Chapter 20: The Cloak

Lea's Perspective:

My vision was hazy as my eyes continued to open and close. They constantly felt heavy and weak, like they purposely didn't want me to wake up. I could tell I was dreaming because I felt a certain warmth that I hadn't felt in a long time. It was a familiar warmth to me that I hadn't felt since he died. Perhaps it was his faint scent left on his cloak that brought these memories back to the front of my mind. I had pushed them away for so long because of the pain they brought. But every once in awhile he would come to visit me in my dreams. Old memories of him would visit me, letting me witness his smile for the first time in a long while. And when I would wake up he would drift away back to the corner of my mind where he resided. Though I wish I could say I was over him, there was still a piece of me that belonged to him, and him to me.

As my vision continued to fade in and out, I heard familiar voices speaking around me. From the timbre of the voices, I could tell that one of the voices belonged to Peter, one to Sam, and another to Julian. The last voice was eerily familiar and made my body tense up. Forcing my eyes open, smoke filled the dark sky and clouded my vision. Sitting up from the ground I felt my head become light, but I pushed past it. I noticed that in my arms I held the cloak I had grabbed from the vanity before it was consumed by the fire. Looking about myself I saw several people huddled around me. And indeed, my predictions were correct. Peter knelt beside me to my right, followed by Sam and Julian.

"Lea, are you okay?" Sam exclaimed as he looked into my eyes with fear. The world moved slowly in front of my eyes. "What happened?" He continued. At that moment I couldn't quite construct a cohesive response.

"Give her some air," Julian suggested. I could feel my head pounding as I hissed in pain. Through their questions I could still hear the rapid shouts of boys behind us, desperately trying to contain the fire. Pushing myself up from the ground my eyes panned across all of the people surrounding me. It wasn't until my eyes fell upon the person kneeling directly to my left that my suspicions were confirmed. My jaw clenched and her eyes widened when she saw my reaction. Beside me was Lily, who I hadn't spoken to in several years. The last time I spoke to her, I made it very clear as to how we stood. I had informed her that as long as she stayed away from me from then on, I wouldn't kill her. But the moment that she brings herself into my presence, I wouldn't hold back what I had in store for her. I grit my teeth and stood from my place on the ground. Peter grabbed a hold of my right forearm but I pulled away from his grip.

"What the hell is she doing here?" I spoke scathingly as I approached her. I watched the fear flicker in her eyes as she began to back away from me. Julian spoke up,

"Lea, stop. She came to help—"

"Help?" I scoffed. "You expect me to believe she was trying to help? She's a traitor—"

"Lea, if you could just listen to me I can explain—" Lily tried.

"I don't want to hear another word from you" I cut her off. "The last thing I want to hear from you is a thousandth apology. Because you know what? 'Sorry' doesn't fix anything—"

"Lea, stop! Just listen to her!" Julian pleaded. I scoffed.

"Don't tell me she's got you guys brainwashed. Don't you remember everything she's put us through? She can't be trusted." I glared darkly into her eyes. "Once a traitor, always a traitor."

"You know what, Lea, you're right. You have no reason to trust me, but I promise you this. Something is going on in Neverland that is bigger than anything we've ever dealt with." I chuckled.

"What cued you in on that? The disappearances of Lost Boys or the fact that there's a mystery girl that appeared from who knows where?" Lily stood with her lips parted.

"What I'm trying to say is that I think there may be a way to figure out what's going on. If you would just come back to my camp my mother will explain—"

"I'm not going anywhere with you," I scowled. "I'm putting a stop to all of this. The moment that fire is extinguished I am going out and putting an end to this hell, whether I survive or not. Whoever did this wanted me dead, and frankly, I don't blame them. If I were them I would've killed me when they had the chance. They've made a huge mistake messing with me." I brushed past Lily and began walking into the forest.

