6 days ago...

Will's POV
No matter how hard I would try to forget the last few days, they still found a way to remain circling in my mind. Now that it was all finally over, it was all I could think about. I still remember the two of us running for our lives, chasing after our shadows as the sun slowly began streaming through the treetops. We were almost out of time, the greens around us were slowly fading darker as the death test was finally reaching its near end. We pulled and clawed the jungle behind us, pushing our bodies to their limits to make it through the barrier. Our legs had become stiff as they hit the ground one after the other, trying to avoid every fallen branch and vine that was thrown in our path while our lungs swelled from the short breaths we managed to take. By the time we had reached the clear barrier, the sun had spared us with one last remaining moment. Our desperate eyes stared through the clear barrier where the thick jungle met with the open area of campus, where the boys who had made it through would wait nervously for the others. Those who hadn't passed through the barrier in time would have failed the test, while those who could not face their darkest fears would be electrified by the barrier if they tried entering through without having destroyed their darkest fear first. I had only found this out once I had accidentally run into it. Pan had warned us of the barrier but I had no idea he had used his magic to electrify those who tried to break through it.

I wouldn't have survived those last moments if it weren't for Emily. I had lost myself out there. I was alone, surviving on my own against the voices that filled my head. They suffocated me with the betrayal I had felt from the one person I trusted most. I wanted it to end, I wanted the voices to leave for good and I wanted to escape this death test...but failing this test wasn't an option. My lost memories that were taken away by Pan had finally been redeemed once I relived the death of not only my darkest fear but my closest friend. The only person I could have a connection with was taken and destroyed leaving nothing but a small crystal to save me from this test. However, the crystal was only my shining pass through the barrier. I had almost lost the real person who saved me because I wasn't able to control myself. I let my emotions take over and I took all my anger out on her. I had torn her down just as she did to me. It wasn't until I realized what I had said that I found out what a big mistake I had made. She helped me and she believed in me, even when I didn't believe in myself, even after everything I had said to her...even after all the pain we both went through. She was the one who hadn't given up on me. Because of her, we were able to make it back in time; we were able to cross through the barrier just as the sun was setting. She had saved us both...

I squeezed my hands tightly into a fist to stop them from trembling. I had just gotten her back. She was there with me, we were both safe, we both made it through the test...but I turned my back for one moment and Pan had taken her away from me. How could I be so stupid to think she was safe in campus when Pan had taken her the moment she had walked through. I hated this feeling of knowing that she was here in campus, in Pan's hut for that matter; yet none of us are allowed to see her. Pan wouldn't tell me anything, he would only enter and leave his hut. Each time he did, he would take the pleasure in giving me a wide smirk as his emerald green eyes met with mine. It must give him so much satisfaction to know that I wasn't getting what I wanted, that again, I was forced to obey what he said because I have no choice... because he is stronger than me. Pan warned me the last time I had confronted him about Emily, that if I kept asking questions it would only make things worse. I didn't want any harm to come to Emily, but sitting around and doing nothing was just as bad. Sitting around and doing nothing wasn't going to get me answers and it certainly wasn't going to get Emily out of there and away from Pan. He should know by now that I won't follow his rules. To put it simply, I just didn't care anymore.

My eyes lifted from the ground and I threw the piece of wood I had been picking at for the past half hour into the bonfire. The piece of wood hit the others that were already burning causing a spark of flames to burst into the air. It soon rested the flames and began burning away on top of the other pieces. I gazed at the flames now fiddling with my hands as a replacement from the wood. I couldn't keep still. I couldn't stop thinking about everything that had happened; that maybe if I hadn't of kissed her back she wouldn't have to be in this mess. I still didn't understand the reason why Pan was reacting the way he was. Even before Emily had been brought to the island Pan had always made sure that I was kept apart from those closest to me. I would always fight against him because he never gave me an explanation of why he would treat me differently. Since Emily had come to the island it feels as though Pan was just making things that much harder for me, and now he's not only taking it out on me but Emily too.

"Look, Pan's coming out of his hut again!"

