"You fight like a girl,"! Baelfire says.
"And you fight like you have done this before," I groaned.
Me and Baelfire are working on sword fighting with big sticks. I wasn't as good as I thought I was with stick/sword fighting. To be honest, I don't have too much experience. If I did find a sword randomly on the ground or a stick in the middle of the dirt ground, I would take it. But I always find a way to lose it.
In the Enchanted Forrest, there are laws against kidnapping. But there are people who challenge the law, and I had to be ready. There were a couple of instances, but I always found a way to escape. But on Neverland, the lost boys seem to be stronger then the men in the Enchanted Forrest.
And Baelfire is no exception.
By my surprise Baelfire actually knows how to use a sword. Apparently, the pirate captain taught him how to. To my first few weeks of Neverland, he made it sound like he didn't know any survival experience what so ever. But at certain time, including right now, that fact is being proven wrong.
About a week ago, me and Baelfire agreed to train together. So far, we have only been doing sticks and hand-to-hand contact. I have been trying new techniques that will get the lost boys off guard. The lost boys always know what is coming because I do the same things over and over again. We both also decided that getting muscles will help. Baelfire thought an exercise called push-ups. I hate it but according to him, you can gain strength that way.
Right now, Baelfire is winning the sword fight…... but I have a strategy.
Baelfire gets me in the solar plex. Which hurts. A lot.
The next thing I know, I am on the floor, pretending to be knocked out.
"Anna," Baelfire says in a concerned voice. "Please be ok," I then hear Baelfire walk close to me. As soon as I can feel him barely touch me, I grab his legs and pull them up, forcing him onto the ground.
As soon as he fell, I quickly stand up and walk back a few steps. If I stayed close to him, he probably would have tripped me.
Baelfire groaned and stood up.
"That might actually work the next time you are attacked," Baelfire says. "And I thought you agreed not to hurt me much when we practice."
"You agreed not to hurt each other much," I point out. "I remember saying that I wasn't making any promises."
"Do you ever try to be nice,"? Baelfire asks me.
"Being nice doesn't exactly help you survive," I point for what it seems like the hundredth time.
"Life is more than just…,"
"Please do not give another one of those "Life is more than just survival" talks," I say placing a hand over my forehead.
"Well it is," Baelfire says in an annoyance tone.
"Maybe it is," I say putting my hands up. "Maybe your right. I mean, you are right one of eleven times," I say in a joking voice.
Over time, I got what they call a sense-of-humor. And I have enjoyed joking around with Baelfire sometimes.
"How do you that,"? Baelfire asks.
"Do what,"?
"Switch emotions so quickly," he replies.
I shrug my shoulders, "I don't know, I guess its just natural to me."
"Baelfire, what do you plan on doing when we escape Neverland,"? I ask him.
"Probably go find the Darling Family," Baelfire answers. "If they are alive by the time we get out."
Something in that sentence clicks in my brain.
"Wait…. What did you mean when you said "Darling"," I ask Baelfire.
"In the realm without magic," he explains. "They have something called surnames…...,"
Baelfire then has this long talk on explaining a surname.
"Do you by any chance know a Wendy Darling,"? I ask already knowing the answer.
I remember Wendy mentioned Baelfire's name at least once during her stay.
"Yes," Baelfire responds softly.
I now feel really bad about judging her by adding "Darling" right after she said Wendy.
"Yes," Baelfire answers. "And I remember her mentioning you once or twice."
"What did she say about me,"?
"She said that you are a poor example of what a "lady" should be like," Baelfire answers.
I start to laugh hard.
"So true," I manage to say.
"You're not offended,"? Baelfire asks with a confusion look.
"Offended? I take that as a complement,"! I say still laughing.
Then Baelfire starts giggling himself, "When we first meet, you were all serious. I never would have thought you had a fun side."
I know what he means. When I first meet him, I was just plain mean. I didn't make jokes. And I hardly smiled.
"Its just been a while since I have shown it," I tell Baelfire.
Then I change the subject.
"What should we do for the rest of the day,"? I ask.
I look outside to see its still raining, hard. It has been raining non-stop for the past few days.
Therefore, pretty much me and Baelfire has been cooped up inside the cave. But it isn't completely terrible. Both me and Baelfire have had time to work on our fighting skills. Baelfire was able to finish the second mattress. And I have been talking to Baelfire a couple of things about me. Not much, just the fact that I there is no one who is missing me and that I was fifteen when I was kidnapped.
Baelfire shrugs his shoulders, "We can try something new. Perhaps throwing."
That might be a good idea. I do have a terrible aim, and I would like to change that.