"Lea, just hold on," Julian called after me. Ignoring their pleas, I continued on, rubbing the tender skin on my forearm that was burnt. "Lea! Stop!" Peter shouted. "You shouldn't go out there by yourself! Not at a time like this—"

"I'm done running!" I shouted. "I've wasted enough of my life hiding and running from people. It's time for someone to do something other than hide. For a camp full of boys you act like teenage girls…" As I continued on into the forest I disappeared into the shadows. I could still hear shouts in the distance, but they began to slowly fade. I was now alone, or at least, I thought I was until I heard the brushing of bushes behind me. Drawing my blade, I turned quickly on my heels and darted my eyes behind me.

"Holy hell!" Hannah shouted. My narrowed eyes relaxed a bit.

"Hmm, it's just you…" I said. "You should know by now that I'm not a fan of surprises…So, did you enjoy the show? I bet you were thrilled that I was finally getting what I deserved" I mocked. Hannah's face distorted into a confused expression.

"You really think I hate you that much? Don't flatter yourself" she replied, "I actually came to make sure you were okay" she continued. "I saw everything." I raised a brow at her.

"Sure you didn't do it?" I muttered. Hannah raised a brow and I scoffed and returned to a dark tone. "I'm fine. You should go back. I'm not looking for any company right now" I scolded. To be fair, my tone at that moment was probably the nicest I had been towards her since she got here. I began to turn away from her when she grabbed a hold of my shoulder.

"Wait—" she spoke eagerly. My eyes widened as I looked at her hand grabbing my shoulder. I jerked away from her in confusion.

"What?" I spat. She looked into my eyes with complete seriousness. Her bright blue eyes held a certain curiosity that I hadn't seen before.

"When you were in the hut after the ceiling collapsed, did you…see…anything?" She questioned. I looked to her confused and replied in question.

"What do you mean?" I said nonchalantly. She began again.

"I mean, did you see anything? Like a person or something?" My brows contorted in confusion as I replied.

"No. Why in the hell would there have been someone in there with me—"

"Because I saw them," Hannah said. "I saw a boy in the smoke, holding the slab of the ceiling above you" she continued. I chuckled.

"Okay, your games are cute, but seriously? Come on—"

"You saw him and you know it," Hannah said. "I could see it in your eyes that you felt someone was in there with you." I shook my head.

"There was smoke everywhere, Hannah. Whatever you think you saw wasn't there. And even if I did see something then all of that smoke I inhaled got to my head. Simple as that." I turned my back toward her and began walking further into the forest.

"You can keep denying all you want, but one day you're gonna realize that all denial does is postpone what's to come" Hannah called out after me. I stopped in my tracks for a moment and took in what she said. Shaking my head, I continued on into the forest, disappearing from her sight.

Hannah's Perspective:

As Lea walked further into the forest I stood alone, lost in my thoughts and questioning reality. Was I wrong in what I saw? Was I crazy? Was my PTSD acting up? Was there any explanation whatsoever for what I may have seen? But what if it was real? What does it mean then? What if there was something going on even Lea couldn't see? Part of me couldn't help but wonder if it was up to me to figure out what I saw. Perhaps there were more important things to worry about at that moment, like who started the fire, and who was their intended target? My thoughts were interrupted when I heard shuffling amongst the bushes nearby. In a panic, I fled the area quickly and started back towards camp.

Peter's Perspective:

"Great, now Lea is off on a rampage in the middle of the forest" I muttered.

"I'll go after her," Sam volunteered.

"No," I spoke, "that will only anger her more. She needs to cool off. But she shouldn't be out there by herself. Especially if they know she doesn't have the locket." Lily looked at me with a glowing curiosity.

"What difference does her locket make?" She questioned. Both Julian and Sam looked at me with worried expressions.

"Without that locket, it means she isn't under protection anymore. She's just as vulnerable as the rest of us to being put under Hook's influence. And we all know if that happens then it's game over."

"Then someone should go get her. Talk some sense into her before anything else happens" Sam said. Julian began.

"Who do you suggest we send that wouldn't send her off the edge?" After a moment, everyone's heads turned toward me. I raised a brow.

"As much as I'd like to go on this goose chase, I have things I need to take care of…"

And by "things you need to take care of", you mean taking another shot of your elixir…

Yeah, looks like this boy is about to croak…

Would you lot kindly put a sock in it? I need to think!

