Emily's POV

"I promise I'll explain everything once this is all over, I just really need you to trust me right now." I pleaded to Will who only smiled back.

"Of course, I trust you." Will smiled softly.

Now he won't even look at me...

His expression was stiff as he stared at the ground lost in thought. I knew he was angry and confused. I knew he didn't trust me anymore. I had to find a way I could explain the truth, but how could I when we were about to face this punishment. All of the boys were miserable, standing quietly as we waited.

I felt so alone.

I stood at the back of the group of boys but most of them have kept their distance from me. I guess they were still on edge that I had killed Connor. They probably weren't expecting it, but then again, neither was I. Even though it had been a couple of days I still remember what happened no matter how hard I tried to forget.

My entire body stood stiff. My feet felt so heavy while my stomach twisted in an uncomfortable knot. There was no point in lying to myself anymore, I was scared. I wasn't the only one, all the boys were. Even Felix seemed worried. We were walking in blind. This punishment was going to be beyond anything I could imagine.

That was the other thing.

This is Neverland. Pan won't stop until he ensures that he remains in control. Punishment then comes as a consequence once that control is lost. He will do anything and everything to make sure we follow him as our leader and if that means playing his game then that's what we will have to do. However, this was no longer a game. Yes, Pan makes the rules and can manipulate us to do as he wants, but this time it was different. This time Pan wasn't doing this out of his own enjoyment. He wanted to teach us a lesson. It's up to all of us to survive on our own and face this unknown punishment whether we were ready for it or not.

I was beyond scared and I knew that the other boys were too. I had to balance this fear if I wanted to survive. Too much fear will cause a breakdown; not enough and my subconscious will tell me to give up. It seemed impossible when I have no idea what I'll be up against.

Will's POV

We stood in a painful silence waiting as the suspense built up but soon enough, Pan's voice echoed through the training area.

"I hope that you all pay close attention because this will be the only information you will be given."

I looked up at the huge oak tree as Pan stood on one of the wooden platforms.

"This is not only a punishment, but it is also a test."

Pan's tone caught me off guard. There was no smirk that followed no mischievous look in his eyes; he was completely serious. I don't think I have ever seen him act this way.

"You will be tested on your ability to not only survive against what's out there," Pan paused and pointed to the walls of jungle trees. "But also against each other."

It was dead silent. Nobody spoke a word, we only listened.

"I should warn you. This is no longer a game." Pan's jaw clenched. "If something happens to you, you're on your own."

The fact that Pan just admitted that this wasn't a game made my stomach sink to my feet.

"Each one of you will face against your darkest fears."

Gasps were heard from several boys. I was in too much shock to react, I only listened to the information Pan was giving us because once we start we won't see him until it's all over.

"There will be a barrier cutting all of you off from the training area and campus. It is quite simple, once you have eliminated your fear an item will be dropped before you. Then, and only then, will you be allowed to return back to campus where I will be waiting."

Pan's eyes narrowed.

"There's one last thing."

I found myself holding my breath.

"If you are unable to complete this task successfully then I'm afraid you won't be staying on the island...or anywhere for that matter."

Pan's grip tightened as he looked down to us with darkened eyes.

"I'm sorry that it comes down to this but I must have you prepared. I can't have the same mistakes repeat themselves; not this time."

No one had the courage to stay anything. If the boys were scared before, they would be terrified by now.

Why was Pan going to such extreme lengths?

This was insane, even for Pan.

Then it hit me straight away once I remembered my conversation with Pan last night...

"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."

My eyes widened as I thought through what Pan meant. I could only think of one person but he couldn't mean who I thought...he wouldn't dare to come back here, not after what Pan did. I looked around to see if any of the other boys had noticed but they hadn't. Their blank drained faces only held looks of defeat as they stared up at Pan. I could feel the horrible memories slowly returning back to me; the bloodbath…and the sacrifices.

Now I understand why Pan was doing this. This test is to see who stays and who goes. He will only keep the strongest of boys, both physically and mentally. Even if he was crazy and wanted to kill us he would always protect us from other threats. In his own insane way, Pan actually cared about us even if he won't admit it himself.