"Listen, Baelf….,"
"Call me Bae," Baelfire interrupts.
I give him a look.
"I'm serious," Baelfire insures. "Please call me Bae. I prefer that over Baelfire."
What does he expect me to say? Tell him I rather Ann over Anna?
"Ok, Bae it is," I say.
"Do you have any nicknames,"? Baelfire asks.
I am tempted to tell him about my nickname Danya, but it might give something away.
"No," I lie.
"Can I call you Ann then,"? Baelfire asks.
Should of saw that coming.
"Umm… no," I reply. "I don't think I'm ready for a nickname. Not yet anyways."
Bae nodded as if he understood.
"Back to what we were talking about earlier… what if we talk about the ways off of Neverland," I suggest.
Baelfire gives me an uncomfortable look. Whenever we try to figure this out, it gets us nowhere.
"What if this time, we start by the ways to get on Neverland," I suggest. "The first way is Pan himself. And you said the pirates got in by flying their ship toward the stars,"?
Baelfir nods.
"And you got in by a shadow,"? I ask with already knowing the answer.
Baelfire nods again.
The next few minutes were kept in complete silence.
I had no idea what Baelfire was doing. I was just starring at my hands, thinking.
Then it suddenly came up to me.
The shadow! Of course!
"What are you thinking,"? Bae asks me noticing the change of the look on my face.
"I don't have an exact idea," I admit. "But I have a start."
"What is it,"? Baelfire asks eagerly.
Should I tell him? What if—
You have been through this. Baelfire hasn't done anything to me since we gave eye contact from the first time.
"The shadow," I began. "Do you know if it is part of Pan? Or is just a creature that is completely loyal to him,"?
Baelfire shrugs his shoulders, "I don't know the answer to that. Why do you ask"
"I believe there might be a way out of Neverland using the shadow," I answer.
Baelfire's eyes widened, "Are you insane? Using the shadow in any way is extremely dangerous,"!
"You need to face it Baelfire," I tell him. "Any plan of escaping Neverland will be dangerous. No matter which method we use"
I can tell Baelfire wants to argue, but he can't argue the fact of what I said is true.
The next hour was spent in silence.
I spent that time getting the last minute getting an odd animal ready for cooking. Neverland has many weird animals that I have never seen or heard before in my entire life. But meat is meat.
After a while, something out of the ordinary happens.
I hear silence.
Silence weird? That can't be right. Me and Baelfire haven't been talking…..
Then I realize what is really going on.
I hear no rain drops. Wich is an odd silence that I haven't have in days.
"It stopped raining," I hear Baelfire says breaking the silence.
"I have noticed," I say standing up. "I am going out to look for more food," I announce. "We are almost out of food."
"I will go with you," Baelfire says standing up.
I don't blame him for wanting to go out, even if it was just for a minute. Baelfire has been cooped up in the cave along with me. And the times we do go out, we got drenched.
To prepare, I grab my rope trap and a small, sword that I got off the ground a while back.
Me and Baelfire rush out of the cave longing for some sunlight and alive plants.
Next thing, we are both heading out into the jungle. The first thing I notice is that most of the plants we relied on for food were destroyed. Probably from the hard rains. The second thing I notice is that is alive creature to be seen or heard.
I laid out my small trap. Hopefully, it will catch something.
The next thirty minutes was spent with whispering, or no talking at all. We both know that we want to capture any animals, we can't make much noise.
But no animals were to be seen or heard.
I cannot lie;
this is scaring me. If food isn't found today, then me and Baelfire are in serious trouble.
As soon as I thought that, I hear something.
I suddenly halt. But Baelfire, who is walking behind me, does not notice.
"Stop walking," I hiss.
Baelfire stops walking.
"Do you see something,"? he whispers back.
"No," I reply. "I hear something."
"I know that you are always right about when you hear something, but how come I never hear the same things you do," Baelfire asks in a slightly annoyed voice.
"Can we talk about this la-."
Abruptly, somebody's hand covers my mouth and waist. I squirm rapidly trying to out of my captor's grasp.
They found us.
Remember what you and Baelfire worked on!
That thought repeats in my head. But I can't remember anything we worked on.
I caught corner of my eyes that the same thing is happening to Baelfire.
Eventually, dust gets blown into my face. It is no mystery what it is.
Poppy dust.
At least that what I thought it was.
I am ready to instantly become weak and fall asleep. But instead, I am slowly feeling those things.
"Why isn't she knocked out yet,"? a hear one voice ask.
"Maybe she is immune to the poppy dust," one suggests.
I now feel weaker and a bit more tired, but I still am fighting with the small strength I have left.
