Will's POV

I could hardly sleep.

It didn't matter if I shut my eyes or left them wide open. Too much has happened for me to think about anything else, so I lay awake instead, leading every thought to play out as they had been since I managed to sneak away from Pan and Felix. I couldn't stay for much longer, even though I was well hidden under the ferns, even with the sand silencing my footsteps, I couldn't risk being so close to Pan, to listen in and get caught before I could get myself out of there. It wasn't an option.

My plan was to follow Felix. I had no idea Pan would suddenly show up. Now that I was thinking about it, he had used his magic to appear but his effortless movements were brought down this night as he had struggled to regain himself, his features creasing as though it had pained him to do so. It was so unlike him that both Felix and I shared the same reaction of seeing Pan in such an unexpected state. I could see something was different; I wouldn't call it weakness as his instincts soon shot alive, his hand reaching for Felix's throat, grip tightening around his neck without a second thought causing our most loyal lost boy to pale before he could even speak a word. There was Pan's strength and it seemed almost heightened, out of control to the point that Pan himself wasn't aware of what he was doing.

That explained why he suddenly snapped out of it and let Felix go before he could do any permanent damage. It was enough to have me retreating back while Pan was distracted. I had followed and got caught by him just the other day. If I got caught again while he was like this...I had no idea what he was going to do with me. But I couldn't ignore the unsettling weight that pulled at my stomach the moment I had reached campus. That feeling...as much as I liked how easy it was, I knew there was something terribly wrong. I was able to quickly retreat back inside my hut without either of the two noticing a thing, and I had overheard their conversation which was definitely intended on being kept secret - at least for now.

"They haven't left..."

Pan won't be able to keep it a secret for long. By the time the sun rises the boys will have sensed something was different, if not Pan than Baelfire's escape. I have seen those beams of light before. The storm he created in the clouds above the jungle was no coincidence, the flashing beams of light, the crackling of thunder echoing across the island and the unruly danger I knew would follow only happened when there was nothing left of him to maintain, nothing more than the one emotion he knew well to keep under control. Baelfire's escape must have been what triggered it, I don't think anything else could have. Pan had plans set out to do something far worse than kill the boy. To trap him inside the barrier was a fate far worse than death. I just hadn't expected Baelfire to beat him to it, to escape the island again before Pan could get to him first.

I knew this because I was there...I got to Baelfire before Pan.

It wasn't too long after this night had drawn longer than most, the bonfire's flames subsiding to small flickers of light bringing the last of the lost boys to their huts. Ben had turned in for the night too, with my help I had dragged him most of the way to his hut, his complaints about a stomach ache was the last thing I needed to hear after Pan forced my ears to bleed. I was able to get Pan to use his magic to heal them but his attention was quickly and urgently focused elsewhere as he soon disappeared. Still, the silence of campus that came after was soothing enough while it lasted. That was when I had seen a figure cross through the line of jungle, their movements intending to not be seen but I had enough experience with sneaking around to know this wasn't just any unusual behaviour.

I had shot to my feet and ran after them, my thoughts already pulling together the pieces that suggested the only boy stupid enough to be running around so carelessly after curfew, other than myself, was Baelfire. Sure, he had definitely been one of the best trained lost boys, running in the darkness of the night was just as easy as day, his pace never haltering as he bolted ahead. Lucky enough for me, he was the one to teach me everything I know...and he was good, but he has been away for some time giving me the upper hand. What did surprise me was he seemed to have known it was me the whole time, his pace slowing to a stop as I began to reach him. I found the nearest tree, hiding within the undergrowth but Baelfire was smarter than that.

"You can come out now, William."

I narrowed my eyes at the boy who kept his back turned to me yet still managed to pick up exactly where I stood. Taking a breath I stood out into the opening, meeting Baelfire's gaze as he turned around to face me, his expression mostly calm but I could see he was tense, he was just trying not to show it.

"How did you know it was me?"

I had felt it the moment of Baelfire's return, a known sense that something about him didn't match up...that Baelfire's reason for coming back to the island was meant to be kept secret. He always had a way of knowing things he shouldn't, it made him smarter, but I didn't think it would be enough to get him past Pan.

"Will, I thought I trained you better than that," Baelfire sighed, his attention shifting to the ground.

I fed my hand under the thin material of my shirt, my fingers resting on either side of the cold blade where my small dagger lay at rest. I could hear the metal grazing the belt loop as I lifted it slow enough to not be noticed by Baelfire. Turning the sharper edge in my hand I placed a strong grip on the handle before tossing it between the trees, the silver flickering under the light of the moon, not skipping a heartbeat before it caught Baelfire to the tree behind him, the blade stabbing into the trunk holding the now torn thick layers of clothing at his shoulder swiftly keeping him there.

"You did."

Baelfire remained unfazed as he turned to the weapon.

"Not a scratch," He assessed pulling out the dagger from the tree, "It's good to see you haven't lost your touch."

"I could say the same for you," I challenged as I approached him slowly.

Baelfire grinned at this.

"I knew it was only a matter of time that you would confront me but with the help of your new friend, things have become a little more complicated than I had hoped. I guess that doesn't matter now since she has proven herself to be quite helpful."

I gritted my teeth, "What did you make her do?"

"Nothing she can't handle, Will. But I did promise her something...something I can't give her now because I'm out of time," He mumbled the last of his words before his eyes met mine, "What do you know of her visions?"

I furrowed my brows, my hands loosening from the pressure I had forced on them.

"The nightmares? They're only dreams," I insisted but even I could hear the uncertainty in my voice.

"I'm afraid they're much more than that," Baelfire began, the concern in his voice becoming more prominent as his eyes met mine, "The lost boys told me about the test of facing your darkest fear."

