Will's POV
Steadily, the small room closed in on itself, the days light retreating out the open door where I sat on the warmth of the floor, my back against the side-frame, elbows pressed on my knees. Emily hadn't moved from her unmade bed, her legs hanging off the side, her gaze fixed down deep in thought. Her fingers lightly grazed her arms, circling hesitantly over the skin. I let her think as I did the same, my eyes closing easily now that the afternoon was routinely reaching its end. I traced my memories back to the night of Baelfire's escape where the jungle had burnished in silver light from the branches overhead, the small clearing engulfing our shadows.
I was burdened with secrets that night. I had only wanted answers, a simple explanation of why he left me in the dark, why he left without a word or trace. I got more than I expected. I had thought it through since his escape but my mind became overwhelmed, disorientated trying to conceal what had been revealed to me alone.
Only now in the silence of the hut could I settle my mind, let it wander into the jungle between the trees where he stood waiting. The darkness of the small room kept my eyes heavy, permitting them to travel back, as though time had granted another chance to see it all over again, retrace my steps, reveal those secrets and remember what I must eventually do. Through the dense fog came voices, jumbled in whispers and building until eventually, one sounded above the rest.
"Will, you need to listen to me," Baelfire began, taking a step out of the darkness and appearing under the clear light of the moon. "I don't have much time."
Baelfire's lighter play on his words was gone, there was no mystery that filled them as his eyes now set intently on me. He took a short breath, wavering for a second before forcing himself to continue.
"I was sent to return to this world – return to Neverland to prevent a prophecy from being fulfilled."
"What–" I stammered, as more questions replaced the answers he had given. "What prophecy?"
He kept quiet, his features hardening. I knew why.
"Who sent you?" I asked coercively.
"I don't know who sent me," Baelfire pressed, his firm look cutting me off before I could interject, "I wasn't told who or why, I was asked because I was the only one to make it out of Neverland alive."
There was a strange coldness to his voice that gave me the impression he disliked the secrecy as much as I did, that he too was being left in the dark. Even so, I couldn't understand why he was choosing to reveal this now when he had been holding it back for so long. Why not before when Pan collected him from them. That ship...that's where he came from. And after all this time...after what he did...how can he possibly expect me to listen to him.
"That's not important now, you have to trust–"
"Trust?" I cut in sharply, "Trust? I trusted you a long time ago, back when you filled my head with ideas that this island wasn't just some imprisoning trap!"
"Will, I–"
"You were the one that gave me hope that there was a way out of here!" I spat, the back of my neck heating in anger, "You made me stupid enough to believe you, and then you left without saying a word!"
I walked out from under the towering trees, glaring at his fallen features.
"It wasn't just me. I shared what you told me...I let Fin listen to me," I swallowed thickly feeling my throat closing, almost strangling me from the inside, but I forced my words to burn through, "I let him imagine a world that wasn't filled with such torment and pain, that wasn't covered up by games. He believed it more than I did. He wanted it to happen so bad he thought it already was! Here on this island! Here, with Pan!"
He didn't dare look away from my eyes. They flickered with remorse, as though he had been expecting this. I could tell he was trying to hide what he was holding back as his lips parted to speak but pursed again. It made me sick.
"You don't even know what you did. I kept putting myself at risk without knowing it, I fought against his rules – even made an effort to break them while you were scheming behind his back, ready to make a run for it! Pan didn't suspect you – not his perfect, loyal, lost boy who swept at his feet just like Felix! No, he went after what he thought was the root of the problem...he went after Fin."
Baelfire stared, his brown eyes glass-like in the dim light. My fists only tightened as he remained silent in a loss of words. If I had another dagger I was sure it would already be hurdled toward him.
"Do you know what Pan did to make sure those thoughts never got in my head again?" I said through gritted teeth as I managed a few shaken steps toward him, "He sought out the youth in Fin and the ideas I gave him thinking that was the best way to destroy them from my mind! Fin was younger than all of us! He didn't have the stomach to kill the way Pan wanted us to! He was innocent! And because of you, I led him to his death!"
My voice filled the clearing, my vision blurring for a moment, stinging my eyes, but unlike many times before, they were filled with anger and did not stray.
"Do you have any idea what that did to me?"
The jungle was quiet and remained that way as I tried to ease the hot breaths that escaped my parted lips.
"You can use it, Will."
I snapped my head up, staring at Baelfire.
"What are you talking about?" I said sharply.
"I never forgot what I did and I know you haven't either which is why I want you to use it. Remember what happened to Fin and make sure it doesn't happen again."
"How can you – he's dead! I watched him die all over again!"
"And what was different this time?" Baelfire went on calmly, his voice still firm.
"Different?" I panted. My brows creased as I tried to ignore the urge to burst out again. Biting down hard on my lip I remembered.
"My memories of him returned...and the crystal."
My face fell as Baelfire gave a small confirming nod.
"You need to understand why Fin's death was so important for you to see again. To Pan, that was no more than a test, a way to spill blood for his own selfish reasons, but what you did on your own is something entirely different."
Baelfire paused to see if I would let him continue. I kept to myself, ready to hear him, so he went on.
"You got your memories of Fin back. Accepting what happened allowed all that you remember of him to be concealed in that crystal without Pan knowing," Baelfire's expression shifted uneasily but he went on, "He's gone, but you have his secret – his memory, which has guided you on the right path. You were smart to follow what he told you."
My head spun as I tried to piece everything together but nothing made sense. How did Baelfire know so much?
"Fin said someone would come back, but I had no idea he meant you at the time."
"He died here, Will. That means he belongs to the island. He can help you see, help guide you, but death has its limits, even on Neverland."
"He said you were the key to escape..." I mumbled.
"I told you I am going to help you...the only way I can is by doing the same as Fin. I can guide you in the right direction. I can tell you what you need to know and what you will need to do, but as I have said, I'm running out of time. You will have to make up your mind soon."
