Hi! It's been so long! Sorry sorry! This chapter is fairly short but neccessary - I have nearly finished the next one which will be up soon. More action on the cards very soon :)
Please review to let me know what you think and thank you to those who have already :D
Enjoy!
Chapter 18
"Tinkerbell," Peter said grimly as he straightened up, his fist clenching over the hilt of his dagger.
The fairy took one swaying step forward, the now gray haze around her shifting and glinting menacingly.
She didn't speak, just looked at Peter with her empty red eyes and...was that a sneer painted savagely across her face?
The fairy hissed, her tiny hands clenched. Peter hadn't moved – he knew that this was no longer the fairy that had been his companion for so many years, that the disease had changed her into something else.
Something evil.
And yet he couldn't hurt her – wouldn't.
Even if it means saving Jane?
Peter shook his head as if to rid himself of water, pushing the small voice to the back of his mind.
The disease had affected the fairies most of all he knew, probably because they were so small. It had possessed them and no inkling of their former selves remained.
Nothing of Tinkerbell, certainly.
Peter couldn't help but try though.
"Tink?"
Nothing.
All that changed was her sneer which turned into a scowl. She took a step forward.
"Tink, it's me. It's Peter."
The empty red eyes flashed once and she flew like a bullet until she was directly in front of him.
With sharp, deliberate movements so unlike her old self she began to speak. Peter could understand her as he'd always been able to but, for once, he wished he couldn't.
Deliberately she tapped two fingers to her temple and then placed both hands round her tiny neck, miming being strangled.
'I thought you were dead.'
"No, as you can see," Peter said, indicating himself as he continued to look warily at his old companion.
She flitted closer, her eyes glinting. She shook her head and then gestured to him with a contemptuous look on her face.
'No. Not dead. But much changed.'
"Perhaps," Peter said cautiously. "But then, as are you."
Tinkerbell grinned and threw out her arms, sparks flashing from her pointed fingers as she tipped her head back, her eyes unfocused with power.
'I am stronger now.'
Slowly she turned to look at Peter again and reached out. He stopped himself from moving away as she traced one tiny finger over his bicep and then trailed it to his heart.
'You, Peter Pan, are weaker.'
"No," Peter protested, his fists automatically clenching at the accusation.
The fairy nodded once, grinning. She put her fists in the air towards his chest, miming a battle, and then circled a halo round her head.
'Yes. You are weakened by the battle inside of you. The battle between good...'
All at once the halo faded and what was now her true form was revealed. Her skin turned black, her eyes red, glowing orbs. She bared her teeth in a horrible version of a smile.
'...and the evil.'
Subconsciously, Peter began to back away. His mouth gaped with horror at what his old friend had become.
Could the same be happening to him?
He vowed there and then not to let it.
He wouldn't let the evil win.
"Get away from me," he growled, crouching.
The twisted replica of Tink hissed savagely but as Peter brandished his knife in her direction she flew swiftly away, only looking back once.
Peter was breathing heavily, his knife still raised and beads of sweat forming on his forehead. He looked around, listening intently for any sign or sound of Jane but could hear nothing.
Nothing but the unsteady thud of his racing heart.
-000-
In the tree house, no-one had moved. Jane could hear the loud throb of raised voices from outside but could make out no words. She stood, her arm held by the painful grip of Hook who stood just behind her. Johnny was also silent, also listening, held by one of the pirates. Neither sibling struggled as they knew it would be pointless – the pirates were many and much too strong.
Eventually all grew silent and nothing more could be heard from outside. Jane blanched, tugging slightly in Hooks hold – what if the silence meant Peter was...dead?
Hook was obviously thinking the same thing as his upper lip curled in a sneer and his eyes flashed as he took in Jane's horrified expression.
"I think he's gone," he whispered throatily in her ear, knowing she could take his words in two ways.
Her addled mind chose the worst option and she sobbed aloud, pressing a hand to her mouth as tears ran down her cheeks. Johnny at once began to struggle but the pirate holding him didn't even seem to notice. Jane continued to cry silently, her face upturned as she waited for a noise – anything to let her know Peter was alright.
Nothing.
The beating of her heart seemed slow and labored as she fought for breath through her fear. A low, heavy, terrified beat that pulsed through her. Loud in the terrible silence.
Johnny thrashed in the pirate's hold, fighting to get to his sister but he was just too small. Eventually he too stopped trying and turned his face towards where they had heard the sounds before, crossing his chubby fingers and muttering pleas under his breath.
"I promise I'll never complain about baths again," the little boy murmured, his blue eyes wide, "I won't get cross at mother or Jane when they call me little. I won't fight with the others in the playground. I promise to be good as I can if Peter's alright."
Hearing him made Jane turn, tears still coursing down her pale cheeks as she looked at her little brother.
He loved Peter already.
Still the silence stretched, only broken slightly by Johnny's quiet bargains.
Silence...
Then a bang, a sudden thump.
A crow.