"She defeated her darkest fear. She made it through the barrier just like everyone else," I defended but my words grew quite once I noticed the changed expression on Baelfire's face.

"And she brought it throughwith her."

My face fell as Emily's words came rushing back to me. I thought they were just bad dreams, nightmares that had been keeping her awake all this time but it was clear she hadn't been the same since that test finished. She was relieved it was over but something was weighing her down. Maybe I had been avoiding the truth but I knew there was something wrong. I just couldn't put sense to it until now.

"I can't get her out of my head, Will. She won't go away..."

"Who?"

"Me...my darkest fear."

"Emily, you faced your fear in the test-"

"Then how did I get through the barrier! How did I defeat her if I can still see her...if she's really here, how did I pass that test!"

"It's only going to get worse from now," Baelfire warned, breaking me away from my thoughts, "There is a side of her that's been twisting in her mind since that test. It will continue to feed and corrupt her thoughts until she gives in slowly to a side that wants the weakest parts of her gone. If that happens she will have no choice but to become what she can only see to be herself."

"She is after something she despises and she thinks that once I give it up, we will become the same. It's as if she wants a part of me gone."

"What part?"

"The good part..."

"How do you know all this?" I asked, my tone lowering as I glared at him, "How do you know so much about her?"

Baelfire sighed, "You're asking the wrong questions, Will."

I clenched my teeth together but I couldn't help but listen to Baelfire knowing he was right.

"What do I do?"

"There's not much you can do. She will have to do this on her own," Baelfire remarked, conscious of the way I reacted.

I watched as Baelfire's attention snapped behind him, his hand gripping the handle of the dagger tightly, his arms stiffening by his sides as that same apprehended look in his eyes returned.

"You said you're out of time," I repeated his words knowingly which caused him to turn back to me with a glint in his eyes.

"You would be smart to not follow me any further than this, Will."

Of course he was going to try it again. He had escaped before, but at this time, I couldn't be sure he would get away. That doesn't mean I was going to try and stop him. As tempting as it always is, I couldn't do it. I wasn't finished on this island. Not yet.

"Pan will try and stop you but I won't. I only want to know why you came back."

Baelfire could see I had backed down and relief filled his eyes.

"Fin was right to warn you I would be coming back to Neverland," Baelfire said softly, the sympathy hinted in his voice hadn't gone unnoticed as my face fell. "I know your lost memories were returned after the test."

Fin...

How did he know so much about Fin...about Emily...about me.

I tried to ignore the tears brimming my eyes as I finally made sense of Fin's message. It had been so long ago but I couldn't get it out of my head, it was always there. Now that I heard it from Baelfire, it all made sense.

"There's someone coming to the island..."

"That person is very important..."

"Will...the person coming is your key to escape."

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

He had been warning me this whole time.

"You're the receiver?" I questioned faintly and Baelfire nodded.

"You must understand, there are some things I have to keep secret but I am going to help you, Will," Baelfire said sternly, "Fin was right, I must return but I'm not going to turn my back on the rest of you. I'll tell you what you need to know..."

The thoughts had been replaying in my mind for a while now, so much that the early morning beams of sunlight had shone through the small window of my hut without my notice. I sat up and changed into a fresh pair of clothes before making my way to the door. I had to speak to Emily, I knew I had to help her but more importantly, I had to explain everything.

I didn't have time to react as my hut door was forcefully pushed open before I could take a step outside. Pan stood in the doorway with a menacing glare, exhaling deep angered breaths as he strode inside toward me, slamming the door shut behind him and grabbing me before I could move.

"You're coming with me," Pan glowered as we disappeared out of my hut.

Emily's POV

Waking up this early in the morning was nothing unusual for any of us. Hunting began at daybreak and the sun was just rising over the treetops, simmering down on campus in a bright glow and bringing with it the humidity from the jungle. On the far side of campus, past the bonfire and set in the distance were clear blue skies towering over the jungle. It was a brand new day and what happened last night could have well been all a dream, just another nightmare, but I had seen it all for myself...the poison turning Pan out of control, the storm that almost destroyed everything, Baelfire's last and final words before his escape...and the deal.

Everyone had settled in the center of campus gathered in their usual groups talking among themselves until Pan had suddenly appeared. I noticed his expression shift once everyone's attention was drawn to him but I seemed to have been the only one. None of them knew what happened last night and after what I saw happen, it was probably for the best. I could see the poison had worn off him but that anger still remained in his eyes as they locked with mine for a brief moment before pulling away to assert the boys who listened for his orders.

"Where is he?" Ben groaned.

I looked through the groups of boys gathered around campus but I couldn't spot him anywhere.

"Will's usually late for our early morning training sessions, you know how he is," Ethan shrugged only for Ben to turn to him with a brow lifted.

"Emily is usually the one late for early morning training sessions, she can't wake up in time," Ben argued before his blue eyes turned to me with a defensive grin, "Uh, no offense pretty lady."

I chuckled, "None taken. He is right though," I admitted to Ethan who sighed.

"See!" Ben exclaimed.

I couldn't help but think back to what Pan had said last night.

"It really won't take much to make sure your friends suffer the same fate as you..."

"Ben would you relax! He won't risk it, not after what happened the other day. He'll be at training," Ethan muttered but even I could see him glancing around at the boys to find him, "Either that or he's gone to do something stupid again."

"Risk it my ass. That boy is the risk," Ben grumbled as he began walking after the group of boys that set off for the training area, Ethan and I following behind him watching him stomp with blank faces.