Silence cut through the jungle once again. Baelfire was eager to break it.
"It may not be much but I'll need you to trust me, Will, for this to work."
I let it sink in, as much as I could.
"So you really have found it then? A way to escape?"
"There can only be one if you let there be. This is up to you, Will."
I lifted my stare up from the rough outline of ferns, finding the urgency in his faltered expression.
"Even if I trust you, it isn't possible. This is Pan's island, how can I..."
I was caught by surprise as a grin appeared on Baelfire's face.
"Did you really think I came back here for a holiday? Perhaps take a stroll around the island and catch up on what I've missed?"
"You haven't exactly made it clear you were here for anything other than being Pan's retrievable item," I shot back.
"Exactly my point," Baelfire went on, his eyes scheming, "The thing about being so close to Pan is you pick up a thing or two. I guess you could say my time as a perfect loyal lost boy paid off."
A part of me was impressed, the rest intrigued. If he could get past Pan again, that means he had this planned all along. He wasn't making it up. He really was sent here.
"This is why I need you to do the same, Will. It's important that Pan doesn't know about your connection with Fin or of us speaking tonight. For this to work, you need to do what Pan would expect of you. Listen to him, obey his rules and don't fall back into old habits. Don't go after Pan," He said sternly, giving me a warning look. "Keep your head down, and make sure your friends do the same."
"Have you told them?"
"No. You will tell them soon. It might not make sense now but you'll know when the time is right. Tell them what I'm about to tell you, and make sure you have their trust too. You won't be able to do this on your own, Will, you'll need their help."
"What am I supposed to tell them?" I asked impatiently.
Baelfire seemed to brace himself, his eyes shimmering as though this would be his final words. He cast a nervous look toward the surrounding trees that were washed in darkness, as though watchful eyes were also waiting for his answer.
"That there's a plan."
I furrowed my brows.
"What exactly is this plan?"
Baelfire let out a short sigh.
"Not one you'll like..."
My elbow slipped off my knee causing my eyes to flinch open. The sun burned down on my face as I turned out of the door frame, warming my skin from the cold sweat that lined my hair. Standing to my feet, I walked out the front of the hut just before the steps down hearing the fluttering of winds above my head.
Birds scattered from the trees, their small numbers gathering over the open area and weaving across the treetops into the tinted yellow and blue sky. Making their way to the far side of the island, I followed the last of them, a sunken envy pulling at my chest as they disappeared from view. Soon...soon I could share that freedom. I was sure of it.
I pulled my gaze away from the faint stars I caught showering across the sky as laugher and chatter filled my ears. I climbed down the creaking steps and onto the gravel path to see the boys now filing into campus. The hunting group was first, leading the pack behind with a deer limp at their hands. They set to work immediately, readying the bonfire and preparing for the night ahead. I glanced back at the sun, squinting in confusion as the stream of light rested warmly on the tips of the highest trees. The time of day was still long before sunset. Why were they early?
The group of hunters collapsed on the tree-logs around the fire. I lazily scanned the familiar faces before stopping at a small figure closest to the fire, my eyes widening. His brown cloak was oversized, draping down past his knees while those around him had discarded their own. The side of his face was barely visible yet unmistakable.
A warmth filled my chest and I reached for the small object I kept protectively in the layers of my clothes. Pulling out the small crystal I watched its soft light beaming in my hand, brightening until a voice spoke from behind me.
"I missed you, too, Will."
I skidded on the gravel, turning to see Fin sitting at the top step with a warm smile on his face. It only grew and he couldn't help but laugh until I found my feet. There was an eruption in my chest, a strong relief rushing over my body as I held the tiny, delicate crystal in my hand with care, making sure it wouldn't slip from my grip.
I made a move for the first step, my hand reaching out for his, but I pulled it back just as quickly, my smile fading. He gave a sympathetic look but I could only stare at him. For just a moment it felt like he was alive. It seems so real.
I wasn't sure how this connection worked. There wasn't any kind of ghostly glow around him and his features were hardly pale. It was as if death couldn't touch him and yet I saw it with my own eyes. How could I forget so quickly? He wasn't really here. He was just a memory...my memory. I glanced down at the crystal to see its brightness now faintly flickering. These moments won't last long. I need to know why Fin showed himself again.
"I knew you'd figure it out," Fin beamed.
"I don't understand," I mumbled and Fin tilted his head to the side curiously, "How did you know Baelfire was coming to the island?"
"This island has a lot of secrets. I still haven't really figured it out myself," Fin went on, lost in thought, "That crystal allows me to sense your thoughts, it allows a connection to open when you feel most lost."
"That's why you appeared?"
He nodded.
"You're unsure of something," Fin observed. "Something important has been passed down to you by Baelfire."
My mouth parted, taken aback by how quickly he ready my thoughts.
"He left me a plan...instructions...but I don't know when is the right time. If I don't follow them correctly, it won't work."
Fin gave me a comforting smile.
"If you're unsure then you're ready, Will."
He was confident – as if he knew himself that now was the right time. I relaxed my creased features as I recalled what Baelfire said...you'll know when the time is right. I had to let Fin guide me, just as he did before.
"You can tell them soon when the new rules are set," Fin explained, standing to his feet. "Baelfire has helped them too, they're ready to know. Trust in what you have been told and you won't fail."
I listened carefully but couldn't help notice the warmth of the crystal fading in my palm. I looked down to see the light barely visible. The small glow emitting from its core was almost out.
"Don't worry, I won't be gone for so long this time. I'll see you again, Will."
My breath hitched as the light went out in my hand. I quickly turned to Fin but he had vanished, the steps now empty. I closed the small object in my hand, clutching it tightly as if it would suddenly disappear just as Fin had. I let out an easy breath, pulling myself out of those thoughts as I focused on the open door. Fin was right, and so was Baelfire. I couldn't waste any more time.
