Chapter 7: She Lives

Jake's Perspective:

I cracked my knuckles as beads of sweat rushed down my forehead from the despotic hot sun beating down on me. The air was humid as well as blistering. I pushed my shovel deeper into the dry soil and lifted it, throwing it into the pile beside me. I shoved my shovel back into the dirt, lifting the dirt and throwing it into the same pile. I did this over and over, pulling up the weeds and the grass as the sun remained unforgiving. The heat had my sweat running like raindrops dripping down a car window. I licked my lips, only to make them become even drier. A nice, cool glass of water was calling my name in the distance, but I could spare no time. If my father saw me come inside for even a few short minutes he would most likely whack me over the head with my shovel. And that's if he's in a good mood. Every day there were jobs to be done, and considering how my father had no intention to take care of his responsibilities, they all became my responsibilities. Corn needed to be shucked, crops needed to be fertilized, animals needed feeding, fences needed fixing as well did the shed, new pens needed to be built, new crops needed to be planted, and all by myself, it would take an average of fourteen hours of the day. Each day was the same; wake up before dawn and fall asleep before midnight. And since not much work can be done after dark, I have to spend that time cleaning up my father's messes. But even though it was hard work, I didn't mind it. It kept me away from my father for long periods of time; which was quite luxurious if you ask me. Sooner than later the clock would strike noon and the sun's intensity will triple. If one thing's for sure, it's going to be a heck of a long day.

Sam's Perspective:

I stood leaning next to a mahogany tree while Julian tied the ropes to set the trap.

"Are you gonna help me or are you just gonna stand there and look pretty?" Julian remarked sarcastically, looking up from the stake he was pushing into the ground.

I sighed and shrugged my shoulders with a frown engulfing my face.

"What's the point? Like we're going to actually trap anything…"

Julian looked into my eyes as he exhaled a loud sigh.

"Sam, listen, there's nothing we can do. What's done is done. It's not even like we had a choice in any of it" he responded.

I stood up from the tree and exclaimed;

"But he didn't even give her a chance! She was innocent! She didn't deserve whatever he's done!"

He shushed me as I made a lot of noise. I had forgotten that we can no longer be very loud in the forests, especially in the middle of the day. He released yet another sigh.

"News flash, none of us deserve this" he groaned.

A feeling of shock sank deep into me.

"Don't you even care?" I asked desperately.

Julian didn't make a sound. He stopped what he was doing and stared off into space for a moment.

"Of course I do…But the problem is when you care too much, you get hurt easily. And we can't let our guard down anytime soon. Another boy disappeared two days ago…"

My stomach twisted into a knot.

"What? Who?" I interrogated.

Julian's jaw clenched and his eyelids were shut tight for a moment. He then spoke without a hint of hesitation.

"Slightly. Slightly disappeared when he went out hunting. He never came back."

I sighed. It seems as though nobody is safe anymore. My stomach remained queasy.

"Are you kidding? Slightly has been here since the very beginning. He's one of the most experienced Lost Boys Neverland has ever known!"

Julian shook his head and rested his eyes.

"I know. And that's why we have to be alert at all times…"

Julian's gaze left mine as he returned to his task of setting up the trap. I leaned back onto the mahogany tree and exhaled a deep sigh.

"So are you gonna help me or what?" Julian questioned mockingly.

I shrugged my shoulders.

"What do you need?"

He looked around himself as his eyes fell upon something in the distance.

"Do me a favor and go grab that big pile of leaves over there between those two bushes."

I scoffed;

"Of course. Make me the delivery boy…"

Julian smirked;

"Oh but not only are you a delivery boy, you're a pretty delivery boy…"

"You got that right" I taunted.

Doing as I was told I turned away from Julian and walked over to the large pile of rotten leaves. Grabbing a large bundle of them I stood up, turning myself in the direction of Julian.

"You know what, I'm starting to think you just think of me as a pretty boy" I reckoned.

He mockingly replied;

"Yup, that's exactly what you are."