Before I could turn off the gravel path to follow the rest, my thoughts had slowed me down until I was forced to focus on what I had been avoiding. Most of the branches cut off my view but I glanced back to see Pan walking in the opposite direction of the main path, his eyes sharp and his strides set as he entered through the jungle. I wanted to continue with the rest of the boys to the training area and pretend I hadn't seen anything but I was left staring at the empty sight of campus. I knew something was wrong; there wasn't much I had to do to persuade myself to follow Pan.

Maybe it was a bad idea, after last night I should be keeping my distance but that was all the more reason to follow him. I couldn't just expect him to return back to his normal-psychotic self - if it were even possible, not after Baelfire's second escape. I wasn't the only one who had my suspicions of Baelfire, Will did too, he wanted to find out just as much as I did and I had a feeling wherever Pan ended up Will would be there too.

I ran along the gravel path, passing quickly by the huts until I reached where Pan had stood. Behind the two huts stood the wall of jungle that cut around the whole of campus. I wasted no time as I pushed through the first line of ferns and moved under the lower branches, my feet stumbling until I looked ahead and saw Pan walking in the distance. I followed, sticking to the larger tree roots that were easier to walk over while keeping my attention on Pan. I was sure I had reached close enough but he had disappeared just seconds later. I sighed in defeat, catching my breath back but as I moved away from the tree and stared ahead I instantly shot back around the trunk, my knees collapsing as I fell to the tree roots.

"No no no, please," I mumbled as those golden glowing eyes remained ingrained in my mind, "It can't be her...not now."

"Oh Emily," She chimed, her voice clear as if she was standing right beside me, "Did you miss me?"

I struggled to stand to my feet, my skin grazing against the rough surface of the tree as I pulled myself up, my chest rising ever so slightly as I took in small gasps of air. I knew she was right behind me, I knew she was waiting for me to make my move, to show myself and face her. She had only been gone for less than a day but it was enough for me to forget how horrifying it truly is to have her inside my head.

"Oh dear, I can see you have been through quite a lot."

Her words twisted in mocking remorse as I hesitantly moved away from the tree. I met with her eyes first, staring into the golden-flared glow, then finding the black veins that lined her skin and disappeared beneath her torn clothes. I had seen it all before but I couldn't see us as the same.

"I must say, your new friend did surprise me but I'm afraid there wasn't anything the boy could do to help you," I watched a sly grin peak through her lips, "Did you really think he could keep me out of your head?" She sneered.

I kept still as she moved forward.

"I think you're forgetting, we are the same. I'm always going to be here with you, in here," She raised her arm pointing to her head.

That was one nightmare I remembered all too well and my own words had haunted me ever since.

"I can toy with your mind for as long as I want, that is until you finally accept that we are the same..."

I had kept quiet in the past, I would tremble in fear that each time I shut my eyes she would be there waiting for me but now, I managed to calm myself down enough that I was able to speak.

"You may be in my head but we are not the same," I said firmly which brought a glint to her glowing eyes, "And I'm going to get you out."

A chuckle left her lips but there was no amusement in it. All she wanted was for me to give in, I had learned that the hard way and now that I know, I'm going to spend every waking moment proving myself wrong. I'll do whatever it takes to make sure I don't become anything like her.

"Careful now. I knew you weren't ready before but you are learning quickly. Even still, it won't be fast enough. Your time is almost up to choose," She warned, the underlying threat following in her tone. "Don't think it will be easy. I'll be waiting for you there, where the sun meets the water's edge. I hope you put up a good fight, it will be rather disappointing if you don't but it will make it much easier for you to lose."

I was left with her final words echoing in my ears as she disappeared from where she stood. The sounds of the jungle were slowly brought back but what returned with it made the pits of my stomach sink, my eyes widening as I recognised the agonizing shouts of pain that tore through the jungle.

Will's POV

I had no time to adjust my eyes to where Pan had made us appear to as his grip remained curled in the material of my shirt, using all his strength to lift my feet from the ground and throw me backward against a tree. My back was the first to hit, then my head which instantly hung forward from the impact. Through blurred vision, I tried to focus on the ground but all my weight fell forward with it until I felt a sharp tug at my hair causing a painful hiss to leave my lips. Pan appeared at that moment, keeping me there and forcing my head up so I could see his blown pupils; the light green barely visible as he stared down at me, fuming with rage. I glared at him as his stance purposely worsened the throbbing pain in my back, my muscles aching while he stood over me with ease having no intention of letting me go.

"What the hell are you-"

My words were quickly cut off as he unlocked his fingers from the strands of hair he held back, his hand moving too fast for me to notice until his grip immediately tightened around my neck trapping the air from my lungs. My eyes widened and my hands shot straight to my neck as I began pulling at his death-grip, trying to pry it off. Pan simply let out an irritated huff, his eyes still up in flames but his grip steadily continued constricting my throat.

"Now if I remember correctly, this moment seems a little familiar, don't you think?" Pan sneered as he glanced to his tightened grip, "The only difference now is I don't think I feel like letting go."

I could feel the blood rushing to my head, the pressure rising as I gasped for air only to end up choking. Pan took no shame in tightening his hand, his fingers digging further into my skin. Whatever I had seen last night, that weakness...it was gone. He was back and I had done exactly what he told me not to do and I knew I was going to pay for it.

"You'd think after that unfortunate incident that you would actually listen to me but instead you went and got yourself caught, again."

My eyes widened and Pan smirked, the green flecks in his eyes that were left still shone brightly.

"Did you really think you could get away that easily without me noticing," Pan scoffed, "Even before the poison wore off, I knew you were there listening until you got scared enough to run."

Poison? That had to be it. There was no other way. That explains why Baelfire was so tense when I had spoken to him before his escape, he had poisoned Pan.

"You're not going anywhere now. I know you had some part in his escape, don't think for a second you could fool me into thinking it was just the girl. You're going to tell me exactly why Baelfire came back to Neverland."