My head instantly turned away from the fire as I found Pan who was still standing in the doorway of his hut. I hadn't moved in the last half hour let I suddenly felt a sensation running through my legs as I glared at Pan. I've had enough of sitting here and regretting everything that's happened...I wanted answers. I quickly stood up from the log leaving questionable looks on Ben and Ethan's faces. I paid no attention to them as my eyes were locked on Pan. Most of the boys have already fallen into the same routine again since a couple of days had passed since the test ended. They had regained their strength and most boys were already hunting, scavenging and training as Pan requested. Even Ben and Ethan had gone on a few hunting trips with the other boys. I don't blame them for wanting to try and forget everything that happened. I, however, wouldn't leave campus. Pan surprisingly did not care much that I had been waiting in campus and ignoring his requests, unlike the other boys. That's what made me even angrier. It was as if Pan wanted me to stay here, to watch him leave out of his hut knowing that I couldn't see her. That this in itself was a punishment for both of us.

"Will, what are you doing?" Ben questioned.

"Getting answers," I replied through gritted teeth.

"You look like you're about to kill someone."

I chuckled as my eyes stayed locked on Pan, "That could work too."

I took a step forward towards Pan's hut only to be stopped by Ethan who had a stern look on his face.

"Don't you remember? Pan warned you what would happen if-"

"I don't care anymore; she's been in there for six days! If I can't see her, the least I could do is find out what the hell he is planning to do with her."

I ignored Ethan's voice that was calling behind me as I walked away from the bonfire and towards Pan's hut. I clenched my fists tightly as I stormed up the steps of the much larger hut, cutting Pan off mid-step and stopping him from walking any further. His eyes were filled with amusement as he looked down at me, a grin soon setting on his face as he lifted a brow.

"Back again, are we?"

Ethan's POV

I let a long sigh escape my lips as Will ignored me and continued walking toward Pan's hut. Lucky most of the boys had gone on a hunting trip so there wouldn't be as much attention on Will. I already knew this was going to end badly because it always did. For the last couple of days, Will refused to come with us on any hunting trips, or training sessions. We would leave in the morning to see Will sitting by the fire watching Pan's hut like a hawk to then come back in the late afternoon to see that he remained seated in the same spot. Ben and I tried talking him out of it but Will had his mindset elsewhere. Pan was only making this that much harder on Will by letting him stay in campus rather than joining the other boys. Pan seemed to be angry enough that Will was asking questions the last time he had confronted him. I was surprised Pan just let him off that easily. Will had held back for the past couple of days but I guess he couldn't stand waiting any longer.

"I have an idea!"

I turned around only to stumble back as Ben stood in front of me holding a thick piece of wood in his hand, fire was burning at the top of the wood as Ben held it up, looking into the flames with a grin on his face. I wasn't sure what to be more concerned about, that a flaming piece of wood was held in my face or the fact that Ben had an overly excited grin on his face as he watched the fire burning down the large piece of wood.

"Your idea involves...fire?"

"Hell yeah, it does!" Ben said in a deep yet enthusiastic voice, "I say we burn Pan's hut to the ground!"

I looked at Ben blankly not sure of what I should say to him. It wasn't until he started waving the piece of wood around him like a sword that I had to grab it off him. I quickly threw it back into the fire before turning to Ben who was now glaring at me.

"Oh come on, I waited for ages for that to burn!" Ben complained.

"How did you think that would work?" I asked blankly. "You were going to light Pan's hut on fire and-"

"And save my woman!" Ben agreed with himself as he nodded his head, agreeing with himself. "Yes."

I rolled my eyes before sighing at his thoughtless plan.

"Or burn her inside it..." I mumbled.

Ben looked at me with a stern expression, his face scrunching up as he tried to find a reason to fight back but in the end, he groaned and collapsed sitting back on the log. I sat beside him and snatched the sick of wood out of his hand that he had just picked up, knowing that he would just try to burn it again.

"Why is Pan even doing this!" Ben said he watched me toss the sick into the fire. "Someone must have really pissed him off in the test."