I froze as Pan looked directly at me, his eyes narrowing slightly knowing that I remembered what happened. His fists were curled locking tightly, his body slightly hunched as he leaned onto the bamboo railing of the platform. He was agitated, anyone could see it. His facial expression successfully hid any emotion but in his eyes I could see something different. They shone brightly as if out of sympathy for us and that's when I knew this was his last option. I managed to take a slow breath in and out, trying to calm myself down even though that seemed almost impossible at this point. There was nothing we could do.

There was no stopping what was coming.

Emily's POV

I knew whatever Pan had planned was going to be bad, but this was beyond crazy. There was something else too, I couldn't quite put my finger on it but there was something up with Pan. It seemed that this punishment was bothering him more than it was us.

I don't think anyone could possibly be prepared for this test. I had barely recovered from being locked in the cage for so long. I regretted not eating the food Pan had given me; I've lost a lot of weight and strength. Once this test has started I'll need to get somewhere safe then my first priority will be to hunt. I couldn't stomach fighting off any of the boys let alone the creatures that run free on this island.

"I'll be watching over all of you to see how you can cope in certain conditions and situations. You will be given a two day limit. Rankings will be based on your ability to survive on your own, your physical and mental strength and your fighting ability. I have warned you of the consequences and hope that each one you make it back in time before sundown in two days' time."

I was shocked to hear the word hope come out of Pan's mouth. It was strange. His tone of voice was strong, like he meant every word. Instead of his usual smirk his face was concentrating on all of us. It scared me more that Pan was acting so different.

A moment had passed before Pan leaned back from the bamboo railing before vanishing from the platform of the oak tree, now standing before us on the ground, startling the boys in front.

"You will have a minute to countdown." Pan said.

I looked over at Will and Ethan who were comforting Ben. I smiled warmly as Will rubbed soothing circles on Ben's back while talking comforting words to him. Not being with them felt so different. I missed them all but I knew they couldn't feel the same, not after what I had done to them. The only thing I wanted was to be by their sides again, like the way it used to be. Now I won't know if they will make it out alive of this test until the end, that's if I even make it that far.

"Hey Emily, are you alright?"

I turned my attention away from the boys, surprised to see Charlie standing before me with a concerned look on his face. We hadn't really talked before but I knew he was friends with Ethan, Will and Ben. He gave me an apologetic smile as he looked over to them.

"I heard about what happened."

"Oh, you did?" I sighed.

I really didn't want to think about Connor at all. I just want him out of my head for good.

"Don't worry; I know they're having a hard time right now, especially Will, which is pretty bad timing giving these circumstances." Charlie spoke tenderly on the subject, probably guessing the trouble I got in from Pan.

I found myself looking down at my feet; regret turning my stomach once again.

"I wouldn't worry."

I looked up at Charlie's golden hazel eyes. Confusion fell over my face as a smile appeared on his.

"I've known those boys since I was brought to the island. Will might take some time but he's changed a lot since you arrived here. He has grown happier than he used to be and got along with more of the boys. I know he won't be mad at you forever; it just may take some time before he comes around.

My eyes widened as Charlie's words repeated in my head.

He's changed a lot since you arrived here. He has grown happier than he used to be and got along with more of the boys…

I changed Will?

I thought back to when Ben had explained Will's horrible past.

"That's why he cares about you so much, even though he has lost most of his memories of what happened; he doesn't want the same thing happening to you..."

"I know you'll get through to him again." My attention was brought back to Charlie who grinned, giving me a playful nudge to the arm. "Good luck out there."

Charlie gave me a small smile before walking off to join a group of boys.

I couldn't help but smile fondly. Charlie was the only boy who was brave enough to come near me after what I had done, let alone talk to me. I had almost forgotten we were about to be put through this test. His words gave me the motivation I needed. He gave me hope that Will would eventually talk to me again. I wasn't sure how but I'll find a way. I'm going to make things right again.

"You have ten seconds remaining!" Pan yelled, getting everyone's attention.

The boys pulled out their weapons, preparing themselves.

"9"

My hand shook as I grabbed hold of my dagger, squeezing the handle tightly as I stared at Pan.

"8"

I adjusted my bow and arrows on my back, making sure they held in place just as Will had taught me.