I could feel the swelling around my neck once Pan finally let go allowing me to cough first then gasp for the air I so desperately needed. I struggled to breathe. It had all quickly rushed to my head at once as scattered white patches began clouding my vision, my legs almost falling from under me if it weren't for Pan keeping me stuck against this tree.

"I d-don't know! I didn't...e-even see him!" I forced out a lie.

I couldn't tell Pan the truth, no matter what he does. He can't know what Baelfire told me. Emily's nightmares, his plan...all of it. Pan cannot know. It could ruin everything.

There wasn't a second Pan waited before he grabbed hold of me, using his magic to disappear the two of us to the highest branches of the tree. Pan was already two steps ahead, grabbing my arm before I could land. With one push I was brought down to the branch with such force I could feel the wind getting kicked out of my lungs while the smaller connecting branches had trembled at the impact, tearing off their leaves and sending them floating to the ground.

The pain in my back had completely slipped my mind until now. It felt as if something had snapped inside causing a pained cry to escape my lips, all of which Pan ignored as he stood over me with a dangerous glare.

"Let's try that again."

I wanted to curl my legs to my chest, do anything I could to protect myself against Pan but there was nothing stopping me from falling off this branch. Any movement would lead to one slip and there was no chance I would be able to catch my own weight if I tried. I could only stare up at him; my voice hoarse as I tried to speak but it was all I had left. Fighting back was pointless but I wasn't intending on giving in so easily, not to Pan.

"Even if I did know, why the hell do you think I would tell you," I spat.

I watched his face fall in fury, his nostrils flaring as he reached down and grabbed my collar, lifting me to my feet with ease until I could no longer feel the branch beneath me.

"You won't tell me but you will tell those friends of yours," Pan spoke through gritted teeth, "How long do you think it will take until one of them snaps? You're putting yourself in the same position as before and we both know what that did to you. It broke you apart."

I struggled against Pan's grip but settled as his words sank in. There were flames burning inside him, a surge of anger that was erupting more than it ever had before. It was easy for him to use it against me, Pan knew this because he was there. It was so long ago but with my memories returned I can see it clearly, how it happened that night...and what I had gone through after it was over.

"Don't tell me you're going to risk them getting involved in something you have no control over. You know what I'll do," Pan eyes sharped, the flecks of green becoming more prominent, "You couldn't even protect Fin...how are you going to protect them?"

I bit my lips as tears threatened to cut the corners of my eyes. They burned as I lashed out at Pan, my nails digging into the skin of his hands that held me still in the air.

"Don't you dare say his name!" I shouted, my throat tearing, "You k-killed him! He did nothing to you and you took his life!" I almost screamed.

Pan pulled me down to my feet but before I could feel the branch he had brought the both of us back leaving me with the impact as his grip remained. My back jolting forward instantly as it snapped against the trunk of the tree, a broken cry leaving my mouth as those unfazed green eyes glared down on me. There was that same tortured feeling of something snapping inside, only this time we both heard it.

My legs strained beneath me and I was sure they would collapse but all I was able to do was sink against the tree as Pan still made an effort to hold me still. It was as if he wanted me to wait out the last moments before he ended my life, make me watch as he tore me down until there was nothing left. That thought had always been sitting in the back of my mind for the longest time.

Why hasn't Pan killed me yet?

I had always been on the other end of his sharpened dagger. I had suffered for so long and been so close to death it felt too real. It was worse when I was on my own, before I had Emily here, before Ethan and Ben...before Fin. Pan had always hated it. They were a distraction, a reason to fight against him and a hope to find a way out of here. I just couldn't stand the thought of him taking any of them away. His words were thrown in pure anger but I know he meant every word.

I blinked slowly leaving a burning warmth to fall down my skin. My silent tears fell fast and I had no shame in looking Pan in the eyes. His expression would never share the same as mine; it never has and never will. There was no place for it, no need for someone as powerful as Pan.

"What do you want me to do, pity you?" Pan said impassively, the twist in his words reciting without care.

"I want you to let me go," I hissed.

Pan yanked me to the side, away from the trunk of the tree so I was now leaning on the tips of my feet over the edge of the branch. I found my breath cut short as Pan smirked down at me, my eyes widening as I felt his grip loosening ever so slightly.

"I can do that," Pan glanced down to the ground before meeting my gaze, "But it will be very painful."

I flinched as he extended his arm quickly so that I was tilted back towards the ground, my feet barely able to stand against the branch. My grip instantly tightened around his wrist causing a dark snicker to leave his lips. I could feel the sweat building against my hairline, my back failing miserably to cope with its building pain while I waited, only a moment from falling to my death. I wasn't sure where it came from but a sudden rush wiped it away. I glared up at Pan who looked almost taken back by my change.

"You're not going to get what you want, haven't you figured that out by now?"

I dared to push him at this point but I didn't have a choice, either way, I was going to have to face him but telling him the truth is something I'll never let spill.

"Baelfire's gone. He managed to actually poison you to escape again and believe when I say he's never coming back."

That spark in his eyes was brought to life, his jaw clenching shut as he pulled me forward with a sharp breath. I could see behind the anger that there was a knowing look hidden within his eyes, that threating my life was the easiest part. He held it in his hands, thrived on the pain he caused and took pleasure in watching those suffer for it but he always knew more, he always had the upper hand. Just when I thought we were levelled he pulled me back to my senses, targeting what he knew would challenge any kind of advantage I thought I had.

"He wasn't the one that poisoned me and he certainly wouldn't have made it another second if it weren't for that girl," Pan spat.

I found myself still, brows furrowed together and my lips parting slowly, "Emily poisoned you?"

I could hear the disbelief in my voice.