"Yeah..." I agreed as I glanced back to Will who was now talking with Pan, "Someone must have."

Will's POV

"I thought I made myself clear the last time you came here and started asking questions."

I groaned loudly as I felt a strong amount of force knock me off my feet until my back hit the outer wall of Pan's hut. My face scrunched in pain, my body throbbing from the sudden impact of collapsing to the ground. Before I could get up Pan had already pulled me to my feet, his hand already clenched around my neck, squeezing enough to hurt but not to do any damage. Pan shoved me back against the wall, now bruising my back against the bamboo. I reached for his hand that was stiff around my throat while I was left looking at his green eyes that had narrowed with anger.

"Did you really expect me to just sit around and wait until something happened?" I managed to shoot back at Pan.

His face mirrored mine as we both sent a burning glare to each other.

"Nothing is going to happen because your little friend up there, hasn't woken up since the test ended," Pan said through gritted teeth.

I fell tense as the words left Pan's mouth. What did he mean by she hasn't woken up? Why was she asleep? Even if it was from exhaustion...it's been six days since the test ended. Pan smirked as he noticed my hand clenching around his wrist in anger. Pan must have been the one who put her to sleep in the first place. I grabbed Pan's arm and shoved him back. He released his grip from my neck, allowing me to breathe.

"What did you do to her!" I shouted.

Pan only smirked before pushing me back against the wall as he ignored my question. Thankfully this time Pan grip remained tight around my cloak to keep me still rather than pressing against my neck.

"It's a good thing too. She did something in that test that really made me mad, almost to the point that I thought about not letting her pass through the barrier," The light green flecks in Pan's eyes were unbalanced as they shinned in anger. "And if you were wondering if it was that kiss that you both so sweetly shared, it wasn't. No, she did something far worse than that."

Pan's POV

"Pan, I hope you're watching."

She was taunting me. Her voice ringing through my head loud and clear. With everything that had happened to her, all the trauma and regret that was clouding her mind was beginning to clear. I don't know how she was doing it but I was losing my connection to her. It was as if that clear voice was slowly fading out to a small whisper. She was blocking me out of her head faster than I could react to stop her.

"What are you doing!" I shouted.

Proving to myself that you have no control over me. In other words...I'm clearing my mind.

Just as those words passed through, they were the last ones I could hear before everything fell silent. I could no longer see where she was, I couldn't hear her voice or her thoughts anymore. After trying several times after to connect through again that was when I realized she had truly blocked me out of her head.

My first thought was to not let them pass through the barrier but that would defeat the purpose of them being here in the first place. Their importance was the only thing stopping me from getting rid of them in the past and yet no matter how many times I threaten them or punish them, they still find a way to push me over the edge. I won't let her go this easily this time. It's too much of a risk now that I know that the package is coming. If I can't find a way to reconnect with her she could easily become a threat in the future, especially now that I know Hook is close. I thought that by putting her to sleep I could connect through to her again but her subconscious won't let me pass through. The more I would try, the longer she would remain asleep. Even in her dreams where she is most vulnerable, she still refuses to let me in...she still insists on fighting against me, as if she's hiding something. It was frustrating enough that I couldn't get through to her but I wasn't the only one. I've had to stop Will by force. I thought that by driving the two of them apart I would finally have control over both of them but it only made them stronger...perhaps that's exactly what I needed. The two of them are connected in a way and if I can't get through to her then I can use Will. It has worked in the past. Right now I need them separated until I can wake her up. But for now, I have to deal with Will.

Will's POV

Pan's eyes grew colder as he pulled out of this thoughts. He slowly untangled his clenched fingers from my cloak and removed his hand letting it rest by his side. I looked at him with confusion until he looked up at me, only then could I see the rage in his eyes as he lunged towards forwards turning me around with one hand before pushing me back into the wall again. This time my head hit the hard surface making my vision blur for a moment with the force that he used. I swear if he does that one more time...

"Listen closely because I'm only going to say this once," I could hear his threatening tone grow more aggressively as he continued, "You're going to join the other boys and stop asking questions."