Emily's POV
It was strange, sitting here when moments ago I felt as though I was trapped in a dream. Maybe I had been. It was too hard to tell. I wanted to forget everything that happened...pretend it never existed, but for some reason, I was curious now that my fears were left behind in that world. I had the need to see it again, relive those last moments to find answers – anything that could lead me in the right direction.
I stared at the wooden floor, tracing the bending lines up to the walls when it flashed before my eyes. The whirl of surrounding winds, the crackling of wood bursting into pieces, and the wall of fire spinning around the room, engulfing it in flames. Once I blinked, the hut would return to its natural state, without a trace of destruction. I would stare as it happened, again and again, the burst of red and orange filling the room then vanishing as my dry eyes were forced to close. I calmly watched it burn away, analysing every corner of the hut and waiting patiently until I found the bright glow hidden in amongst the flames. I needed to get to it. I needed to know what it was.
I stood from the single bed feeling a rush of blood run down my legs as I approached the everlasting fire. I held out my hand, keeping all my focus on the glow within the flames. I was so close. It was there, right before me just waiting for me to take it. I could just make out the circular shape, my fingers a stretch away from the whipping flames, but the blaze was cut short as I heard footsteps approaching. I turned to see Will walking in through the open door, his features relaxing as he found me standing. I wonder if I could tell Will what I had seen. Would he believe me if I did?
"Feeling better?"
A smile rose to my lips – one that was genuine, that I could really mean. I was too busy thinking about that mysterious object to notice any difference. Now that she was finally out of my head, I felt lighter. I felt in control.
"It's nice to not have some crazy thing running around in my head," I grinned and Will let out a light chuckle.
"I'm impressed you got out of there so quickly. When I –" He stared, but his smile faded for a moment and he shook away what had crossed his mind.
My face stiffened as I watched his shaken hand reach beneath his clothes. I caught a glimpse of the tiny crystal before he hid it safely between the layers. He walked further in the room, the light from outside the door now casting across his face revealing a thin yet noticeable cut at his throat.
"What happened..." I said slowly, and Will turned his attention to me, confusion written on his face. "While I was asleep," I added and his face fell as he followed my gaze.
My teeth gritted, as he let out an irritated huff and sat on the edge of the bed.
"What did Pan do?"
"Let's just say he wasn't a fan of me interfering."
He met my cold stare and his features stiffened, his fingers now creasing over his nails, substituting the small crystal in its place. Had Fin spoken to him? Before I could ask, he beat me to it. I barely caught the words that rushed out of his mouth as they were so unexpected.
"What was the last thing Baelfire said to you before he escaped?"
There was a glitter in his hazel-green eyes that I found myself staring into before I could think back to that moment for an answer. I remembered the portal opening and the storm it created. The thunder clapping over our heads had been so deafening I could barely hear his voice but there was something I remember clearly, something I couldn't forget.
"I think..." I doubted it was true, but then his voice filled my ears. I was sent here to find you...
"He said he was sent here to find me," I repeated the words that echoed in my head. They were quiet as they passed my lips, filled with uncertainty of their meaning.
Will's straightened, his fingers relaxing while the look in his eyes had stayed the same. He was searching for something.
"Was there anything else you can remember? Something he should have told you?"
I stared at Will, my eyes widening. I thought Pan was right – that it was a mistake to trust Baelfire to help me, but there was something I had missed, something I didn't realise was important until now. His words were jumbled, faded as I tried to recall them back in that storm. It was moments before the portal closed. I was too angered at the time to hear it as it was.
"I didn't break our promise. You have to find Will..."
I was sure there was more but I couldn't remember.
"He...I think he said to find you."
It made no sense to me but Will had stood from the bed, his attention to the floor as he paced, lost in thought. He was piecing it together, mumbling under his breath. I couldn't stand waiting in the silence.
"Will, what's going on?"
He flinched, stopping suddenly as if he had forgotten I was here. The boy's voices from outside reached the hut and Will glanced back, following them for a moment like he was worried they would overhear before he faced me.
"I spoke with him – Baelfire – before he left. I went after him before he got to you, the night Pan was poisoned." There was a light in Will's eyes. "We were wrong, Emily."
I frowned, unable to see what Will was wanting me to.
"About Baelfire?"
"Yes. He explained it to me...everything. He has helped us...given us a chance," Will paused as he noticed the uncertainty on my face. "I know this doesn't make sense now but I'll explain it to you, and Ethan and Ben, just as Baelfire did to me. I have a plan."
A plan...a plan for what? It was odd to see Will change so quickly. It's as if it all washed over him during the night. He couldn't trust Baelfire at all and now he's revealed everything to him? What exactly could he have said to make him change his mind?
Will appeared to have read my thoughts, the light in his eyes slipping. He moved closer to me, his voice steady.
"I know you don't trust Baelfire, but do you trust me?"
There was doubt in his eyes, doubt I was surprised to find in Will.
"I...I trust you. You know I do."
I could see the corner of his lips pulling but he bit his smile back and instead nodded. The doubt was gone. The light was back.
"I need you to trust me now more than ever. I'll tell you everything when the others get back, I promise. Right now I need you to watch out for Pan. He'll come to you; try and find out if the dream sequence left anything unwanted that reflects her...so make sure you tell him everything he wants to hear."
He hadn't hesitated. I waited, assuming he would correct himself but he said nothing, his face unchanging.
"This is the only way this can work. Give him what he wants and he'll get sick of playing the same game. It should throw him off, allow him to be distracted by something else."
Will was right. Pan stopped at nothing to make sure she was gone. If he found out about anything else...if he suspected Will was up to something...this plan...whatever it would involve...it would all fall apart. There was something about Will that I hadn't seen in him before, he was willing to play Pan at his own game, deliberately challenge him. I couldn't help but see the same spark in his eyes...it seemed like he was using Pan's methods against him by thinking just like him.
"I need you," Will said and I fell out of my thoughts, blinking up at him. "I need you to do this with me."
