"Wake up! Today's the day you get your task given to you!" Pan sweeps the blanket off of my body in one motion and leans on the bed, next to me. I moan as I turn to face him, preparing an excited fake smile. He moves in to kiss me and I lay still, letting my mind drift to Felix as I've been doing every time I have to feign feelings for Pan. I wrap my arms around his neck and pull him closer to me for a deeper kiss. When he pulls away I keep my eyes closed, moving to his ear,
"I love you." I whisper. I open my eyes and he kisses my forehead,
"I know." His smile is dark and he tilts his head as he looks down at me.
"I know you said Felix is going away for a bit to scope out a new campsite, but will he stop by for when you announce the task?" I ask, questioning the lie Pan told me.
"One would think you'd still be reluctant to see him after he attacked you in that boulder." He says, sitting back on the bed.
"Well, as you said… it's not his fault; he started hallucinating when he ate that berry. Anyway, he's a Lost Boy, he doesn't have to apologize, and he was just acting the way you encourage." I say this, all the while hoping that Pan hasn't kept him somewhere locked up in too horrible place. I've managed to hide the fact that I'm no longer wearing the necklace for the past two days but it's getting more difficult and all I want to do is go find Felix and take him up on that offer to run away together.
"You're right… but he'll come back as soon as he's found what I need him to find." He says this in a peculiar way, as if there's something behind it.
"Alright, let's go then." I say as I get up. We get ready and leave for breakfast. I sit cuddled up next to Pan and make small talk with Nik and his gang while we eat. When Pan stands up, the rest of the boys take it as a cue to stand to attention.
"My brothers!" Pan calls, moving to a large rock to stand on. The Lost boys crowd around him as he delivers his speech,
"A while ago we had a new recruit arrive to Neverland… and this Lost-One-to-be was quite different to the usual crowd. She fought through any setbacks that came her way and after training tirelessly and living among you savages" This comment causes some howling and hooting from the crowd. "We will see if Lena Murdoch truly has what it takes to be a Lost One." The boys cheer and clap and I look up at Pan with a look of determination.
"Lena, today a young boy is arriving on our beaches and he is to be a Lost Boy. Everyone here knows that it takes some effort to forget your old life and so your task is to help the boy accept his calling as a Lost One." As he gives this part of his speech he stares right at me. I feel each of his words coated with its hidden meanings. What's he's basically saying is that my job is to trick the boy into thinking that he likes it here and that it will be better, even though I know that's not true. But to convince someone of this I would have to genuinely believe the lies I'm telling and that is the task Pan is really handing me… that tricky bastard. I nod when Pan looks at me expectantly.
"He's arriving soon… go to the beach Lena. And as soon as he's convinced, bring him here." After Pan says this the boys disperse with a quick applause and go back to eating. I run into the Elder Tree and pack a bag of supples like food and male clothes. I then hurry over to the armoury and begin to load up on weapons. I've got my bow and quiver and I'm just about to choose a sword when Pan appears next to me.
"Take these as well." He says while holding out a belt with several knives slotted into it.
"They're throwing knives that double as daggers." He clarifies as I slide one out, looking at it. The knife has blades on both sides of it, with the handle being in the middle. It's thin but has some weight behind it and the blade has been crafted sleekly so you can get an accurate aim. I hold it out and aim at a mark on the wall, slinging it back and releasing it, the knife hits the thin dark line I was aiming for.
"Oh good, I wasn't sure if you practiced with these yet." He says. I walk over to retrieve it as I speak,
"Don't you know by now that I'm full of surprises?" I grin at him as I slide the knife back into the belt and clip the belt across my torso. I select a sword and once I'm ready, he pulls me into an embrace.
"Say it again." He says.
"Say what?" I tease. Ugh, just let me go.
"What I like to hear." I hate you.
"I love you." I say with my fake smile. Seemingly convinced he lets me go and walks with me to the forest line.
"What's his name?" I ask before I leave.
"Jasper Collins." He says. I nod and commit the name to memory as I walk off, headed for the beach.
