Emily's POV
"Emily"
I rolled over pulling the sheets above my head blocking out the noise.
"Emily!" The voice shouted grabbing my arm.
I bolted up grabbing my dagger from beneath my pillow and holding it out to the person. They jumped back with a gasp. My eyes finally cleared and settled on Will who looked taken back, his chest heaving as he stared at the dagger pointing at him.
"W-What are you doing!?" I exclaimed.
He looked as shocked as I did.
"What are you doing sleeping with that?!" He shouted back gesturing at the dagger in my hand.
I huffed and relaxed my arm, my grip loosened on the handle of the dagger as I let it drop on the thin covers of my bed.
"I'm on a magical island living with a group of boys that have tried to kill me and you don't expect me to have some kind of defense?"
"No, it's not that," Will defended as he stared down at the dagger, "It's just...Pan never lets us keep any of our weapons around campus, especially not in our huts."
"Yeah well, he better get used to it cause I'm not sleeping without one, not after his game," I said as I slid the dagger back under my pillow.
I yawned while looking past Will and out of the small window by the door to see that it was almost still dark out, the early morning hadn't even started yet.
"Why have you woken me up so early?" I asked.
Will smiled widely, his excitement going unnoticed
"We're going hunting," Will said sitting down on the edge of the bed.
I groaned, "What's wrong with you all, it's not even daylight yet. Why are you deciding hunting this early is a good idea."
"The earlier the better. Now hurry up otherwise we're going to be late," Will said, pulling me up to my feet before walking back out of my hut door but before he did he turned around he pointed a finger at me.
"Don't go back to sleep."
Will I get put back in the cage if I do? I thought sarcastically as I stumbled to change my clothes after Will closed the door.
"Are you done?" Will said falling back on the door with a thud.
"Don't rush me," I grumbled as I pulled on my boots before making my way out the door."
"Felix will be rushing us," Will sighed.
Felix can go knock himself out with his club...
"So, training before the sun comes up?" I said as Will and I walked down the steps to my hut and along the gravel path.
"Yeah, again Pan's idea not mine," Will said as another yawn escaped his lips.
I couldn't help roll my eyes.
"Do we seriously have to do everything he says? Don't you ever just feel like running away?" I frowned and looked down at my feet.
I heard Will chuckle sarcastically.
"Not if you want to die a painful death," He said. There was a truth to his tone that I didn't want to know about.
Will turned and climbed the steps to another hut, my eyes widening as he banged his fists on the wooden door.
"Hey, hurry up!" He shouted.
The door was opened just a moment later with Ethan walking out camly while Ben followed after looking half asleep as he tried putting on one boot while walking down the steps, his legs wobbling as he caught his balance before he could fall, all while Ethan walked down normally beside him.
"You could talk a little quieter, I already got the wake-up call from this one," Ben said gesturing to Ethan.
"Yeah and clearly once wasn't enough," Ethan said as we continued down the path.
"Don't worry you're not the only one," I said, noticing Ben compose himself as he saw me.
"Hey there pretty lady," Ben smirked running his fingers through his blonde hair which only left me struggling to hold in a laugh at his straightforward attempt to try and flirt.
"Keep dreaming Romeo," I chuckled rolling my eyes and playfully pushing him to the side,
"Romeo? She knows my name is Ben, right?" I heard Ben whisper to Ethan and Will who only strugged. "You two said something didn't you!" Ben started causing an accusing mess behind me.
Oh right...they don't know.
We walked towards the middle of campus where the other boys were waiting.
"Hey why do you have this here?" Ethan said snatching the dagger from my hand.
"Pan let her," Will said playfully and I gave him a look to which he held back a laugh.
"Why does she get special treatment?" Ben whined and I gave him a blank expression.
"You call being locked away in a cage for two days and then being hunted by brainwashed lost boys and almost getting killed is special treatment?"
Ben sighed and shook his head, "Still, Pan's been acting differently," He said looking in front of him at the group.
"As in, crazier than normal. Good to see I've contributed to his insanity," I mumbled.
"Come on they're leaving," Ethan said running ahead.
We all groaned running after the group with tired legs.
As we were walking through the jungle I saw the familiar gateway with skulls hanging from the trees.
"Why are we going to the training area?" I asked.
"Unlike some people, our weapons stay in there," Ben mumbled but I managed to hear him perfectly.
"Well when we're done I'll make sure to put mine right next to yours okay Benny," I said in a baby tone making the other two boys laugh.
Ben stuck out his tongue at me causing me to giggle at his childishness.
"Grab your bows and head to The Hills," Pan ordered, his own bow appearing in his hand as soon as the words left his mouth.
All the boys filled around the table, grabbing their own bows and sets of quivers before following Pan across campus to another secret path that led back into the jungle.
"What are The Hills?" I asked Will as we pulled back the first group of large ferns.
"It's one of the main hunting areas."
I nodded as we kept walking through the jungle.
