I am going to ask this is in the beginning instead of the end…. Please review!
What am I going to tell him? I ask myself. I told Baelfire I would explain to him why Pan called me Ella. I can tell him the partial truth. But is that fair to him? And what was Felix talking about earlier? There are people out there who believe half-breeds shouldn't exist. Felix must be one of those people. But did Pan need to really tell them both about things I prefer to keep quiet. And how in the world does he know these things about me? Me and him are going to have a serious talk.
For the past few hours, I have been purposely avoiding Baelfire.
I do feel a little bad for doing that. Besides me, he doesn't really have anyone to talk to. That is because the lost boys have been avoiding us. I wander if Devin feels betrayed. I mean, he was the only one I talked to when I was in the camp weeks back.
I am not sure what to do first; talk to Baelfire or straighten things out with Pan.
I shouldn't be putting too much thought into this. I don't know where he is, go talk to Baelfire.
When I was at the camp, I remembered Pan would always disappear. Were to? I have no idea.
I walk around the camp looking for Baelfire, I find him sitting on a log, drawling pictures on the dirt ground with a stick.
I sit beside him, and I stay silent.
"Hey," Baelfire says without looking up.
"Hey," I respond. "Baelfire, I am ready to talk."
"Do you want to somewhere private,"? he asks.
I nod. "I would like to leave the camp."
Baelfire nods as if he understands.
He stands up and place his stick on the ground. I look at the picture he drew; he drew a simple house. But I can tell it means something to him.
"Is this were you used to live,"? I ask.
"It was the house I lived in before… my papa turned evil," Baelfire admits.
"Do you miss him," I ask Baelfire.
"No," Baelfire responds. He may have said no, but I can tell he is lying.
Talk about being honest with each other.
Never less, Baelfire stands up, and we both head toward the entrance of the camp. Surprisingly, there is a lost boy guarding the entrance.
I thought they were only there to make sure I don't get out…...
And then I remember; there are pirates on the island.
But it doesn't matter.
Me and Baelfire out, but before we are completely out, someone says, "you know you are not supposed to leave the camp."
Oh great.
I stop and turn around to see one of the lost boys, Thomas, head toward us.
"Pan agreed to let her leave camp whenever she wants to," Baelfire says. "And she is with me."
"Funny," Thomas says. "I don't recall Pan saying anything like that."
"Maybe he hasn't told you yet," Baelfire says.
"Perhaps so," Thomas says. "But I would prefer if you two wait until he comes back, and I will ask him personally."
"Where is he anyway,"? I ask Thomas.
"Don't know," he answers. "Look, right now, you two have all of the time in world to finish whatever you need to do. You can wait."
"Fine," I say walking the other way.
"Leaving without much of a fight doesn't seem like you," Baelfire says catching up.
"You told me earlier that I shouldn't cause too much trouble," I say in response.
"Do you listen to me when it only suits you,"? Baelfire asks.
"No," I respond. "I only listen when it makes sense to."
I start to walk away.
"Wait," Baelfire says. "I just realized, I have my own sleeping quarters. We can talk there."
Why does he so badly want to know about my past?
"Do you have one yet? Or is going to be built,"? I ask him.
"They already had an extra," Baelfire responds.
An extra sleeping space available? How unusual.
"Let's go there then," I say.
Baelfire leads to a small, wooden hut. I walk inside, its small with only a poorly made bed in the middle.
"Not much better then the cave," I mumble.
"I'm afraid to say that I agree with you on that," Baelfire agrees.
"The only reason Pan gave this hut is because he wants you to stay," I point out.
"And the only reason he wants me here is because he thinks if I stay, you will stay," Baelfire says.
"I didn't think about that. That is a good point," I admit. "But he must know I don't feel responsible for others."
"You may think that," Baelfire says. "But, you have a selfless part of you. And in reality, I am the closest you got to a friend."
He has a point.
Then it hit me.
"I think he finally realized that he couldn't keep me by force," I say. "He realized every time he tries to, I escape again and again. The only way I will stay is if I want to stay."
"But if Pan wants you to stay, then why won't he let you out of camp,"? Baelfire asks.
"He probably hasn't announced the circumstances of the deal with the lost boys yet," I respond. "And he needs to do it soon, I am hungry."