"Just tell him why you love the place; I'm sure you can convince him easily." Pan calls this out to me as I walk away. This is going to be hard.
Once I reach the beach I drop the bag of supplies in the sand and sit next to it, waiting. It's about an hour before I see two figures in the distance in the sky. One is dark with glowing eyes; the other is quite small and dressed in modern clothes. I get to my feet as the shadow lowers the boy to the land. The boy has a young face and he can't be more than five or six. He screams as he falls and I run over to catch him. He lands in my arms safely but his breathing is heavy and he passes out from the shock. I look at his face with horror, how could Pan bring someone so young here? His coat is soaked and it's adding to his weight, making him heavier. I take him over to a rock and sit him down to rest. I dig through the bag, preparing a Lost Boy cloak and some fruit for him to eat. I set it all down in a pile and move to lean over him.
"Hey… Jasper. Wake up." I say as I put my hand on his face and rock his head slightly from side to side.
"Jasper! Wakey Wakey." He begins to blink and he manages to mumble something incomprehensible. I sit back and let him rest for a moment. After ten minutes he begins to stir at my side while I'm fiddling with a throwing knife. His eyes hit the knife and he gets up and bolts, running to the other side of the large rock we were leaning against. I get to my feet,
"Jasper, Wait!" I call.
"Where am I?" He calls from behind the rock.
"You're in Neverland. Come here, I have food and warm clothes." I say, making eye contact with him.
"Who are you?" He asks.
"My name is Lena. And you're Jasper Collins. Here, eat something." I pick up an apple and hold it out to him. He looks at me with a worried face, considering if he can trust me or not.
"I'm not going to hurt you Jasper. I'm here to help you, I promise." I insist, putting the apple down next to me. I hold out some clothes to him,
"You must be freezing, take these and I'll help you change." He timidly walks over to me and takes the clothes. I put the fruit back into the bag I brought and sling the bag over my shoulder.
"We'll go somewhere else first. We can't stay here long." I eye the ocean, checking for dangers. A mermaid visit wouldn't be helpful. I only get a few steps ahead when I feel his tiny hand slide into mine, squeezing tightly. I look down at him and see that scared look on his face. Keep it together Lena. We reach an old empty scout post, consisting of a single tree house and a small chest. I put the bag down and kneel with him in front of me.
"Take your wet clothes off." I say and he starts to undress. I hold his cloak up to his body to see how much fabric I need to remove for it to fit him. I use my knife to tear of part of the sleeves and the bottom of the cloak. I do the same with the green shirt and pants and grab a small rope from the supplies bag. I help him get his shirt and pants on, tying the rope around his waist as a belt to hold them up. I then have him slide the cloak on. All of his clothes are oversized and his arm sleeves fall past his hands. I can't help my smile when he leans forward and his hood falls over his head, covering his whole face.
"Did you have family?" I ask. He shakes his head silently.
"Where did you live?" I ask.
"With different families that already had kids." He fiddles with his fingers.
"Like… foster homes?" I ask him. He nods and looks up at me.
"I want to go back there though. Home" He says.
"Well… Jasper, there's a reason you took the shadows hand isn't there?" I ask, looking into his eyes. He nods once again. "It wasn't that great there was it? You felt lonely." I say, resulting in another nervous nod.
"Well, good news. Your home is Neverland now; you have a whole bunch of big brothers." I half-smile at him.
"I came because the shadow said that I would have a sister that would love me." He says. I look at the ground, trying to hold it together.
"I'll be your sister." I say, not looking up at him. I can't do this. He moves forward and wraps his arms around my shoulders, hugging me. He steps back to look at me with sad eyes.
"Will you protect me, Lena?" He asks and I feel my breath catch as I stare back at him.
"Of course I will." I say, looking at him seriously.
"So, you're a Lost Boy. And the camp we're going to is full of other Lost Boys. Peter Pan runs things around here so try to do what he asks, he's not too bad." I begin,
"Peter Pan like in the cartoons? Is Wendy here?" Jasper asks,
"No. I don't think so…" I consider this thought. "Come on, we'd better get you there." I say, standing up.