The sun had just come up lightning up the jungle bringing out all the different shades of green, the light beaming down from the treetops and humidifying the air instantly. There was a blanket of fog in the distance which seemed to put everyone on high alert.
The name now made sense as we finished hiking down one hill only to be walking up to another. The boys had their bows and crossbows ready, all of us spread out and hidden beneath the tall, out of control undergrowth that towered over us. With some direction from Pan, we moved together through the jungle, silenced as we kept a close eye out for any kind of movement. Pan was walking slightly in front of the group, his feet not breaking a single branch as he trod slowly, his bow shifting left and right every now and then.
"Nobody move," Pan said slowly.
We all stopped in our tracks wondering what he was looking at.
It wasn't until I pulled away from a fern that I saw a deer between the trees in the distance.
"No way," Ben whispered his face shocked, his lips slightly parted.
"What?" I asked looking at his expression.
"That's a white deer, they're extremely rare," Ethan whispered back from my other side.
A white deer?
In what world-
Oh right...this one...apparently.
Pan slowly moved forward and we followed after him.
Wanting to get a closer look I moved past a few lost boys until I was walking behind Pan. I watched the deer as we kept moving closer. Although I was looking ahead I should have been paying attention to the large log on the ground. I tripped over the hard surface ready to make contact to the ground but nothing happened. I opened my eyes slightly only for them to shoot open completely in shock to see Pan hovering over me, his green eyes staring down on me.
My face fell as anger rose to Pan's. We both turned our heads to see the deer take off at a dead sprint, disappearing from our sight in an instant. Pan let out a frustrated groan as he let go of me causing my body to fall back against the ground as he quickly grabbed his bow and an arrow from his quiver, shooting it across the jungle in a split second. His instincts were beyond anything I had ever seen.
"After it!" Pan shouted giving me a glare before taking off with the small army which was the lost boys.
"Come on Emily!" Will said as he ran past me chasing after the deer.
I'm just a girl with a bow she can't use...I didn't ask for any magic or lost boys...or this much running!
I got off the ground and started running up the hill after them. My legs throbbed as I reached the top, my chest barely able to let me breathe in any air at all. I looked around but couldn't see anyone. All the boys were gone. I sighed and lowered my bow.
Great, now what?
A snorting gruff noise came from behind m causing me to stand completely still. I slowly turned around on my heal to come face to face with the deer. There was only a short distance between us but I stood in awe as my eyes set on the most beautiful animal I had ever seen. I couldn't believe it to be real but the more I blinked the more I knew the creature was real. It was standing right before me without fear. It's deep blue eyes stared directly at me, acknowledging my presence. It's white coat sparkled in the sunlight, gliseneing. Its antlers were sparkling silver reflecting the light as if they were glowing.
Why on earth would they want to kill such a beautiful creature?
It moved its head up and took a cautious step forward. I couldn't blink, I only watched the creature's movements carefully. I slowly extended out my arm and hand as it dared to come closer. I felt its breath against the skin of my fingers before it rubbed the side of its head against my head, it's body's height reaching just at my shoulders. My hands instantly dipped into the short silver coat, its fur soft and silky. It was unlike anything I had ever seen.
The deer backed away, its eyes focusing still on my bow.
"Don't worry," I said quietly as I slowly placed my bow to the ground, "I'm not going to hurt you."
I was not sure if it could understand me or not. This was Neverland if such a creature did exist I couldn't be mad for thinking it would understand. I held my hand out once again and smiled instantly as the deer walked towards my hand again, it's nose sitting against my palm letting out a huff of breath before nudging my hand.
It wasn't until loud voice cut through the jungle did my attention snap behind me to see Pan and the boys running down the hill. I looked fearfully at the deer trying to shoo it away before they could get near it. Its blue eyes only stared back at me, its body not moving.
"Go! Run!" I pleaded to try to scare it away but it was no use as the deer stood its ground. "Please, they're going to hurt you!"
I heard footsteps getting louder and I quickly turned around to see Pan standing a short distance away, his bow pulled ready to shoot, his arrow aiming directly at me.
"Stop! I'm not letting you kill it" I shouted standing in front of the deer.
"Move or I'll shoot!" Pan said, walking closer towards me his arrow having no chance of lowering.
I didn't move, I couldn't. I wasn't going to let it die.
Pan walked closer, his jaw clenched, his face turning to a look I hadn't seen before. There was a sudden snap and Pan's attention was drawn to the branch he stood on, the sudden noise causing the deer to take off again. My eyes widened as Pan lifted his bow, aiming back at the deer.
"No!" I shouted but I was too late.
I felt the arrow rush past me as it slipped from his fingers. I heard a pained shriek which sent me straight to my knees. I knew it was the deer. I couldn't look.
Pan killed it.
My hands circled through the grass and tears started to fall uncontrollably from my face. A sudden rush of anger hit as Pan didn't say anything, not a word as he walked past me to find the deer. Through tearfilled eyes, I stared at my bow that was lying beside me and picked it up, quickly rising to my feet I aimed it at Pan ready to shoot but I stopped myself short at the sight before me.