I smirked;

"Well I'll have you know, I am more than just a pretty face. I have courage, bravery, and most importantly-"

I screamed as something had just run into me, knocking me over onto the ground. The pile of leaves I was holding sprung into the air, falling in front of my field of vision. I could hear Julian as he dropped the knife he was holding along with the sound of heavy panting. My eyes remained shut out of my fear. When I got the courage to open my eyes I lost all of the breath in my lungs. Laying on the ground in front of me was Hannah, the girl that was supposed to have been 'taken care of'. After several pants she questioned nervously;

"Sam?"

My eyes widened…

Oh no…

Not again…

Hannah's Perspective:

My feet slipped outwards on the dry leaves as my sopping wet clothing dampened my sneakers. I passed in between trees, doing my best not to slow down. Each step I took was more dangerous than the last. I inhaled deeper and faster the longer I sprinted. My throat and lungs could barely take what I was putting them through right now, after the fact that I had almost drowned just a short time ago. My heart beat frantically as the boy was catching up to me. He was faster; faster than I'd be able to run. He was after me, and it had me on the edge. What kind of freaky Neverland island is this? It seemed as though the boy didn't break a sweat as he sprinted after me. He wore a brown cloak similar to the ones the other boys wore along with a red fur pelt of some sort. The way his dilated eyes looked at me had me frightened beyond belief. They looked inhumane as if there was no soul inhabiting him. He was so close to me I knew that if I didn't give it my all he would take me down. Deep down I searched for the last bit of energy I had and rapidly darted further. It appeared to have worked. I had gained almost ten feet between us. I kept pushing through the pain and sickness I was feeling. I felt the need to check how far he was behind me, but I was hit with a sudden epiphany.

The boy had vanished…

It was as if he dissolved into thin air. There was no trace of a threat of any kind. My heart seemed to beat faster, not knowing where the boy had gone. I continued to run, still unsure of his whereabouts and afraid to stop. It's very similar to when you find a spider in your bedroom. You go get a newspaper to kill it with, but when you come back it's gone. And that's the part that's more frightening; the fact that you don't know where it's scurried off to. I began to shake out of terror. I continued to look behind myself as I ran; doing my best to spot this mysterious boy. But suddenly the wind was knocked out of me when I collided with something sturdy. I knocked over what I realized was a person, as they shrieked and fell to the ground. A pile of crunchy leaves sprung into the air as each leaf individually floated to the ground, blocking my field of vision. I gasped for air as the sudden stop of motion made my body nauseous. My eyes opened. Through the falling leaves, I was met with a familiar face. That shaggy brown hair accompanied by bluish, green eyes was unmistakable.

"Sam?" I questioned aloud.

I stared into his colorful and shocked eyes. He looked like he was going to throw up as his face turned white. Running up from behind Sam was none other than Julian who looked even more perplexed. My heart continued to beat faster and faster as I looked around myself. I had no idea where the boy ran off to…

He was gone…

Sam's Perspective:

I looked at Hannah with pure fear in my eyes. She was sopping wet and her face was white as snow. She's alive…

"Y-you're s-supposed to b-be…"

She was panting as though she was out of breath. She quickly got to her feet and spoke frantically;

"You need to help me! Please! He's after me!"

Julian interjected;

"Who's after you?"

I stood up from my place on the ground. It was as if I was looking at a ghost. Hannah still seemed shaken up from whatever she was running from.

"Is it Pan?" I questioned.

Cause I mean who wouldn't run away from Pan if he was chasing you? His eyebrows alone are intimidating!

"No! It wasn't Pan! It-it was a boy. One of your Lost Boys" she spoke frantically.

The moment she said it was a Lost Boy I turned my head towards Julian and his eyes widened. He seemed just as worried as I was.

Julian began;

"Are you sure it was a Lost Boy? How are you even here? What happened back with Pan? Does he know you're alive?"

She shook her head uncontrollably;

"Yes, I'm sure it was a Lost Boy and—"

She paused for a moment.

"Wait, what do you mean 'does he know I'm alive'?" she questioned.

Crap…Nice one Julian. I shot him a glare and looked back at Hannah with a slightly nervous smile. Immediately her eyes darkened.

"Did you guys know he was going to try to kill me?!" she exclaimed.

