Past…
The village was not what I imagined to be. The foul of mold and rotting food hits my nose before I stepped foot into the village. This "village" consists of thirty or so houses. These houses are small, breaking part. There is only two houses I can see that was built well. There are small bonfires on random spots, and there are peddlers selling food and clothing. Walking toward the tables in my group, I notice the food for sell is rotting and the clothing being sold is falling apart. I am not sure what the teenage boys were referring to when they said that we are going to get supplies here.
My mind is back in focus when I something is thrown at my feet. It was a doll. Everything, its hair, torn dress, and skin is filthy with dirt and grime. I turn my head a little and see a little girl, looking no more older than seven. Her clothes are covered in dirt with her dark brown eyes frozen on me. I picked up the doll and handed to her. The girl looked shocked. She stayed frozen for a few seconds, and then ran off.
"Why did you do that"? Ava asks.
"Because, it was the right thing to do, and it was not hard," I respond shuddering between the words.
"People do not do that here," Ava whispers.
"You helped me when we meet," I say referring to her including me in the escape.
"I know, but me, Nathan, and Morgan had a different up bringing then everyone here. Here, everyone looks out for themselves. If you do not believe me, you will see for yourself soon enough. As for everyone in the bunker, some were promised to be spared if they gave up a name or two of other half-breeds. Let's just say HBH's never keep their word."
Ava was not the only one who noticed my action. After leaving the village with the strongest material traded with some of the food that was caught, Morgan gave me a talk explaining how and why not to stick out. Ava and Nathan gave me looks.
"Why is it not the normal to be a good Samarian,"? Jonathon asks.
Him and Joshua were the only ones who support my previous actions.
"How times do I have to say this? Everyone here is out for themselves," Morgan replies with annoyance in voice.
"This should not stop Eleanor from doing the right thing."
"The right thing for her is to stay away from being noticed."
"It is small, it would not be reported to those after us."
"All of us are hunted by people who want us dead! If any of us do anything out of the normal, all of us will be caught."
The next twenty or so minutes was spent listening to Jonathon and Morgan debate. Every now and then, Joshua would try to intervene, but he was ignored or shut down every time. When they both stopped, both scoffed and walked opposite directions. Morgan came back later and asked everyone but Jonathon to help pick some plants. Morgan's eyes lit when she saw a plant hanging over a large rock like a net. She was careful to take every inch of the plant.
The next day, Morgan started the day by asking everyone for extra fabric material. With only what the group had on, she ended up getting a few scarves, but that's all she needed. I only caught parts of process which included a lot of sewing small threading into material without needles. Everyone offered to help, but Morgan always insisted that it had to be done right, and she would cringe if someone else was to try to copy her handwork. Everyone kept busy; lessons were taught on how to a tent and make snares. We had enough to make two tents, one for the girls, and one for the boys.
"Eleanor, come to the tent with me," Morgan says at night.
Supper has been eaten and the group was going to move to another spot first thing in the morning. Laid on the blanket in the girl's tent is six buffs. Each is a different color including orange, red, dark green, dark blue, purple and a color that looks like a mix of green and blue.
"Pick one," Morgan orders.
I pick up the one that looks like a mix of blue and green.
"I like this one. What is the name of its color"?
"Teal. I wanted to make it so everyone can have their own and not get mixed in with someone else's. I wanted you to have first pick."
One by one, everyone chose a buff and met outside again.
"These are made with rinidine, a plant that grows were I am from. Anyone who looks at you wearing will not recognize you unless he or she is wearing or has worn it themselves. Because we are on our own for now, we are of need of extra protection," Morgan announces.
"These are made from our own scarves"? Nathan asks holding up his orange buff.
Morgan nods.
For the first time, I notice that the buff is indeed made up of the same material of our old scarves. Well, parts of it anyway. Pressing down I can feel a moss like suspense attached to the buff. The material has been pressed down hard enough that the feel has changed.
After the extra "safety precaution" was made, every day was almost the same. Pack up, travel from place to place, unpack, and go back to sleep. "It was safer not to stay at one spot longer then needed," I remember Morgan saying.
"Are you sure these magical pieces of clothing will work"? Ava asks Morgan right before we enter this village.
