But you told me that fairies can only be one type."
"I did but every once in a while there is a break in the rules. For example some fairies will gain no powers just the fairy gifts."
"Does that happen often?"
"Well, I didn't used to think so, until," she paused and tears welled up in her eyes. "You can't tell anyone." I nodded my understanding. "Garnet was born without powers. My parents believed that it was caused by an evil warlock. They never caught him, though." By this point she was sobbing. I gave her a hug which she seemed grateful to return.
"I'm so sorry," was all I could think of to say. She wiped her eyes and took a deep breath.
"Anyway, our research team believes that you have several different powers. They have come to the conclusion that there's more to you then just being a fairy Princess. That's why you were taken away from here when you were young."
After about a month at sea, Frank finally called,
"Land Ho!"
Suddenly, the deck was ablaze with activity. Pirates all around were running to get things done before we reached the shore.
"How long until we land?" I asked Captain Tom.
"About an hour," he replied. Then he walked over to Carl and some other pirates to give them some instructions. I ran back to my room and used my powers to contact Peter and the others.
I phased into the war chamber, as I had every time I came. Topaz greeted me.
"Claire!" he exclaimed. Everyone's heads turned to me. Peter turned to give me a huge grin.
"We've reached land," I informed them. Sapphire looked down at the map and began to mutter aloud. He finally stopped after a few moments and looked at me.
"We've been tracking your updates and we believe that you are landing right about here," he said pointing to an island on the far end of the map. It was labeled Captor's Cove.
"Sapphire," Amethyst started with a warning tone. The way she said it made me feel slightly uneasy.
"What's wrong?" Peter asked.
"Captor's Cove is a sort of Neverland prison," Amethyst hesitantly replied. " It's only meant for those who the fairy court have deemed too dangerous for both this and the mortal world."
"Meaning?" I questioned.
"Meaning no one escapes with their life. There's a spell that was put round the island. Those who enter will never leave." A collective gasp rose and everyone was quiet for what seemed like centuries.
"Claire," Sapphire started. He walked over to me and brushed a hand against my face. About a week ago I started to be able to feel the people I appeared to. Then a calloused hand slipped into mine and Peter was standing next to me looking like he wanted to kill Sapphire. I suddenly felt so completely overwhelmed by everything and I took off. It was really foolish especially since I only had so much time with them but I ran. Before I could reach the door, Topaz stepped in my way. I had noticed that he had been quiet the entire time I was there but didn't think anything of it until he stood in front of me, tears running down his cheeks.
"Topaz,"
"You can't go!" he yelled. "You can't leave. Not now."
"I'm sorry, Topaz," I said to him and he wrapped me in a tight hug. Garnet chose that moment to speak up.
"This is sweet and all but we need to focus on getting the real Claire here."
"You're right," I agreed. "Captain Tom told me we had an hour. But given what you've said, I don't think Tom will risk his whole crew to get me on the island."
"He'll probably send Hook!" Peter exclaimed reverting back to his childish ways. There was no doubt in my mind that Peter loved the idea of losing Hook to this scary island.
"But why does he want you on the island in the first place?" Amethyst asked.
"He said something about me meeting someone. Is there anyone on that island that could have use of me?"
"Not if you're both stuck on the inside," answered Garnet.
"Well we can't let Claire get to the island," Peter said plainly. A moment of silence ensued and I could sense that there was something that no one was telling us.
"We can't make it in time," Sapphire responded finally speaking up. "I'm so sorry," he apologized turning to me.
"It's not your fault. I will be ok," I told all of them. "If I get the chance, I'll contact you later." I then left before anyone could object. I wanted to talk to Tom as soon as I could. I needed to know that what my friends had said was true.
I grew to human size in Tom's office. I half expected to see the captain making some sort of last minute plans in his office. Instead, sitting in the captain's chair was Jonathan.
"What have you been doing in there?" he asked
"It's none of your business," I replied as I headed to the door. He moved to block my path.
"I'd say it is my business," he said as he slowly backed me towards the wall. "My dad's the captain and he has an interest in your well-being. He wouldn't even let me beat you up for wearing my clothes." I stopped backing up and chuckled.
"You couldn't beat me up if you tried."
"Only because I'm not allowed!" He finally had me pinned to the wall. He put his hands up to the sides of my head. He leaned his head in to kiss me and I slid down to avoid him. This seemed to anger him because when he opened his eyes he punched the banister where I had just been. He chased me to the other side of the room and forced his face upon mine. It was a gruff kind of kiss, his hands were holding my head in place as he forced his tongue into my mouth. I mustered up all of the strength that I had and pushed him away. He stood there in shock just long enough for me to make a break for it. I threw open the door and ran out on deck straight into Frank.
"Hello there Girly!" he said with a smile. I laughed out of shear relief because I knew that Jonathan wouldn't try anything with other pirates around.
"Have you seen Tom?" I asked politely.
"Sure, he's out on the stern," he pointed to the captain's towering form. I made my way with caution dodging out of the way of the occasional pirate running about the deck.
The waves lapped wildly against the ship as I attempted to reach the stern. There Tom stood, towering over everyone as he dictated jobs to his fellow crew members. Emboldened by the realization that this could be my last day in Neverland, I shouted,
"Captor's Cove, huh?" Tom looked taken aback for a moment before he chuckled. The rest of the crew seemed to freeze in place.
"Looks like someone's done her homework. Yes, our destination is Captor's Cove. At least yours is anyway," he said.
"How will that work?" I asked. "You can't force me to go anywhere."
"Oh, but I can. You see, you won't be alone."
"And I expect you will be accompanying me then?"
"Naturally," he replied.
"How do you expect to return to your ship?" Curiosity started to take control. Tom seemed to contemplate his response before we were interrupted by a crew member.
"Captain, the boat is ready!" he exclaimed.
"Excellent." Tom snapped his fingers and instantly five or six large crew members were upon me, tying my hands and feet together with a vigorous force.
"Sorry sweetie," I heard Frank whisper to me as I was lead to the life boat that would take us to shore.
Once we reached the beach, only Tom left the boat, dragging me unwillingly behind. As if to prove that I was the loser in this scenario, he physically threw me a few feet across the beach. I literally felt myself cross some sort of semi-permeable barrier and I knew it was over. I was on the island.