Wicked Game
By: Darkest Ember
Chapter 4: I Spy
As the black vein-like strands of poison slithered toward the Lost Boy's chest, I knew I needed to make a decision. Based on Henry's pale complexion and wide eyes, he'll probably refuse to go anywhere until we know this boy is safe.
That was clearly the right thing to do; yet, I couldn't bring myself to fully commit to that plan. I was being selfish – this could be my only chance to help Henry escape from Pan's camp, my only chance to prove myself. Was the life of Pan's lackey really worth throwing away this opportunity?
"There has to be some sort of cure for the poison," Henry said.
The Lost Boy cringed as he clutched his arm and scooted up against a tree trunk. "The only person that can heal me is Pan."
"Of course," I muttered. Suddenly, I found it really difficult to resist slashing the nearest tree with my sword a couple hundred times. As much as I wanted to just grab Henry and run, I didn't really want someone's death on either one of our consciences.
Stepping over the boy, I approached the entrance to Pan's camp, giving myself just enough distance to make a run for it once I had their attention. "HEY!" I shouted, trying to sound as frantic as possible. "A Lost Boy has been shot!"
Only a couple boys heard me, but that was good enough. As long as someone could tend to him until Pan returned, that's all I cared about. "He's right over here," I said, leading them.
Feeling an interrogation coming, I grabbed Henry's hand and bolted through the woods. Some arrows were shot haphazardly around us, but none of them met their target. I could feel Henry struggling to keep up with me, but I knew that we needed to create enough distance between them and us if we ever hoped to escape.
Although I tried to keep my mind focused on the trail ahead, shoving leaves and vines out of my face along the way, I still couldn't get that kid off my mind. What if Pan didn't make it back in time?
+ Felix's POV +
Just when I had Hook cornered, Pan called for a retreat. We weren't on the losing side – none of us sustained any serious injuries; unfortunately, the same couldn't be said for Hook or that prince. Why was Pan quitting now? We could easily finish them…
Before joining the others, I bent down next to Hook. He appeared to be in pain, though it was difficult to determine whether it physical or emotional. Despite his obvious torment, he still managed to emit such hatred.
"Don't look so down, Captain," I sneered. "I'll be sure to give Katie your best."
"You stay the bloody hell away from her," he growled, cringing as the sudden upward movement caused more blood to pour from his wound.
"Not a chance," I smirked, drawing each word out. As enjoyable as this exchange was, I knew it was time to go. I followed the other Lost Boys up the hill and back to camp.
Not too surprisingly, things were amok. Katelyn and Henry were missing, a Lost Boy was shot with a dreamshade arrow, and no one could explain how it happened. Lucky for them, Pan seemed far more amused than angered.
"And so the chase begins," he said with a grin.
Before dealing with the runaways, he needed to heal the boy, lest the poison spread any further. A lot of the boys don't realize that Pan doesn't use magic to reverse the effects of dreamshade. All he needs is water from a secret spring. It heals any injuries and maladies.
And he just so happened to have a vial of the spring's water on hand. Mere seconds after drinking the water, any signs of the poison were gone and the boy was back on his feet.
"Thank you, Pan," he said, avoiding eye contact.
"Of course, Joshua. Now, perhaps you can show your gratitude by explaining how you came to be in such a dangerous situation?"
I already knew the answer to that, and I'm sure Pan did as well. He just wanted to hear the boy admit to his shortcomings, to his inability to stop her from escaping with Henry.
Joshua stumbled through a few sentences before giving his account. Evidently, when he pursued them, Katelyn shot him with an arrow she didn't realize was poisoned. She must've felt bad about it because Joshua mentioned that she was the one who called for help.
Now that I saw her as more than just some annoying girl, I had a hard time believing that she actually felt concern for her enemy. After all, how many times had Hook and his former crew attacked our Lost Boys without a shred of remorse? Sure, he struck a deal with Pan – but that was only because he had nothing left. Except for a daughter stranded in some other realm.
"Felix?" Pan called. We walked over to one of the tents on the outskirts of camp and sat down. "During our little scrimmage, I noticed that you and the captain were really going at it. Did you manage to get any valuable information from him?"
I let out a heavy sigh and collapsed onto a chair. Once I tell him about Katelyn's relation to Hook, he'll never let her leave this island. Perhaps I can convince him to just lock her up with the other prisoner.
"You were right," I admitted. "She's more valuable than we could've imagined. She's Hook's daughter. Something tells me there was a reason why he tried to prevent her from coming here."
Pan's mildly intrigued expression morphed into an impish grin. "With such a treasure in our possession, Hook will have to do whatever I want."