"You're asking why"?
Ava sharply points to three sheets of paper on a tree. Soon, everyone grounds around it. There are the pictures of me, Ava, and Nathan.
"It says we are wanted criminals. I really hope these magical buffs work for all of you. Me and Ava are staying out." Nathan says with disgust in his tone.
Between whispers, I can hear Nathan and Ava fight not wanting the others to hear.
"You will hurt Morgan's feelings if we don't trust her and stay," Ava argued.
"Feelings will not block out the fact that we might get captured if these buffs do not work," Nathan says.
"What can I do to tell you that I don't need you to make these decisions for me"?
"Prove to me that you can survive on your own without making a huge life or death mistake."
"I think I already did."
"You brought her along. She could be working for them."
"Stop it! I love you, but you can be paranoid to the bone. I am going inside the village, and if you want to me safe, you might as well come with me."
Trying not stare during that small conversation, I noticed that either I am the only who heard it, or everyone else is great actors.
"After here, we are going to head back to the bunker and see if we are in that area, we can find someone from it," Morgan whispers to everyone I am assuming not to waste any more time.
"I am sure that they are going to miss three kids," Jonathon speaks up.
"That probably is the truth, but they cannot stop changing the locks and always look out for a few while the safety of many are the concern."
This village seemed no better than the last one we visited a few weeks ago. The plan is to quickly trade for rope. The one were currently using broke because the animal it was holding weighed too much. I have no idea what is being trade, but I was told not worry about it.
This time, I kept my head down and looked at the feet for direction. I trust Morgan, but I am not confident about her magic abilities. My walking rhythm breaks when a feel a gush of wind on my backside. I turn my head and saw Morgan rush out of the group to a teenage girl. Gradually, every one of us stops and stares at Morgan. The girl was sitting, crying and holding her bloody hand. With her back turned to me blocking the view, I only go the after effect. There is cloth wrapped around the girl's hand and she looks less in pain.
"Has anyone told you it is rude to stare"? Morgan asks when she is near us.
I cannot help but chuckle, and I am not the only one.
"What is so funny"?
"I recall you saying not to do anything out of the ordinary," Jonathon reveals.
"Well, uh…"
"Still want to be a nurse"? he whispers to her.
"It does not matter, does it. Let's just get what we came for and leave."
"I miss it when everyone was able to make their own destiny, instead of someone else choosing it for them," Morgan says to either herself or directly to me.
"How long ago was that"? I ask.
"Only a few years, but it feels like a lifetime ago."
"Do you not get to choose your own future now? I do not see anyone or anything holding you back."
"No one would trust a healer who has mermaid blood."
"There is a solution to that you know," Ava says dropping in our conversation.
"Are you talking about the people back at the bunker? Because if you are…."
"No, I am talking about the people like that girl you helped."
"It is not that simple; we are lucky when HBH's do not show up. Everyone is told to report anything suspicious."
"Why would anyone report anything good happening to them? They certainly need a healer. If you really wanted to be a healer, why would you pass up an opportunity like this"?
"I am not close to qualify to be one. I can make mistakes."
"Many who know you would say that is impossible."
My eyes draw to Ava. Twice today, she was able to convince two people, older than her to do the opposite of what they were saying they going to do. Earlier with Nathan, and now with Morgan.
"I thought Morgan said earlier it is rude to stare."
My mine quickly snaps back into realty.
"Yes….sorry…., um, you are very good at persuading others," I blurt out.
"To be fair, I have had years of experience living with my brother and all his rules."
"How many times have you done that me"?
"Persuade you? Not that many times but mind you that the first time I did it to you saved your life."
She is right. I do not know if I would have had the bravery to escape the prison if she had not persuaded me to.
"Maybe I can persuade you to keep me company for the next few days."
I blankly stare at her.
"It's a joke. I think we still need to work on your sense of humor."
"I believe you started something," Ava says after two days of waking up, eat, walking, stop for food, walk, make camp, repeat.
We did not step back into a village, but there is a house every couple hours. Jonathon and Joshua chased a burglar who robbed. They were able to get him and take back the items that were stolen from a women with a bad back. Morgan on the other hand new about more about healing than she led on. I thought that she can take only things as big as broken bones. I surprised to see her treating a man who got shot with an arrow.