Go ahead and think about how Lea almost perished a horrid, cruel death…

Go ahead and wonder who will lose their life next, because you haven't done anything to change it…

Go ahead and think about how you haven't been there for the Lost Boys…

Shut up!

"Try sending someone she's comfortable with that she hasn't seen much recently. Perhaps Felix could talk some sense into her" I suggested. The boys shrugged their shoulders and began their search for Felix. I turned from them and headed towards my hut, where my thoughts eventually took over. As I approached the door to my hut, I couldn't help but feel like something was off. Standing in front of the door, I noticed that it was left open. This was strange since I always keep the door closed as the Lost Boys know it is strictly off-limits. When I slowly pushed the door open, my heart sank deep into my chest and my eyes widened. My medicine cabinet was empty, with all of the vials of my elixir shattered on the wood floor. I stumbled into the room and fell to my knees, picking up shards of glass with my hands.

No…

No!

This can't be happening…

Who did this?!

I felt my heartbeat increase and began to panic. Without that elixir, I wouldn't be able to keep myself together. I picked up shards of glass and chucked them at the wall in fury.

"No! No!" I shouted angrily, continuing to throw the broken glass at the wall. "Son of a—" I flinched when a shard of glass slit my finger. I hissed in pain and shook my hand now covered in specks of blood.

"Looks like Peter's gonna have to face his fears after all…"

No…

"Now he can't take the easy way out…"

Shut up…

"You know this is what's best for you Peter…Running from your fears won't solve anything…"

I'm not afraid…

"Stop denying it, Peter…"

I shook the voices out of my head and shouted.

"Leave me the hell alone!" Holding my head in my hands I began tugging at my hair in desperation. "Someone wake me up from this hell!" I continued throwing the shattered glass at the wall and felt myself begin to feel hopeless. The pain in my chest began to grow and I could feel my throat closing. The air in my lungs became scarce and my heart began to thump uncontrollably. And for the first time in years, I felt an unfamiliar sensation upon my face. A single tear rolled down my cheek, falling onto my olive green shirt.

"Bottling up those feelings can't be good for you Peter…All it does is make things more painful…"

Pain isn't an option when you can't feel…

"But pushing your feelings away only makes you weaker—"

That's not true. Emotions make you weak—

"Emotions give you something to fight for. Emotions make you who you are…"

You're wrong. Emotions are scary, terrifying even. I could never go back to them…

"Emotions are a gift, Peter. They allow you to get close to people—"

Yeah, and then I end up getting hurt. They end up getting hurt. It's better to just not have them. Vulnerability is—

"You remember that day Hannah drowned in the lagoon, Peter?"

How could I forget? I was weak…

"No, Peter, you weren't. You listened to your emotions and made the right choice. You saved her—"

Saved her from what? All I've done is put her in more danger.

"You can protect her, Peter. You can protect all of them. You just have to believe that you can…"

And what if I can't? What if they die because of me?

"Then you die for the people you love, Peter…"

They'll all leave me, just like Wendy…

For a moment, my mind fell silent. The echoing voices in my head ceased. Is that what I'm afraid of? Being alone? Is that why my Lost Boys are being taken? Hook knows I get attached and care about them more than I care about myself. Is that my weakness? Is that what makes me so vulnerable? I waited for a voice to respond in my head, but there was nothing but silence. If I didn't feel, would I even care about the Lost Boys? Or Lea? Or even…My thoughts stuttered when the thought crossed my mind. Or even Hannah…? I sat in disbelief and confusion as I interrogated myself. Why couldn't I let her die? Why did I save her? Why couldn't I walk away? It was at that moment that I furrowed my brows and came to a sudden realization. I had left Hannah for dead, just as Wendy had done to me. She gave me the benefit of the doubt and I acted upon malice instead. She didn't ask for any of this…But I treated her as though she did. It wasn't her fault that she ended up here. In reality, it was mine. If I hadn't enchanted that book for Wendy…none of this would have happened. It was my fault. That's why…for some reason in my bones…I opened my eyes for a moment and realized what I had done and went back for her. I wasn't weak…I simply…

Opened my eyes…

For a moment, my heart began to race as a certain warmth coursed through my chest. It was similar to that when you escape from the cold winter storm into a warm, heated cabin. First, a warm shiver runs across your entire body, starting from the tip of your nose and your shoulders, all the way down to your toes. Then suddenly, your body begins to thaw and the shivering ceases, leaving behind a heavy mass of heat that warms your bones. This feeling was so strange yet felt so familiar.