Pan let out a light scoff but a smirk remained on his face.

"Looks like you're not the only one hiding something," Pan teased mockingly before his voice became stern, "It seems I'm going to get more out of that girl than you."

My eyes widened has Pan suddenly released his grip from my shirt. I felt my weight fall backward, my stomach sinking and my feet slipping from the branch. I watched my surroundings move slowly as Pan turned, in the midst of taking a step forward across the branch when I extended my arm as far as it would let me. I grabbed the hem of his sleeve, my sudden hold capturing Pan's attention at once, his eye wide as they found mine and realised what exactly was happening. His weight was pulled from the branch and over the edge as I brought him down with me, the thought of letting go abandoning from my mind completely. I was determined to live.

If I was going down, he was coming down with me.

The air had rushed past the two of us as did the branches. I looked past Pan to see the treetops getting smaller and I knew in a few seconds the ground would break our fall. The light brought down from the sky blurred with the trees mixing the two together causing my vision to fade and clear quickly. It could have been the shades of the trees but I was sure I had seen that green shimmering somewhere before. It had covered my eyes making them heavy enough to feel as though I was falling asleep. I wasn't sure where Pan had gone until I felt the sudden hit.

I felt something move from beneath my head and I turned with it to see Pan beside me on the ground, eyes staring at me in shock, his chest heaving as he lifted himself from the ground. Climbing to his knees first, he took in short breaths before standing to his feet. There was no sound to his movements, only a faint ringing that filled my ears. I could only look up at him. I couldn't move. I couldn't feel anything except for a thick watery substance dripping from my nose and slowly running down the side of my face.

Emily's POV

I ran as fast as my legs could carry me, finding my path across moss-covered tree roots that rose up from the ground. Twisting together with near-by trees they spread across the jungles floor, towering over the ferns below that cut through any patched space they left behind. Weaving past tree trunks became harder as they grew thicker, my eyes traveling up to the treetops that passed streams of light through their highest branches. The thin disjointed stands of my loose hair began sticking to my forehead and around my neck as the trapped moisture in the air became almost suffocating, the wind filling my ears as its howls could be heard above the trees, moving the overlapping branches and brushing their leaves together.

Will's shouts began to disturb the quiet sounds of the jungle as his cries of pain grew louder sending his voice through to me. I knew I was getting close enough to track where he could be and eventually I reached a sudden stop, turning in every direction, my heart racing and my breaths leaving in short huffs from my parted lips. It wasn't until I heard the snaps of the branches above me that I turned to the treetops, my eyes widening as I looked up in horror to see both Pan and Will crushing through the branches beneath them as they tumbled through the air. They were falling quickly.

A tight pull at my chest brought tears to my eyes, my legs lifting with quick heavy steps only to stumble back as I watched them hit the ground before me. There was no time to think, it was all there in front of me. I watched the green shimmer leave their bodies, specks of the sparkling substance floating above them before disappearing in the air. Pan removed his arm from under Will's head, crouching beside him before rising to his feet. He moved away from his body while Will remained still on the ground.

"What have you done!" I shouted at Pan who turned to me as I collapsed to his side.

Will's eyes remained unfocused as they stared at the trees above, blood staining his cheek, falling down from his nose and across his face. I could see he was trying but he could barely move; his fingers trembling as they brushed between the strands of grass. His eyes finally met mine and I could see the pain in them. I curled my fists and I lifted myself from the ground, ignoring the strain in my legs as I turned back to Pan.

"Heal him," I demanded.

Pan simply shifted his gaze from Will to me, his indifferent expression enough to tell me he had no interest in doing anything of the kind.

"This was his own fault. All he had to do was listen to me," Pan argued dismissively but I could hear the anger in his voice.

"We had a deal, now heal him!" I raised my voice firmly which brought Pan's attention back to me with a raised brow.

He passed me with daunting eyes as I knew he would. If I had no leverage, getting Pan to do something like this; use his magic, especially for Will, wouldn't be possible...but we had a deal. I was willing to do whatever it took to get rid of her but our agreement meant he would leave the rest of them alone, that they would be safe.

I watched carefully, my breath finally easing as Pan stood over Will, his arm extending and with it formed a soft green light that rested beneath his hand. Pan moved his arm above Will's body and the small ball of light began breaking apart, the pieces slowly falling down to his body until it was completely surrounding him. The brightest parts drifted, moving to his back, legs, and head where they stayed for a moment until Pan rested his arm by his side again. The glow around Will's body slowly faded, nothing more than flickers of light had eventually disappeared. Will let in a sharp breath and sat up from the ground, confusion filling his empty expression until he glared up at Pan.

"I told you to leave her out of this! I said not to make any more deals with her!" Will shouted abruptly as he shot to his feet.

He must have heard what I said. I noticed the smirk return back to Pan's face having no shame in almost killing him.

"I wasn't the one to make the deal."

Pan's pretend innocence did nothing to mask the satisfied look on his face as he watched Will's angered expression lighten as he shifted towards me.

"Emily, what..." he paused, his brows pulling together and my chest heaved, "what did you do?"

"Will, I have no other choice just let me explain it to you-"

"She's the one that asked me for help," Pan interrupted causing my jaw to clench as his taunting eyes met mine.

Will paid no attention to Pan as he stared at me, the sadness and disappointment clear as his shoulders sunk hesitantly. Pan made an effort to really play it out and it was working. I couldn't have this happen, not like it had before. It drove us apart because Will was misled by Pan. I couldn't see him go through that again. I just needed to explain myself.

"You're the only one that can get her out of my head, that's why I made our deal. I said I would do what it takes but I'm not keeping this from him," I confronted Pan but that didn't make Will feel any more at ease as Pan moved away from him.

