Hey everybody,

sorry for not posting yesterday (I needed a break), but not to worry!

I hope you like this chapter (a little more Felix)!

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

Chapter 14

We were walking along a dirt path back to camp.

The sun had finally set and the jungle, bursting with color by day, turned into a hostile environment by night. Everything was various shades of darkened black and snarls of dangerous-sounding creatures made me vigilant; always glancing past my shoulder furtively.

Holding Peter's hand, I felt protected. After all, this was his island and he had magic.

'The fun is just about to begin.'

The sinister meaning of his words didn't catch my attention, rather I reminisced on what bliss I had felt as his soft lips brushed my shoulder. Didn't he know how tantalizing it was for me? That second he leaned in, or when his eyes would flash to my lips, I was sure he felt and wanted the same. Or was I just imagining these things, wanting them to be true?

I wasn't really experienced in romance. I remember kissing someone not long ago…but that was pretty much about fact, I didn't remember much about my past; except living with my mother near the woods. But even I could read signs and body language; I wasn't a total fool.

An image of Peter cupping my face as I balanced on my toes to reach his eye level came to mind, and I continued the fantasy. How I would wrap my arms around his neck, bringing us even closer…how he would make the move, the kiss so innocent, but turning into something so much more intensely passionate.

I shook the thought out of my head as I heard the shouts of the Lost Boys. They had war paint on their faces and were sitting by the fire, waiting anxiously for something.

'Boys, let's go hunt,' Peter proclaimed, giving them the words they had been waiting for.

Excited, the Boys jumped up to get their weapons. To me, it was troubling to see such young boys run around with knives, swords and spears, violence stamped in the forefront of their minds. But they were Lost Boys; hunting was their second nature.

'Peter, I don't know how to,' I tugged on his arm, biting my lip unintentionally, almost afraid to look weak in his eyes.

'Don't worry, Felix will teach you. He's my most loyal Lost Boy; he won't let anything happen to you.'

And without Peter needing to call him, Felix arrived next to him. Standing next to each other in front of me, I took in all the differences. Even though Felix was taller and looked older, it was clear who the alpha was.

'Come along, Lost Girl.' He seemed annoyed with the fact that he would have to waste his time teaching someone, spoiling his fun of hunting for the day.

Following him to his hut, I quickly turned around to see Peter waving goodbye before he disappeared into thin air, and I stepped inside.

There wasn't much to see. A simple comfortable looking bed and different weapons, all laid out on a table.

'Just choose one.' Felix pointed to them disinterestedly and started tapping his foot impatiently as I gazed in wonder at his collection.

I decided to use the bow, since it was the only thing I knew how to handle.

'I know that I don't let you go to the city, or outside at all, but since it's your sixteenth birthday, I thought you would want to practise with me.'

Mother had given me a bow for my earlier birthday, but for a whole year it stood in the corner of my room, useless. I was shocked by the prospect that I would finally be able to go outside and learn.

'Oh thank you, Mother!' I exclaimed happily.

We stood near the house. I was holding the bow in my hand, ready to string the arrow.

'Ah, ah, dear one, wait. You have to...'

How weird. The memory abruptly stopped, like nothing ever happened. I couldn't remember what came after. It wasn't because of the time, I had gone to practise archery with mother only two years ago. It had to be something else…

Felix had already left the hut and was waiting for me outside.

'Do you know what you have to do?' He asked in his monotone voice.

Taking my silence as a 'no', He stepped towards me and gave me quick and direct instructions.

'Point the bow towards the ground and place the arrow on the arrow rest. Attach the back of the arrow to the bow-string with the nock, then place the arrow below the nock bead. Quite simple.'

He huffed in acceptance as I showed him the result of following his commands.

'Now, use three fingers to lightly hold the arrow on the string. Then raise the bow and pull the string back to your ear.'

Seeing my struggle, Felix went to stand close behind me, guiding me and adjusting my elbows and posture. The gentleness of his actions surprised me.

'Once you have the target, release,' He whispered softly, and I did as he said, letting my hand relax and let the arrow go.

The arrow didn't fly very far, straight or accurate, I could hear Felix trying to suppress his laugh at my failed attempt, but it didn't stop me from trying once more.

My target this time was a piece of large wood lying near the fire, it wasn't too far away and I hoped I wouldn't miss.

Hearing Felix's instructions in my head, I let go of the arrow and it hit the wood, just like I wanted it to.

'Let's go hunt.' He nodded towards the jungle with a satisfied smirk.

Felix was following the trail of a deer, me close behind. A few minutes ago, I was scared of the jungle and all what lurked somewhere, but now, with a bow in my hand and a quiver on my back, I found it exhilarating.

'There.'

Near the bushes, a couple of meters away from us, stood the target.

I knew that Felix, with his monstrosity of a club, would scare the game away. But me with my bow? I definitely had a better chance.

I raised the bow, arrow already in place, and waited.

Too many thoughts plagued my mind in that moment, none of them relevant or necessary. Why didn't Peter kiss me when he had the chance? Why couldn't I remember more about my sixteenth birthday? Why was Felix here, I didn't recall reading about him in the book?

'Don't think. Just feel.' I felt him place his large hands on my shoulders, the words encouraging me to forget for a moment.

Once you have the target, release.

The arrow missed and hit the ground, making noise and causing the animal to run away. My body sagged, disappointment filling me as I realized that my chance to prove myself was still running around the island and my arrow was sitting limply in the dirt.

'Not bad for a first try, now we better head back to camp.' I noticed how the mask of emotionless apathy faltered and his flat tone had sounded more alive. A little like when I met him the first night.

On the way, he would try to make conversation and ask questions. 'You never told me your name.'

'Aura.'

'Do you like it here in Neverland? What have you seen already?'

I told him about the burned field and my 'swim' with the mermaids, leaving out details about Peter.

'Where do you come from?' His sudden interest and change of personality amazed me, he truly was acting like a boy, curious about everything. It made me wonder why; wasn't Neverland adventurous enough?

'I came from the Enchanted Forest.' I tried to think of how it looked like, but I only knew the name. Details eluded me.

'Oh, Pan always travels there. He brings stories from your world and writes them down. Can you read?'

'Of course,' I answered, laughing in my head.

To me, reading was a natural thing, like breathing. Once you knew how to, you would never forget.

'Could you, maybe read me one of those books? I don't know how to and Pan never reads to us.' Felix seemed almost nervous, but there was something like hope in his eyes.

I found myself replying with a small smile.

'Sure, Felix.'

I cannot believe it's already Chapter 14! And still, so many more ideas are to come...

Reviews are greatly appreciated!

Love you all,

aureaborealis