I found myself staring up at him, maybe for longer than I should have, but I squared my shoulders, a sly grin easily reaching my lips.
"Did you really think I'd let you have all the fun on your own?"
He grinned and took a few steps back, edging to towards the open door.
"I'm going to find Ethan and Ben, see if I can fill them in before they reach the crowd here."
"And you trust Ben to not make a scene when you tell him the all so exciting idea of a plan? He'll probably shout it at the top of his lungs before you've finished," I mentioned hastily before Will could run out the door.
"Good point. I'll tell Ethan – worry about Benny later."
"I heard that!" I called out as he vanished from the door. I could hear his laughter fading down the steps.
I sat at the edge of the bed, the last streams of sunlight warming my feet. I thought Baelfire had used me to make his escape, but maybe there really was more to it that I didn't know.
Ethan's POV
Briskly sweeping through the ferns, I closed my back against the closest tree, hushing my ragged breaths and drawing my sword to my chest. Light crunches of fallen leaves crushed beneath the footsteps carefully gaining ahead. Failing to become undetected, they steadily grew louder. Listening carefully for the drawback of ferns and the grazing of their sword, I was certain they were approaching from the right. I made a timed judgment to move swiftly around the tree, though as quiet as I was, the footsteps silenced in an instant.
My steady grip loosened around the handle of my sword, my brows pulling together in confusion over the unexpected change of trail. They had given away their whereabouts; made it almost intentional as a snap of dry wood cut through the quiet rustling of trees – a mistake no lost boy would ever make. Being as close as they were, they should have passed by now, walking straight between the trees I was hidden behind.
I waited for some kind of movement but the sounds of the jungle overrode everything else. Having glanced over my shoulder, I scoured the clearing thoroughly, determined to track down some indication of where they were last standing, but the eerie silence drained on, filling the trees with nothing more than the humming of insects and the brushing of ferns at my feet.
It was only when I landed clear in the open that a sudden rustling snapped my attention to the treetops. The figure was shadowed from the light pouring through the darkened, uneven branches, their arms cast out having already leapt from the branch they were perched on. Flying through the air, they fell to the ground before me in a blur. I stumbled back as they landed swiftly, boots thumping the ground, their sword raised to my neck before I could think to make a move for my own.
"Gotcha bitch."
I glared at Ben who's round blue eyes emerged from his unkempt golden hair, a triumphant smirk resting on his face.
"Would you stop that!" I groaned, swatting his sword away with my own and continued on through the undergrowth leaving Ben tailing behind with a happy chuckle.
"Works every time!"
"I said no air-born attacks," I muttered.
"That was a tree-born attack," Ben defended poorly.
"Same thing."
He dived to my right with a childish grin on his face.
"You're just jealous that my ambushing skills are better than your following the ways of the forest skills."
I shot him a blank look.
"Moving through trees and waiting to scare someone is not a skill."
He gave me an overly smug look.
"And yet you and Will still scream every time."
Ben did have an impressive and strange...talent. He had a habit of using his senses to his advantage, by waiting out a target and finding the right moment to go for a kill in a way no one else really could...that's if he wasn't going to also scream at them. I could easily track down covered trails and find my way around the island without a problem, but whatever Ben does on his own is beyond any kind of training we've been taught. That's partly why I ditch him during Pan's tests and games, it's too much to keep up with when he's jumping through trees and howling like a maniac. Still, his odd ways have made him one of the best hunters we have. Of course, I would never actually admit this to him. I would never hear the end of it if I did.
Ben and I made our way out of the crowded trees and back into the training area where the rest of the boys remained training through the heat of the afternoon. Cloaks and mid-layers had been tossed aside as the sun beat down over the multiple dueling pairs, the cool breeze struggling to ease their sweat-covered, red faces.
Felix stood across the far side overlooking the groups, his layers of heavy clothing and cloak intact. His hood still remained drawn over his head, not having noticed neither mine or Ben's absence from the group. This was quite unlike Felix, seeing as when Pan is away he will often do what he can to make training unbearable, checking that we are all doing as we're supposed to...still it was nothing compared to what Pan usually put us through.
I hated to admit it, but Pan did make things interesting – besides insisting on playing life-threating games – training was usually a set of challenges with a worthy prize. Today, he hasn't been fulfilling his usual post, which was gone without notice from the other boys. They were probably relieved, but I couldn't settle the growing feeling that something was wrong, that this simple disappearance was for another reason.
My watch on Felix remained fixed as he stalked away from a group of four that were in the middle of a last-standing match, his jaw noticeably set under his hood. Moving along the surrounding trees, he kept a close distance within the area, finally settling by another group, leaning with crossed arms against the giant oak tree. I could tell, even with most of his features shadowed that he was tense as he kept his watch over the training area, waiting timely.
"Prepare to die you twat!" Ben announced loudly, his boots picking up speed as I watched him charge from the corner of my eye. "GHAAAAAAA – Oh come on! I can't attack you if you're not even looking!"
I hadn't paid much attention to Ben who's sword was drawn toward me mid-swing before I caught it against my own with ease, deflecting the sharp silver while driving enough force to push him back to the ground with a thud.
"OW!"
I never broke my stare away from Felix as Pan had suddenly appeared beside him. My eyes narrowed as he swayed only for a second, his usually graceful and undisturbed landing had taken strain to his body, his face twisting. Whether it was, pain or not, it was something I had never seen from Pan before. He looked angry and rather worn-out but regained himself quickly before any of the boys could suspect some kind of flaw.
"Did you see that?" I mumbled turning back to Ben who climbed off the grass with an irritable look on his face.
"No. I didn't see that. I was too busy seeing the ground!"
"Pan's..." I started but couldn't put words to what I had seen, "...acting differently."
Ben stared, his interest growing as he searched the training area but his suspicions were directed to me instead.
"Speaking of different..." Ben raised his sword again, his coaxing voice washing my thoughts of Pan's sudden appearance out of my mind.