"You are always hungry," Baelfire says. "And can't you just ask one of the lost boys to share their food with you,"?
"I could," I respond. "But most of them seem to be avoiding both of us."
"I think they feel awkward, I mean just a week ago, they were hunting us," Baelfire says.
"They were just hunting us yesterday," I say.
"Anna," Baelfire calmly corrects me. "I forgot to tell you, but you were asleep for nearly a week."
No. That can't be right. Poppy dust only effects a person a day at the most. And that is extremely rare.
"Your joking," I say not willing to except the truth. "That's not possible."
"Well it did happen," Baelfire says. "I was in the dark hut for nearly a week surviving off of the lost boys' leftovers. And when I watching you, it was as if your body was slowing down."
"What do you exactly mean when you say slowing down,"? I ask Baelfire.
"You breathing extremely slowly, it was unnormal, even for someone who is unconscious. You didn't move at all, it was like your body was fighting for just breathing alone. It was scary." Baelfire admits.
"Maybe I am allergic to poppies," I say.
That can't be right either. Poppy dust has been used on me before, this has never happened.
"Anna," Baelfire says calmly again. "Why did Pan call you Ella earlier,"?
I took a slow, deep breath and say, "Ella was the name given at birth," I explain. "I changed to Anna…," then there a pause. "I changed to Anna a little after the last time I saw my mother."
"Were you adopted," Baelfire asks sweetly.
I shook my head, "No, but I never felt like I was her daughter. Sometimes, she would treat me like I was not supposed to exist." As I say this, I feel warm tears drip down my face. And it wasn't just a couple of tears, it was like rain was pouring down my face. For me, this is embarrassing. I can't remember the last time I cried like this in front of someone.
"There were times where I wanted to leave, and I have no idea why I didn't," I say.
I just lied to him, I do know why I stayed. I had a great friend…... wait, I forgot her name! Had could I forget my only friend!?
"But the second before I left, me and my mother had a moment together," I sobbed. "And I have never felt that much wanted before."
"You don't have to say anything else," Baelfire says like he cares. "I am sorry I asked in the first place."
Suddenly I hands wrap around me. I realize he is giving me a hug.
After a couple of minutes, I step out of the hug, and I wipe away all of my tears. "Baelfire," I say. "This conversation will be continued tomorrow. I have a task I need complete," I lie. "And one more thing," I say right before I walk out. "Don't tell anyone what I just told you."
And then I walk out.
That went well.
As I walk through the camp, I am careful to hide my face, I don't want anyone to see I was crying.
The first thing I do is look for the small pond in the camp. As soon as I found one toward the edge of the camp, I look at my reflection. My hair long is in a sloppy bun plumbed on my head. It could use a good washing. My face is covered in dirt, but there is proof that I had cried. I take the bottom part of my shirt, and I soak it with the water. Then I wash my face with it. It is gross, I know. But can't show any weakness to anyone.
I walk into the main part of the camp. My eyes search the area to see any sign of Pan. But the only life I see is large plants and lost boys fighting each other.
"I have heard you have been looking for me," a voice says behind me.
"You have heard right," I respond. "I have questions that need answering."
Pan says nothing.
"Before I ask, I want to know if you will answer all of my questions," I say.
"Depends if I feel like answering them," Pan replies.
"This is not worth my time," I say walking away.
I walk only a couple of feet before something, no someone suddenly blocks my way.
"I know you are dying to have questions answered," Pan says. "Go ahead and ask."
"What is in it for you,"? I ask him. I have known Pan long enough to know he only does things for his own wellbeing.
"Is satisfying your needs not enough,"? Pan asks in an innocent voice.
Is this a… Wait, why am I even asking myself this? Of course, this is all a game to him.
"Face it Pan, I have never seen you doing something for someone else, unless you gain something out of it," I say in confidence. "Here is my first question for you; what will you gain out of this,"?
I am setting this up. If he answers this question, then I will ask some more. If he doesn't, I won't waste my time.
"There is one question," Pan says. "One question you are too scared to ask me, but without knowing the answer, you will never leave here."
I hate to admit it, but he is right. There is a question that has been hanging since I have been on Neverland. And with how much Pan knows about me, he probably knows the answer to it.