A scream brings everyone to a halt. Obviously coming for a wooden cottage, a little distance away.
"Let me and Jonathon take this one," Morgan says to everyone putting her buff on.
Something we all do whenever we see a spec of life from a far.
The rest of us sit on the grass.
"Why is always those two"? Ava asks out of the blue.
"Probably because they are the oldest," Josh answers.
"Are they really"?
"We discussed the age order last night. Jonathon, Morgan, Nathan, Me. As for you and Eleanor, well, that is a discussion for you two," Nathan speaks up.
"We both know we are thirteen. When did you turn thirteen again"? Ava asks me.
"Right before we meet."
"That makes me older, but only by a few months."
"It is crazy. None of us are even adults, and right now we are our own for survival," Josh comments.
Footsteps come our way from the house. Jonathon.
"Eleanor, Morgan wants you."
"What for"? Ava asks.
"She will see."
Jonathon jogs to the house with me, opens the door, but does not go in with me. I freeze at the spot, right inside.
"Go. I need to find a source of water."
I am in a kitchen, and I follow the screams to the next room other. There is a women, laying on a couch. Her face is drenched in sweat. Morgan is at her side, holding her hand.
"What can I do to help"? I ask rushing to her side.
"Look for clean cloth of any sorts. Hurry"!
I take a quick look around the room, and then head into the kitchen. Being not lucky, I go into a bedroom. Quickly, I grab the sheets from the bed. It is not clean, but it is the cleanest cloth I can find in the house.
What does she need this far? To stop the woman from bleeding?
Quickly handing it to Morgan, trying to figure out the situation.
"That's it, remember to breath," Morgan say every few seconds.
I have never seen this happening, only what I have been told by my teacher.
Morgan is helping the woman deliver a baby.
I have heard this is the worst pain known to mankind. From looks of pain the woman has among her screams, I feel like this is a true fact.
Footsteps are heard through the room, Jonathon places a bucket of water by me, and leaves the room.
"I need you to press a damp cloth on her head," Morgan orders.
I quickly did as told. The next few minutes consisted of me trying to block out the screams while always making sure the cloth on her forehead felt cool.
"Just one more push"! Morgan says.
A scream, too loud to block out. I am quick to close my eyes. Opening my eyes, Morgan is wrapping the baby in the leftover sheet and then hands the baby to the woman.
"Thank you, thank you," the woman says caressing the baby.
"What going to name him"? Morgan asks polity.
"Not going to. I have to sell him. Cannot get attached. My husband died over the plague four months ago. I need the money," the woman responds.
Morgan's face instantly falls.
"If I give you money right now, would you keep him"?
"Depends how much. Kids can stop you in the future from making money."
"Enough to get you threw the bed weeks. After that, you can start selling things in your house. Things you do not need. If you give the baby, you may not regret it now, but you will in the future."
"I cannot be a good mother if I cannot feed my child. He has no future here."
"If are worried about his future, whatever life you can offer him will be better off than the slave market. Do not plan too far ahead, just take one step at a time."
To me, Morgan always seems to have an answer for everything.
"We must head out. Have a good evening," Morgan announces.
The light has dimmed as the sun is getting ready to set.
"I notice your eyes when we were in there. I am trying to figure if that was because of what you just saw, or is there something else in your mind," Morgan says as we head to the group.
"You seem to know and make more sense than all the adults I have meet here. I never thought I would assist someone delivering a baby. The way you talked to that woman, you just seem to be beyond your age," I blurt out.
"I am the oldest of seven girls. I had to grow up quicker, make mistakes, and made sure they had a women figure to look up to. My sisters' mom died when the youngest was a baby.
"I am sorry…"
"Please don't, I have heard too many of those."
Then she continue her story.
"I was the only one born half-human, half-mermaid. Same father, different mother than my sisters. The youngest was almost eight last time I saw her. Only a few knows more than bits and pieces. Melissa knows, Jonathon and Joshua also know the outer layer of what was going on."
"Why are you sharing this with me? I am not your closest friend."