What was happening to me?

Lea's Perspective:

I sat with my arms across my knees and listened as the waterfall crashed into the lagoon below, erupting in a series of waves that traveled toward my feet. The bright moon above reflected a bright, white light upon the water's surface. The air was quiet as the chirping of birds echoed throughout. I released a heavy sigh and rested my eyes. Things used to be so easy…What was driving me crazy was the fact I can't even say I'm completely sane anymore. What if Hannah, for once, was right? Why in the hell did I feel something so…familiar…I reopened my eyes and grabbed a nearby stone in the palm of my hand, chucking it into the water. With a splash, the stone sank to the bottom and caused a ripple of waves to meet my feet. I released a heavy side as I rested my head on my knees. My hand rested in my lap, tightly grasping the brown cloak I held close.

"Ryan! I'm going to kill you!" A female voice screamed. My head perked up in confusion as I looked around myself.

"Oh, I'm sorry, did you need these? Well, you won't be needing these now, will you?" A voice responded with a cynical chuckle. It was then that I realized it was indeed my voice yelling at Ryan. Except this event wasn't currently taking place. In fact, it was seemingly a memory from several years ago.

Five Years Earlier…

It was a calm afternoon after training and I would have nearly killed for a shower. Layers upon layers of dirt were caked all over my entire body, a real attractive look if you know what I'm saying. I wanted nothing more than to just feel clean again. As I approached the waterfall, I was careful to make sure that there was nobody nearby that would run into me. The coast seemed clear as far as I could see. I shrugged my shoulders and kicked the shoes off my feet, continuing to do so with the rest of my clothes until I left them in a pile on the shore. Jumping into the lagoon below the falls I rejoiced in how glorious the water felt against my skin.

Clean at last!

I roughly scrubbed the dirt out of my hair and washed my face with the refreshing water, exhaling a sigh of relief. Resting my eyes, I hadn't felt so relaxed in days.

"Enjoying your swim, princess?" A snarky voice called out. My eyes shot open and as I turned around I saw Ryan standing ten feet away on the shore.

"Got tired of annoying the Lost Boys for the day?" I replied irritably. Ryan raised a brow and smirked.

"If you mean I'm exhausted from being so incredibly charming? Why yes, yes I am." I rolled my eyes and scoffed.

"So, what, are you here to be a creep and spy on me? Because I would really appreciate it if you left me alone" I responded plainly. Ryan shook his head.

"I'm sorry, does this lagoon belong to you? Regardless, I was just passing through. Thought that maybe I should start a little game." It was then that Ryan bent over and picked up my clothes.

"The hell do you think you're doing?" I questioned, watching the smirk on his face grow wider. I eyed my clothes in his hands and exhaled a heavy breath, trying to control my temper.

"Oh, I figured I'd start a new game, one I like to call 'Naked and Afraid'." Ryan turned away from me and began to walk towards the forest.

"Ryan, stop. This isn't funny…" I scolded. But he continued to walk and replied in a mocking tone.

"If you want them so bad, then come and get them." It was now that I could be my blood boiling. Who the hell does he think he is?

"Ryan, I'm going to kill you!" I shouted as I swam closer to shore.

"Shall I send a few Lost Boys your way to assist you?" Ryan asked in the cockiest tone. I narrowed my eyes.