"Is it far? I'm too tired to walk." He asks, looking up at me. I consider the distance and decide it's best if I carry him. I lean down and scoop him up in my arms, beginning our walk.
We reach the camp and Pan walks to greet him.
"Already?" Pan calls to me.
"Everyone, this is Jasper." I call to the group as I set Jasper down and hold his hand. We walk to the campfire.
"Don't be horrible to him." I add. Jasper stays by my side cautiously, looking at the boys. Pan walks to him and kneels down in front of him, grinning wickedly.
"Do you know who I am?" He asks. Jasper looks at me then back at him.
"Peter Pan." He says. Pan grins up at me and I look back at him in annoyance.
"Can we talk?" I ask. Pan stands up looking at me with a raised eyebrow. I lead Jasper to sit down near Nik, Benny and Flyde.
"Guys, please watch over him for just a minute." I say this and look to Jasper who shakes his head and squeezes onto my hand.
"I want to stay with you." Jasper says, worriedly.
"These guys are nice. I promise I'll be right back." I ensure him. He nods his head slowly and moves to sit next to the boys. Nik looks down at him and tries to start a conversation about some other nonsense. I get up and walk with Pan over to the empty dining table.
"I can't believe you would bring someone that young to Neverland! What were you thinking?" I ask, hitting him on the chest.
"Well, okay. First of all, I didn't bring him to Neverland the shadow did. And second of all you're far too worried about some kid. He'll be fine." He waves it off, moving his hands to rest on my waist.
"No!" I hit his hands away, much to his surprise. "He's not just some kid. He's too young to be here, he needs to grow up first. You have to send him back." After I say this he gets annoyed.
"I don't have to do anything. I am in charge here and I decide what goes. Jasper is staying." He pauses adding, "And why are you in such a mood? You're supposed to be in love with me." It takes every bit of my strength not to punch him the face right now.
"I do love you, you idiot. That doesn't mean I like you. And right now, I hate you." I say, walking away from him. As I turn around he appears in front of me, forcing me to run into him. As soon as I hit his chest he places his hands on my arms, holding me in place.
"I need to check something." He moves his hand to my cloak which is tied up with its drawstring. Oh no, he's checking for the necklace. I quickly move my hands to his cloak lapels and pull his face to mine, kissing him firmly. He moves his hands down to my back to hold me closer. I lean back from him, breathing heavily.
"Like that?" I ask, against his lips. He nods wordlessly. I pat him on the chest and try to unlink from him. Just as I move my body from his, he grabs me and pulls me back, kissing me again. He stops only to deliver a statement.
"I miss you, Lena. Don't push me away." He says. I nod as I look into his eyes and my mind goes to Felix once again without me trying. He lets me go this time when I try to move and I hurry back over to Jasper and the boys.
"Is everything okay here?" I ask, mainly to Jasper. He nods and I move to Nik.
"Just one more moment Jasper… Nik? Can I ask you something?" He starts to stand up just as they call for dinner. I didn't realise it was so late. We all move to the dining table with me leading Jasper by the hand. As soon as Nik sits down I sit next to him and bring Jasper to the other side of me. Pan walks up and narrows his eyes at Jasper, who took his spot. I notice this look and I turn to Pan.
"You're not going to ask the new recruit to move, are you Pan? He should know how it feels to take what he wants…" I say with a smirk. He rolls his eyes and moves down to sit at the end of the table, glaring at me. Everyone starts getting noisy and putting food on their plates so I use this moment to my advantage. I quickly fill Jasper's plate with some food because his arms are too short to reach the good stuff and I set it in front of him. I then turn to Nik and nudge him in the side,
"I know you know where Pan's keeping Felix." I say to him in a low voice. Nik's eyes flash to Pan then back at his food.
"I don't know what you're talking about." He says simply.