"You are a great listener. As of this time, hardly anyone trusts each other. I heard a saying once: If you want to fix the world, start with your own surroundings. No one can fix the world, but we only do what we can. I trust you."
"Is that why you asked for me"?
"You have a gentleness trait. Ava is officiant, but she can cause stress. The last thing a woman giving labor needs is more stress. I knew you would do as I would say without question."
I hear a deep breath being taken, and her hand grabbing my shoulder.
"It would not hurt to build a little confidence. It will not come right away, but you will need it need it in the near future," Morgan says gently.
"I am confused; what are you trying to say"?
"You will be persecuted. There will not always be someone out there to defend. I hate to say this, but if you want in survive in this world, you need to learn to stand your ground. Jonathon has a good, heart but sometimes his beliefs and actions upon them get him in trouble. You and Ava I have noticed are getting close, but as you already know, she does tend to get her and others life in jeopardy. What I am getting at is be careful with who you choose to be around and listen to."
She stops talking for a second.
"I will not be going back to the bunker."
"Why not"? I ask in horror.
"The woman who just gave birth, the girl who cut her arm, the boy with a broken leg; they all need help. I may just a girl with little training, but little experience is better than none."
"If I am not too much a burden, may I stay with you."
Morgan smiles as if she hoped I would ask.
"Eleanor, I would really love for you to stay with me, but I need to know that you understand the danger you are going to put yourself in."
"I understand."
No, I do not understand. I cannot believe I said that. I do not know if I will ever understand the danger of being out. What I do know is that I feel more safe with Morgan than with anyone or anywhere.
"Alright, I will announce our departure tonight," Morgan says
Morgan's announcement did not go out as I thought it would. She waited until camp was made and we were eating supper.
"Please, no lectures from you two," Morgan says referring to Joshua and Jonathon.
"Alright, how about I say that it is a great idea. I have to add to it," Jonathon comments.
"What is it"? Morgan groans.
"I want to go with you," Jonathon says.
"Your reasoning is,"?
"No offense to you, but you cannot protect yourself when under attacked."
"I hate it when you make points, but you have temper issues. I do not want to bring that with me."
"It will not be a problem," Jonathon ensures Morgan.
"It better not."
To me, it is remarkable how Morgan and Jonathon can have fights in front of others. If do have an argument, I am the one to find somewhere private to have. Never less, most arguments I have had, mostly with Nathan, usually happens in the open. Just one thing I got used to being here.
"I also will be joining," Joshua pitches.
"You do not have to..," Jonathon starts.
"Actually, both of our moms told us to stick together. Too earlier to disobey them."
"We have been together for less than a few weeks. You are crazy to think we would split up now. I cannot speak for my brother, but I am coming with you," Ava speaks up.
All eyes are on Nathan.
"Alright, I will go with you."
"Are we going to make this official…"
"It ways we can. We can do this by helping by ways we know," Morgan interrupts.
"What about us who do not know what we are good at yet"? Ava asks.
"It might be something you already know; it just did come across your mind that it helps. Have you ever heard if you give someone greens, you give them a meal, but if you teach them how to garden, you feed them for life"?
"I have heard something similar, but it was fishes and fishing."
Morgan ignores that.
"We can teach what we know. A few of us already know how to supply our own food. Some of us can make our own clothing."
I cannot do any of those things.
"I hate to interrupt your inspirational speech, but we need to discuss who is doing watch tonight," Jonathon speaks up.
It has been a while since I have been asked to watch. Sometimes I wish I would be asked because it has been difficult for me to fall asleep.
"Morgan, what can I do to be a service because I cannot do anything you mentioned"? I ask when everyone is settled and laying down.
"Just because you do not fit under a box does not mean that you do not have use. I will always use today as an example. If you want to, you can stay with me. I can always use a hand or two."
Neverland:
"I think this is time to use the quote Easier said than done," I said to Baelfire.
We are building a boat, or what is supposed to be a boat. My stomach has been churning for the last couple of days, and even still, I feel as if I have been contributing more. It feels like years since we came up with this idea. For all I do know, it has been years. A while back, Baelfire stopped marking the walls. I do miss when he did, he was the hopeful one. Now days, he seems to get more upset, and it feels like I am the optimist who makes him get up every day.
