This chapter is huge. I didn't notice it… So… Yeah… Enjoy?

The Story Hands

Chapter 9

It's impossible to keep up with what happens to me anymore. I may as well just forget trying to figure my life out.

Adele took Peter's hand and found herself pulled upwards. He stood, much shorter than she, with a big grin on his face. "This is the best!" He cried out, turning and preparing to race to his home. "I'll have a friend stay with me and it'll be so fun and -" turning, he narrowed his eyes. "Wait, I never learned your name!"

"It's Adele," she paused wondering whether to formally shake his hand or to just start walking in the direction he seemed to be preparing to go.

"Oh." Peter flicked a strand of his brown hair from his eyes and grinned, "That's a stupid name! It's too girly."

"Well… Considering I'm a girl -"

"I think I'll call you Del, instead. That sounds cool." He paused, wiping some crusty dirt from the top of his filthy shirt. Then, without warning, he took of running towards one of the houses. "Race ya' to my house!"

Shaking her head, Adele pulled up part of her dress and attempted to run after him. She tripped over rocks, slid on grass, and almost fell several times. Breathing hard she gasped after the child, "Wait, slow down! I'm not used to running!" She clutched her hat as the wind threatened to tear it off, while gasping for more air, but never retaining enough.

Ignoring her, Peter only seemed to pick up speed. "Hurry up, you don't wanna' be a slow poke!"

Gasping for breath and clutching her sides as she ran, Adele groaned inward. Do I really want to stay with this child? I don't think I'll survive it.

Peter finally stopped in front of one of the houses right beside the trees, his eyes gleaming as he examined it. "Pa will be so 'cited when he sees ya'! My Pa loves havin' visitors, ya' know."

Adele appeared at his side, her lungs on fire. She gasped for breath, terrified her lungs would burst. "R…ight…" While scratching her hand, she straightened herself and looked at the house before her in exhaustion. It really was no different from any of the others; nothing special to report at all.

Pushing her hat lower over her eyes she muttered, "Are we going in or what?"

Peter grinned and tugged at the door. He rushed inside, not bothering to pause and hold the door for Adele.

He's quite the gentleman. Grasping the door with one of her hands, she slid in.

A cozy living space, furnished in a very homely way appeared before her. Rugs made of animal skins, chairs carved from Sherylwood forest trees, and bugs captured in glass containers that loomed on wooden shelves decorated the room.

Suddenly the idea of being in a stranger's home, especially one brought to her by child, seemed terrifying. Adele felt her body shake slightly. If these people were all like that woman, she could expect a lot of imminent pain. Maybe I should leave while I still have the chance…

Peter flung himself from another small room, his brown eyes sparkling. "Pa says he's happy to have ya'!" Adele only nodded, nervous to meet the child's parents. Irritated, Peter jogged to her side and grabbed her arm, "Ya' comin', Del? They all wanna' meet ya'!"

Sighing, she pulled herself free. I'll enter with more dignity than being dragged in by a child, that's for sure. "Just calm down kid, I'm coming."

He led her to another room, a kitchen, where a woman hovered over a fire with some pans. She tossed some chopped up meat from the pan and grinned upon seeing Adele. "You must be the reason why my son was late coming home. Glad to meet you!"

Adele narrowed her eyes slightly, that doesn't make any sense. I don't was the reason he's late. But either way, why would she be happy over such an idea?

Swallowing her confusion, Adele muttered, "Thank you for allowing me to stay at your home. I plan on finding a place to live tomorrow, so-"

The woman chuckled, "Don't worry, dear. You're no trouble at all! We'll put you to work like the rest of us, and then you can stay as long as you like. That sounds fair enough, right?"

She is way too friendly. Something isn't right about it. "Oh, ugh, thank you." She paused, looking around awkwardly, unsure what to say.

"My name is Cinderella; you?" Her whole face shimmered with hospitable kindness, her features aglow with happiness.

"Adele." I can't believe I forgot to give her my name. I've got to get better at this social stuff. Determinedly squaring her shoulders, the ex-maid nodded, "I used to work at the castle, but have recently found no reason to stay."

