"I want to make a deal," Pan says.
He's crazy if he thinks that he thinks he can make a deal with me, but I will let him talk. Only because of the fact that I am bored.
"Alright then," I say. "Spit it out."
"For one," Pan speaks. "I am sure you want to get out of the pit."
Fair enough point.
"And for two," Pan continues. "I am sure you want to keep your pass a secret."
"And what makes you so sure about that,"? I ask.
"In this past century," Pan begins. "There has been so much love and hate for fairies. And the lost boys, greatly hate the fairies."
"That's nice to know," I say in a sarcastic tone. " I might have been a half-fairy, but I don't have any magic. So therefore, you have nothing to hold against me."
Then there is a pregnant pause. I know Pan doesn't know a combat and is thinking hard for one. I couldn't help but smile at this.
"Yes, the part about having no magic might be true," Peter Pan says breaking up the silence. "But if being a fairy isn't bad enough. You are a half-human, half- magical creature. There is a lot more hate for you than any fairy living in existence."
"Fine, I will play your little game. Why would someone hate me for than a fairy,"? I say with a snarky tone.
"You don't know,"? Pan said laughing. "And I used to think you didn't have a sense of humor,"!
"Pan," I say coolly. "If you don't tell me what you know, then you're wasting my time. You might as well go."
Who am I kidding? He just probably got bored and decided to vex me to "cure" his boredom.
"You really don't know,"? Pan asks in a shocked tone.
"For someone who claims to know me, you really don't."
I look up to see Pan's face, for the first time. Even if he is standing a few feet above me, I can see that he has a surprised look on his face.
"So, what made the fairies decide to keep you innocent and hide you from the truth,"? Pan asks laughing.
"Alright,"! I say raising my voice. "Congratulations! I thought for a minute that you were actually series! But since you are laughing, you must be joking,"!
"You fairies really need to start having a sense of humor," Pan tells me snickering.
"I AM NOT A FAIRY,"! I shout at him.
"Of course, you aren't," Pan says in a yeah, right tone. "But unfortunately, you are only half right."
I feel my temper rising.
Calm yourself, he is just trying to get on your nerves. He is not worth losing your temper on.
"You have wasted not only my time, but yours also," I say. "You should leave."
"Why,"? Pan asks in an innocent voice. "Don't you want to know…...,"?
"I said leave."
And in a blink of an eye, Peter Pan left.
The only think I could think of is What the heck?
About a week later, I was let out of the pit. Pan never brought back the discussion from last week. My suspensions were probably right, he was just bored one day and decided to go and aggravate me. I think Pan thinks that I gave up on escaping. But he is wrong.
There is excitement in the air, I heard another child is coming to the island tonight. So, I decide to get in a conversation with one of the lost boys, Devin. He tells me the updates. Back when I was stuck in the pit, and me would have the most interesting conversations. He warned me about which boys I shouldn't mess around with. Top of that list is a boy named Felix. According to his description, he is tall, blond, and has a huge scar running down his face. I met him when I first came the island. But we only exchanged glances. Even through the title hasn't been given to him, everyone thinks him as Pan's second-in-command.
"So why is this person special,"? I ask Devin. He was telling me that someone is coming who might change out things run in Neverland.
"Like you, she is a girl," Devin responds. "You proved that girls have fight in them. So, Pan is going to see whether it's just you, are if any girl has what it takes to be a lost one."
"And if she doesn't,"? I ask.
"Well, I guess the only females will just be you and the mermaids," Devin responds. "And if this helps any, this girl will be from the realm without magic."
"Why there,"?
He shrugs, "we know about the girls from the lands with magic, but I heard that the girls from the realm without magic have more fight."
Well, I do know too many girls who would shrink over the littlest peck of dirt. Maybe this girl would be different.
"Alright, I got to go," Devin says standing up.
I stand up and walk around the camp. I see that there are still sentries guarding the camp. I know if I ever escape, there must be no more than a few lost boys guarding the camp. I don't know if there will ever be a time that will happen.
Most of the lost boys have only been here for a few weeks. I understand that Pan took these boys from their horrible lives, but still, why do have dying loyalty to him?
"Pan wants everyone in the front of camp right now." I turn around and I see Felix.
So he can speak.
When he sees that I am not moving, he walks up to me.
"I am not stopping you from seeing your precious leader," I tell the boy.
"He wants everyone to be there, and that includes you."
"I. Don't. Care." I tell Felix.
Felix smirks and lifts me with his hands and throws me over his shoulder. I kick my legs over him, falling on the ground, on my back.
I then hear a lot of snickering.
"Felix got outsmarted by the girl,"! I hear a lost boy say. I look around to see many boys bursting in laughing.
I look over to Felix who is also fell on the ground. He has a I am going to kill you look on his face.
"I expect more from you Felix," Peter Pan's voice says.
Of course he would be here. He couldn't miss the "excitement".