"7"

I looked over to see Will, Ben and Ethan standing together. Ben was more relaxed then he was before, holding a firm grip on his sword. Ethan was standing with his dagger in one hand and sword in the other. Will had his bow and set of arrows on his back just as I did with a dagger in his right hand. I felt better knowing that they were ready to go through with this.

"6"

I looked back over to Pan as he counted down each number.

"5"

"4"

"3"

This was it…

"2"

My eyes widened as Pan's green eyes suddenly locked with mine, not breaking eye contact for a second.

"1"

Will's POV

Green smoke exploded through the training area like a bomb had been designated to set off. The smoke shot in every direction, rising higher than the oak tree, reaching every corner and every tree that surrounded the large area, engulfing us all. I was completely blinded. All I could see was the green smoke clouding my vision, nothing else was visible. Ben and Ethan, who were standing right beside me, were now gone.

I tried not to but every time I would try to breathe I would inhale the green smoke. I could feel it going down my throat and into my body, intoxicating me. My lungs tried desperately to exhale the smoke but it was like breathing in toxic ash. I could hear some boys around me struggling to breathe as they wheezed and coughed loudly.

I gasped as my stomach dropped knowing my feet were no longer touching the ground. I was falling but only for a couple of seconds as my body then collided against the hard ground that broke my fall, letting a painful groan escape my mouth. Despite the pain I was in, I shot up off the ground once noticing the green smoke that had blocked my vision was slowly disappearing. I breathed heavily taking in as much fresh air as I possibly could, scared that my next breath would have me chocking again.

I rubbed my eyes and blinked until they adjusted clearly. I swallowed and tried to slow my heart rate down as I made clear of where I was. I looked around at the unfamiliar setting of jungle. It was dark as if it were night time until I looked up at the small streams of light that pushed through the treetops. Dark thick trees towered over me, the long branches stretched out like arms over lapping one another. The branches and leaves created a dark shadow over the jungle making it almost impossible to see in the distance ahead. I had never seen anything like it before.

My hand instantly gripped my dagger tightly as I noticed a thick mist began to form in the distance as it slowly moved on the ground covering the trunks of the trees. I watched the ground carefully, making sure to avoid as many broken branches, vines or any hunting traps that I could find. I walked at a steady pace, trying to keep as quiet as possible. The sudden mist was no natural cause.

A loud high pitched scream echoed through the jungle making me jump from the sound and quickly cover my ears. The distressed noise made my body run cold as the horrific sound pierced my ears. I managed to drop one hand to hold out my dagger in front of me instantly hearing ringing in my ear from the loss of protection from the sound. Where the hell was that screaming coming from!

I tried to ignore the high pitch screams as I uncovered my other ear. I walked forwards making sure to look behind every few steps encase Pan was up to his usual tricks again. I only stopped walking mid-step when the loud screaming suddenly cut short, turning the dark jungle back into its eerie silence. I could now hear the ringing in my ears more clearly as well as my heart beat pulsing in my head.

If I didn't keep walking I'd never get out of here.

Just as I went to take a step my legs came to a forced to stop as I heard the growling of an animal from the bushes in front of me. My eyes adjusted and that's when I saw a pair of perfectly rounded, bright red eyes. The pair did not blink; they only held their gaze on me. I almost jumped out of my skin when I heard the same scream once again but this time it wasn't as high as before, it sounded different; it sounded like one of the boys. I knew exactly who the voice belonged to.

"Will!"

I quickly turned to my right to see Ben running with sweat dripping from his face causing his blonde hair to stick to his forehead. He was running at a dead sprint. His blue eyes were open wide in panic.

"Run!" Ben screamed.

I watched in horror as the pair of red eyes that I noticed just a second ago had vanished. There was no time to react. Ben ran to me, grabbing my arm and pulled me with him as he kept running. My body got yanked forward and my legs stumbled for the first couple of steps as Ben pushed me in front of him. My heart beat began to increase again as I began sprinting alongside Ben.

We ran faster, the both of us panting out of breath as those same growling noises got louder sounding like they were mixed with a broken machine. I winced as the lower branches whipped passed us. I could feel stinging across parts of my legs and arms where the thorns had cut through my clothes and my skin. That didn't worry me in the slightest, what worried me was the thing that was chasing us. Whatever it was, it's gaining on us fast. I looked back to see what was chasing us and almost tripped over my own feet.