"You can say that again," Baelfire grumbles.
"We my have to find a new way to make sure the wood stays together."
"We need to get metal, without it, I do not how we can substitute for nails. Wood does not work; it is hard enough to cut rocks."
"I know what your getting at," I respond.
I have ready used arrowhead tips for nails.
"We need to….,"
"No, we are not using magic. That includes imagining things."
"Alright Baelfire, you are being ridiculous! We can go into the realm without magic, then you do not have to see or talk about magic for the rest of your life! I tried to get around your feelings and whatever made you uncomfortable for who knows how long. I am having this on and off sickness. We both need to suffer a little to get out of here."
I soften my tone saying the last sentence.
"Do we need to worry about Pan? He will probably know if someone on this island is using magic, and what to use it for."
"Maybe, or maybe I convince Mathew or Devin to get me arrows. I can convince them I accidently shot them at Mermaid's Lagoon. I do not if I convince them though, since my shooting got better. We are closer than what we started with. This is not the time to give up."
He chuckles.
"For a while now, I always wander what mood you are going to be."
"What do you mean"?
"You started angry and frustrated, then you were cheerful, then cranky, then hopeful, then…"
"I get what you are saying, but you are not the one to talk."
"Hey, to be fair, my mood slowly went down. You keep changing."
"Well that is what makes me human."
"The way we think and care for others is one thing that keeps us human. Due to that phrase, I do not think Pan is human."
"He is human, just a terrible one."
Baelfire just nods and goes back to scarping a rock.
"What is really going on"? I say taking his rock out of his hand.
"Give it back to me"!
"Not until you start sharing what is going through your head."
"I am scared! That is what is wrong! Pan is not above killing. If we get caught, he will not hesitate to kill us"!
Wait….
"Baelfire, who did he kill"? I ask calmly.
"Last week, when you having a fever and were resting, Pan called the rest of us over to take a boat ride to the lagoon. There was a mermaid, so dry. You can tell that she has been there for days. She tried to escape the island, or something to make him angry. He pulled out her heart and crushed it. Pan told us that this was an example for us all," Baelfire says close to tears.
Him telling me this does make sense; I have noticed the lost boys seemly shaken up. Bucky and Baelfire especially.
In my head, I am visioning Pan ripping hand in a mermaid's chest; Felix by his side, smirking. Behind them, the lost boys huddle together, Baelfire in the front. Some looking terrified, with others enjoying their entertainment. The thought of a heart getting ripped out has always terrified me. Pan I know is a monster. He locks up kids if they disobey him, when one of the boys lost a finger, he acts as if it is part of the fun. I am not too fond of the mermaids, but they do not deserve such a slow and painful dealth.
"I do not think Pan would kill any of the boys," I say.
"He would."
"Think about it. The boys are loyal to each other. I know you have noticed most of them have a brotherly bond. If Pan killed one of them, some of them will revolt."
"Yes, they would; but you are forgetting that I do not have that bond. I notice you are making friendships, but I am still an outsider," Baelfire points out.
"If what you say is true, if Pan attempted to hurt you, then he would have to deal with me. Then he would go after me. Then the couple of friends I have would go after him. At the friend, the only person he would have left is Felix. Honestly thinking, I do not think he would mind that."
"Then why would he take everyone in the first place"?
"You just made a really good point. You are the brains of us two," I admit.
"If I really was, I would figure out the solution to the problem we have."
"Well, I am going for a run, maybe it will help clear my mind. Do you mind."
"I do not think I can stop your heart's desires." Baelfire says clearly annoyed with me.
He is clearly angry at me. I think walking out.
"Just be careful. Come back if your stomach hurts again" Baelfire warns. He does not have to say what to be careful with. Pan, Felix, and the shadow. One of them by themselves is scary enough.
I have mixed feelings about some of the people here. Some I had to get used to, some I will never like, and some I am just plain out confused.
As I started to go down a steep hill, the yank of a vine like grip interrupts me. Looking under me, I groan for not paying attention. I pull my leg to only the vine to pull harder. Kneeling down, I instantly pull it out with my hands to no avail. Probably a one of Pan's magic trick. I stand up and back up proved to work. I lift my feet to starting walking again, but the vine instantly grabs my ankle tightly. I jerk toward, landing on my face. My ankle lifts again, forcing my body to roll over the steep hill.