He wouldn't dare…

"Perhaps I'll send Sam your way…"

Instantly my heart stopped and the blood rushed to my cheeks. There was no way in hell he would do it. No way. I would die of embarrassment if anyone saw me…I shook my head and looked around myself to find some sort of solution to my predicament, but there was nothing. I was screwed. For the next several hours, I sat in that lagoon with my head in my hands. My fingers were shriveled like prunes and I began to get cold as the sun began to set. This was bad, very, very bad. I contemplated how long it would take to run back to camp without being seen, but there was no way around it. My head perked up when I heard the sound of rustling bushes near the lagoon. I grit my teeth as I prepared for what was to come. Through the bushes came Sam, with a relaxed grin on his face.

"Hey, Lea! What's up?" He yelled as he quickly approached me. "Mind if I join?" He asked. Quickly I held my hands up in defense.

"No, no, no, no, Sam! Stay back!" I exclaimed. A look of confusion crossed his face.

"What? What's wrong?" He questioned, his tone filled with concern.

"Don't come any closer…" I stressed. He furrowed his brows, taking a few steps closer towards me.

"Listen, if this is about earlier I totally—"

Sam stopped speaking when a quick, puzzled expression crossed his face. His eyes moved away from my face when he stuttered.

"A-are y-you…" Sam trailed off. It was instantly that his face turned a shade of red brighter than that of a tomato. His eyes widened and I continued.

"Shh shh! Sam, just shh! Please!" He cleared his throat and said meekly.

"I'll just go and leave you to…uh-" Sam was cut off when the sound of boys yelling erupted not far in the distance. I grew into a panic.

"Sam, please!" I pleaded.

"What do you want me to do?!" He questioned in a panic.

"Get them away from here! Get rid of them! Please!" I begged with every last ounce of my being. Sam looked behind himself and back at me, releasing a heavy sigh. He turned quickly and ran into the forest hooting and hollering at the incoming boys. I could only hear bits and pieces of what he was saying. Heavily groaning, I swam to the edge of the lagoon and rested my forearms on a rock, burying my head inside them. Every moment that passed got chillier and chillier. It wouldn't be long until the moon would come out and the sun disappeared. Perhaps that's my only other option at this point—waiting for all of the boys to fall asleep. But knowing Ryan, he would be waiting there, with all of the Lost Boys lined up, ready to laugh and mock. The loud voices of the Lost Boys began to fade, telling that Sam was successful in leading them away. It was now that the only sounds echoing throughout the forest were the splashing of the falls and the occasion tweeting of Neverbirds. My teeth chattered as my entire body shivered. As my eyes were closed, I could just barely feel myself dozing off.

"What's going on, stranger?" A voice called out a few feet in front of me. I nearly jumped and pushed myself away from the edge of the lagoon. When I looked up at the mystery boy in the brown cloak I cowered in fear. Looking into his warm brown eyes, I instantly felt my cheeks get hot. His bright white smile was warm and welcoming. "We were gonna meet by the creek, remember?" he said, a few loose strands of his blonde locks falling in front of his eyes. My heart sank as I had somehow forgotten about meeting him in all of the chaos.

"Well, y-you see," I began in a sarcastic tone, "as m-much as I w-wanted to, I'm a little s-stuck." He took a step toward me but I put up my hands in defense. "Stop right t-there, mister!" I said in a panic. He became puzzled.

"How long have you been in there?" Jake chuckled. My eyes widened at that very concept.

"W-what time did we get out of training again?" Jake's eyes widened until he realized I wasn't joking.

"That was eight hours ago. Are you serious?" He said in disbelief. I scoffed.

"Y-yeah, you can thank Ryan f-for that." Jake furrowed his brows.

"Why? What did Ryan do?" He questioned. Though after another look at me Jake raised a brow. "Are you…like…?" Gritting my teeth through the embarrassment, I replied.

"Y-yes, J-Jake. I wasn't exactly planning on having my c-clothes being taken. S-so, forgive m-me" I sighed. He shook his head.

"We gotta get you out of there. You must be freezing" he exclaimed as he knelt down to reach towards me. I pulled away instantly.

"Over m-my dead body am I g-gonna let anyone see me!" I spoke in a hushed tone, my teeth continuing to chatter. Releasing a sympathetic sigh, Jake looked around himself before looking down at his shoulder. He began to take off his cloak.