"Whatever it takes?" Pan asked while approaching me.

"That's what I said."

Will's POV

There was nothing I could do for her now. I didn't want to believe it to be true but she had gone to Pan, even if it was a last resort...she made the deal with him. I could see her arms shaking by her sides, the sweat dampening her hair and the frustration striking her creased features as she tried to deal with Pan. I knew exactly what he was doing. I had gone down this path with Pan several times before, more than I can count, I've seen how he manipulates people but only once had Emily been involved before. I had refused to see the truth in front of me, I ignored her and I grew to hate her for what she did until I found out the truth. All that happened then was because of Pan and I wasn't going to let him do that again, not to her but this was Pan...I know how his deals work but never had I seen anyone else risk making one with him.

I knew she was willing to do anything. She would never make a deal with Pan if she had no other option. If Baelfire was right and her visions are going to turn her...change her into something else, she must know it too, she must be trying to stop it from happening. The only problem was Pan. If he can't get what he wants out of someone straight away, he'll tear them down until they had it over themselves. Emily has no idea what she's getting herself into.

"Well if that's the case, I sure hope those nightmares prepared you for what you're about to face," Pan warned leaving my curled fists to loosen as I listened to his words carefully. "The only way for this to work is through a dream sequence."

My eyes widened and I stepped forward hesitantly, a rush of anger soon barging through my body as I now understood exactly what Pan was planning to do.

"No!" I shouted as I stormed to Pan, "No way! You can't take that risk! Emily please, you have no idea-"

I felt my throat swell, my voice instantly cutting off as Pan had turned back to me, his motion was all it took to weigh my feet, keeping them still and preventing me from moving any further. I could feel his magic seizing my body down, straining my muscles and pulling them back with no more than a glance. He turned back to Emily who seemed startled at my reaction, confusion twisting her expression.

Emily's POV

Pan's eyes had returned to mine filled with dark green flecks; anticipation awaiting as he drew closer now that Will was quiet.

"This is her deal. Now tell me, do you want my help or not?" Pan asked, the impatient warning leading his tone, "Let me make this very clear. I'm giving you the option to choose, but choose wrong and know that you will never get this chance again and that demon will continue feeding on your mind forever."

That very thought had finally sunk in bringing a cold shiver across my skin. To have her with me forever would be more than just a nightmare. I couldn't bear it now that she was so close to getting what she wants. This was what she was talking about, the final choice I would have to make, this was it...and Pan knew it too. I made this deal and I was prepared to do anything if it meant she would be gone forever, that I would never have to face those glowing eyes again. I had been cowering away for too long, hiding in the shadows and letting her take over my thoughts has been my mistake all along. This whole time she has been the one to find me first but now I knew that confronting her was going to be the only way to let her go and free myself. If Pan has a way that will get rid of her for good, I'll take it. Even thinking that; there was no possible way I could trust Pan. I can't afford to play any more of his twisted games. I need to know everything before I get to her. I need to know exactly what he is planning to do. Judging by Will's reaction, this wasn't going to be easy but nothing was ever easy here.

"It will take a lot more than just reading your thoughts..."

I drew out a short breath and lifted my eyes from the ground facing up to those that never left mine.

"I want her out of my head and you're going to help me," I determined confidently causing Pan to step back with a satisfied smirk. "You're going to explain to me exactly what you will to do and Will stays," I demanded.

Our burning glare was broken. Pan indicated his agreeance as Will stumbled forward, finally free of Pan's magic. I made my way over to him quickly facing his bleak expression until I reached his side. Will turned to me, his features creased, his lips parting to speak but he couldn't find the words as a sharp gasp left his mouth. My vision faltered, darkening for only a second as though I had blinked, my stomach twisting at once until my feet stumbled to the new flat surface. I found Will still standing by my side as the two of us turned to our new surroundings which I recognised straight away to be my hut. Will and I both stared across the small room where Pan stood.

"He can stay all he likes. No one can help you once the dream sequence begins," Pan said as he slowly made his way around the room, "Only I can get you to sundown but from there, you're on your own."

Those very words had brought back what Pan had said just last night.

"If you do have an inner demon running around in that head of yours, you're on your own to get it out..."

"The dream sequence is a made-up reality of magic; a bridge for you to find her. In the darkest parts of your mind, what you see will be what you fear most and if that is the truth, you will see her...only this time there is no waking up."

My face fell as I let the words sink in.

"What do you mean?" I asked, my voice barely at a whisper, "What happens if I fail?"

There was an eery silence that filled the dimly lit room. Even during the midday, streams of light struggled to purse its way through every chipped gap of wood, the small window by the door keeping a soft golden glow at our feet, cutting its way over the corners of the bed. I heard a dreaded inhale beside me and Will eventually lifted his head, his hazed eyes that had been staring down at his feet were now brought to me. Still caught in his thoughts, his shaken unhopeful eyes hardly met mine.

"The dream sequence will never end," He mumbled.

"Once you face her you will do it alone. Don't bother calling anyone for help because we won't hear it. This will all be happening inside your head which means it will be up to you to get yourself out and wake up," Pan continued.

I turned to him and he tilted his head up, dark green eyes staring down at me testingly.

"If you succeed, you will have nothing more to fear."

I moved to my bed finding my legs drop hastily as I sat by the edge. My fingers brushed; lacing together as I kept them resting in my lap. There were too many thoughts for me to focus on but they were not important now. What I need to do now was make my own decision. To risk it all means I would get her out of my head. There was no other way. I was going into this blindly but that's how it has been from the very start. I know what I'm up against, I've faced her many times now but this was different. If I fail, I won't return.

Could I really get rid of her for good?

If I do this...she will be gone.