I scoffed. "What makes you think I'll listen to you."

"Oh trust me, I know how stubborn you can be," Pan said before leaning in so that I could hear his voice clearly.

"If you come back here again, I'll make sure that when she does wake up...talking won't be the only thing we'll do."

Will's POV

We all waited, hidden beneath the ferns under the palm trees that lined the beach to the jungle. The wind brushed through the branches and ferns around us we remained silent, our eyes only set on the Jolly Rodger that was rocking swiftly on the sea. It already felt like hours have passed by even though Pan had only left moments ago. There was a fearful tension among the boys as we waited for Pan' return. These events felt all too familiar to us. It was as if we were waiting for something bad to happen...for something bad to repeat itself. I felt an uneasy feeling wash over me suddenly as my head spun, and soon enough I was met with the familiar silence that came with Fin's voice.

"Will, she's awake..."

My lips parted as Fin's words echoed in my head. She's awake...

"You must get Emily out of Pan's hut before he returns. The receiver must be able to see her."

"Why does the receiver need to see her?"

"He is the receiver and once arrived...must return."

"Fin what are you talking about? What does the receiver want with Emily?" I asked again falling more confused as to why Fin was sounding so secretive about this person.

"You are running out of time Will. You must go now before Pan returns." Fin continued eagerly, "Go now!"

My attention was caught by the crystal that was glowing brightly in my pocket. I covered it with my hand so I wouldn't attract attention from the other boys but it continued to glow brighter. Fin was signalling me to move quickly before I would run out of time. The silence wasn't gone but it was slowly fading away as the crystals glow slowly dimmed. Ben looked over his shoulder and startled me as I crawled back.

"Hurry Will!"

I jumped in fright at Fin's alarming voice. It was the last thing I heard him say before the silence left me and I was caught by Ben's face that frowned in confusion.

"Why are you acting so weird?" Ben asked as he watched me place the crystal back in my pocket.

"I-I'm going to get her," I said quickly before moving backward, letting the ferns brush over my back. I pointed at Ben giving him a serious look. "Stay here."

I just saw his lips form into a pout before I turned around and crawled my way through the ferns. I looked back behind me to check that I was far enough from the boys noticing me before I stood up and began running back through the path that led to campus. It didn't take long as I pushed through the jungle until I was met with the large open space of campus. The bonfire had been untouched since this morning and the huts stood in their line on the far side of the area. It was weird seeing no one here. Usually most of the boys were gathered here or passing through to break from hunting trips or training sessions but now that I know they were all gathered in one spot it will make it easier to get Emily out of Pan's hut unnoticed. The only problem was the amount of time I had left before the boys would get back. I ran along the gravel path, my feet kicking up the dust as I passed along each of the huts until I reached Pan's. I was about to climb up the stairs but I had someone run straight into me.

Emily's POV

Pan's voice still lingered in my mind as I remember his sharp eyes turning back to me before he left the room.

"Don't move..."

It was the last thing he said to me before he vanished out of the room. I kept turning back to the door that was wide open. Pan left in such a hurry that he had forgotten to lock the door. The entire hut was left in an uncomfortable silence once Pan had left. I still couldn't understand how I ended up here. I remembered passing through the barrier with Will but everything after that was blank. So much had happened in the test that it felt so strange to wake up in Pan's hut. I would have thought it was all a bad dream if Pan hadn't of healed those scratches I got from the mermaids. The pain and exhaustion I had felt from the test were all gone. I presumed Pan must have healed me if anything since we only finished the test yesterday.

I had so many unanswered questions running through my head; that too just gave me more of a reason to leave Pan's hut. I looked out the small window but I couldn't see any boys walking around. The whole of campus was empty and completely silent. Maybe something bad happened that I don't know about. I curled my fists and took a breath to calm myself before walking out of the room. I needed to find out what was going on. I quickly walked down the stairs and made my way to the front door. I reached for the handle and raced down the steps of Pan's hut to begin running, only to run straight into Will. He looked up at me with the same startled expression until his face softened as he realized it was me.