From a single look, I thought the worst...I had not been careful enough and now he knew. It had only been a few nights ago when I had woken suddenly from the searing pain in my chest. In the darkness of my hut, I had shot out of bed, collapsing to the floor in a heap. The crushing sensation had built under my skin in the night, forcefully pulling from my ribs, the invisible torturous grip constricting my beating pulse. It was like her hand was really there, pulling it out of my chest all over again.
It had been worse than ever before. The maze of red lines now appearing permanently scarred across my chest, their faint glow pulsing rhythmically in the darkened room, perfectly imitating the red hearts that remained stored away in those cold, cemented walls of her vaults. The false impression of a heartbeat tore at my chest, reminding me of vivid memories from a past that still haunted me, its sole purpose opposing and outweighing my own; to keep the pain alive and out of my control.
How could this happen after all this time? I had done what she asked. She had stolen a part of me and kept it with her, we split ways, I was to never see her again, and so long as I forever upheld the bargained deal of my life, I would not be harmed...I would be free of her.
It hadn't made much sense as I thought it through over and over again, climbing out of my hut and into the clear night where the full moon had rested over the vast darkened sky. The shadows of surrounding trees stilled over my head as I clambered into the jungle, escaping from the silenced huts.
There was only so far I could go, my legs hopelessly carrying through the undergrowth, one hand clutching my sweat covered shirt, resting hesitantly over the burning skin, while the other pulled back vines. It wasn't enough to keep the strain escaping my lips, my voice cutting through the darkness before I had fallen to the ground. I thought that was it, that this time it really would be enough to kill me...then he arrived, pushing through the trees, a shadow towering over me. What happened that night was clear. I had been kept alive.
Just as it had then, a cold rush tightened my skin, my eyes locking with Ben's as I stared, unable to find anything to say, my mind running. I could easily play this off, come up with some excuse...hell, he hadn't noticed before, and there was a lightness in his eyes that showed he was still oblivious. That's the way I wanted it, to be the same as it always was. Maybe it was selfish but I couldn't bring myself to tell him. I know I would have to eventually, but the pain is gone, things are better now...even if they are temporary.
"We've been staring for a long time...it's kinda creepy," Ben said wearily, his chin tilting before a grin broke across his face. "I knew it! You're still scared, aren't you!"
Will's POV
I made my way quickly through the training area, the clashing of metal filling my ears as I passed the number of pairs. I could see Ethan panicking, it was something he never does. His usual composed manner was thrown apart by an unwanted tear between them, a secret he urged to keep hiding.
Having caught up to them, I could see the colour draining from his face, turning it an odd, sickly pale, his dark-brown eyes struck still at Ben. I watched his hand tightening around his sword unknowingly, a dependable and trusted instinct I had only seen during the rarest of times when he felt most vulnerable. This was not like him and once he caught sight of me, he realised it too. Registering my pointed look, he immediately lowered his sword.
I thought it best to question him later, seeing the dreaded look on his face hardly easing. Focusing now on Ben's rambling, I picked up the last of his boastful story and couldn't help but snigger, an easy distraction coming to mind.
"Jumping through trees again?" I called calmly over Ben's shoulder who let out a loud gasp.
"YOU!" He hissed.
I should have seen it coming but I only looked up just in time to unlock my crossed arms, dodging the blade that struck from a blur of blonde golden hair. Having turned around so suddenly, the newly polished, thin slab of silver reflected the sun, blinding my vision in white streaks shortly after. I hissed, closing my eyes shut. A swipe of wind blew past my head and quickly I called out for Ethan while my eyes adjusted to the fast movements before me.
He thankfully acted instinctively, reaching for Ben's sword and taking it from him before he could get another chance to swing it towards me. This didn't bother Ben – I wasn't sure he even noticed as he decided to lunge for me instead, his fists hitting my chest, then for my arms that I had covered protectively around myself.
"WHERE–THE–HELL–HAVE–YOU–BEEN!"
"I–would you stop hitting me and I'll tell you!
Ben backed down but still stood ready, his hands raised with clenched fists, Ethan close behind him, ready to grab him if he tried anything again.
I relaxed my arms and glared at Ben feeling my muscles tightening on top of the throbbing pain in my head and back thanks to Pan throwing me round like some old rag the whole day. The very thought caused a fresh swell of anger to rise inside my chest, completely defeating my efforts to drown them out. I swallowed down my frustrations, turning to the two who waited for some kind of explanation.
"I was on watch," I said plainly.
Ethan perked up with interest, letting go of his grip on Ben.
"Watching Pan?"
"For Pan," I corrected.
Both of them stared, their faces contorting as though I had told them I just learned how to fly.
"What do you mean for Pan?" Ben asked, a hint of agitation still in his voice. "You got beat up trying to sneak after him just the other day! I told you, remember!"
"Yeah, I remember! And the beating up hasn't changed much!"
I groaned as I rolled my shoulder, giving Ben a side glance which he finally took in, his eyes avoiding mine, though unspoken, I could see the guilt on his face.
"I take it Emily had something to do with it, then?" Ethan guessed, putting everything together by observing my expression.
"Do with what?" Ben pressed, his eyes narrowing suspiciously. "What have you been doing all day?"
"Emily's back at campus with the others, you can ask her yourself when we meet her."
"That I will do," Ben nodded approvingly, mumbling a faint and grumbled apology under his breath as he passed me.
I bit back a smile, shaking my head in amusement as I watched him follow the last of the boys to the skull gate, his shorter legs walking with eager steps. Ethan and I followed soon after him, trailing behind the few groups left.
"Don't be so pissed with him. He wanted you to be here," Ethan started as we passed through the gate.
"I'm not, and it's probably best that I wasn't. He would have kicked my ass duelling the whole day."
Ethan let out a light chuckle.
"Probably."
"You don't have to agree so easily!" I shot back as he made no effort to hide the smirk on his face.