I felt a soft grip around my arm and turned to Will who had sat by my side, ignoring Pan's impatient glare. I could see his balled-up fists, his bent stiffened arms resting by his sides as he fiddled with the tied, platted grass that still remained sitting around his wrist, partly covered by his long sleeves. I noticed he tends to do that when he's anxious. It felt like such a long time ago when I had given that to him. I smiled down fondly as it brought back such a clear memory. It was only when he stopped that I looked up to his withering expression, the smile instantly vanishing from my face.

"Emily please, listen to me," Will spoke urgently, his voice laced with concern, "If this doesn't work, you will be trapped in there forever. There is no way out and if something happens to you, if you can't fight her off...I can't help you. Neither of us can," Will said, looking back to Pan for a moment before taking a breath. "Please. Don't do this."

I pulled my clasped hands apart feeling the air touch my sweaty palms. I shifted my attention to the floor but nothing seemed to focus. I tried to see it the same way Will did, that if I did this there was no coming back, nothing that can help get me out, that I am completely on my own to do this but having her stay with me and turn me into what she has become is equally terrifying.

"Will, I don't have any other choice. You don't understand. If I don't do this, she will make things so much worse...and I can't let that happen."

He was lost in his own thoughts but eventually, his features stilled as he turned to me with a reassuring glance, his voice nothing more than a whisper.

"Don't give her any reason to change you, alright? You won't be able to tell when the dream sequence begins but I won't leave, I'll stay here until you wake up."

I smiled and nodded.

"Are you two finished?" Pan said bitterly as he rolled his eyes from the bamboo-lined wall.

Unlocking his crossed arms, leaning off the wall and walking past Will. He stopped before me, crouching so I was facing him directly, his bright green eyes focused until they closed.

"Clear your mind," Pan ordered as if it were that simple.

It was asking the complete opposite of me after knowing what I was about to do, and even then, I still had no idea how this was going to work. All I did know was he was using magic. I could feel something was off. It was as though I was forced to put up a shield once I felt my anxious thoughts leaving me, drifting slowly from my mind. Pan picked up on this quickly as his eyes shot open, a glare now on his face mirroring my own.

"Sorry, magic isn't exactly my forte," I brimmed sarcastically.

Pan scoffed, his jaw clenching.

"I'm using the magic here, all you have to do is concentrate but it seems even that is too much for you," Pan shot back and I curled my fists.

I glanced back to Will for a moment who was watching Pan hastily with pressed lips, his arms crossed over each other tightly. A flicker of light brought my attention back to Pan who held his hands in front of him, a soft green light radiating from the underside off his skin. He was a lot calmer now but I still hesitantly sat back as Pan turned his hands toward me.

"This won't hurt you."

I kept still as he shifted closer, watching as he brought his hands to either side of my face, resting them there gently, barely touching my skin. The light was almost blinding. I hadn't expected it to be warm but as it grew I felt my eyes at rest, unable to look back at his gaze that hadn't left mine. I shut my eyes slowly, the feeling was only one I could remember to be sleep and with no other distraction, that was the last thing I saw.

The warmth was gone and it was no longer quiet. A soft breeze had brushed past my skin, carrying through the trees around me until it continued on behind me. I couldn't put much sense to it until I opened my eyes and waited for my surroundings to clear. Only then did I see the line of huts and the circle of trees that formed around the open area. Nothing was unusual until I noticed just how quiet it really was. What was normally a space filled with the endless chatter of the lost boys had been completely abandoned. I turned to the line of huts but there wasn't a sign of any of them. I glanced back to the bonfire that hadn't been touched, the logs of wood sitting empty around it.

The wind carried through again, picking up the scattered fallen leaves from the ground and carrying them past my feet and behind me. I turned back watching curiously as the wind flowed in one direction only, pushing the tree branches to the opposite side of campus until the wind had passed, then the silence was brought back. I tried to turn my back toward the sun and take a step back to see if I could make it to my hut. I was curious to check if we were still there but I couldn't move. I frowned as I stared down at my feet, temptingly lifting one foot forward and stepping ahead easily but I could only bring it back to further than where I was standing.

"We can only walk on from here."

I quickly turned to Pan who stood next to me, his attention set ahead, the light from the sun covering his features.

"The sun is setting, we better move quickly," Pan urged as he continued forward.

I followed him until I reached his side, the two of us keeping our distance but I watched him carefully. He kept his focus ahead as if he wasn't here at all. I spoke up, unable to ignore my thoughts any longer.

"This isn't campus, is it?"

"This is the gateway to enter the dream sequence. It's created differently for each person that enters and is based on what you perceive to be your own reality."

I turned to the last of the huts before we could make it into the thick of the jungle leaving campus behind.

"Looks like it chose yours instead of mine," I admitted but Pan stopped suddenly.

My eyes widened in disbelief as he turned around completely, his back facing the sun as his light.

"How did you..." I trailed off as I unintentionally stepped back myself feeling my foot brush behind me.

I turned around only to see that campus was gone, vanished and replaced by the jungle we were standing in as if it were never there in the first place. I knew we had only just reached the first line of trees...so how was this possible.

"I told you there is no going back. You saw campus as a chance to stay behind, that's why I was forced to make it vanish from this existence."

I turned back to Pan, the sun now setting behind him through the trees.

"I'm the keeper of this world and without my magic, you wouldn't be here right now, you wouldn't be able to pass into the dream sequence without my help."

He stepped closer as I kept quiet, his green eyes brighter than I had ever seen them before, like they had soaked up the light from the sun. Every fleck was prominent but there was still something in them that continuously mirrored his thoughts...something I could never see or understand properly.

"How do you think this place exists."

"You dreamt Neverland...the entire island?"