"Here is my first question," I say. "How do you know so much about me,"?
"And what is your second question,"? Pan asks.
Should I tell him?
"Why am I here,"? I finally ask with my brain saying don't give him the satisfaction that he got you! Don't answer his! Don't play his game!
"To find the answer to both of your questions," Pan says. "You need to take a deep look into someone."
"Fine," I say in an irritated tone. "I will play your silly game, who is this person,"?
"Your mother," Pan replies with a smirk.
No, no, no! That can't be true! My mother would get involved with anything like this.
But, I didn't actually know my mother as well as I hope to admit. She has a secret life before, making having another one possible.
"You seem to be confused," Pan says.
No kidding.
"Let me verify. I was talking about your birth mother," Pan says with his smirk getting even bigger.
Now he pulling my leg.
"So, let me get this straight, you expect me to believe that I was adopted by a fairy,"? I ask in disbelief.
"Before I answer your question," Pan says. "You have two options. Either you can ask the question that I want to hear. Or two, you can come find me tomorrow to answer your question."
Something happened that I promised myself that never would. Pan got me trapped.
I open my mouth to tell Pan No and he has to answer me now. But I close it because just now, I remember agreeing with Baelfire about staying calm. And I feel like I already pushed some buttons on Pan already. But there is one thing that needs to be straighten out.
"One more thing," I say. "What happened to the part of the deal where I would be allowed out of the camp,"?
"Why do you want to leave so soon,"? Peter Pan jokes.
For starters, you kidnapped me, locked in a cage, and hunted me like an animal. You think by doing of those things makes me want to stay? Heck no!
"Think of it this way Pan," I state. "You can go hunt a rabbit and cook for me. Or, you can let me go gather my own food. That way, you have one last task at hand. And remember this, me and Baelfire agreed not to try anything. You honor your deals. Do you not,"?
"I may not be the most well-behaved boy on the island, but I always keep my deals," Pan says.
I highly doubt that.
"Prove it then," I say.
Immediately after I said that, I walk away.
"Has Pan agreed to let you out,"? Baelfire asks.
"He told me that he always keeps his deals," I reply.
"I hope he keeps his word, I am hungry," Baelfire complains.
"And you always complain I am always hungry," I joke.
"You are always hungry," Baelfire points out. "I am only hungry when I haven't had a meal all day."
I hate it when he makes points like that.
"Alright," I say. "You can stay here and complain. I am going to go look for food for me."
"Wait," Baelfire says. "You are going to get some food for me too,"?
"Nope," I reply. "Time for you to take care of your own needs."
"Can I go with you, just one more time,"? Baelfire asks. "Perhaps you can teach mw when you hunt."
"Are you tell me that you were not paying attention on all of hunting trips we did,"? I ask Baelfire.
"You never explained the details," Baelfire explains.
"Fine," I say. "First lesson don't talk while hunting."
The hunting trip was a little worse then I hoped it to be. Baelfire kept asking me questions at the wrong time. Meaning he asked questions during the times we were supposed to keep quiet, which were times we are waiting for animals to get caught in my trap. On the brighter side, we were successfully able to get enough supper for us both.
"I hope you learned a few things in the past hour," I groan at Baelfire.
"I did," Baelfire assures.
"Great," I say. "The next thing you can do is collect sticks, leaves, and a good rock for a fire."
Baelfire places down the food that we gathered.
But before he goes to collect the items, he asks me, "What will you be doing,"?
"I will start the fire," I reply.
"You can't start the fire without the firewood," Baelfire points out. "If we both gather these supplies, we can eat sooner."
I know what he is getting at. Both me and Baelfire are hungry. But if he wants to be able to survive by himself, he needs to learn how to take care even the small tasks by himself.
I shake my head, "I am staying here. You wanted to learn how to take care of yourself."
Baelfire huffs but starts to pick up sticks.
After he gets enough sticks, he starts the fire and starts to cook the meat. At least he already knew how to cook food.
"What do you want to do for the rest of the night," Baelfire asks after we eat the odd tasting food.
It was decided by the both of us spend as much time as we can out of the camp.
"We should explore more since we don't have to worry too much about….," I reply.
"You really have no hope for being saved, do you,"? Baelfire interrupts me.