Dusk began creeping over the island, leaving the last of the sun's light to pursue through the treetops, casting long shadows over us as we continued on the winding path to campus. The boy's chatter had become drained out though they were not too far ahead.
Our worn-out boots scraped the dirt-path, a lingering silence pressing on as I waited for Ethan to explain what had happened back there.
"Don't think you can ignore me too. Maybe you forgot, but I already know your secret."
After avoiding my gaze for this long, he snapped a dislodging look at me.
"I didn't forget," Ethan said, his jaw clenched.
He checked that Ben was far enough ahead before he hesitantly continued.
"I thought for a moment back there that he noticed something was different..." Ethan's voice trailed, his eyes stuck to the ground ahead of him, his thoughts absent once again.
I hadn't seen it before but it was clear now that the colour returned to his face. The dark circles that rested under his eyes were gone, his strides were eased rather than ladened with exhaustion like the other boys as if a whole day of training had been nothing more than a walk back to campus. The last time I saw him felt like a distant memory, he could hardly walk, and the pain...
"Ethan, the pain in your chest...you said it was getting worse–"
"That doesn't matter anymore," He cut off abruptly, reluctance creasing his features, "Not now anyway."
The sudden bitterness filling his voice reflected what he was thinking, his frustration becoming visible on his face. Though I was slightly taken aback, I knew it wasn't directed to me but to himself. He wanted me to leave it, for him to figure this out on his own, but after seeing the state he was in last time, how could I?
"What are you going to do when it comes back? What will happen to you–"
"Nothing will happen, Will."
His masked calmness made me all the more confused, my brows irritably pulling together. He was acting as if this never happened. Was he just ignoring it? Waiting for it to get worse? If everything really was fine, why had he panicked when he thought Ben knew?
"If she keeps doing this to you–"
I felt my weight thrown back at once, my eyes opening wide as my back collided with a tree. I winced as the pain shot up my spine, setting off a fiery burn within my already torn muscles. Ethan's gritted teeth parted as he gasped in shock, the anger leaving his face, draining it pale again. His clenched fists softened around my shirt, his hands shaking slightly before he pulled me from the tree.
"The hell was that for?" I mumbled thickly while he grabbed my arms, holding them steady as I retrieved the air back into my lungs.
"Sorry. I didn't mean," He started but his jaw had set, his eyes narrowing down at me, "You know what that was for...I told you not to mention her."
I met his gaze and sighed. He was right, I shouldn't have mentioned his mother, and I wouldn't have if I knew it would provoke him like this. There was only so much he had told me. I had a feeling that wasn't all he was hiding.
Ethan's solitude over his most personal thoughts were kept strictly to himself, still remaining unknown to the rest of us, even Ben who he's closest to. There were parts of his past he almost never spoke of, but those he did – those he could remember – only burdened him with hatred...and a pain he could never forget.
"Ethan, I understand but–"
"You have no idea!" He spat.
"Do you?" I shot back and he stopped short, his breathing ragged.
Having always seen him so calm, his glare was not one I could look away from. The restrain he kept on himself was breaking apart; having riled it up for so long he was losing control, his dark-brown eyes fuming.
"It's gone! I have no control over it! Do you know what that means?" Ethan almost shouted, the dread on his face chasing his next words, "I make one wrong move and that's it!"
My face fell.
I hadn't known everything.
A cold burst of wind trapped itself in the passageway of the path, cutting cleanly between us. Ethan managed to find composure over himself as he moved away, the distance failing to hide his intimidating gaze.
"I'm trusting you to keep this to yourself. Don't make me regret it."
He turned to keep walking, a few steps coming between us before I called out to him calmly.
"What about Ben? Do you trust him?"
He stopped, his back still to me.
"Of course I do."
"Then why are you keeping this from him."
Ethan turned. I found the guilt on his face before he did, his anger overriding everything else, clouding his mind. Just as I thought it was, the reason became clear.
"I'm not trying to keep this from him! I'm trying to protect him – all of you!" Ethan explained in frustration, looking down to the ground for a moment, his thoughts distracted before he gave me a sharp, regretful look. "You don't understand. I shouldn't have told you anything. You shouldn't have found out."
"I do understand and Ben will too!" I snapped. "If you keep this from him and he finds out on his own, how do you think he will react!"
Ethan stared, his creased features softening. He had seen it just as I did, pictured what could happen. Maybe he needed to hear it loud and clear rather than repeating it in his head to himself all this time. A resolved look had brought him the disclosure he needed. There was no reason for me to persuade him, I knew he had understood.
"Come on, we should get back for the feast," I said as I continued on the path, Ethan now walking at my side.
I caught Ethan's side glance.
"Are you sure you're alright?"
"Oh yeah, I'm getting used to having my back broken every day," I said sarcastically before turning to Ethan's grim face with a reassuring grin.
"Don't worry, I'm fine," I mentioned hastily, "But it would be nice if everyone could heal as quickly as you."
He turned away quickly and I was unable to catch the change on his face – if there was a change at all. I shrugged it off as we continued down the path. We still had a fair walk to go, but the smell of burning wood was drawing near, engulfing the air, leaving my stomach longing for the food I had denied it the whole day. It also reminded me of why I came back to get Ethan and Ben in the first place. With Ben ahead, I could finally warn him.
"Ethan."
He hummed in acknowledgment.
"There's something I need to tell you...well, you as well as Emily and Ben."
He turned to me, listening carefully.
"You're not the only one who's been hiding secrets."
Emily's POV
The hut door creaked on its loose hinges, the night breeze drifting soundlessly through the open archway bringing with it the remains of burning wood. I breathed in the familiar scent, tilting my head to the open door to find the shadows had grown against the walls, merging into the night. The chatter from outside had become strikingly louder than the last time I had paid attention to it. I wasn't sure how long it had been. I had pushed it all away, keeping my surroundings plain. It was the only way to see the blaze of fire come to life, but the more I tried to focus on summoning the blast of light, the less it appeared...and the less it brought the glow within it.