"I think it something else," I hear a voice I recognize.
Felix.
Then he blows something into my face making me instantly weak and sleepy.
No energy is left inside me.
The last thing I see before I loose conscious is a murderous look on Felix's face.
"Anna," I hear a voice say. "Wake up."
I wake up with heavy eyelids. Too heavy to let them open my eyes. But that doesn't matter, I am too sleepy to do anything.
A second before I drift off again, I hear again, "Anna, you need to wake," says a worried voice.
I wake up a little, but I don't open up my eyes.
"What have you done with her,"? I hear the worried voice ask someone.
Wait….
Then everything comes back to me. My hands and feet are tied together, and I am laying face toward floor.
"Don't worry Baelfire," I hear a voice said. "She won't be asleep forever."
I haven't heard that voice in a long time.
Peter Pan.
"Why did you bring her in the first place,"? Baelfire asks with an angry voice.
"That's not how the game works, Baelfire," Pan replies.
A game? That is what he thinks this is?
"If this nothing but a game to you," Baelfire says. "Then you have no real reason to keep us both."
Surprising, Baelfire is handling this pretty well. If my memory serves me right, Baelfire always shuttered talking to Pan and most of the lost boys.
"You see Baelfire," Pan says. "You are useless. But Ella on the other hand-,"
"What did you just call her,"? Baelfire asks with curiosity in his tone.
Please no!
"She hasn't told you,"? Pan asks with amusement in his voice.
Oh gosh! He better not!
"Next time you get a chance to talk with her," Pan says. "Ask her: who are you really,"?
"If you trying to get me not to trust her Pan," Baelfire says with the bravest voice I have ever heard him have. "It's not working."
Funny how I have issues trusting Baelfire and he trusts me whole heartedly.
"Just ask her," is all Pan says in response.
Then I hear Pan walk away.
Should I let Baelfire know I am awake? I asked myself. Or should I keep pretending to be unconscious?
"Anna," I hear Baelfire voice say. "I know your awake."
Well, better him then Pan.
I open my eyes slowly, so I can adjust to the light. But I quickly realize there isn't much. I then awkwardly turn my body, making it so my back is the facing the ground. I try to sit up, but since my hands and feet are tied up, it is not worth too much effort.
I am in a dark room with a few candles and lanterns being used as the main light source. If I had to guess, this is one of the small huts the lost boys build.
"How long were you pretending to be asleep,"? Baelfire asks.
"Just for a few minutes," I reply.
"Is there any chance you are going to tell me to tell me what Pan was telling me about,"? Baelfire asks curiously.
What should I do? Should I tell him what Pan meant? Or should lie?
I know I should tell Baelfire the truth, but another voice in my head keeps telling me not to.
"I prefer to tell you when we out of Pan's camp," I say. "When I don't feel rushed."
"I always knew you were hiding something," Baelfire says. "But I think it is bigger then I suspected it to be."
You have no idea.
"Your right Baelfire," I admit. "I have gotten so use to not talking to people about my past and problems, that I think I have forgotten how to."
"You can talk to me," Baelfire says. "And who am I going to tell? The cave wall,"?
"Your lost boy's friends," I say.
Baelfire shakes his head, "They are not my friends," he admits. "Friends don't hurt each other. And when they do, they apologize. No one here apologizes."
"That is part of the reason why Neverland is so fun," I hear a voice say.
Great. Someone has been listening on to our conversation.
"Do you mind,"? I ask irately.
"I do not," the boy responds.
I try to recognize the voice, but I can't. Maybe he is new.
"So, you two are the famous "Runners," the boy says as if he is impressed.
"Who calls us that,"? Baelfire asks.
"Everyone who you both have out run," the boy explains. "From what I have heard, you two run pretty fast. And ever since you two pulled that stunt a while back, a few of the boys rebelled a little."
That is probably why I haven't seen many lost boys when I am out.
"But it calmed down shortly after," the boy continues.
"And let me guess," I say. "You were one of the good ones Peter Pan could trust; so, you got the job guarding us."
"I actually just arrived a week after you both went into hiding," the boy admits.
"Do you know why Pan wants her," Baelfire asks.
Wow Baelfire, so much for having no lost boy friends.
"I do not," the lost boy says with sympathy.
Then he changes the subject, "My name is Stephan if you wanted to know."
On que, Baelfire says, "My name is Bael-,"
"-fire," Stephen interrupts. "And you are Anna." He says referring to me.
"Step into the light, were I can see you," I order the boy.
Stephan does as he was told. As I see him, I look at his features. The boy's face tells me is in his mid-teens, but he is short. Besides that, he has black, curly hair, and his face is full of freckles. As soon I see him, I feel a weird connection.