"I have told you before, there is no one out there who cares me," I reply.
"I bet your mother does," Baelfire says.
"Even if she did, she probably thinks I'm dead," I say.
"Why do you think that,"? Baelfire asks me.
"Like I have told you before, I have been on my own since I was twelve. I wasn't raised being taught how to survive, my mother said herself that I didn't have a big chance on surviving," I respond. "And why do you still have hope that there is someone out there who will save you,"? I ask Baelfire.
"Losing hope is not one of my traits," Baelfire answers.
I will not burst Baelfire's hope. But I am glad that I know the line between hope and reality.
"You believe that," I say breaking up the conversation. "I am going for a hike."
Baelfire quickly stands up.
"You don't have to follow me wherever I go," I tell Baelfire.
"What should I do,"? Baelfire asks.
"Talk with the lost boys, practice archery, explore, I don't care," I respond. "You can't always follow me around and expect me to tell you what to do."
Not much was said after that.
It is now completely dark. Expect for the two stars, a few fireflies that are flying though the air, and the torch that I am carrying.
I know that I can't find much in the dark, and I should head back.
But I do not have to head back to the camp.
In the deal, I made no promise that I would return to the camp at night. I am not even tired. I take another look at my surroundings, I do not recognize the area.
I feel a gush of wind behind my neck. Expect it wasn't wind. I had this feeling not too long ago.
A shadow.
I quickly turn around, there is nothing there. It probably was just the wind and me being too jumpy.
Then I feel another gush of wind. I turn around again, but like before, there is nothing there.
For the third time, I felt the exact same breeze as the first two times. But this time, I don't turn around. I need to stop being irritated at the smallest things.
I start walking again. My surroundings are the normal sights of Neverland. Trees and a dirt ground. As I walk, I suddenly see two bright, white eyes glaring at me. There is was, I could hardly see the form of the shadow with how dark it is, but I couldn't never miss its eyes.
"I am not running away," I tell the shadow.
I don't expect the shadow to answer, as far as I know, there is only one shadow that can talk.
I move my torch toward the shadow. As soon as my arm moved, the shadow's eyes widened and immediately floated backwards.
I do not know what to think. I have never knew the shadow had any emotions, most of all, fear.
What could it be afraid of.
I glare at the torch.
Fire.
I now know the shadows weakness.
I feel a drop of water contact make contact with my forehead.
Oh great.
I feel another few drops of water come down my face.
Is this a message from Pan to come back to the camp or something?
I am not sure what I am going to do, all I know is that I can't just stand here. I need to look for shelter. I look at were the shadow was, the shadow seemed to have left the scene.
I turn to the direction I came in from, and I start running. After running no more then ten steps, the fire goes out. I immediately throw the useless torch to the side.
As I am running, the rain is getting harder and the wind is trashing at every direction. It is hard to open my eyes, and when they are open, I can hardly see what is in front of me. My mind is telling me to stop running, but my body is not corresponding.
The rain and wind is now getting more intense, my surroundings are completely dark.
I cannot see anything.
I need to stop running-
Something hard hits my face. The next thing I know is that I falling backwards. I feel my back hit the muddy ground. The fall shook me. Instead of trying to get up, I just lay there.
No, I cannot give up.
But why do I keep fighting? I have no reason to escape or live.
Baelfire.
I may not have a family, but he does. And it would be selfish of me not to anything I can to help him get back home.
I need to fight for him.
It is a war with my body to sit up. My hands kept slipping in the mud, making my fall back over and over again. After many attempts, I am finally able to sit up.
I thought after a little while of raining, the rain would stop. But I was wrong. The rain and wind only got worse.
I got on my hands and knees, and I slowly stand up.
I need to find shelter.
Even going back to the camp doesn't seem like a bad option.
I start to walk, one foot in front of another. Every step I take is difficult. I take another step, I slip again.
This time, I fall on my face.
I cough up mud. But this time, I waste no time getting back up.
Again, I walk slowly putting one foot in front of another. After what it seemed like hours, I hit something hard. I put my hand on the object, it is a rock.