"Emily, are you alright!" Will spoke in a hurry as he looked from Pan's hut back to me.

I was relieved to see him but at the same time, I knew something was wrong. He seemed out of breath as he panted while holding onto my arms for balance. I couldn't find the words to speak. I only looked at Will with concern. It had been the first time I had seen him since the test ended and I noticed now that the bruising and dirt on his face was gone. His clothes weren't smudged in dirt either and they were no longer ripped. Seeing Will just made me more confused, not only because he looked so different but more of the fact that we were the only ones here.

"Will, what's happened...where is everyone?" I asked as I continued to look around the empty area, getting more worried that something bad has happened.

Why was Will the only one here? Where were the other boys? Why did Pan leave in such a hurry, and why did he not want me to leave?

Will's POV

Emily's head turned as she looked around campus frantically. Her breaths began to cut short as she became more frightened. She had been asleep for the last couple of days but by the looks of it she probably has no memory of what happened since the test had ended. That also meant that she had no idea that Hook was here. All the boys were back at the drop off zone waiting for Pan which has left campus to be completely isolated. I couldn't help but think that Pan had said something to Emily to act this way. I had no doubt that once she woke up Pan had threatened her. I had to know what happened to her but I didn't know how to ask, at this moment she probably had so many questions. I held her hands to comfort her but she wasn't calming down.

"W-Will...where is everyone? Are Ben and Ethan safe? Did Pan do something?" She asked quickly, firing one question after the other.

I was getting more worried as the light pink that warmed her cheeks soon turned pale. I tried to get her to focus but she had too many thoughts running in her head. I let go of her hands and placed mine softly on her face.

"Emily, look at me."

As she turned to me, her feared expression eventually calmed down once her eyes made contact with mine.

"What did Pan do?" I asked harsher than I expected.

Emily's face stiffened as she looked down to the ground in thought. My eyes widened at her reaction now that I know Pan must have done something.

Emily's POV

I remember clearly what Pan had said to me...

"I hope that we can come to a little agreement..."

"I'll let that slide and leave him alone," Pan said before leaning in closer to me. "But I won't leave you alone."

I took an uneasy breath as I looked up at Will only to notice his worried expression had changed to a look of anger.

"It's okay, Pan just wanted to talk." I tried to reassure him.

Will brought his hands away from my face and judging by his expression I knew he didn't believe me.

"Pan was angry because of what I did," I noticed Will's cheeks fluster a light pink as I continued, "For that but also because I blocked him out of my head."

Will's POV

She managed to block Pan out of her head...

I've been trying for a long time even before Emily had been brought to the island but I could never get rid of his taunting voice. That explains why he had taken her the moment she walked through the barrier, and also why he wouldn't let anyone see her. This has probably never happened to him before. Pan wasn't sure of what to do with her...so much that he felt threatened by it. I couldn't believe Emily actually did it. She was able to get past Pan.

"Can you still block him out now?"

She nodded her head but I could see her expression change.

"I know Pan will keep trying to get through to me...but at least he won't bother you anymore." She spoke softly as her voice trailed off.

Emily's POV

Will didn't seem to have paid much attention to that last part and I was kind of glad he didn't if it meant keeping him away from Pan. Ever since I first met Will, Pan had been toying with him since. All this time Will has been trying to protect me from Pan. It was about time I did the same. Protect him as he has done for me. I felt Will's warm pair of hands placed on mine and I couldn't help but feel relieved that he was here with me. To think that things could have gone so wrong in those last moments of the test.

Will gave me a small smile which I returned before he pulled me into a hug. I accepted his warm embrace and I couldn't help but feel safe again now that we were both finally here together, rather than being separated in a dangerous test, constantly worrying if one another were alive. My thoughts were interrupted as I heard footsteps running on the gravel path behind us but I wasn't facing right way to see who the person was.

"GROUP HUG!"

My face lit up as I recognised the all too familiar voice of Ben.

"Ben, wait a second!" Will shouted as he pulled away from me.