You know, for once I'd love to experience Julian getting beat up by a girl…

Maybe today's my lucky day…

"Why didn't you guys tell me?!" she yelled, stepping towards me.

I backed up a few steps and held up my hands in defense as Julian shushed her to be quiet.

Julian claimed;

"You thought we were nut jobs! How could we expect you to believe us?"

She growled;

"I don't know…maybe just say 'hey, our psychotic leader is gonna try to kill you if you don't follow his rules'."

Julian and Hannah locked eyes.

"Okay we get it, we're idiots. But can you please just fill us in on what the heck is going on? How are you alive right now?" Julian begged.

Hannah's face relaxed as she calmed down.

"I'm not even sure…" she responded honestly.

Her eyes fell to the ground for a moment before continuing.

"He let me go. He left me to drown in the lagoon with the mermaids about a mile from here. I was close to death when he jumped in after me and brought me back up to shore. Then he just left."

I looked at Julian who appeared stunned. Pan? Showing mercy to a girl he just met? What kind of soap opera is this?!

Julian shook his head;

"It doesn't make any sense…"

Hannah raised a brow;

"You're telling me…This is the weirdest day of my life…"

Julian and I both chuckled.

"That's a day in Neverland for you" I spoke.

Hannah exhaled and rested her palms on the back of her neck. Strands of her hair continued to drizzle drops of water onto her already sopping wet clothes. Her eyes laid on the ground in front of her as she lost herself in thought.

"I don't even know what to do now…Pan said he'd help me get home, but obviously, that's a total bust. It looks like I'm back to being the new girl again…" she speculated.

At that moment I empathized for Hannah. She's just been through so much within the last twenty-four hours.

Julian stepped forward;

"Does anyone besides Pan know you're alive?"

Hannah remained quiet for a moment as she was lost in a daze. Seconds later her bright blue shining eyes looked up at him.

"No…"

She released another heavy sigh as she turned around and looked deep into the forest.

"The only one is the boy who was hunting me down just now. And I know for a fact that he was a Lost Boy. But he just…disappeared…"

Julian's eyes narrowed in suspicion;

"How do you know? Had you seen him before?"

She shook her head;

"No, but he was wearing a cloak; one similar to the ones all of you boys wear. But he wasn't just wearing a cloak. He also had some sort of pelt…like a squirrel or a fox or something…"

My heart sank into my chest.

"Slightly…" I whispered aloud in realization.

"What?" Hannah asked, turning around to look at us.

Julian interrupted;

"Nothing, nothing…"

She looked at us skeptically but dismissed it. Julian stared daggers at me before speaking;

"Hey Sam, a word?"

We turned our backs to Hannah before taking a few steps away so she couldn't hear us.

Julian whispered;

"Sam, she can't know what's going on. She's barely capable of protecting herself. If she found out there were more threats than Pan she would freak. We have to keep her calm throughout all of this."

Shaking my head I spoke desperately;

"Well, what do you think we should do?" We can't just leave her out here on her own. Especially if it really was Slightly she saw—"

"Listen—" Julian cut me off.

"—It could've been anyone. We can't just assume it was him—"

"Oh come on Julian! A fox pelt? That's Slightly's calling card and you know it! Nobody is safe anymore" I interjected.

I sighed and rubbed my tired eyes with closed fists.

"What do you wanna do about Hannah? Everyone thinks she's dead. If she shows up at camp everyone will freak out and bombard Pan with questions."

Julian didn't respond at first.

"What other choice do we have? Julian spoke, shrugging his shoulders.

I glanced over at Hannah who was watching the forest intently out of what I presumed to be paranoia. I turned back to Julian.

"If we bring her back to camp somebody's got to train her. At this rate, she'd probably be devoured by a bear before anything else. At least have someone teach her how to survive and how to fight."

Julian agreed;

"Okay, I'll do it. I'll train her every morning before we go out hunting as long as she's willing. And I'll give her a little crash course on surviving in Neverland too."

"Well, she doesn't really have the option to say no. We're all she's got" I said.

Julian nodded and started walking back over to Hannah before I grabbed his shoulder and pulled him back.