I wasn't sure how I could think of such a thing after all that has happened...but for the first time, I wanted her to show herself. I wanted her to find me, haunt me if she will, but mostly show me the stone and the flaming glow trapped inside. I couldn't make sense of it, the frustration now pulling irritably under my skin. There was no place to start. The dream sequence felt like a distant memory I was trying desperately to revive. It was all I had, but it could still work – it had so far. I could find her there, find myself...find the stone.
My own voice was easy to track down. I could hear it as though the words were my own. All I had to do was block everything else out. That was all it took to ignore the footsteps leading to my bed, their feet moving swiftly against the floor, the lightness of their movements ghost-like, silencing any indication that I was not alone in the room. It wasn't until the figure towered over the edge of the bed that they made their presence known.
The calm rise and fall of my chest struck still as I instinctively reached for the dagger resting ready beneath my pillow. Their hand caught my own with such little effort that by the time I met the face staring down at me, my dagger was held by his hand between us.
"Well I was hoping for a long-overdue chat, but this can work too."
I met with the glimmer in Pan's eyes as they slipped into the stream of moonlight. I didn't need to see the smirk on his face to know it was there, his low chuckle slipping into the quiet room.
"I wonder...does anyone else receive this kind of treatment or is it just for me?" Pan gestured to the blade flickering before my eyes, his hand turning it, admiring it, taking such liking to it that the hair on the back of my neck rose like tiny splinters. "I'm touched," He feigned.
Amusement filled his eyes while mine flashed with anger. He stared down feebly at the pathetic weapon and scoffed as if the chances of it doing any damage couldn't interest him less. I could imagine it – had our places been swapped – I could see the dagger rightfully in my hands, watching the smirk vanishing from that arrogant face...instead I tried to keep my features blank.
"That's not for you," I muttered through clenched teeth, cutting away my gaze from the blade.
"Is it not?" He played along, his eyes shifting their interest to me.
I bit the inside of my mouth, staring up at him, watching him, as he did to me. It was now that I realised the one thing I held against Pan was still intact, and even though he has mastered a face of disinterest – if not for the other masks he prefered – I've learned to recognise one – see past it for the emotion hidden so easy behind it and continue to use it against him. He could sense emotion well enough that it became somewhat inhuman, but my thoughts were still my own, he couldn't see no matter how hard he tried. I won't let him get back inside my head. To know I have something against him...it filled the pool of frustration like a flood, so much that an indomitable flair took over.
"No...I don't think a little blade will do anything to someone like you. Not against the magic you have."
"I suppose it won't."
I couldn't help but grin up at his dilated eyes.
"No...but poison might do the trick."
His face fell, a deadly scowl finding his features, a darkness flickering inside his lightened eyes as he pulled away. I gave no attention to the blade, deliberately keeping my gaze fixed on Pan who let out a breathless laugh, his head tilting back.
"Ah, yes, poison...quite a daring move," He recalled while shifting through the darkness, settling before me with narrowed, unblinking eyes. There was something in them that caused my proud grin to hesitantly fall from my face, my hands edging behind as I made an involuntary shift back on the bed – a mistake. Pan didn't miss a single move as he crept forward.
"It would have been a clever plan had you been smart enough to know the true damage it could cause. You see, this island of mine is filled with a lot of nasty poisons...many of which have no effect on me...but on you." A wicked smirk easy pulled at his lips, the pleasure in his voice making my bones run cold. "They could be instant or I could let you suffer, watch as you die a slow and painful death. It's really your choice." His skin stretched tightly over his knuckles as he curled the blade around, the strip of metal closing its distance between us. "There's so many to choose from you might not even know if one had slipped your drink...tasteless, and yet a single drop would grant your death."
My throat had run dry. Each breath I took in felt more strained then the next. That didn't stop him from continuing, the excitement in his eyes ceasing to fade. Pan watched the signs, he picked up the smallest details, scanned them...sensed them before I could react and was ready to use them against me.
"Such surprise on your face," Pan drawled, his voice no lighter than a whisper. I couldn't help but shudder as his fingers brushed the side of my face, cold and faint, resembling far too close to the sharpened blade. "You've already had a run into one of the strongest ones yet. I'm sure you remember it well."
I did. Those dagger like-claws had dug into my neck, tearing deep into the flesh leaving permanent scars across my skin. Savouring the taste of blood, the creatures I wasn't sure had existed unleashed a slow-reacting venom into my blood, one that burned from the inside. Mermaids of all things...deadly and lurking in the depths of this very island, resting not too far away in the clear waters of this endless jungle. An ice-like shiver coated my skin and Pan chuckled darkly. There was no pleasure in it.
"Had I known what you would pull, I would have watched you wait it out." His voice was low, an audible growl testing through his pursed lips. "I would have waited until you could barely breathe..."
There was a moment where all I could hear was the thunderous beating of my heart and the distant voices from outside my hut. My senses came back when I felt the sharp edge of my dagger running flat across the side of my neck. Pan tilted his head, his jaw set, eyes burning a vibrant green as they found the fading scars. Pulling at the line of material, he let out a short breath. I remember the pain. I remember what he did. It brought a burning hatred to course through my blood as if the venom was still there.
"You could have let the venom kill me, just as you said. I wouldn't have known it was there. You could have waited, but instead, you saved me." He glared dangerously in warning, his features faintly changing as he knew the words that were about to come out of my mouth. "You made me immune."
He bit down hard on his lips so much that they became bloodshot.
"Don't test your luck," He glowered, eyes stricken – almost glowing in a familiar way. "You've had more than enough of it during your stay here and trust me when I say, you wouldn't want to find it running out anytime soon."