"I didn't even have to think about it," He said under his breath, lost in his own thoughts, "It has always been here."

I found his thoughts were elsewhere as he stared into the jungle distracted. I watched attentively as I had never seen such an expression on his face, one of longing. That snippet was short ended once Pan's gaze was broken from the jungle, his eyes narrowing once they met back with mine. I wasn't sure exactly what I had seen but it was different.

"We don't have time for this, we need to hurry."

Pan titled his head up to the sky, facing the sun that cast shadows across the ground before us. I wasn't able to speak as the world around his tracked forward in speed. The trees passed around us, their vibrant greens darkening instantly while the endless blue sky above our heads turned, shifting to its darkest forms until it had reached dusk, the stars now covering the night sky were endless. I had blinked and the world stopped, stilled once again. I was sure it was night but the bright glow that passed through the trees ahead remained, its bright soft yellow now a distinct pink.

I followed Pan who wasn't fazed at all by the use of his magic as he passed through the last line of trees. We hadn't taken a single step more from campus yet our feet sunk under the many grains of sand that began to flood the jungle floor. I could hear the crashing of waves as I pushed through the last of the trees, the warm breeze passing behind the two of us as we set forth in the sand. I looked ahead in the distance and couldn't move any further. Pan had stopped too as we looked out in the distance. It was nothing I could have hoped to imagine.

The sun that I had known to be a small ball of light resting in the sky had grown as though we were standing right before it. The yellow glow surrounded the giant orb while a rose light reflected across the once blue water. Hues of pink and purple streaked across the sky above, the stars still casting though the sky and reflecting off the water, the ripples moving them as though they were dancing lights on the surface. Small streams of falling light appeared from the darkest points in the sky, shoot in the distance in a glistening silver-white glow were groups of comets descended from the stars; some falling into the depths of the sea that remained all but still past the crashing waves, its reflection mirroring the endless sky above.

I could only take a few steps forward, the sand sinking beneath my feet, pulling me towards the rising shore. I had never seen anything so beautiful. I couldn't take my eyes off the sky, they were held in a trance as I ventured closer. I could feel the breeze rush past again, the strong winds lifting the tiny grains of sand and moving them between my ankles sinking my feet further down. I could almost reach out and touch the sky. I wanted to stay here forever. Everything else had lost its importance. Any other thought had been washed away the moment I laid eyes on the sun. I did not feel any need to continue on or go back. I wished nothing more than to stay here forever.

"Don't."

It had strained me to look away but I eventually met with a strong look concern that had ridden Pan's face, his voice heeded with a warning. I could hear him, he was close by, I don't think he had left my side but still found a way back, struggling to pull away from the captivating view before me.

"Look at me."

I tried ignoring the temptation and focused on his voice, eventually tearing my sight away from the sun as I looked to Pan.

"If you continue to watch the sunset, you will stay trapped standing here forever. Remember why you're here, Emily."

I tried to keep focused but the more I tried to think back the harder it was to remember. I shut my eyes and was brought back to the warmth of the light Pan had cast before I had appeared here in this reality. I pushed past it and back to finding Will and Pan in the jungle, and immediately hit the same emotion I had felt watching Will fall to the ground. It was close to it, that the memory I was searching for was still before that...it was of something she said.

"I'll be waiting for you there, where the sun meets the water's edge..."

It all clicked back as though I had never forgotten. I opened my eyes and I turned to Pan.

"She's waiting for me."

Pan glanced over his shoulder and I followed to see an open door appearing on the surface of the water past the shore. It showed nothing but the sun behind it, just a still frame on the oceans waters but I kept my eyes on it, facing it directly. I wasn't sure if I should be afraid or not. I had no idea what lies beyond that door but I know she is there waiting for me.

"This is up to you now. Everything you see will be real even if it is happening inside your head. If what you see is yourself it will take everything you have to fight her off. She wants you gone and if you let her succeed she will wake up instead of you, do you understand."

I nodded my head but it took me a moment to retrieve my voice.

"What do I do now?"

"Walk the path to sundown and enter through the door. Once you do, the dream sequence will begin."

The first step was the easiest, the next couple that led after felt weighed down into the sand. The gains were rough beneath my feet as I reached the water's edge, my legs soaked from the first wave I reached. I look my first step into the warm waters but instead of breaking the surface my foot rested on top of it. My eyes widened as the water flowed beneath my feet as though I was standing on a glass sheet. I could feel the water rushing past my skin, remaining at the depths of my ankles as I treaded deeper.

The sun began to slowly sink beneath the ocean as I reached closer to the door. The skies dimed, carrying away the dark colours that once rested there. Night had almost fallen with only a small remainder of light allowing me to see the frame of the door. I stood before it, staring through the frame to see the ocean continue on after it. I couldn't afford to let her get the better of me, not this time. This was my one chance to get her out of my head for good and I'm not going to screw it up.

I had to find her before she finds me...and end this once and for all.

Ohhh boy

So I'm back.

I hope you enjoyed this chapter, it was a long one but I really enjoyed writing it. It was a bit chaotic as always but I'm guessing you guys are used to it by now, heh?

Did you have a favourite moment from this chapter?

What do you think of Will and Pan's relationship as characters?

Emily is out to face her darkest fear which has become the darkest part of herself. Do you think she will make it? I guess the real question is, which Emily is going to make it back alive? O.O

Not going to lie, I have been having some doubts about this book. Are you guys still interested or curious about the plot and characters? I have an ending set, and it won't be long until this book comes to its end but don't worry! I still have a few twists and turns planned until we get there so I hope you enjoy reading!

I love hearing your options so please leave a comment and let me know what you think!

For those of you who have been waiting patiently, thank you so much!

I'll see you next chapter!

- Zimbardo