Chapter Seven: Old Friends
Two shadowy figures walked into the cave. One held a lantern up to see better. "Who's there?!" called a voice. As soon as their faces could be seen Peter took on a look of disbelief.
"I cant be?" said Peter lowering his sword. All of a sudden a wave of pain passed through Peter causing him to drop to his knees breathing heavy using his sword as a crutch. Peter's vision went in and out of focus.
"Peter!" cried Emerald worried kneeling beside him. Peter heard her voice just as he passed out onto the cold cave floor. Emerald checked his pulse. "Well at least he's still alive," said Emerald. Both of the people watching ran forward.
"Peter? No way! How did he get here?" said the taller one. Emerald stood up and blocked their view.
"Who are you? I'm warning you don't come any closer." Said Emerald giving them an icy glare as she took a fighting stance. She had no training for hand-to-hand combat but she thought she could hold her own. Besides the two boys didn't look like they've hit puberty yet.
"We should be asking you the same thing. But this it Tootles-" said the boy with gray/brown hair pointing at the smaller boy with black hair. "-And I'm Nibs. Don't worry were not going to hurt him." Said Nibs giving a small smile. Emerald realized these where some of the lost boys. They just where older. Nibs looked twelve and Tootles looked around eight years old. Their out fits where re-done to fit their growing bodies. Nibs wore rabbit skin pants and a dirty white cotton shirt. Tootles wore skunk skin shorts and a patched together skunk skin tank top. Both looked covered in dust. Probably from the cave. Emerald realized that she most look a mess and scowled.
"I'm Emerald. What are you doing down here?" she asked dropping her fighting stance. Nibs chuckled.
"We LIVE down here. What are YOU doing HERE?" Asked Nibs.
"You live down here?" asked Emerald. Nibs nodded. "Good because you have to help me carry him" said Emerald pointing at Peter. They struggled to bring Peter to their place that was a small crevice leading to room sized caves decorated as rooms. It was a tight fit for Emerald and it was even harder to get the unconscious Peter trough. They had fewer things then Peter since there were fewer people living there. They placed Peter on a bed that obviously hadn't been slept in for sometime. Evidence to that was due to cave dust that had settled on it. When they dropped Peter on the bed the cave dust with a Poof! created a dust cloud in the air. Emerald coughed waving the dust away from both her and Peter's noses. Tootles and Nibs both did the same to their selves.
Emerald plopped down next to Peter temporary bed and started to wait for him to wake up.
"Could I get some water for you and him?" asked Nibs nodding towards Peter.
"Yah. Thank-You" said Emerald.
"I'll bring a wash bowl and cloth to." Said Nibs as he left to the next room. Emerald sat there waiting with Tootles that sat on the small table beside her.
"Hey." Said Emerald. Tootles turned and looked at her but didn't say anything. "What have you been doing living down here?" asked Emerald. Tootles just looked at her for a while before looking at Peter again not speaking. Just then Nibs walked in carrying a washbowl in one hand and two wood mugs in the other. Setting the washbowl and one mug down beside Tootles on the table with the rag he carried in with his mouth. Handing her a mug he sat down next to her.
"I should have told you before. But Tootles can't speak a word. He don't have the right stuff or something." Said Nibs looking at Emerald intrigued. Emerald glanced at Tootles then back at Nibs.
"Then I'll asked you. What are you guys doing living down here?" asked Emerald. Nibs fidgeted nervously.
"Cant tell you that." Said Nibs. Emerald raised an eyebrow.
"Why not?" she asked.
"Slightly said to say nothing to no one about anything." Replied Nibs.
"Uh-Huh." Said Emerald. She let Peter ask them when he awoke. Emerald turned her attention back to Peter. After a few minutes she realized she was being stared at. Almost certainly for the usual stuff.
"What?" demanded Emerald anyway. Nibs was taken aback. He was caught staring.
"Sorry. Its just you have pointed ears and green hair." Said Nibs embarrassed.
"So?" Emerald responded. Nibs of course was not expecting that kind of answer.
"Well its odd." Said Nibs.
"I see." Said Emerald eyes squinting at him. Emerald knew she was making him uncomfortable but she owed him no explanation she didn't have. Nibs squirmed in his spot on the floor.
"Umm-I'm going to go get some snacks. Come Tootles." Said Nibs making a blatant excuse. Tootles hopped off the table and fallowed Nibs out the door. Emerald watched them go with some strange satisfaction. She got up onto her knees and washed her face with the washbowl and cloth. After tidying her self up she sat on the edge of the bed with the washbowl I her lap. Emerald dipped the cloth into the bowl and whipped Peter's face clean of dirt. She carefully finished the job of cleaning the cut on his head.