Landing on my face, I can feel blood running down my cheek. Opening my eyes feels like peeling a scab. The dust surround me causes my eyesight to be blurry. I small, pointed pain goes through my ribs. I slump over, trying to keep my eyes up. As far as can be seen, there is no one around me.
My mind is telling me to stand up, but my body is not responding. I feel the headache coming back, and my stomach rumbling. The same on and off pain that I thought would go away. A rush goes up my stomach, through my throat. After years of pushing myself to keep going on my own, this should be habit. I must have gotten lazy living with Baelfire. My hands wrap around my stomach, and I bring my knees up.
I feel a light pressure on my forehead.
"Hey Anna, are you awake."
I do not make a peak. I want to moan, but my strength went away.
"She is heating up."
"Then why did she even come out"?
"She has too much pride. Looking tough and sane all the time is her way of going. I warned her, she is too stubborn"
"Why do you even care"?
"I might be dead if I let her die."
There is a chuckle.
"I thought for a second someone on the island would care for one without something to gain. Thought you were different."
Baelfire and Stephan.
"Look, do you need help carry her? Or can I go back to making my sword.
"Go, just do not bother me or her," Baelfire barks.
Arms go under my knees and my neck. I feel uncomfortable, but I my mouth is too weak to say anything.
"You will be back in the cave soon," I hear Baelfire say.
After non-stop being carried, I feel myself being placed on a mattress. There is a cover put over my cold body. A wet cloth is placed my head.
How did I get this sick this quickly? Was it part of a game? Will anyone else get sick like me, or did I just trigger something?
My head is distracted with a sharp pain hitting my abdomen. I quench my eyes and grit my teeth; my physical sign that I am in pain.
"How long have you been awake"?
No response.
"Is your throat hurting you"?
I give the slightest nod.
"Open your mouth."
I feel liquid go down my throat, giving me it numbness.
"Thank you," I croak out.
"You do not always have to show you are tough. In more than one way, you have proved that you can survive on your own. Please do not become prideful and leave."
"I will give it a thought, but for now, I just want my stomach to stop feeling like it is punching itself."
"Go ahead and rest, I will gather food, and see there is a sickness breaking out around Neverland."
"If that is the case, please try and not get sick," I say with my mind blanking out.
Illlllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll
Baelfire went out. He knew he had to be careful. If there is a breakout, Pan had a hand in it. He controls the island. There would not be someone sick if he did not a have a hand in it. Anna had been getting more relationships with a couple of the boys on the islands. He wants to believe that she will stay loyal to the bone, but he had to be careful. The fear of her staying longer and being less effused to leave scared him. Another problem he had is that he can say she is a great asset of the duo, but Anna cannot say the same. True, she would say he is optimistic and is more masculine in the arms, but he feel like he is still not contributing.
Hating to admit it, Baelfire has a relief that she can never trust Pan or Felix. He does know that he needs to keep finding motivations for her to leave Neverland. He may have the Darlings to go back too, but from what he understands, she has different circumstances.
She just does not want to be under anyone's control.
That's what he keeps telling himself. He has been tempted to ask if anything mental stressing happened right before she arrived at Neverland. The memories the lost boys hold are the one's right before they arrived on the island. His theory is that Pan purposely collected children who just had a tragedy. Something to keep them on the island. He knew that what went between Anna and her mother was not recent enough. The other thought was because of the ogre war. Wars are rough, no matter the cause or ends. The war itself, and many other things caused many of the villagers sorrow. He is frustrated. Upset that he opened up to her. Even through she did, most of her story is still untold.
"Pan"! Baelfire shouted marching into camp. Empty still, these games last a while. "
"No need to shout," he hears as he hears the words and breath on his shoulder.
"Why is she sick"?
"Anna? What a shame. Took some fun away before choosing not to step out of the game before it started.
"You claim to control everything that happens on the island. I will ask again; why is Anna sick"?
"Interesting really. How hurting someone you care about effects the friend more then then it hurts you."
"You are doing this to get to me. Why"?