"Well since everyone is here," Pan announces. "I guess I will start. As many of you know, we are going to have a guest on the island tonight. And Anna," Pan says looking at me. "Be nice."
Then there goes another erupt of laughter. I admit, the past few days I have been very grouchy. The only one who I am somewhat nice to is Devin.
After everyone leaves, I start to come up with an escape plan.
Tonight, the lost boys might be distracted enough to not notice me. Then I can escape unnoticed. I will then find a haven for a little while, then I will go from there.
After waiting a long time, night finally came. And soon enough, the shadow came with a girl. The girl has blond curly hair, and she is wearing a white night dress. Her face has excitement on it.
"My name is Wendy Darling," the girl introduces herself.
Yep, she is one of those people who think their better than everyone else. I first could tell by the way she dressed. She proved my point by adding the darling behind her name.
While I was thinking, the boys and Pan were getting acquainted with Wendy.
This is my chance.
I walk around the camp, and there are only two lost boys guarding.
Alright, it's now or never.
"You must be Anna," I hear a girl's voice say.
Oh shoot!
I turn around to see Wendy Darling with a big smile.
"My name is…,"
"Wendy Darling," I interrupt. "Yeah, yeah, I know."
The girl looks stunned that I interrupted her.
"Pardon me," Wendy Darling said. "Did I say something rude,"?
You got to be kidding me! How on earth do I get out of this situation?
"Excuse me," I say trying to find an excuse to leave. "I…... err … agreed to uh…. Hunt with Mathew, one of the lost boys."
Wendy looks at me with disbelief.
"Since I saw you for the first time a few minutes ago, I wanted to ask something," Wendy pauses like she is thinking whether she says might insult me.
"Go ahead, ask," I tell Wendy.
"Since you're a lady," Wendy points out. "Why are wearing pants? Why do you hunt? Why…,"?
"Ok, fine," I say after Wendy is finished. "Before I answer that, let me ask why not? I mean yes, I am a girl, but how does that stop me from wearing clothes that are comfortable. Why should that stop me for being able to take care of myself,"?
"Firstly, it's a lady's job to sew, cook, clean, and take care of children. The hunting and protecting part is meant for men," Wendy points out.
"Well, I guess I'm good to go then." Right when I say that, Wendy gives me an odd look. "Because," I continue "I am not a lady."
"Every girl grows up to be a lady," Wendy says.
"How old are you,"? I ask.
"Fourteen," she responds. "Old enough to take on responsibility for being a lady."
"Look Wendy Darling," I tell her. "If you are ok being a perfect little lady, doing what your told to do, be my guest. But to be honest, I don't really care. I like the fact that I can gather my own food and run around without worrying about tripping."
"Are all la- girls," Wendy quickly changes the word. "Are all girls from the other magical lands like you? Wild and care free,"?
"The simple answer is no," I tell Wendy. "Not all, but most of the girls I have met are very lady like."
I turn around and I start walking the opposite direction.
I know that I probably shouldn't have talked to Wendy that way. I guess that I am just upset that she stopped me from escaping.
It's has been a full day with Wendy, and it was bad. Wendy spent her day doing things like cooking, cleaning, and sewing. But at the same time, she got really disconcert whenever someone tried to talk to her. I think it is because "no one is treating her like the proper lady she is".
Right now, it is night. It was announced that Wendy was going to tell a story. Most the stories I have heard or read are depressing. I decided I would sneak in to here a bit of the story.
Wendy told a story about a girl named Cinderella. I know that story could totally happen. She is one of the lucky ones to get a fairy-Godmother who can balance her talent job and her fairy-Godmothering job. Meaning that her fairy-Godmother had the time to make her wish come true.
Some boys are interested. Some boys are bored. When Wendy was done, I sneaked by to my usual sleeping spot. It is just ground and a rough blanket. I know some of the boys have been building shacks and tents for themselves. I don't bother, I won't be staying long.
I hope.
After a few nights, the boys tried to teach Wendy how to fight.
It was a disaster.
She was too weak to hold a sword. She couldn't hold the lightest bow and arrow. She was too scared to hold a dagger or spear. The lost boys took her hunting, when they caught an animal, Wendy just burst into tears swearing that she will never eat meat again.
I hear leaves being crumbled behind me. I turn around to see Devin.
"She's leaving," Devin tells me.
"Wendy,"? I ask.
"No, John" Devin replies.
If it's John, then why did he say she?
"Yes Wendy,"! Devin exclaims.
"Then why did you say John,"? I ask.
"You really do need to get a sense of humor," Devin says.
I roll my eyes.
"So, tell me, why is she leaving,"? I ask.
"Because she is weak and a crybaby," Devin answers. "She is not like you."
I raise my eyebrows.
"You know that the lost boys don't like you," he explains. "But you won't go down without a fight. Honestly, if you weren't so stubborn, you would make a great lost one."
"Wouldn't it be lost girl,"? I ask.
He shrugs, "I like the sound of "lost one" better."
"Will you go hunting with me,"? Devin finally asks.
