"Rupert and Kellan, check the North end. Heath, Arthur, and Leo, check the East traps. Brandon and Mark, go to the South. Felix, Jack, and I are going to check the traps on the West," Peter informed the group. Everyone nodded heading off in their respective destinations.
Ten minutes later found the three oldest boys coming up to a large grove of trees where there were several hidden traps on the ground. Before they could get too far in, Jack turned to the other two boys. "Would you like to explain the real reason for calling this impromptu trap check?" he asked casually to Peter only to be met with a leveled look.
"Are you saying that checking the status on our traps is unimportant?" he challenged.
"Not at all, but you can cut the act now. I know this is about Kim."
"Now why would I need to talk to you about Kim?" Peter asked as though it was a foreign idea. If it weren't for the fact that Felix was grinning over the prospect of a fight, Jack might have believed him.
"Look, if you're concerned that I might be developing feelings for her, you don't need to say anything to me. I'm not interested in her."
"Could have fooled me. You looked pretty chummy by the fire before we left," he accused with narrowed eyes. Pan had been walking in circles around Jack that kept getting smaller each time.
"I was asking about her morning and helped her remove the bandage on her finger," he explained. "Besides, she was reluctant to letting me help her, so I don't think you need to be concerned about her preferring me over you."
It was a poor joke to make as it resulted in Jack being shoved against a nearby tree with an unseen pressure keeping him against the tree. Peter was standing in front of him with a look of fury on his face. "And just what," he asked in a measured voice, "are you implying by that?"
"Nothing," Jack gasped against the pressure. "Nothing. I apologize." The pressure left as quickly as it had appeared and Jack fell to his knees trying to collect his breath before he stood up. Looking up he saw Peter's smug expression and Felix's mirthful look like this was the most exciting thing he'd seen all week.
"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said that," he repeated. "She needs someone to talk to, though."
At this, Peter cocked his head to the side, smirk still on his face. "Interesting thought considering she spent her morning alone," he pointed out.
"I know, and I don't blame her. It's going to take her a while to adjust to a place she clearly never knew existed before," Jack continued pointing out, hoping his explanation wouldn't be met with being shoved against a tree again. "She's hardly been able to meet anyone. You poke at her with questions then get mad at her for pulling a prank on you when all you do is live for games. We're the ones who look closest to her in age, and it's not like Felix is the most welcoming person in the world. I'm just trying to show her some kindness that she may not be able to find on the rest of the island."
Peter gazed at Jack like he was looking for any sign of deception, but knew his friend would only ever tell him the truth. Lying to him was the biggest mistake someone could make on this island.
"Fine. But you're the one who needs to think about what you're doing," Peter said, letting an unspoken statement pass between them. Clapping his hands, he turned and maneuvered skillfully around the traps hidden on the ground, further ending the conversation. Felix and Jack followed quietly along behind him.