"Baelfire, I do not like the fact that you are planning escape; especially with someone very special," Pan says in Baelfire's ear.
"I already embraced that I cannot leave the island without your permission," Baelfire lies.
"Then Anna being sick is not of my doing," Pan taunts.
"Why is she special. Tell the truth! Every time the question pops up, you always lie or find excuses. She deserves the truth."
"The truth. Tell me Baelfire, why do you fault me on lies? Especially when you know precious Anna is full of them, but for the fun of it, I will tell you a thing about her. Then I want you to ask yourself, who is really worth your trust."
"Nothing you can say will make me abandon her."
"Really, even if I told you she was a half-breed"?
Silence.
Baelfire stumbles. He has heard stories of how terrible and self-centered this group of people are.
"I will have you know Pan; how do I know if you are even telling me the truth? If the stories are true, then I and everyone on this island would be dead."
"What you do or do not believe does not stop the fact she lied to you."
"What did she ever do to deserve this."
"Who said it was her fault? I do not need her, just the blood of a fairy. Her mother to be exact."
"Then explain why you had to get her, not her mother."
"Baelfire, don't you know? If you attack one pure fairy, they all come charging in. Plus, adults are boring, children are more fun to play with."
"Afraid of a challenge? Does not sound like you."
"I would not say that Baelfire. If you can tell, your friend tends to have more standards for herself and those around her. We both know it would be a lie to say she has yet to cause problems." Pan says now walking around him.
"Then save her. You do not want someone you need dead."
"Your right. I need her alive, but barely."
He is desperate.
"I just need to keep her body around. Her alive blood and bones will do. You see Baelfire, it is just fun and games when I need her well and up, but when I am bored, I just can…"
"Make her sick until you want to have fun with her again. You are despicable."
"Give up your morals Baelfire, it will makes things better for yourself."
"Never."
"Then consider yourself an enemy. Not just to me, but every lost boy, mermaid, piece of dirt you step on. I will make not just your life, but hers, a living hell."
"I do not what the difference between then and now."
Pan smirks.
"I would run Baelfire. Go back to wherever your hiding."
Does he know about the cave?
"Just remember: every boy will be hunting and looking for you. Your turned down a life that many on your land would desire. Go back to the sick girl. More than anything right now, I would love to hear the conversation you two will have. Now run and let the games begin"!
Baelfire leaves in a hurry. He decides before he gets to the cave, he was going to pick up some herbs and move around traps. The boys had a few hours of playing before Pan lets out the news. He needed to prepare for a life back to being an outcast. Then he needs to take care of Anna.
Pan could be lying.
If she was not fully honest, it would make sense.
Those thoughts go through Baelfire's head. Both thoughts were equally had back up points. Pan has lied many times, but if Anna was a daughter of a fairy, that would mean she was technical a magical being. Baelfire made it clear he wanted nothing to do with magic, maybe that is why she was not clearly opened. He did not make it easy. Maybe that is also why she has not been the most pleasant. She could of possibly of taking him hating magic personal.
Anger and guilt. Both emotions equal in his head. He could not question her right away. Not with her in this condition. He needs to nurse her back to health. When they leave the island, they could separate. Or, if she is willing to leave the magical life, she can stay in the England with him. If she had magic, it would be gone.
After gathering and moving everything around, Baelfire found Anna sleeping, curling up for warmth. It is hot outside. For her to be trying to get warm, she must be really sick. His father taught him a thing or two about healing. In this case, the best thing would to keep her comfortable and eating comfort food. Two things he did not have. The rewetted the wet cloth on her pale head. She really got sick in a few hours.
I can no longer take my time. It is time to let go of any hope us my papa to save me and Anna. From now on, I need to step-up and not rely on anyone, including Anna.
This is going to be a long next few days. Please, Whoever is up there. Help us.
I know that everyone seems to have more time since the whole stay at home orders. I will just say this, I am in the field of work that is preventing the spread of COVID-19. Do to that, I have had less free time.
It was not hard to write about giving birth, but it was hard rereading and editing it. I had second thoughts about including. I have seen live births but have never given birth. I decided to not go too detailed into it.
Overall: Thanks for reading!