Emily's POV

"I just don't understand why you're so worried about Emily." Pan said as a mischievous smirk curled through his lips as he continued, "It was her decision to leave with Connor in the first place."

I felt my stomach drop as I looked up at Will. I had never seen a more saddened look on his face before. His eyes became glassy as he lowered them to the ground, while mine remained wide open as I felt his hands unlock from mine. I tried reaching for him but the bars stopped me before I had a chance.

This can't be happening...

Will was completely silent, never taking his eyes off the ground. He didn't even want to look at me. How could this happen now, especially now, when I need him most. The more steps he took back the more fearful I became. I was scared that I would lose him if he didn't know the truth.

I have to tell him.

I would never leave without him. There's so much he didn't know, that Connor was working with Pan as well as someone outside of the island, and that Pan had this planned all along. How could I explain all that and convince him to believe me. It would be impossible at this stage.

I had to do something.

"Will!" I pleaded. "I-"

No sweetheart you're going to keep your mouth closed.

My eyes widened as I heard Pan's voice echoing in my head. I began to panic as I watched Will take steps further away from me. I tried to talk or scream, say anything to get his attention but my voice was gone. I glared at Pan as I watched him smirk and bring his pointer finger to his lips.

Shh, keep those lips sealed.

I felt anger surging through me to know that Pan was behind this. That once again Pan had control over me and I couldn't do anything about it. I tried to make as much noise as possible but it was useless. All I could do was look at Will's angered expression until he turned around and I could no longer see his face. He took a small step before walking away from the cage.

Will looked slightly over his shoulder.

"Don't bother." Is all I heard before he walked away.

He didn't look back again. I watched him leave into jungle. His words cut like glass, his tone sounding so broken. It was something I had never heard before.

I had betrayed my best friend...no.

He was more than that.

Pan's POV

I watched carefully as Will disappeared into the jungle. I unlocked my arms and smirked. They won't find each other during the punishment, not this time. Will won't have a need to anymore; now all that's left is anger and confusion which means that I'll be able to see him perform at his best. He will be able to let his rage free and fight the way he used to with nothing holding him back. Once he realizes Emily's urge to fight he will turn against her and more importantly, he will obey me. Even still, I better check up on him later to make sure he doesn't do anything stupid before the punishment takes place at dawn. My eyes darted immediately from the entrance path to Emily's cage as I heard quiet sobs filling the empty area. I rolled my eyes as I walked over to her cage to see sitting crouched over, her chest moving up and down at an uneven pace as she struggled to breathe calmly.

"Why did y-you do t-that." She sobbed quietly.

I furrowed my eyebrows as she took a deep breath in and out before slowly lifting her head. I was surprised to see her tear filled eyes widen and turn ice cold as she glared at me.

"Are you happy now?" She growled, "Is this what you wanted."

I could see a fire raging in her eyes and it was definitely something I wanted to see more of.

My lips curled into a smirk, "Yes, indeed."

"Why did you want to split us apart?" Her eyes got lost in thought for a second before they met mine again. She scoffed and grinned leaving me confused at her change in attitude. That's what I hated about this girl, I could never tell what she was thinking and it was driving me mad.

"I never thought you would be the jealous type."

My face fell as soon as the words left her mouth. I curled my fists and narrowed my eyes.

"Are you sure you want to test me right now. Knowing what you're about to go through tomorrow, I wouldn't push past the limit." I growled.

Emily's POV

You're dead wrong Pan, now is the perfect time to test you.

"What does it matter, we're all going to be punished anyway." I smirked as Pan gripped the cage tighter. He was getting angry.

He clicked his fingers and in a second the cage door was open. I didn't move. I had to show him I wasn't scared anymore. Pan put both hands on either sides of the cage and leaned forward.

"You're right." he said as he raised a brow. "The other boys would learn their lesson if I put them in a cage for a couple days. However, I could put you in a cage for weeks and you wouldn't learn anything."

My face dropped as a smirk grew on his, "Maybe I need to try a different approach."

"What do you mean?" I asked a lot more quietly than I had hoped.

Pan leaned in closer to me. "Tell me Emily. Have you ever been kissed?"

An instant heat rose to my cheeks making Pan's smirk widen even more as he got the response he was looking for. Where the hell did that come from! It completely threw me off guard. There would be no point in trying to defend myself because Pan would obviously know I would be lying. I tried to say something, anything, but no words were forming.

Pan hummed as I noticed the green in his eyes becoming more vibrant.

"Interesting."

"What's this got to do with the p-punishment?" I mentally kicked myself for stuttering.

Pan chuckled. "We'll see."

I had no idea what he was getting at. I was so embarrassed and confused.

I looked up and of course, like always, he was gone.

Will's POV

I walked through the skull gates, my hands curled so tightly that it was starting to tear at my skin. I still can't believe it, I didn't want to, but the facts were staring me right in the face. She wanted to be with Connor all along.

It made me sick.

Ethan and Ben came running up to me once they noticed I had returned.