Something in my chest gave a tight pull. I couldn't count the number of times I've been so close to death, felt it crawling up my neck ready to drag me down to a sealed fate. It felt like walking a fine invisible line I had no control over. I wouldn't know when it would come, I will never know – Pan has made sure of that so far. But there was something different in the way he said it, something behind those words that made my head spin.
"I made a valuable decision to save your life because I had far more to gain, not from losing you but losing her," He said coldly.
His face remained impassive, calculating – if not for the flicker of anger in his eyes – I couldn't find anything else on his unreadable face. It made sense that he wanted her gone. I saw the power she holds, watched how she used it. It was just as dangerous, just as vengeful as Pan's, but uncontrollable. That's why she needed me gone and that's why Pan wanted her gone.
I blinked heavily, my jaw aching as I unclenched my teeth. I suddenly felt ridden with exhaustion, a weight pulling down on my shoulders for a reason I couldn't explain. I took in a slow silent breath, staring into the eyes that watched me attentively but I found myself caught, unable to focus.
He waited...he waited until she broke me apart. He knew how it would end. In the worst possible way, he let her torture me until he could manipulate me himself – all to get what he wanted...to make sure his power remains superior. He didn't help me, he used me for his own benefit. I should expect it by now, I should know that Pan would use whatever means he could, magic or not, to get what he wants.
I leaned back, my shoulders slumping. The words that left my mouth were deflated, quiet enough that if he hadn't been so close I was sure he wouldn't hear.
"Did you really gain anything at all?" I wondered and his eyes widened.
Pan's POV
I stared at her. I watched her features changing, catching every movement of her lips, the sudden tiredness that filled her eyes and the passing of anger on her face. What was left behind, I hadn't expected at all. The weightless dagger felt limp in my hand, my skin easing red hot around the weapon I slowly lowered, the inviting silver turning to the darkness of the hut.
My ragged breaths slowed as she turned away, her brows knitting together, lost in her own thoughts. I tried just as I had every time she closed her mind to me but the bleakness I received back was empty, blinding and infuriating. Glancing down to the faint prick at my skin, I found the dark splash of red across my palm and exhaled shortly through my nose, the cut becoming nothing more than an irritating ich that would heal itself.
"I saw you standing there, in the gateway," She muttered.
Another short breath and I cast my attention to her after finding the same bitterness in her voice along with something else. Her features were mostly vacant as she lifted them up to face me but her eyes – I could see them searching, tracing back to the moment she walked that path across the water, one she might never have returned from with ease, the fear she held truly gone from her mind.
"Before I stepped through that doorless frame, I turned back...just for a moment." I clenched my jaw as her eyes flickered, searching with uncertainty as if there was something she was trying to find. "I watched as the world fell apart, I saw you disappearing from existence just like everything else."
The effects of the dream sequence will ware off in a few days. She will struggle to remember what she saw just as the name insists...a dream to be forgotten. Memories might last but eventually, it will go away. It will go away–
"You felt it too," She said confidently, even accusingly. "You were afraid."
I stiffened, leering down at her and eventually forcing myself to move closer until I could detect each racing heartbeat, the last intake of breath shortening still in her lungs, and finally trapping the comfort she thought she had. I wanted to take those words from her; seal her lips so she could never say them again...as if that would satisfy the urge to see this from ever happening again. I chuckled as she made an attempt to reach for the dagger, her hand shifting to where I had tossed it aside the bed covers.
"Oh, it really is you," I grinned, the malicious coating of my voice slipping perfectly to taste. To think she could actually believe I would let her bring that demon back here and challenge me? "Your fear may be gone but you're still too naive for your own good."
Her eyes narrowed, pupils blown wide.
"You would leave me in there to fend for myself again if you had the chance but I will still make it back here just to prove you wrong," She spat.
There was fight in her, I'll give her that. Only one other has been through the dream sequence and they hadn't made it in half the time she did. I grinned at the challenge, snickering at the thought of her truly wanting to go through all that again.
"I would leave you in there for all of Neverland's eternity just to see you try."
The pure lividness in her eyes gave me enough satisfaction to step away, the enmity coursing through her would have to be managed on her own. She wouldn't get the chance at another word as I disappeared from my hut.
Appearing in a preferable opening in the jungle, the grin on my face eased off as I slouched against the tree, my arms spread, hands grasping the branches as I panted waiting for the ground to stop turning. The obscured detail of the jungle floor became clear and I straight up, pulling my hand away from the branch and stared at the smear of blood it left behind. I huffed, licking over my lips as I stared down at the blood-stained across my hand. I waited patiently sensing my magic uncovering the delay and soon the wound closed, the blood trailing back over my skin and sealing itself off new.
I looked up into the canopy of overgrown trees, the darkness of the clear night reminding me of the needed call I had to make. I've left it long enough.
It was time I summoned the shadow.
Hi everyone!
I know it's been a while. I've been low on motivation so it has been hard to sit down at write each day. I question my writing a lot and only hope that it will improve with each chapter. Thank you so much to those of you who have waited patiently for my very slow updates. Thank you for keeping up with this book, and just to let you guys know, I don't plan on discontinuing this book. I have some plans set out and I will continue writing until the end. I hope you can stay with me until that time comes.
What did you think of this chapter? I hope it was worth the wait!
There's a fair bit going on in these next few chapters. I'm excited to tell you there are still a few twists and turns coming your way! What do we think of Will's secret plan? Ethan's been holding out for a while, do you think he can keep his secret safe from the others much longer? There was a little moment between Pan and Emily...just a little bit.
I have a little hint for you to work out...
The night of the boy's escape was not done alone or unprepared. Careful in his foretold plan, he spoke to three whose paths needed guidance...the leader, the heartless and a mind of two sides.
Please let me know any thoughts, theories or questions you have! I love to read your comments, it really helps to keep me writing. I'm kinda desperate for some feedback too so if you would like to leave a review or send me a message please do so! I'll be sure to respond ^.^
Thank you so much for reading!
Stay safe guys!
I'll see you next chapter
- zimbardo