Cinderella chuckled and murmured, "I know they've been removing many of their employees up there. Don't worry about it, dear. For now, we'll provide you with a job in exchange for living space and food. Once you're on your feet, feel free to leave." Pausing, she announced, "In fact, your first job will be tomorrow. All you have to do is watch Peter. Heaven knows that child is always getting into some sort of poppycock."

"Hey!" Peter stormed to his mother's side, growling, "I do not! I do lotsa' smart things too!"

"Do you?" A deep voice bellowed from behind Adele. She flinched slightly, turning to face the newest person. He was a tall man with thick dark hair and a big smile. "I find that hard to believe, son." Turning his attentions to Adele he added, "I'm Rob. Most folk just call me Hood though."

She narrowed her eyes and grinned, "Why would that be, sir? You don't look like a… Hood."

He laughed, "Whenever I work, I always wear a red hood. So, I just picked up the nick name Hood, I suppose." Adele saw now the red cape that soared out behind him. She could see that it could be pulled up, creating a hood, to sheild his eyes.

"…Okay… That's a suitable explanation, I guess." She yawned, suddenly, feeling her eyes begin to droop.

Hood watched her intently for a moment, then, turning to his wife, murmured, "Why don't we allow our guest to sleep. She can eat later."

Cinderella, blue eyes full of understanding, walked to Adele's side and clasped a hand on her shoulder. "Come along, dear. We have a nice and peaceful guest room you may stay in."

She guided her down a tiny hall and into an even tinier room. It smelled of the thick insidious trees of the Sherylwood forest; this same forest could be seen through the glass window.

Nodding her head, Adele smiled, "Thanks so much."

"Just go to sleep, dear." Cinderella turned and swept out of the room without another word.

Adele felt at peace for the first time since the morning before. She scratched her hand thoughtfully, then paused and looked down at her raw palms. They were bright red and covered in scratch marks. That can't be good. Trying to suppress the urge to continue scratching, Adele spotted a looking glass which she hurried to.

She peered in at it, examining her disguise. The hat had done enough of a trick to cover her eyes and make them appear a very dark brown. Maybe I'm wrong! Maybe my eyes aren't violet… Maybe they changed back and all will be well! She leaned closer to the looking glass, slowly removing the large feathered hat.

Violet eyes stared back.

Or maybe everything Felicity and Modrain said is true. Maybe Raydolia is in danger… And that tribe was real… She looked away from the glass, biting her lip so hard that scarlet drops oozed out, no… No! It cannot be true! They are liars! Besides… I-I need to focus on my work and… And stuff. Important stuff that has to do with realistic things and… Yeah.

Exhaustion seeped into her bewildered mind as she slid over to her bed. Adele slowly lowered herself on it, and without blowing out the candle or climbing under the covers, she fell into a deep sleep.

The twittering of birds awoke the violet-eyed quirk from her sleep. She slowly lifted herself off of her bed and blinked herself awake. Someone had entered the room, blown out the candle, and placed a blanket over her. Adele stroked it thoughtfully as she considered the day. All I have to do is watch Peter. That's the easiest assignment I've ever had.

She stood, feeling a slight ache in her back, and headed to her small sack of items. Inside, she found one of her dresses and made the swap from the filthy one she was wearing.

Adele then made her way to the looking glass and peered in. Violet eyes, again, returned her gaze. Sighing, she took up her feathered hat and pulled it low over her face.

With a safe shadow cast over her eyes, Adele exited the room. She hurried down the small hall until reaching the Kitchen again. Scratching her hands, the young teenager felt a ravenous hunger boil through her stomach at the smell of the room.

Cinderella, accompanied by delicious side affects of food sizzling on a pan, chimed a bright and happy morning greeting. With a sweeping curtsey she asked, "Hello dear. How did you sleep?"

Something about the extreme kindness this woman always expressed made Adele feel on edge. Cautiously she murmured, "Very well."

Scratching her hands a bit harder, she eyed several completed plates of food. Eggs, bread, and fruit crowned the wooden plates. The whole room oozed of the intoxicating smell they produced, and Adele was sure she would start drooling over the food.