Peter chose this time to wake up. He groaned and muttered something inappropriate. Opening his eyes Emerald was the first thing he saw. "Hey." Greeted Emerald.
"Where am I?" asked Peter sitting up ignoring the pain in his back.
"Nibs and Tootles place." Said Emerald.
"Ah." Replied Peter a sad look in his eyes.
"Memories?" Questioned Emerald knowing all to well. Peter nodded and leaned against the rock wall of the room.
"Ya." Said Peter looking away. Just then Nibs and Tootles walked in carrying some food.
"Oh! I see your awake Peter." Said Nibs setting the food on the table next to him. Peter looked up.
"You've gotten older." Stated Peter.
"Aye. I have Peter and you to have gotten old." Said Nibs. Peter turned his attention to Tootles.
"Still cant talk can he?" Asked Peter.
"No not a word. We were hoping he would talk later on but he hasn't yet." Said Nibs.
"Where's Slightly?" questioned Peter suddenly realizing he wasn't here.
"I cant tell ya." Said Nibs.
"Why not? Said Peter getting angry.
"He said the same thing to be Peter. I'll let you sort this out with them alone" Said Emerald getting up to leave. Peter nodded his head to Emerald and she left. He turned back to Nibs with a scathing look.
"I want to see Slightly." Demanded Peter.
"I can't do that. Please just give up," pleaded Nibs. Peter turned to Tootles hoping he would do something. Tootles only shook his head sadly. Peter got angry.
"You've changed." Said Peter narrowing his eyes.
"Peter did you think that getting older was the only thing that had changed?" asked Nibs.
"Leave." Said Peter looking away. Nibs walked to the doorway and stopped.
"Do you want me to send your friend back in?" asked Nibs. Peter didn't turn to look at him.
"No. Now leave." Said Peter tiredly. Nibs left so Peter could get some rest.
"What went on in there?" asked Emerald. Poor Nibs who was so deep in thought forgot about Emerald and nearly jumped out of his fur skins in surprise.
"Nothing. He needs some time to rest and think." Said Nibs taking calming breaths. Emerald nodded but then she had a sudden thought.
"Nibs tell me why you don't seem to fear the shadows enough to keep more light and lanterns in the room?" said Emerald suspiciously gesturing towards the one and only lantern in the room. Nibs paled.
"Umm- Well- I- That is-" stammered Nibs.
"Yes?" asked Emerald impatiently tapping her foot.
"The cave- that's it! The cave has something they-Umm- don't like?" said Nibs unsure. Emerald nodded and Nibs sighed in relief. She was letting him off the hook for now but would ask later. Unexpectedly Peter stumbled through the cave opening to his room with a small wrapped packaged under his arm.
"We're leaving." Said Peter walking a little awkwardly towards the crevice to out side of the cave house.
"Peter wait! Your in no condition to eave anywhere." Said Emerald firmly. Peter turned his fiery eyes towards her taking Emerald aback.
"Now." He hissed eyes leaving his usual brown and red tinted color for flashing fire red. Emerald was shocked Peter never spoke to her like this in the three days she's known him. It scared her a little and angered her at the same time.
"Fine! But if you foolishness gets you killed its you fault from know on!" Said Emerald angrily latching onto his arm helping him walk. Peter pulled his arm roughly out of her grasp.
"I can walk on me own." Growled Peter.
"Hmf! Well at least let Nibs guide us out. You don't know your way around and neither do I." Said Emerald her eyes flashing cold emerald against red fire.
"Fine then!" said Peter griping the edges to the cervices sides and pulled him self to the other side. Emerald glared at Nibs.
"You said nothing happened," hissed Emerald. Nibs shrugged and Emerald held her self back from smacking him one good. "Lets go." Said Emerald stiffly leaving with Nibs in tow.
"Stay here Tootles," said Nibs before disappearing with them to. Tootles stood there for a while replaying everything in his mind it was all happening so fast like it was rushing to an ending.
~*~
After a few hours of traveling the tunnels of the cave through twists and turns they came to a two opening choice. This is where Nibs stopped. "No what?" asked Peter glowering. Tension was still thick in the air after the three-way fight.