"Nik, don't bullshit me. I can tell when you're lying." I say, narrowing my eyebrows. When he remains silent I continue,
"If you don't tell me I might be forced to tell Pan about how much time we spent together when I first came here. Like the time we kissed?" I warn him with a lie. He widens his eyes and looks at me,
"We didn't kiss!" He snaps at me.
"Oh really? That night I crept into your bed ring any bells?" I say to him.
"Yes but we didn't- did we?" He takes a moment to think about this. We didn't kiss but he did fall asleep while we were talking, he was so tired he wouldn't have remembered if we did.
"Pan can forgive me because we're partners. But gee, I don't know what he'd do to you…" I trail off, turning around a serrated knife in my hand. He looks at his food with a worried face.
"The echo caves." He says quickly.
"Where are they?" I ask.
"Pan would have a map in his room; you'll find them on there…" He begins. I start to slide off the seat when Nik grabs my arm.
"But you're not going to get him out Lena." He begins.
"Why not? Is there a trap?" I ask.
"It's tricky… the caves make it impossible to track someone's movements… among other things. Felix is in a cage in one of the chambers that he can only get out of if he reveals a deep secret about himself." This confuses me.
"Why? Pan already knows everything about Felix."
"Pan's been going there every day and pretty much brainwashing Felix into believing that you're evil and you're out to destroy Neverland. He wants Felix to get himself out by swearing that he'll always be loyal to Pan… or something. But this way he's knows if it's genuine."
"But why does he have to believe I'm evil?"
"Because Lena. You don't realise what you did when you came here and severed the tie between Pan and Felix. Felix was Pan's most loyal follower once and he needs that trust back."
"And he's trying to work out a way to get that back while also keeping me around…" I nod, understanding.
"Thanks, Nik. I won't forget this." I pat his arm and before I stand up again I add, "I need something else," I begin. He rolls his eyes and groans,
"Lena, I've already-" I cut him off,
"I just need you to make sure Jasper is okay when I'm not here. These guys can be feral and I trust you to look after him." I say.
"He's got to learn how to deal with the Lost Boys soon enough." He says.
"Yes, but not yet. Please?" I tilt my head with a pout, putting my hand on his arm.
"Fine!" He announces, turning back to eat his food. I turn to Jasper who's eating silently and place my hand on his back.
"I'll be back."
"Okay." He says. I get up and hurry into the Elder Tree. I waste no time, digging through the drawers and chest for a map.
"What are you doing?" Pan's voice says from behind me. Dammit! I should have figured he'd be keeping an eye on me. I turn back to face him and I pout.
"I was looking for the corset. It was going to be a surprise, but you ruined it." I cross my arms.
"I can act surprised." He grins, walking towards me. It's then that I see a faded old paper in with a stack of others in the corner of my eye. The corner of the paper is sticking out and it has a north arrow on it.
"Well, you've ruined it now. We'll just have to see. Now get out, I need privacy." I say quickly, pushing him for the door.
"Fine. But don't be too long, we're celebrating tonight." He walks out the door, a nice change from his disappearing act. (Really, it's getting old.) Once he leaves I run over to the pile and slide out the map swiftly. Looking over the map a thought hits me. Have I really come so far that I'm actually holding a Neverland map in my hands and all I'm focused on is getting Felix out? Good job with the plan, Lena. I fold it up and put it in a pouch on my belt.
I begin to walk down the steps when I hear the soft sweet melody of a pipe being played. Every muscle in my body urges me to go to the music and dance and jump and enjoy it. I move to the campfire where Pan sits on a rock near the middle, playing the pipe. All of the other Lost Boys (including Jasper) are howling and banging sticks and rocks as they dance in a circle around Pan and the fire. Pan looks up at me, making eye contact. His mouth, though he's blowing into the pipe, curls up at the sides in a malicious grin. My mouth is open and I feel the control over my own body slipping away. I grab some nearby sticks, pull my cloak over my head and run in to join them
I dance and laugh and let the music control my body, dancing away the night. I dance away my troubles and thoughts. And the image of Felix slips from my mind…