Cinderella, always one to recognize other people's wants, picked up one of the plates and scurried towards the small round table. Placing the food in front of one of the chairs, she turned, "Well, this food won't eat itself. Come and have a seat. Peter and Hood'll be up soon, I'm sure."

Breakfast was fast and soon Adele found herself outside and in charge of her new duty. Her stomach, full to the brim, hurt a little as Peter raced around on the grass. Moving around so much after eating turned out to be rather painful.

Clutching her stomach, and trying to continue her resolution of not scratching her hands, Adele muttered, "So… What do you do all day, exactly?"

"Well…" Peter had an excited look on his face, "Usually I have studies to do… But the teacher got herself a baby – so we kids don't have no one to give us lessons. Now I get to play all day!"

"Gee, that's great." Adele paused, reaching her hand up to tap her cheek, "Do you think we could go out to the grass field over there? I'd like to sit down and think more about that play."

"But… Why over there?" Peter was looking rather irritated as he added, "What's the difference from over there and right here?"

"I don't know. It's just pretty over there…" And this way I can view the townspeople from there. A better understanding of them will give me more success in this town. Or, at least, I hope so.

"Girls are really stupid, I hope you know." With those words out, Peter launched off towards the grassy field. He held his arms out and flapped them up and down, mimicking wings. "Faith, trust, and pixie dust!" His voice rang in the morning loudly.

Adele followed the child and sat beside him. It wasn't long before all of the other children, some she hadn't seen before, reappeared in the fields. They raced around playing tag, gasping for breath, and shouting. Adele allowed her gaze to wander to the distant people, hoping to eavesdrop on some conversations. Perhaps doing that will help me understand their minds more.

Several older children appeared a bit after, their voices full of mockery for the younger ones. They joined in on the games and easily beat the small children at them all.

One older boy, appearing to be around fourteen, joined the group just as a form of tag began being played. This boy was crowned the undesirable spot of 'it' and almost immediately set his sights on Peter for capture. His legs gave him an easy ability to capture the child; with large strides did he pursue him.

"Hah!" His voice rang as he managed to swipe at Peter's shoulder.

"Doesn't count," Peter called, refusing to relent, as he raced away.

Annoyed, the older boy broke into a run, "Does to count! I gotcha'!"

"Nope! You'll have to catch me again." Peter tried to create a larger gap in between his self and the other, but the older boy was easily gaining ground.

Now moved to anger, the boy shouted, "Does it count now, you little cheater!" He sprang forward and slammed the younger boy to the ground.

Peter, indignant at being caught and being pulled down with such ease, growled, "Get off of me, stupid! Why are you and your friends even playing? You always play unfair-"

"Say that again?" The older child grabbed Peter's shoulders and jerked him up and down several times. Gritting his teeth, he growled, "You think you can handle me, don't you? I'll beat you up if you say anything else!"

Adele, unsure of how to handle such treatment, called, "Stop doing that, kid! Leave him alone!"

Peter began struggling, shaking his arms and yelling in frustration. The older boy responded with screams of annoyance, saying things like, "Stupid boy!", "You're way too weak to get away", and, "I'm gonna' knock you out if you don't stop being so foolish!"

Frightened by this treatment, Adele leapt up and hurried over. By now the other children had stopped playing, their eyes wide in excitement. It was rather disturbing to see how fights captured the children's minds.

"Stop it! I told you to stop! How dare you not listen to me?" Leaning down, Adele tried to tug the older boy off, but the younger teen spun around and slammed a fist into her stomach. Adele groaned, falling backwards and gasping in pain. She had never been hit, and therefore had never anticipated such pain.

"Stay out of it, woman!" With a sudden violence, the older child turned back to his prey. He pulled up his fist again, this time making it connect with Peter's face. Over and over, he bashed it into the child – Peter didn't make a sound. His body slightly shaking as blood began to ooze out of appearing wounds.

Over and over, did Peter's face and body get crushhed by the brutal fists of the older boy. Peter gasped for air, barely receiving it. Blood drippled off of his face, which was becoming miscolored with bruises, and onto the grass. His hands shook, but could not stop the attack.