"The one to the left leads to Mermaid lagoon and the one to the right leads to the Indian camp." Said Nibs face darkening. "If I was you. I'd take the one to the left." With that said Nibs left Peter and Emerald to a decision alone.
"I say we take the one to the left." Said Emerald holding the lantern Nibs gave them a little higher to see better. Peter looked at her a little calmer and then looked worried.
"I want to take the one to the right." Said Peter looking into the dark tunnel.
"But Peter you heard what Nibs said?" asked Emerald.
"Yes I did!" said Peter angrily. Then looking back to the cave to the right uncertainly. "Its just I feel something's wrong. I haven't seen the Indians for so long. Something happened to them I know it," Said Peter determined. Emerald sighed.
"Okay Peter I'll fallow you." said Emerald walking to the right with him. Peter turned his head and looked at her. The soft lantern light lit her pale face up with it glow and shone of her midnight black hair with is dark green highlights.
'She is an odd one. Differently not like the rest that was for sure.' thought Peter eyes softening. "I'm sorry Emerald. I'm not mad at you.," said Peter surprising she a little. He continued. "I'm mad at how time has age and tricked us all into hate and anger. The sad thing is none of us want to let it go." Sighed Peter ruffling his bangs from his eyes.
"Its okay." Replied Emerald. That was all they said to each other until they reached the end of the tunnel. Peter lifted the wood cover meant to hide the opening from view and help Emerald out when she tripped. Finally taking their first breath of fresh air in almost a day was pleasant. But they didn't get to enjoy it for long once they saw the Indian camp less then twenty meters away.
Everything was charred and black form some great fire long ago. Paths that used to be walk where over growing and brunt grave crosses stood in the middle of the camp. They walked into the center standing among the graves. For the first time in a long time Peter cried.
(A/N: Done finally. Took a little longer because I hit a writer block but I have the feel for my story again^^ I have to go to bed now*Yawn* Please Review or I wont up-date. No flames to.)
Ksha2222(Smirks): "I don't own nothing so you cant sue!"
*Ksha2222 sticks her tongue out*
Ksha2222(TurnsPale): "Acck!"
*Ksha2222 runs away with a team of high priced lawyers on her tail*
T.T.F.N.
Love: ksha2222
Motto: I plan on taking enough people down with me to be remembered and then I'll drink tea with Peter Pan tied to a chair^_~
Two shadowy figures walked into the cave. One held a lantern up to see better. "Who's there?!" called a voice. As soon as their faces could be seen Peter took on a look of disbelief.
"I cant be?" said Peter lowering his sword. All of a sudden a wave of pain passed through Peter causing him to drop to his knees breathing heavy using his sword as a crutch. Peter's vision went in and out of focus.
"Peter!" cried Emerald worried kneeling beside him. Peter heard her voice just as he passed out onto the cold cave floor. Emerald checked his pulse. "Well at least he's still alive," said Emerald. Both of the people watching ran forward.
"Peter? No way! How did he get here?" said the taller one. Emerald stood up and blocked their view.
"Who are you? I'm warning you don't come any closer." Said Emerald giving them an icy glare as she took a fighting stance. She had no training for hand-to-hand combat but she thought she could hold her own. Besides the two boys didn't look like they've hit puberty yet.
"We should be asking you the same thing. But this it Tootles-" said the boy with gray/brown hair pointing at the smaller boy with black hair. "-And I'm Nibs. Don't worry were not going to hurt him." Said Nibs giving a small smile. Emerald realized these where some of the lost boys. They just where older. Nibs looked twelve and Tootles looked around eight years old. Their out fits where re-done to fit their growing bodies. Nibs wore rabbit skin pants and a dirty white cotton shirt. Tootles wore skunk skin shorts and a patched together skunk skin tank top. Both looked covered in dust. Probably from the cave. Emerald realized that she most look a mess and scowled.
"I'm Emerald. What are you doing down here?" she asked dropping her fighting stance. Nibs chuckled.
"We LIVE down here. What are YOU doing HERE?" Asked Nibs.
"You live down here?" asked Emerald. Nibs nodded. "Good because you have to help me carry him" said Emerald pointing at Peter. They struggled to bring Peter to their place that was a small crevice leading to room sized caves decorated as rooms. It was a tight fit for Emerald and it was even harder to get the unconscious Peter trough. They had fewer things then Peter since there were fewer people living there. They placed Peter on a bed that obviously hadn't been slept in for sometime. Evidence to that was due to cave dust that had settled on it. When they dropped Peter on the bed the cave dust with a Poof! created a dust cloud in the air. Emerald coughed waving the dust away from both her and Peter's noses. Tootles and Nibs both did the same to their selves.