"One last thing—" I added.

Julian cocked a brow in suspicion.

"If you're going to train her, you also need to teach her how to handle Pan so that next time he won't actually kill her."

Julian rolled his eyes.

"I don't think any of us are qualified enough to teach that" he smirked.

Shrugging my shoulders we turned to Hannah and walked back over to discuss our plans.

"Devoured by bears, huh?" Hannah said with folded arms and raised brows.

Hehe, oops…

I gave Hannah yet another nervous smile. I laughed;

"I mean, you know, worst case scenario…"

She fluttered her lashes at me and chuckled;

"So what's the deal? Am I too girly to stick with you guys for the time being?"

Julian and I both smiled. I began;

"Well, actually I came up with a genius plan—"

"Okay, enough sweetheart. Let's just explain it to her on our way back. It's gonna get dark soon" Julian snickered.

Hannah narrowed her eyes and stood confused.

"Already? But it feels like it's only been a few hours?"

Julian scoffed;

"Ahh, you have so much to learn young student of mine."

Julian patted Hannah on the back as we began our journey back towards camp.

Well…

This oughta be interesting…

Jake's Perspective:

The sun by now had set, taking the blazing hot weather with it. The sky was dark and the air was left feeling cool and damp. It was late into the night, as I had already finished feeding the cattle and fixing the shed. I had just left the shed as I approached my 'home' to finally get some rest. What was bizarre, however, was that the porch lights were on. I chuckled aloud as I thought to myself. My drunken father is too unmotivated to walk out the front door of the house, yet he is motivated enough to turn on the porch lights? And for whom would need these lights beside me? As if he's going to have any visitors anytime soon…I honestly don't remember the last time we had anyone come over to our house. The last time either of my brothers visited or even sent a letter had to have been about a year before I left. It was depressing not knowing where they ended up or where their lives are now. Part of me resented the fact that neither one of them took me with them. Part of me felt abandoned when they never responded to my letters to come back for me. My opinion on my brothers really changed when they ignored my cries for help. I had always looked up to them, but seeing as they didn't bother to come back for me, they were no longer my role models. It seemed as though they were always so kind and helpful, but it was all just a hoax. I climbed the steps of my back porch and reached for the door handle when I was struck with a sudden realization. How had I gotten so lucky in meeting Peter and escaping this place? My odds were one in a million, yet I was granted a miracle. I had stayed so long and remained miserable for what felt like an eternity. There were so many painful memories held in this place…It was almost unbearable.

Snapping out of my daze, I grabbed the door handle to the screen door and proceeded inside. Every moment was artificial and predictable. I didn't even flinch when I heard glass shattering only inches away from the right side of my face. Without hesitating I flipped the light switch as I saw my father sitting in the kitchen directly across from me on the same stool he'd always sit on. Kicking aside the shards of glass on the floor I took two steps closer to him. As I looked at him the only thing I could feel was the feeling of betrayal.

"Some things just never change…" I spoke in a disappointed tone.

He eyed me and seemed less than thrilled.

"What did you just say boy?" he groused as he stared at me with cold eyes.

His neglected appearance hadn't changed. The familiar stench of alcohol was still filling every cavity in the room.

"I mean why should I plead for you to be the loving father I once knew? After all, you used to always say I was destined to accomplish great things. But now, you would sell me for a bottle of whiskey any day if you were given the opportunity" I replied irritably.

He raised his left brow and replied with a chuckle;

"Why, that's not true. If I sold you who else would do my taxes?"

I felt my blood begin to boil as a cocky grin stretched across his face. I'm the only reason he actually has any money…

"Listen, kid, I think you should be grateful that you're not out on the streets or in the wilderness. I supply you with food, a house, a job, and a dog. What more could a teenage boy possibly need?"

I clenched my jaw and my muscles tightened. My dry mouth spoke;

"A father."

He rolled his eyes and scoffed.

"Being homeless is better than being unloved…" I said quietly.

I began to see my father's eyes grow dark.

"Well if you feel so strongly then why don't you just leave? Why have you stuck around all this time?" He questioned.