Adele felt a strange fury rise up inside of her. She lunged forward, suddenly, and tried to grab Peter's aggressor from atop him. Her hands tightened on the child's shoulders – her voice growled, "I order you to stop!"

The boy turned around, his eyes full of violence, hissing, "How dare you touch me! I'm gonna' put you in your place, you'll see!" He lunged forward, preparing his fist. Without thinking, Adele reached her hands out blindly in front of her, panicking slightly, and pressed them forward.

They connected with her aggressor's eyes and suddenly the child gasped. Adele felt a sudden chill as everything around her turned entirely black. Everything that had once been around her, reality as some would say, had completely vanished. Instead, just black.

Adele gasped, longing for the brightness that a candle produced. Instantly, she saw, in her hand, a candle appear out of thin air.

How the heck did that happen…? How the heck did any of this happen?

Hoping the light would grow brighter, and finding that it did, she looked up and saw the violent child before her. His eyes, no longer wrathful, but fearful, were staring at her in bewilderment.

"What did you do to me?" He whispered softly.

Confused, but still furious at the child, Adele forced a casual response, "I punished you. You didn't listen, so here you are."

"Where are we? How do I get home?" The boy's voice rose to a terrified scream as he looked around frantically.

Adele paused, recalling how the trick with the candle had worked. I thought of it and it appeared. So… Maybe I could think of something else and it will appear.

She focused her thoughts, nervously, upon the castle; Claudia's bedroom in particular. A slight pang of sadness seared through her as Adele saw the whole bedroom appear just as she remembered it. Both she and the boy seemed to have been transported to the place, and both were equally terrified at this truth.

"Take me home, take me home!" The violent boy now seemed broken into tears as his ululation filled the bizarre surroundings. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry! I just wanna' go home – I wanna' be safe!"

Adele shrugged, striving to retain an air of casualness, "This is your own fault." Nervously eyeing everything around her, she felt a slight creeping fear chill her. How do we get home? I don't even know how we're here!

EstrangeloEdessa: TPOO is not on my update list quite yet. I'm not feeling particularly inspired to race back to China… Yet. Anyways, try to enjoy TSH attention receiving, K'? I'm glad you like the little kids. I figured you would appreciate how they acted. The boys wanting to fight; the girls wanting romance. I'm enjoying fiddling with human nature a bit! ;D Leave it to you to know how Peter Pan actually came about. But, I don't really care. I'm not preparing to do any research for

this story. I think that's why I'm so inspired to write it right now. It is sort of her first job, isn't it? Smile. My little Adele's growing up. *wipes tear from eye*

clueless c: I loved your review! It was so funny and sweet! Peter Pan is a really cute story, isn't it? I'm so glad you understand my foolish humor. "Faith, trust, and butterfly wings" forever man! Yeah! I'm glad you noticed the Sherylwood Forest. Promise to highlight that a bit later. Yes, yes, I know, I'm going to put in romance. I've already set up a faint plot in my head for that… It should have already taken place, but, somehow, Adele didn't end up where I expected. I promise, something will come! Thanks for the review, it was great! ;D

Iliana 11: Thanks for the review! I understand, though. Being a senior, you probably have a lot more things to do besides read FF stories. But I am really grateful for your review… Finally. ;D Yeah, EstrangeloEdessa told me that Peter Pan actually had a known author. That was frustrating… But, I don't really care too much. You see, I plan on warping the plot a little. Think of it like a mini FF… So, I'm saying Adele was the first with the idea – and what's his name became famous for it. Sorry if that bothered you. It bothers me, but I really don't feel like doing research for two of my stories. TPOO is enough time on my hands. Thanks for your review! ;D

Backroads: You have some of the kindest reviews ever. They always make me smile and feel all fuzzy on the inside. I knew you would be really depressed over the split, but fear not! Claudia is far from being gone! She's almost a main character – you know. I'm glad you commented on the emotion. I wasn't sure if I was handling Adele's feeling properly. So, the question is, do you think Claudia is going to come back for Adele? Or will Adele return to the castle and beg for forgiveness?