"Why me,"? I ask.
"Because your fun to talk with," Devin replies.
I don't know whether he means that, or if it's because I can be gullible sometimes. Pan lets me out of the camp if I am with one of the older lost boys. This could be my chance to escape, but I don't want to get Devin in trouble because of me.
I could ask him to run with me.
No, Devin is loyal to Pan. For all I know, he is probably only being nice to me to make sure I don't leave.
"Alright then, I'll go," I tell Devin.
Hunting with Devin was kinda fun. Like me, he uses traps. But unlike me, he uses spears. I would like to learn someday how to use one. What stopping me is the fact that I have a terrible aim.
I only hunt a days' worth of food for myself.
Right now, I am sitting on a log, by a fire, skinning a rabbit.
"You really do hunt," I hear a voice behind me say.
"Yeah, I do," I reply. "And I thought you left."
"I want to ask you something," Wendy Darling tells me.
"Go ahead," I reply without looking at her.
"They are making me leave, why are they letting you stay,"? Wendy asks me.
"Wendy," I say now making eye contact with her. "Trust me when I say that I am here against my own will. Be glad that you are leaving."
"But this story is supposed to have a happy ending," Wendy insists.
"Wendy," I say with a stern voice. "I know that you believe that good always wins, and there are such things as happy endings. But in this world, there is none. If there is, there is very few. Go back to the Realm Without Magic. You would be much happier there."
Wendy says something so quiet, I couldn't hear her.
"What was that,"? I ask.
"The real reason I came is because there were no adults to tell you what to do," Wendy finally says.
"That might be true," I admit. "But you would have Peter Pan as your leader. Pick your poison."
"Do you miss your family,"? Wendy asks me.
"I don't have one," I reply.
Unless you count Abigale.
"I'm sure that is not true," Wendy said. "Everyone has a family."
"Not me," I tell her. "Just be glad you're being let off the island."
"Why won't he let you leave,"? Wendy asks.
"Why don't you go ask him,"?
Then there is a pause.
"Well, I will leave you to your duties," Wendy finally said.
And with that, she left. And I went back to skinning a rabbit.
It's been three weeks since Wendy has left. Pan declared that no girl, unless under extreme circumstances, would be allowed to come to the island. And besides that, life on Neverland went back to normal.
What am I saying? Life on Neverland will never be normal.
It is crystal clear that I can't wait for there to be no sentries guarding the camp. According to Devin, Pan is trying to break me, make me lose hope. But I got news for you Peter Pan, I never had hope that someone would come and rescue me. I always knew that if I want to escape, it needs to be me saving myself. But maybe, just maybe, if I got Pan to think that he broke me, then maybe he will lighten up on security. And then maybe, escape will become possible.
But how long would that take? Plus I am not a good actor, he would just see right through me.
Then there is the other idea, I can go with an older lost boy hunting, then I will escape. But will my conscience let me do that?
"You ok,"? Devin asks interrupting my thoughts. "You look dazed."
"Yeah," I reply. "I am just thinking."
"You know what they say," Devin says. "It's dangerous a lady to think."
As soon as I gave him a look, Devin bursts out in laughing.
"How in the world do you people raise your eyebrows,"? asks Devin trying to raise his own eyebrows.
"I don't know," I reply. "I guess I was just born with the gift of raising eyebrows."
Devin's laugh only got louder.
"It must be some gift," Devin says still laughing. "I only know two other people who can do that."
"Who besides Peter Pan,"? I ask.
"Captain Hook," Devin replies.
"Who,"? I ask.
"You don't know who Captain Hook is,"?
"Would I ask who if I knew who he is,"? I reply.
"There have been pirates roaming the island for years," Devin explains. "Captain Hook is their captain."
Well duh, if you put captain on front of a person's name, you should assume that person is the captain.
"The real reason I came to talk to you is because something important is going to happen."
"What,"? I ask.
"There is a new boy coming tonight," Devin says.
"I thought you said you needed to tell me something important," I tell Devin slightly irritated.
"Thought you would like to know," Devin says.
Night came, and Pan sent Felix, and a few of the other lost boys to go receive the new boy. Apparently, the new boy didn't end up on the island, but on a pirate's ship. The lost boys come to back to tell Pan about the pirate captain not cooperating. But somehow like always, he foresaw this happening.
A week later, Felix and the lost boys went back to the pirate ship. But this time, they came back with the new boy.
They compare him to a face on some paper. Lucky for him, he isn't the boy Pan was looking for.
(Anna doesn't know this happened.)
I see a boy with dark, curly hair come into the camp looking scared. It a couple of minutes for me to realize; this is the boy I made eye contact at the tavern after the ogre war.
The boy looks over to my direction. As soon as he sees me, his face makes a confused look.
Probably wondering what a girl is doing on Neverland.
The boy walks toward me but is stopped when a few boys stepped in front of him. They are probably going to talk to him about what it takes to be a lost boy.
Thanks for reading!