And that was the question. Why had I stuck around through the beatings? Through the verbal abuse? What was there for me here when I had no other obligations? But after a moment I came to a realization. It was one of those things where you don't consciously do it. You just do it because it's the right thing to do. I cleared my throat and spoke truthfully.

"Because I didn't want to leave you all alone like everyone else did."

My father candidly laughed. Not just a snobby chuckle, but a full on belly laugh.

"Is that what you think? That you bring me some sort of comfort?"

I stood in front of the man that I was forced to call my father as he continued to laugh.

"I'll tell you why you're still here; because you're a coward. You're here for you. You're afraid to leave and start over. The thought of being alone makes you want to curl up in a ball and cry like the weakling you are. You wouldn't be able to last a day in the real world. You live in this fantasy where everything is perfect and every day is filled with adventure and wonder. But really, you create these fantasies to cope with the fact that you'll never become anything. You're afraid to come to terms that you'll never be able to make your mother proud."

I felt the warmth in my cheeks and the tears in my eyes. I jarringly pushed the glass vase off of the table beside me, making it shatter onto the floor. My father stood up suddenly from his stool as he cursed;

"What the hell is the matter with you?!"

I snickered aloud;

"Wow. That's the first time I've seen you stand up for more than just getting a beer."

He stomped over to me as I took a step back.

"You do not speak to me that way!" He shouted viciously.

I rolled my eyes.

"Or what, you'll kill me? Break my ribs? Lock me in the basement closet?" I challenged.

My father growled.

"You need to be taught a lesson…"

I scoffed as he spoke with authority. But apparently, that was the last straw. He grabbed the collar of my shirt and dragged me over a few feet to the stove. I fought back the best I could, but my father was a strong man with a strong build. No matter how hard I pulled I couldn't yank myself free. He turned on the gas, causing a flame to emit from the top of the stove. He glanced around himself as the block of knives caught his attention. Pulling the largest steak knife from the block he stuck the metal blade into the flame.

"You know what happens when you play with fire, son?"

I avoided eye contact with him while tugging away until he grabbed me by my hair.

"Look at me when I speak to you!" he yelled.

Yanking at my hair he made me look him directly in the eyes.

"You know what happens when you play with fire?" He asked again.

He let go of my hair and forcibly grabbed my right arm.

"You get burned."

He pulled the knife out of from the flame. The metal blade showed hues of orange and red. I could feel the warmth almost six inches away. He brought it close to my skin where I felt like even without touching it would give me blisters. I shut my eyes tight as he pressed the side of the blade against my skin. For a moment I was in agonizing pain, but a near split second later my eyes shot open. I was laying in my bed as I heard my father's voice from the kitchen calling for me.

"Jake! If you don't get your ass outside and start working I'm going to make you wish you were never born!"

I sighed in relief but also in sadness. I pulled my right arm out from underneath the covers on my bed examining my unwounded arm. Did the day reset at midnight? Or maybe did I pass out from the pain? But nothing made sense. I'm still supposed to dream here, aren't I? Or must I fall asleep before midnight to have the privilege to dream? I sighed and looked up at the ceiling. Sometimes I really wish Gail could be a little more thorough…

"Jake!" My father shouted once more.

My gosh, I definitely have not missed hearing this every morning…

I groaned and sat up in my bed.

So this is my life now…Can't say I'm particularly a fan of this new yet old lifestyle…I closed my eyes and exhaled a deep breath. I've only been here for a day and I'm at the point where I will do anything to get out of here. Unfortunately, I don't even know where to begin…But I know one person who does…

I have to speak to Gail again…

—

A.N:

Hey guys! Another update is finally here! Yay! I'm so excited to finally get this storyline going and I can't wait to hear what you guys think. How do you guys feel about Hannah running into Sam and Julian? And what do you think of Jake's 'new' life now? Do you guys really think it was Slightly that was going after Hannah? What does all of this mean? I'd love to hear all of your thoughts and predictions so please don't hesitate to comment! A new chapter will hopefully be posted soon. Don't forget to comment if you enjoyed the chapter and I'll see you in the next update!

-Agm3