Maybe I have passed by him a while back in the Enchanted Forrest.
But that doesn't matter.
"See that your awake," I hear Pan's voice say. "You can leave now Stephan."
"Ummm…..," Stephan stutters. "I kinda….. what to stay and listen in."
It is hard not laugh out laud when he says this. The measure is pretty clear: Stephan has nothing to do, and he is full of curiosity. So, the way of curing both is by staying and listening in the conversation.
"Leave," Pan orders again.
Stephan puts his hands up and walks away. He pushes a poorly made door to the outside world.
As this is done, I came up with an idea. This is a long shot, but it is worth it if I figure out a few things.
"I know you like your games," I say breaking the silence. "So why don't we play one."
I see out of the corner of my eye that Baelfire looks shocked. And I look at Pan, his eyebrows are raised.
"You are suggesting a game? That is very unlike you," Pan says as if he suspects that I am up to something.
"Yes," I say making it clear. "You know I want answers. And I know you like your games."
What am I doing? Even if he agrees to this, he will probably cheat so he can win. Plus, I am terrible at games. What have I gotten myself into?
"What game are you suggesting,"? Pan asks.
How am I this stupid? I need to think things through before I-
"How about a scavenger hunt,"? Baelfire suggests interrupting my thoughts. "You leave us clues of answers of the questions we want to know. It's a win, win."
Scavenger hunt?
"Never thought I would hear that from you Baelfire," Pan says as if he is impressed by Baelfire.
Then someone bursts through the poorly made door. It was Felix.
"There is something you need to see," Felix says referring to Pan.
"Whatever it is, it can wait," Pan says.
"This one can't," Felix assures him.
Pan doesn't say anything else and rushes out of the hut.
"What's so urgent that Pan had to leave,"? Baelfire asks Felix in a curious voice.
Really Baelfire? Felix probably would have left to, and we could have talked about something important like what a scavenger hunt is.
"What is going on," Felix replies with his voice getting deeper. "Doesn't concern you."
What's so urgent?
"I think it does," I say. "If Pan wants me to stay and join him, then we must share the same concerns."
What did I even say? Why can't I just think before I speak? That didn't even make since to me!
"Enough with this foolishness," Felix says. "What is your real name girl."
Really? How many people did Pan tell about my past.
"I think I made it pretty clear that I go by Anna," I respond.
"You may go by Anna," Felix points out. "But what name were you given at birth,"?
"You are acting like I am a wanted criminal," I say.
"Perhaps you are," Felix states.
"How dare you," I say angerly. "And my life is my business."
"But like you said earlier," Felix points out. "We have the same business."
"Don't twist my words up lost boy," I say in a scary voice.
"Did you two know each other before you came to Neverland,"? Baelfire asks trying to break up the fight.
"No," I answer.
"I would watch who you make friends with, Baelfire," Felix says. "She isn't who she says she is."
"All right then Felix," I say. "Then tell me because I am dying to know; who am I,"?
Felix leans and whispers in my ear, "You are half-breed."
"And that is terrible… how,"? I ask.
"Don't play stupid," Felix sneers stepping back.
Play stupid? What he is saying makes no sense! He acts as if being half-human, half-fairy is a terrible thing.
I look over Baelfire, even with the small light, I can tell he is really, really confused. And honestly, I don't blame him.
"Felix," I hear Pan shout. "Come here now,"!
I have never been so glad to hear that voice.
"This will be continued," Felix tells me.
"I am looking forward to that," I say as Felix leaves.
I wanted to spend the next few minutes thinking, but Baelfire has something else planned.
"What was Felix talking about,"? Baelfire asks.
"Can we talk about this latter,"? I ask.
"You have to stop postponing this," Baelfire says.
"I have been postponing for less then twenty minutes," I point out.
"Its been longer then that," Baelfire says. "Ever since we meet, you hardly opened up."
"I haven't known you that long, Baelfire," I point out. "Don't expect me to "open up" right away."
"Well I….,"
"It was your choice to share," I interrupt. "I didn't tell you to spill the beans about your life."
"If we want to escape," Baelfire says softer. "We need to trust each other."
I have been trusting Baelfire, I have trusted him with my life.
"You are right," I say giving up on this argument. "But please, stop pushing me to tell you about my past."
"Sorry," Baelfire apologizes. "I just realized I have been pushy about that."
What are we doing? We are wasting time.
"Baelfire," I say. "We need to make an escape plan."
"What do you have in mind,"? Baelfire asks me.