Emerald plopped down next to Peter temporary bed and started to wait for him to wake up.
"Could I get some water for you and him?" asked Nibs nodding towards Peter.
"Yah. Thank-You" said Emerald.
"I'll bring a wash bowl and cloth to." Said Nibs as he left to the next room. Emerald sat there waiting with Tootles that sat on the small table beside her.
"Hey." Said Emerald. Tootles turned and looked at her but didn't say anything. "What have you been doing living down here?" asked Emerald. Tootles just looked at her for a while before looking at Peter again not speaking. Just then Nibs walked in carrying a washbowl in one hand and two wood mugs in the other. Setting the washbowl and one mug down beside Tootles on the table with the rag he carried in with his mouth. Handing her a mug he sat down next to her.
"I should have told you before. But Tootles can't speak a word. He don't have the right stuff or something." Said Nibs looking at Emerald intrigued. Emerald glanced at Tootles then back at Nibs.
"Then I'll asked you. What are you guys doing living down here?" asked Emerald. Nibs fidgeted nervously.
"Cant tell you that." Said Nibs. Emerald raised an eyebrow.
"Why not?" she asked.
"Slightly said to say nothing to no one about anything." Replied Nibs.
"Uh-Huh." Said Emerald. She let Peter ask them when he awoke. Emerald turned her attention back to Peter. After a few minutes she realized she was being stared at. Almost certainly for the usual stuff.
"What?" demanded Emerald anyway. Nibs was taken aback. He was caught staring.
"Sorry. Its just you have pointed ears and green hair." Said Nibs embarrassed.
"So?" Emerald responded. Nibs of course was not expecting that kind of answer.
"Well its odd." Said Nibs.
"I see." Said Emerald eyes squinting at him. Emerald knew she was making him uncomfortable but she owed him no explanation she didn't have. Nibs squirmed in his spot on the floor.
"Umm-I'm going to go get some snacks. Come Tootles." Said Nibs making a blatant excuse. Tootles hopped off the table and fallowed Nibs out the door. Emerald watched them go with some strange satisfaction. She got up onto her knees and washed her face with the washbowl and cloth. After tidying her self up she sat on the edge of the bed with the washbowl I her lap. Emerald dipped the cloth into the bowl and whipped Peter's face clean of dirt. She carefully finished the job of cleaning the cut on his head.
Peter chose this time to wake up. He groaned and muttered something inappropriate. Opening his eyes Emerald was the first thing he saw. "Hey." Greeted Emerald.
"Where am I?" asked Peter sitting up ignoring the pain in his back.
"Nibs and Tootles place." Said Emerald.
"Ah." Replied Peter a sad look in his eyes.
"Memories?" Questioned Emerald knowing all to well. Peter nodded and leaned against the rock wall of the room.
"Ya." Said Peter looking away. Just then Nibs and Tootles walked in carrying some food.
"Oh! I see your awake Peter." Said Nibs setting the food on the table next to him. Peter looked up.
"You've gotten older." Stated Peter.
"Aye. I have Peter and you to have gotten old." Said Nibs. Peter turned his attention to Tootles.
"Still cant talk can he?" Asked Peter.
"No not a word. We were hoping he would talk later on but he hasn't yet." Said Nibs.
"Where's Slightly?" questioned Peter suddenly realizing he wasn't here.
"I cant tell ya." Said Nibs.
"Why not? Said Peter getting angry.
"He said the same thing to be Peter. I'll let you sort this out with them alone" Said Emerald getting up to leave. Peter nodded his head to Emerald and she left. He turned back to Nibs with a scathing look.
"I want to see Slightly." Demanded Peter.
"I can't do that. Please just give up," pleaded Nibs. Peter turned to Tootles hoping he would do something. Tootles only shook his head sadly. Peter got angry.
"You've changed." Said Peter narrowing his eyes.
"Peter did you think that getting older was the only thing that had changed?" asked Nibs.
"Leave." Said Peter looking away. Nibs walked to the doorway and stopped.
"Do you want me to send your friend back in?" asked Nibs. Peter didn't turn to look at him.
"No. Now leave." Said Peter tiredly. Nibs left so Peter could get some rest.
"What went on in there?" asked Emerald. Poor Nibs who was so deep in thought forgot about Emerald and nearly jumped out of his fur skins in surprise.