Pan knelt down next to the deer and pulled out the arrow. The deer let out another shriek before Pan placed his hand over the wound, green dust surrounding his hand causing the deer to relax, its head falling to the ground, blue eyes staring at Pan. I watched as Pan leaned down leaning his head down, his eyes closing as he whispered under his breath,
"I'm sorry..."
I heard the boys behind me. Once they saw the deer they began cheering. Pan instantly rose to his feet, his eyes avoiding mine as he walked past, expressionless. A group of the oldest boys including Felix picked up the deer from the ground. Pan led them back down the hill to the training area.
"Emily, what happened?" Will asked, his smile fading as he noticed my tearstained face.
I couldn't help but let more slip from my eyes as I watched them walk away with the deer. I turned to Will, unable to get a word out as I brought myself to his chest, burying my face letting the tears fall from my eyes. He wrapped an arm around me, not saying anything but instead just held me still until I could find my breath again.
"He killed it."
Will and I walked back to campus quietly behind the group, I kept my eyes on the ground. I hadn't even realised we had entered campus until the boys loud voiced filled my ears.
"Congratulations to Emily for catching the white deer!" Pan yelled over all the boys cheers and howls but I could only stare at him in shock. "As a reward, we are all going to The White Waterfalls!"
"Wait, so you didn't catch it?" Will said as we both sat on the steps of Ethan's hut.
"Not quite. The deer actually found me." I said still confused.
"What?!" Will said in disbelief, "That's amazing!"
"How is it amazing? I led that creature to its death."
"The White Deer is a rare creature of Neverland. There's a myth that if one is chosen by the white deer, one day they could hold incredible power!" Will said trying make me feel a little better, his voice rising a little too loudly.
Ethan and Ben stopped what they were doing and walked up the steps joining in on the conversation.
"Who gets special power?" Ben asked looking a little jealous.
"Emily. The deer chose her," Will said standing up from the step.
Ben began nagging and it was enough for them to start arguing.
I didn't even want it to choose me, I just wanted to save it. Even if it did give me some kind of power, I do know one thing...I wouldn't want Pan finding out.
"I told you, I don't know if it chose me," I said causing them all to stop arguing.
"See she even admits it," Ethan said turning back to the other boys.
"But Pan shot the deer so maybe he's got even more power than before!" Ben yelled back causing them to argue again.
I rolled my eyes as they kept going on, getting louder and louder.
"Anyway, didn't Pan mention something about a waterfall?" I asked trying to change the conversation.
The three boys looked towards each other and their faces lit up.
"Yes, the reward!" Ben said remembering what Pan said.
Will turned to the other side of campus where the boys were running out of the area and back into the jungle onto another secret path.
"Come on, they're almost gone!" Ben shouted as he took off down the steps.
"Let's go before Pan changes his mind!" Will said pulling me off the steps and dragging me to my feet.
The boys were all heading in the same direction passed the bonfire and down a small path back into the jungle. I walked with the others along the same path. It looked like we were the last ones because there was no one behind me.
"Someone want to explain what this waterfall place is or am I going to have to guess for everything!?" I yelled as the boys walked faster ahead of the path.
"It's just like a-" Ethan started but Ben cut him off.
"Let her experience it herself," Ben shouted back.
"You'll want to see for herself, trust me!" Will called from the front of the group. "It will be less fun if we told you what it is," Will said then his body disappeared around a corner along with Ben and Ethan.
I ran around the corner not wanting to get lost again. The path had gotten wider and the boys were nowhere to be found. I freaked out when I looked around only to see long grass taller than me, large bushes and tall trees. My heartbeat increased as I walked ahead on the path. They were just here!
"Will!" I shouted but there was no answer.
I was about to shout again but Will suddenly popped out of the loud grass scaring me so bad I jumped back away from him.
"Emily?" He jumped out of the long grass behind me.
"Will?" I yelled holding my chest feeling my heartbeat slowly getting back to normal.
"What are you doing?" Will said with a questionable expression as if I was the one acting ridiculous.
"What am I doing? What the hell are you doing?!" I exclaimed still breathing heavily.
Realisation struck his face and he groaned.
"Those idiots! I told Ben and Ethan to tell you where to go from here," Will said frustratedly.
"Yeah well, they kind of missed that," I said rolling my eyes.
"Come on," Will said stepping away from the path and moving through the long grass. I followed through behind Will moving some grass and jungle vines away from my face. There was no path to follow at all just long strands of grass that towered over my head.
We walked further into the grass for a few more minutes until Will stopped in his path and stepped to the side.
"Emily Walker, welcome to the white waterfalls." Will formally introduced with a smirk moving aside a large leaf that was covering my sight.
My face fell, my lips instantly parting at the view in front of me. I couldn't believe my eyes.
Will laughed at my expression as he pulled me along.
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