"Will what happened, did you see Emily?" Ben asked quickly, desperately wanting information.

"Is Emily okay?" Ethan asked.

I ignored them both as I grabbed my sword and the sharpening stone off the ground, ignoring the glares from the other boys. They were probably pissed that I was able to leave the training area and they weren't, especially when I had abandoned duel. I couldn't care less; I had enough stuff on my mind. I sat down and began sharpening my sword.

"Will please, what's wrong?" Ethan asked with a troubled face.

"Yeah you look really pissed." Ben said. "Did Pan do something?"

I shook my head as I ran the stone along the sword.

"Where's Emily?" Ben asked in frustration.

"I don't care!" I yelled louder than I thought I would have.

I breathed heavily as Ben and Ethan looked at me with shock.

"She wanted to leave the island with Connor the whole time!" I shouted in anger. "If it weren't for Pan then she would have left with Connor and not have held a second thought to comeback."

"Will-"

"She didn't care about any of us. She wanted to leave us here... she wanted to leave us behind." I finished lowly as I got up from the ground.

I looked at Ben who was on the verge of tears, the same betrayal I had held moments ago was written on his face. I grabbed the sword and put it in Ben's hand.

"We don't have time for this. We need to prepare. The punishment begins tomorrow morning and we have to be ready for what Pan is going to put us through." I said as I looked Ben in the eyes.

He nodded slowly but I could tell he was not hearing me. I was thinking of telling them that everything is fine but I would be lying to them and that is something we have never done to each other. No matter what happens we would always be together and look out for one another. I turned to Ethan who held a saddened look but was far more composed than Ben was.

"Stick with Ben...don't leave him okay."

Ethan nodded and swallowed the lump in his throat.

"What should we do?"

I grabbed my bow and arrows and swung the set over my shoulder.

"Try to stay alive."

"Connor are you sure this is the right thing to do?" Emily asked.

I watched as Connor turned to her and held her closer to him. I felt my fists curl into my skin as anger had overridden my senses.

"Just come with me and we can get away from this place. Away from Neverland and away from Pan." Connor said with determination.

I wanted to kill him.

"You trust me don't you?" Connor asked.

Emily smiled up at him which made my stomach drop.

"Of course I do." Emily replied as she looked up at him.

I swallowed the lump in my throat as I felt my eyes stinging. I wanted to look away but it was as if I was forced to watch the two of them. My eyes widened as Connor leaned down slowly getting closer to Emily.

No!

I ran up to them. I was about to pull Emily away when a green smoke covered their bodies and took Emily and Connor along with it.

She was gone.

I sat up in a cold sweat, blinking until I was awake to find myself sitting in my bed in my hut. It was a just a dream, but it was a dream based on past events. Emily could have gone with Connor and she almost did. I tried taking calm breaths but it wasn't working, I was just working myself up even more.

She was going to leave me behind.

I pushed the covers off my legs and walked into the small bathroom before standing in front of the mirror to see sweat dripping down my face and neck. I felt like I couldn't breathe. I roughly pulled my shirt over my head that had been sticking to my skin before dropping it to the floor. I took an uneasy breath as I stared at the reflection of my bare chest, my eyes trailing the marked scars that ran across my skin.

After everything we did, everything we went through...how could she do this to me.

I thought she cared.

My vision started to blur my reflection but I wiped my eyes refusing to let tears fall and walked through my hut. I felt that if I didn't keep my legs moving then they might collapse from under me.

"Can't sleep?"

I didn't have to think twice to know who it was. I quickly turned around in the direction of the voice and grabbed Pan before pushing him roughly at the wall. His expression never changed; in fact it was completely blank.

"If you're here to gloat then just get out." I spat angrily.

Pan only grinned.

"Get to sleep. You'll need it for tomorrow."

I let go of Pan.

"Why are you doing this? Why are you punishing everyone?"

Pan's eyes then became sharp.

"An old friend may pay us a visit soon and I can't afford to lose any boys this time."

5 days ago...

? POV

I stared down at the dark blue waves as the sunbeams reflected off the water.

He should be back by now, what is taking so long…

"Sir!"

I turned around to the man who presented the note in his shaking hand. I grabbed the note and waved him off. I gripped the paper tightly as I read down the handwritten letter.

Been a long time laddie,

A bit disappointing to make a child do your own dirty work.

Yes, I know about Connor and how you sent him to receive something very valuable of mine. I can tell you now that he definitely won't be retrieving what you desire, in fact he won't be retrieving anything anymore.

If you truly are a man of your word; which I know you are, you would come and get the dust yourself.

Or are you afraid to face a couple of children.

Just remember, you paid the price many years ago. You don't have to be on the island for me to keep you here. You can stay on the seas of Neverland all you like but the deal we made still stands. Bring me what I asked for and I'll tell you where your brother is.

I'll leave it up to you to decide. We have all of eternity to waste. I'll be waiting for however long it takes.

Pan

"Listen up men!"

"Set a course...for Neverland."