I turned around but before we had the chance to stop him, Ben had already finished his run up and had jumped in the air, arms spread wide like a bird with a toothy grin spread across his face. Will and I tried to catch him but he just ended up falling on top of us. As much as the ground hurt I couldn't help but laugh it off as I ruffled Ben's hair. It was strange that I was now oddly used to his behaviour.

Will groaned as he got off the ground, dusting the dirt off of his clothes as he gave Ben a blank look.

"Ben, I told you to stay there."

Before Ben could answer another voice shouted from behind him.

"Ben, what the hell!" Ethan shouted as he walked up to him. "You just left me behind!"

"The woman had been found, I couldn't resist," Ben said in defence before winking at me.

"That's beside the point, there's a-" Ethan began but he stopped himself short as he turned to me, his expression softening as a smile appeared on his face. "You're finally awake." Ethan sighed sounding more relieved than I expected.

I was about to question what he meant but before I could several voices were heard from behind us. The four of us turned around to see the rest of the boys along with Pan walking out of the line of jungle and into campus. I noticed a boy I hadn't seen before walking slightly behind Pan and in between some other boys. His head was down so I couldn't see his face but I was sure I hadn't seen him before.

Could there really be a new boy on the island?

I glanced at Will and Ben but they didn't seem to notice the new boy amongst the others, Ethan, however, did as he watched him intently.

"Who is that?" I asked only to hear Ethan sigh.

"That's what I was getting to before. There's a new boy, or rather an old boy."

It was only then that Will and Ben both had their eyes searching the group until they found him. I watched as the look on their faces changed to disbelief as they clearly recognised this person.

"That's impossible..." Ben mumbled as he stared at the boy.

"The boy that escaped?" Will asked Ethan which he nodded.

"Yes, he's back."

I felt more confused now then I had when I woke up. Escaped? Was he here before? I thought that no one could leave the island. Unless Pan let him leave. Now that I had more questions, it made me think I missed out on so much. The test had only just finished so how did...unless-

"How long was I asleep for?" I asked hesitantly.

Will now turned to me and I could see his face change once Ben began to talk.

"You've been aslee-" Ben started but Will cut him off by elbowing him in the stomach rather forcefully with a glare following shortly after.

I furrowed my brows as Ben glared back at Will but didn't say anything. Something strange was going on between them. I wasn't sure if it was because I had just woken up or not but they were definitely acting weirder than usual.

Will's POV

The last thing I wanted was Emily knowing that Pan had been monitoring her in her sleep since the test ended which was more than six days ago. It's true, she doesn't know that Hook is here or that Pan has been trying to get through to her. I need to tell her but right now is not a good time. I won't tell her until I know what Pan is going to do next. The less vulnerable she is to him, the stronger she will be able to block him out of her head, that won't last long if I tell her that Pan has been trying to forcefully get back into her head. If Pan did connect back with her he would make sure she would never be able to block him out again. That's why I had to make sure they lost the connection permanently. It was my only chance now, the only way that I could even think that this plan could have a chance at succeeding. I made a promise to Emily that I thought would be near to impossible to keep but now that know she can block Pan out and that he has made it back...this plan could actually work.

Hey everyone!

I know I have been away for a while and I am very sorry for that but I really needed a break, I had just finished my last year of school and it was completely exhausting (mentally especially). I hope you can understand. Next time I will give you guys a heads up so you know what is going on before I randomly disappear again.

Please do look forward to more chapters, they will be coming soon but I will need time to write them. I do like writing longer chapters and I won't publish them unless I'm completely happy with how they turn out. I'm trying to make this the best for my readers so they can enjoy the story more than if it were rushed. I hope that doesn't annoy you but it is what I would prefer to do.

Anyway, besides that...

What did you think of this chapter? (Fingers crossed it was worth the wait...hopefully)

What do you think will happen now that Baelfire is back?

How do you think Emily will interact with the only boy who was able to outsmart Pan and escape the island?

And here's the real question...why is Baelfire back.

Part 2 will be coming this weekend!