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got a new chapter, hope you like it!

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

Chapter 12

This nightmare was exactly like my last. The man with the magical, glowing eyes had me pinned against the wall, only this time he didn't strangle or harm me. No. He did much worse. Ripping out my heart, he held it in his hand proudly, while I sunk to the cold floor, feeling incomplete and lifeless.

'When I own it, you will regret giving it to me.'

The steadily beating organ was glowing, I squinted, my eyes unaccustomed to the lighting in the once dark room.

When the man applied pressure to my heart, squeezing it ever so slightly, I let out a guttural scream and started thrashing in pain.

'Wake up!'

'Wake up!' Someone was shaking my shoulders, rousing me back to reality.

I opened my eyes and my hands shot to my chest, trying to feel if there was a pulse. My heart was still there.

Sighing in relief, I turned to the Lost Boy who had woken me up.

'I heard you screaming, so I came to check. Are you okay?' He sat on the edge of the bed and had a concerned look on his face.

I nodded, looking into his grey-green eyes. Just now I recalled not seeing him at the celebration.

'I'm Felix, by the way,' He added.

After several minutes of simply sitting in silence – basically, me refusing to introduce myself– he decided to stand up.

'I better leave. Wouldn't want Pan to get a false impression.' Felix said in a monotone voice.

He glanced at me one last time before stepping out of the tree house.

It was still dark outside, but the candles in the room provided enough light. Falling asleep wasn't an option. I was afraid of being abused by the man again, so I needed to find another way to pass the time until sunrise.

The shelf caught my attention. I swiftly crossed the room and stood in front of it. The books were of all sizes and lengths and different colored spines.

Aimlessly, I chose a few books and returned to bed. Little Red Riding Hood. Cinderella. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

The books' titles reminded me of something, but I couldn't place my finger on it.

Once upon a time there was...

Reading had always been a passion of mine, I particularly loved stories about living in castles or forests, princes finding princesses and declaring their true love, where good always overpowered evil. I could get lost in another world and go on adventures while being confined in the comfort of my own home.

While beginning my third book, setting the other ones aside, Peter strode in, a slight spring in his steps, surprise evident in his facial expression.

'Up so early?'

Putting the book aside, I answered, 'Couldn't sleep.'

He raised his eyebrows and sat down at the edge of the bed.

'So, I see you found the story-collection. Found anything good?' He motioned to the books laying around.

'Oh yes, but they seem oddly familiar.'

'Well, they're based on the people from the Enchanted Forest. I write them down for the Boys as bedtime stories. Now, come along, you must be hungry.' He dismissed my further questions, and as if on cue, my belly started making noises.

Following him outside to where everybody was having their breakfast, I searched for Felix's face, but he wasn't present.

Peter handed me a bowl with porridge and I wondered who made the food, since there was no cooking equipment lying around in the jungle.

But I didn't really care, my stomach was growling, evident I hadn't eaten in a day, so I gobbled up the food, trying my best to do this in the most polite way possible.

After putting the bowl away as I finished, Peter took my hand and led me away from camp

'Where are we going?' I questioned anxiously.

'Someplace special.'

We arrived at a burnt meadow, in the midst of thousands of trees all close to each other.

'This area was destroyed by a great fire, since then nothing has happened here. No flowers, plants, or animals. No life.'

As I set foot onto the ashen field, the world around me came to life and my heart started to glow.

The flowers started blooming like our presence had suddenly revived them from a deathly slumber whilst sunlight peeked through the trees shining auras of golden light upon the new life sprouting about us. The death and decay returned to its' once former glory. And suddenly, the meadow was brand new and beautiful.

Heal. Hurt. Save. Lost. Bring. Back.

'My heart is restoring the life of the meadow. It can bring back what was once lost.' I revealed to Peter, though he didn't look quite as shocked as Hook did when I told him.

In fact, he didn't look surprised at all, only the corners of his mouth lifted to a smirk. Peter was staring intently at my chest; my heart.

'You know why we have food without having to cook? Because Neverland's magic runs on belief; all you have to do is just believe, and it will appear in the palm of your hand.' His stare rose back to my eye-level.

To prove what he said, he stretched out his hand, and the next second, a book materialized.

'You try.' He nodded

encouragingly.

I scrunched up my eyes, deep in concentration, while I stretched out my hand like Peter had done.

Imagining the cookies mother had baked when I was sick, my eyes widened when they appeared in my hand.

'Now think of something you really, really want.' Peter stood behind me and whispered huskily into my ear, gently moving my hair away and placing one hand on my waist.

But I didn't want anything, I was truly content. Happy and safe; for the moment.

Merry Christmas!

Reviews are always appreciated, nice ones and constructive criticism ones...

Love you all,

aureaborealis