It takes me a minute to realize I know this rock. It is the cave me and Baelfire were living in. It wasn't covered or anything. Odd, maybe I forgot to cover the entrance the last time I left. On the Brightside, forgetting to cover makes it easy for me to get inside. I walk inside the cave, I cannot see a thing. After walking a few feet, my foot makes contact with something softer then a rock. A mattress.
I slump on the mattress and I feel and grab for a rough blanket. As soon as I feel it, I grab it and cover my numb and cold body. The rain did a number on me. I would be surprised if I didn't get pneumonia.
I close my eyes, and I lose consciousness.
So much for not being tired.
I wake up feeling extremely sore. I don't feel tired.
I sit up and feel my forehead.
Odd, my head isn't hot, or even warm. But my body is still damp and cold from the night before.
I push myself up again, and I am able to stand up without much struggle.
I walked to the front of the cave, once I make to the entrance, I hold on to the rock, and I stare out. The sun is out, and I can hear the loud insects.
I keep walking and I don't stop until I found a berry push a half a mile out.
How did I miss this looking for food with Baelfire last week?
I stop in front of the bush and ate it's purple berries. I know that they are safe because me and Baelfire has been eating them for weeks.
The berries have a sweet taste, but they don't fill me up. But it did give me enough energy to keep going on.
As soon I have eat every decent berry on the bush, I head back to Pan's camp.
On the way to the camp, I kept getting lost. With the long distance between the camp and the cave among most of the island being a jungle. I believe anyone would get lost under those circumstances.
I know I should go directly to Baelfire, but I need to suck up my pride, and go to Pan.
I walk in the camp noticing that no one is guarding the entrance.
Odd.
When I make it to the main big area with the bonfire, I stop and scan my eyes. There is Pan, leaning against tree. He looks as if he was expecting me.
As I walk up to him, many faces were to me.
Probably thinking what am I going to do to anger Pan next?
"We need to talk," I tell Pan quiet enough so only he can hear.
Pan raises his eyebrows.
"Away from prying ears," I say.
"Thought you would be trusting the lost boys by now," Pan says standing up.
We walk to a green area in the camp were there are no one to be seen.
"Well,"? Pan asks crossing his arms.
"To make this clear," I say. "I ask the question you want to hear, and you will answer my questions."
Pan nods "Go ahead, ask the question."
He is trying to trick me making it, so I ask the question. But he didn't agree to answer my questions.
"You need to agree first," I say.
"Something that has impressed me. You never agree to a deal unless you are sure the other side has no tricks up their sleeves'," Pan says.
"Will you agree to this are not," I ask getting annoyed of Pan changing the point of the discussion.
"I agree to answer your questions," Pan says. "Now say what I want to hear."
Another realm…...
Boy: Joshua
Girl: Morgan
"Yes, Ellie was one of the three effected by the memory changing effect…...," says Morgan.
Morgan is a blond with straight hair and a long nose. While Joshua is tall with carrot hair.
"We need to find another name for that," Joshua interrupts.
The blonde teenager gives the boy look.
"The name doesn't matter right now. What matters is that Ellie and the two others are alive. And hopefully they are smart enough to keep the fact that they are half-breeds a secret," Morgan says.
She turns to the boy who is looking a bit down.
"You miss them, don't you,"? the blond girl asks her friend.
"Yes, Nathan with his "I know everything," life and Ellie with her…. You know what? I do not know how to describe her," the boy announces.
"She was so selfless….," the girl said. "I hope the new memories didn't change that."
"How long until they get their memories back,"? Joshua asks.
"Joshua," Morgan says sweetly. "When Ellie, and Nathan lost their memories. I don't know how to explain this, mostly because I don't understand it. They time jumped."
"Were you given a hint how far into the future,"?
"I can't be certain….," Morgan says. "But if I had to guess, a time where we are already dead."
"I know this must be hard for you," Joshua says.
Morgan nods trying not to cry.
Joshua knew how she is feeling. But he cared for Ellie.
"I also wish we can go after them," Morgan admits.
"Is there anything we can do for the time being,"? Joshua asks her.
"Besides making sure the world isn't thrown into chaos. I am not sure, "says Morgan.
"Go ahead," Pan says. "Ask."
I take a deep breath and ask, "Who is my father,"?
Anyone confused? Should I start adding Anna's real life as flashbacks in the book?