"The only thing I can think of is to stand up and run until we are the heck out of this place," I say. "But we can't just go running, there are likely lost boys all over the camp."
Unless Pan wants me to think that. Maybe there is no one in the camp. But there is no way to make sure.
"Maybe we can convince one of the lost boys to help us," Baelfire suggests. "Stephan seems friendly."
How gullible can someone be?
"He may be friendly, but he is still loyal to Pan," I point out.
Before anything else could be said, someone walks in.
I look to see its Pan.
"Before you say something foolish," he says. "I have a solution, deal, whatever you want to call. I have one that will solve our issues."
The day Pan comes up will a solution both of us will agree on, that will be the day the fairies invite me back. And that will never happen.
"We will never make a deal with you," Baelfire tells Pan.
Baelfire, I have no idea whether I am mad, happy, upset, surprised, or proud of you.
"I'm not so sure about that, Baelfire," Pan says. "You two want to stop hiding."
What is he getting at?
"And I want to stop wasting precious time looking for you two," Pan continues.
What is he getting at? I ask myself again. He is definitely going to make a deal? But why haven't I figured it out yet?
"Get to the point," I say with more confidence then I actually had.
"This was brought up last time you were at the camp," Pan says. "The deal is to join me and the lost boys."
"I cannot speak for Baelfire," I say. "My answer is no."
"Think about it," Pan says. "You have always wanted a real family, one that would understand you. The lost boys can be your family."
Really? I don't want a new family. Especially with a bunch of boys.
"No more running," Pan continues. "There will be no reason to. Unless you are playing a game of course. Why say no to an adventure,"?
An adventure? No thanks, I had enough adventures for the past few years.
"Face it Anna, you have no were to go. Neverland can be your home."
"Neverland will never be my home," I say.
Think about it," Pan says walking out. "I will be back shortly, you use this time wisely."
"Anna," Baelfire says as soon as Pan leaves. "Hear me out; we should agree to the deal."
"I can't….,"
"Let me finish," Baelfire interrupts. "If we agree join him, we will no longer have to worry about hiding. And think of it, if we get them to trust us, we can learn more about the island's secrets. And the more we know about the island, the more we can find ways out of Neverland."
That might work. But how long will it take for Pan and the lost boys to trust us? A week, month, year, decade? I may have all the time of the world, but Baelfire doesn't. He has a family that misses him.
"We should give this a try," I say agreeably. "But we need to make sure we act like this a last resort. If we act like we are super excited to join Pan. He will suspect something."
"So pretty much act like yourself,"? Baelfire asks.
"Not all the way," I respond. "I should probably act like I want to be here."
That won't work.
"You know what,"? I say. "I don't know. I will probably decide how to act as time goes along. But, there will be circumstances that need to be discussed."
"I can agree with the last part," Baelfire says.
"I need to be able to leave the camp, without a lost boy," I say. "And I know there will be more; I just can't think of anything else right now."
"We have our answer,"? Baelfire asks.
I nod.
"Then let's get this over with. Pan,"! Baelfire shouts. "We have an answer,"!
"That could of wait," I mumble.
"Thought you would of like to get this over with," Baelfire says.
"Usually yes," I admit. "But when it comes to Pan, things can wait."
"I have to admit, I am surprised," a voice behind me says. "I expected you to take at least an hour to come up with your decision. Tell me, what is your decision,"?
Baelfire says, "We will accept and….,"
"Under certain conditions," I say interrupting. "Yes, we will join you. But we need to be able to leave the camp whenever we want to."
"And I will like my own hut," Baelfire says.
I was about to add that I wanted a good weapon I can carry around, but I can't push this too far.
"Those are our terms, and we will eventually probably add more," I announce. "Are you willing to except these,"?
Pan bit his lip, "I will allow for both of your requests. But understand this," he says with his voice getting darker. "If either of you do anything…,"
"We won't," Baelfire says.
Speak for yourself.
Pan smirks, "I guess we have a deal then."
"Then do us a favor and untie us," I demand.
"Didn't you know? Patience is a virtue," Pan jokes. Then he unties Baelfire first, and then me. My hands felt the relief of being free. The first thing I do is try to stand up. I am a little wobble, but I quickly get my balance.
Without saying another word, I walk outside without Baelfire. There are lost boys all around doing lost boy activities such as fighting with their fists, sticks, or even real swords. A majority of the lost boys stop to look at me. Many of them looked surprised.
They probably thought I would have said no to Pan's deal.
But what they think about me isn't my biggest worry. I told Baelfire I would explain to him what Pan was talking about earlier.
What am I going to tell him?
Thanks for reading and please comment!