"W-what are y-you doing?" I questioned, watching as he set his cloak down in front of me on the ground.

"Try that on for size," he said with a slight smile. Raising a brow, I eyed the cloak and looked back up at him. I sensed that he could tell what I was thinking when he continued. "Don't worry," he chuckled, "I won't look…" Standing up from his crouch, he turned around and crossed his arms.

Was this really happening right now?

I hesitated for a moment, seeing as the situation I was currently in was rather an uncomfortable one. However, I knew that the longer I stayed in the lagoon, the more of a risk I would take being seen by Ryan and his goons. Slowly reaching towards the edge of the lagoon, I wrapped my fingertips along the edge of the grass overhang and began to pull myself up. The cold air felt like sharp knives against my skin. The last bit of sun fell below the horizon, leaving only a little light left to Neverland. Completely pulling myself out from the lagoon, I stood up on the grass and quickly wrapped myself in the cloak, not leaving any time for any sneak peeks. I heard Jake slightly clear his throat.

"D-don't look," I chuckled jokingly.

"I'm not!" He sassed me. Completely wrapped in the cloak, I spoke up.

"O-okay, a-all c-clear," I shivered, holding onto my forearms. Jake turned around and took a good look at me.

"See! Perfect fit!" He laughed. I chuckled, only for the chattering of my teeth to become more apparent. Jake's face softened as he pressed his palm against my cheek. "My God, you're like an ice cube," he said in a concerned manner. He began rubbing my shoulders vigorously in an attempt to create heat. "We gotta thaw you out," he laughed quietly to himself. I began to speak through my shivers.

"I'm g-gonna kick R-Ryan's ass," I chuckled, smiling up at Jake. Beads of water droplets continued falling down my face and onto the cloak that he graciously allowed me to borrow.

"I know you will," Jake laughed. "But for now let's get you back without a diagnosis of hypothermia." Wrapping his arm around my shoulder, Jake began escorting me back to camp. "Here, I've got something funny for you," he said, "What happens when you're alone and get too cold?" He asked. Furrowing my brows, I chuckled.

"What?"

"You become ice-olated," Jake chuckled.

"Oh my God," I laughed, "That has to b-be the worst one yet. If I w-wanted to hear another one of your cheesy jokes I w-would've asked—"

"Oh, come on!" Jake exclaimed. "That was funny!"

"I think I prefer the lagoon…" I laughed.

"That can be arranged," Jake eyed me, "I will throw you right back in there if you don't behave." I rolled my eyes.

"You damn well know y-you wouldn't test your odds against m-me," I said boldly with a grin. Jake held up his hands in defense.

"Okay, okay, perhaps you're right. I'm just too nice, I'll take it easy on you…" I chuckled.

"Whatever helps you sleep at night," I muttered. "When we get back I am so gonna—"

"Gonna what? Beat up Ryan? C'mon Lea, you've been in a lagoon for eight hours. Wouldn't you rather be a good, responsible person and go to bed? Get some good, quality rest?" He suggested. Looking over at Jake I eyed him with a playful smirk.

"And squander this perfect, calm night? I don't think so," I grinned. "In fact," I paused and stopped in my place, "we are gonna go have some fun" I declared. Jake raised a brow and grinned playfully.

"We are?" He questioned as I took a step closer to him. My smile grew wider.

"The creek. Twenty minutes. Be there." I turned away from Jake and headed towards my hut.

"And what if I don't?" Jake asked with his arms crossed. "You did stand me up earlier…" he mocked. Without turning back, I spoke.

"Then let me make it up to you," I paused, "and how else will you get your cloak back?" I joked mockingly. I began to disappear into the trees as I heard Jake yelling after me.

"You're a tease, Lea Robel!" He called out. I smiled and spoke to myself.

"You're a charmer, Jake McAllister…"

Current Time…

I opened my eyes to the lagoon in front of me, silent and still as it always was. Exhaling a heavy breath, I clenched onto the cloak resting in my lap. I was cold… I was alone…

I was isolated…

—