"Nothing. He needs some time to rest and think." Said Nibs taking calming breaths. Emerald nodded but then she had a sudden thought.
"Nibs tell me why you don't seem to fear the shadows enough to keep more light and lanterns in the room?" said Emerald suspiciously gesturing towards the one and only lantern in the room. Nibs paled.
"Umm- Well- I- That is-" stammered Nibs.
"Yes?" asked Emerald impatiently tapping her foot.
"The cave- that's it! The cave has something they-Umm- don't like?" said Nibs unsure. Emerald nodded and Nibs sighed in relief. She was letting him off the hook for now but would ask later. Unexpectedly Peter stumbled through the cave opening to his room with a small wrapped packaged under his arm.
"We're leaving." Said Peter walking a little awkwardly towards the crevice to out side of the cave house.
"Peter wait! Your in no condition to eave anywhere." Said Emerald firmly. Peter turned his fiery eyes towards her taking Emerald aback.
"Now." He hissed eyes leaving his usual brown and red tinted color for flashing fire red. Emerald was shocked Peter never spoke to her like this in the three days she's known him. It scared her a little and angered her at the same time.
"Fine! But if you foolishness gets you killed its you fault from know on!" Said Emerald angrily latching onto his arm helping him walk. Peter pulled his arm roughly out of her grasp.
"I can walk on me own." Growled Peter.
"Hmf! Well at least let Nibs guide us out. You don't know your way around and neither do I." Said Emerald her eyes flashing cold emerald against red fire.
"Fine then!" said Peter griping the edges to the cervices sides and pulled him self to the other side. Emerald glared at Nibs.
"You said nothing happened," hissed Emerald. Nibs shrugged and Emerald held her self back from smacking him one good. "Lets go." Said Emerald stiffly leaving with Nibs in tow.
"Stay here Tootles," said Nibs before disappearing with them to. Tootles stood there for a while replaying everything in his mind it was all happening so fast like it was rushing to an ending.
~*~
After a few hours of traveling the tunnels of the cave through twists and turns they came to a two opening choice. This is where Nibs stopped. "No what?" asked Peter glowering. Tension was still thick in the air after the three-way fight.
"The one to the left leads to Mermaid lagoon and the one to the right leads to the Indian camp." Said Nibs face darkening. "If I was you. I'd take the one to the left." With that said Nibs left Peter and Emerald to a decision alone.
"I say we take the one to the left." Said Emerald holding the lantern Nibs gave them a little higher to see better. Peter looked at her a little calmer and then looked worried.
"I want to take the one to the right." Said Peter looking into the dark tunnel.
"But Peter you heard what Nibs said?" asked Emerald.
"Yes I did!" said Peter angrily. Then looking back to the cave to the right uncertainly. "Its just I feel something's wrong. I haven't seen the Indians for so long. Something happened to them I know it," Said Peter determined. Emerald sighed.
"Okay Peter I'll fallow you." said Emerald walking to the right with him. Peter turned his head and looked at her. The soft lantern light lit her pale face up with it glow and shone of her midnight black hair with is dark green highlights.
'She is an odd one. Differently not like the rest that was for sure.' thought Peter eyes softening. "I'm sorry Emerald. I'm not mad at you.," said Peter surprising she a little. He continued. "I'm mad at how time has age and tricked us all into hate and anger. The sad thing is none of us want to let it go." Sighed Peter ruffling his bangs from his eyes.
"Its okay." Replied Emerald. That was all they said to each other until they reached the end of the tunnel. Peter lifted the wood cover meant to hide the opening from view and help Emerald out when she tripped. Finally taking their first breath of fresh air in almost a day was pleasant. But they didn't get to enjoy it for long once they saw the Indian camp less then twenty meters away.
Everything was charred and black form some great fire long ago. Paths that used to be walk where over growing and brunt grave crosses stood in the middle of the camp. They walked into the center standing among the graves. For the first time in a long time Peter cried.
(A/N: Done finally. Took a little longer because I hit a writer block but I have the feel for my story again^^ I have to go to bed now*Yawn* Please Review or I wont up-date. No flames to.)
Ksha2222(Smirks): "I don't own nothing so you cant sue!"
*Ksha2222 sticks her tongue out*
Ksha2222(TurnsPale): "Acck!"
*Ksha2222 runs away with a team of high priced lawyers on her tail*
T.T.F.N.
Love: ksha2222
Motto: I plan on taking enough people down with me to be remembered and then I'll drink tea with Peter Pan tied to a chair^_~