Hello to all the people that decided to read this,

thank you so much! Here's a new chapter! And, please, don't hate me at the end...

Disclaimer: Sadly,I do not own Once upon a Time, just the ideas in my head that I incorporated in this story!

Chapter 8

'Neverland.'

The smirk from Hook's face was gone, replaced with a troubled look. His brows creased with worry and he seemed distraught.

'Are you even certain? I mean, of all the places, of all the realms, it has to be Neverland?' He appeared to be talking more to himself than to me.

'I dreamed about it. Peter tol..'

'Oh, you dreamt it! That of course explains everything!' He got out of bed and started pacing around while raising his voice, clearly in a state of aggravation with me, or possibly Peter, or the fact that I was putting so much trust in a dream.

This was not going how I planned. His sudden outburst frightened me; this was not the Hook I knew. But then again, did I know anything about him? He was, after all, still a stranger.

'I have dreams like you, but some of my dreams are special. They mean something. For a short period of time I get a glimpse of the future or something important. I know it doesn't justify anything, but...' I paused, trying to think up a good argument, yet nothing came to mind.

He stopped pacing and sat on a chair at the nearby table, putting as much distance between us as he needed.

'Aura, I would go to the end of the worlds just to be with you, but I can't go back to Neverland,' He whispered, a contrast to before, his tone laced with sadness.

Our gazes finally met, and I saw tears welling up in his eyes.

'I don't want to go back to Neverland. It just brings back too many painful recollections.'

I stood up and walked towards him, talking my time with each step, cautiously placing one foot after the other.

As I reached him, I gently cupped his cheek and crouched down to his eye-level.

'Killian, memories are there to be shared.' I recited what my mother had told me ever so often, even though she was never the person who did.

He looked conflicted as to whether or not he should tell me, and after a long silence he began:

'I..I visited Neverland on a sea expedition with my brother, Liam Jones. Our king had ordered us the procure a plant called Dreamshade, which was rumoured to have healing properties. In Neverland, we met Peter Pan, the sole inhabitant of the island. He told us that Dreamshade only lead to doom and would kill instead of heal. I was beginning to have my doubts, whereas Liam, stubborn as he was, didn't buy it. We made our way deeper into the island, and at the top of a peak, we found a large batch of it growing. My brother purposely cut himself, just to prove how wrong the strange boy was, but he passed out quickly and the poison killed him soon after.'

'I'm sorry.' I could see in his face how difficult it was for him to tell me of his past. I offered him my hand for reassurance.

'I desperately tried to get off the island. One day, Peter came to me and offered me a deal. I did his dirty work, and that would get me my passage off the island. I regret every single order I carried out for him. Mind you, he's not the innocent boy who never wanted to grow up from your storybook, he's quite the heartless demon.'

I was struggling with my options. Neverland was my hideaway, I could feel it in my bones, but if what Hook said was true, I would have to deal with another wickedness. I had to act fast.

'Killian, if going to Neverland to be safe means being without you, I don't want to go. We'll just have to find someplace else.' My heart ached to say these words.

I had to refrain myself from touching my face, a tell-tale sign that I was not being truthful, but he didn't sense the lie in my words.

I tugged his arm and led him back to bed.

Wrapping his arms around me, I eased into a comforting position. His heartbeat steadied and turning slightly in his grasp, I saw he had fallen asleep.

I wriggled out of his embrace and got out of the bed. Quickly grabbing my bag and compass, I glanced to him before closing the door and leaving the room. He looked so peaceful in his sleep.

As much as it pained my heart to leave him like this, I had to move on. It was selfish, but my safety was my top priority. My conscience told me I was doing the right thing, I was saving Killian from making the hard decision of having to choose to follow me to Neverland and stay here.

In the dead of the night, I wandered back to the woods to where I came from. Alone.

Okay, all Hookers (hihi) will probably kill me, but it had to be done...

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This weekend there will be a following chapter...

Love you all,

aureaborealis