What the hell was this thing!

I was met with the piercing red eyes I saw before but this time I got a good look at the monster up close. It had no shape or form. The only thing that was visible was a cloud of smoke in the outline of a man. It had no legs yet it was flying at the same speed that we were running. Its teeth raided its open mouth, rows and rows of small pointed daggers lined the inside of its mouth that it couldn't be closed. The arms were longer than the rest of its body combined while its fingers spread apart with sharp claw like nails.

I turned to Ben once he let out a painful scream.

"Don't let them touch you!" Ben yelled as his face winced in pain as he continued running.

Them?

There were more...

My breath hitched as I felt an excruciating pain coming from my right leg. This thing did that with only a scratch. Shit...this was bad. We had just started this test and we were on the verge of being killed.

Ben groaned and swung his sword behind him in attempt to kill this thing but his sword fell straight through the creature shocking both Ben and I. We couldn't use our weapons to protect us.

"Will, what the hell do we do!" Ben yelled.

We were both trying our best to run as fast as we could but whatever this creature has done to the both of us definitely won't get us much further. There was only one thing I noticed. These creatures would flinch away when any stream of light would come near them. They avoided the light beams that shined through from the treetops.

"We need to get these things into the sun." I yelled back at Ben who was now panting heavily.

It was as if we were playing a game and I had finally figured out how to win as almost on cue, a clear opening out of the dark jungle opened in the distance.

"Ben, look up ahead!" I shouted.

I had no idea if this would work or not but I wasn't going to wait and find out what else these things were capable of doing. Ben's lit up once he noticed the opening and he began to run faster ahead of me. I ran as fast as my legs would let me as I managed to catch up to Ben. The opening was getting closer and soon enough we bolted out of the dark jungle and into the clear sunlight. We stopped running turned back, horrified to see a whole group of these creatures coming for us. Pairs of red glowing eyes moved in between the trees as their smoke bodies would pass through the tree trunks.

"They're not stopping." Ben said as he held is sword out in front of him.

I swallowed before quickly reaching for my bow and an arrow. I held the string back ready to shoot but my hand couldn't hold it steady. My whole arm was shaking uncontrollably from the adrenaline and fear that was surging through my body. They moved faster as we stood our ground but just as they reached the sun they instantly let out a painful screech. The smoke of their bodies began corroding against the ground while letting out the highest pitched screams that I had heard when the green smoke cleared.

Ben and I instantly dropped our weapons and covered our ears but it wasn't enough to escape the sound. I dropped to my knees as the screams began ringing through my ears making my head spin. This pain was worse than the scratch the creature gave me. I watched as the last remaining parts of their bodies began bubbling against the ground but the screams could still be heard. My eyes began to blur as my head span from the noise, soon enough I felt my senses slowly shut down feeling my body hit the ground.

"Will!"

"Will, get up!"

I blinked myself awake to see Ben's face sigh in relief as he grabbed my arm and helped me up off the ground.

"You blacked out. Don't worry it was only for a minute. Those creatures are gone." Ben said as he pulled my arm over his shoulder. "You were right, the sunlight burned them."

I could still hear a slight ringing in my ears. I took a step forward but my leg couldn't hold my weight.

"Will, you got hit too." Ben said as he lowered me to the ground.

I furrowed my brows in confusion but then remembered one of those creatures taking a hit to my right leg. I looked to the back of my leg where a red burn was now covering my skin.

"My arm is the same." Ben said as he pulled up his sleeve to show me the same burn mark covering his skin. "The sting paralyses you." Ben said as he let go of his arm as it dropped down limply to his side.

My eyes widened as I remembered what Pan had said.

Once you have eliminated your fear an item will be dropped before you…

"Ben, check where those things died for the item."

Ben quickly got up at ran over to the spot where they were killed. His eyes averted from one spot to another before he groaned angrily and turned around.

"There's nothing here!" Ben called back.

I sighed and looked down at my leg.

No item...

This test was going to be near to impossible. How were we supposed to last the night?

Pan was serious; this test was going to decide who stays and who leaves Neverland.