"Just one problem," I said with a bit of a taunting smirk. "She's not exactly in our possession right now."
"Not to worry, Felix. I know where she's heading. She won't make it past the beach. You'll see to that."
Although I didn't quite share his confidence, I did feel a rush of excitement and anticipation. "Is that so? And what am I to do when I find her?"
"Separate her and Henry…they work too well together."
He stood up and walked over to the tent's exit, staring out at the Lost Boys, who resumed their merriment once Joshua was healed. "I think it's time I pay the captain a visit."
+ Hook's POV +
After Pan's ambush, we moved further into the woods with the hope of closing in on his camp. The others were even more determined to find Henry, which was impressive considering all the desperation they'd expressed during this journey.
Now, knowing that my own daughter was in danger, I too felt that desperate determination. Katelyn was all I had left, and I will not let a monster like Pan take her away from me.
"That doesn't look so good," Emma commented, peering at my still bleeding wound. Under normal circumstances, I probably would've used this as an invitation to get closer to her, ask her to tend to my wound as I did for her on the beanstalk.
"It's just a scratch," I mumbled. This helplessness was overwhelming. I don't even feel comfortable in my own body. I expected her to shrug me off and continue planning with the others, but she remained by my side.
"What happened to you back there?"
If I kept this to myself, the fear and grief would surely consume me. "That Lost Boy…Felix…told me that Katelyn's somehow here in Neverland."
Emma frowned. "How is that even possible? There was only one way to get here and that was your ship."
"She probably snuck aboard," I said, laughing bitterly as I reached for my rum. "That's my girl."
"Don't worry," she said, placing a hand on my shoulder. "None of us are leaving this island without Henry and Katelyn."
Admittedly, I appreciated this little pep talk, but I found a distraction in the form of Emma's irritatingly stubborn father. Emma walked over to him and Mary Margaret. He did a decent job concealing his pain; I'll give him that.
If he wanted to live, there was only one option – the spring near Dead Man's Peak. Knowing that I needed to confront him alone about this, I approached them and broke up their conversation. "So sorry to interrupt, but if we plan on staying here for the duration of the evening, I'd say we're going to need more firewood," I said, turning my gaze to him. "Care to lend a helping hand, mate?"
David eyed me warily. I knew how to give him a more convincing push in the right direction. "If you're too tired, I can find someone else." With a smirk I turned to Emma. "What do you say, Swan?"
"Forget it," he said, stepping forward. "Let's go, pirate." The amusement from his predictability was far greater than any sting I felt from his tone.
It probably would be a good idea to bring some firewood back to the camp, but for now I had more important things to worry about. "How are you holding up? Those arrows were laced with dreamshade – all it would take is a mere graze for it to get into your system."
David stopped and lifted up his shirt. "What do you think?"
The poison had already started spreading. He would have only a handful of days to live. I didn't care whether he lived or died; rather, I didn't want to have to watch Emma lose part of the family she was so recently reunited with.
"It's worse than I feared," I murmured. "There is a way to heal you, if you'd just let me help –."
"I don't want your help," he replied in a sharp tone. He was trying to appear angry, but the pain was too overwhelming. "I just want to do all I can to save Henry."
"What good will that do once you're dead? You think they'll all live happily without you?"
He took that into consideration, but I could tell he would continue to insist on letting nature take its course. "Let's worry about finding Henry first, then maybe I'll consider your offer."
Just as I used a ruse to get him out here, it appears I'll have to use another to get him to the spring. "Very well. If memory serves, I know of a tool that could help us get off this bloody island. The journey requires two people, and given your lack of time, I think it would best if you accompanied me. If this pans out, it will be a huge contribution to this rescue mission."
Evidently, that was all it took. "Alright, let's go," he said, starting to continue down the trail.
I held out a hand against his chest and stopped him. "Are you sure you don't want to tell them about this situation? Or at least about what we're about to do?"
He sighed, indicating that this bothered him in some form or another. "They already have so much to worry about. It would only complicate things if I told them now."
He was trying to display bravery in the face of death, but I still noticed the subtle cringe and side clutching. If we didn't do something soon, it'll be a dead body that I bring back to camp, not firewood.
+ Katelyn's POV +
Even though I was almost positive we weren't being pursued any longer, Henry and I continued our sprint through the woods for another half hour. Hearing the sound of crashing waves in the distance, I thought we deserved a break.
Looking up at the sky, twilight was receding and the sun was rising. It didn't feel like morning, and these last few hours didn't feel like night. How is it this place can make time feel so non-existent?
Apparently while I was lost in my reverie, Henry had climbed halfway up a tree and returned with a handful of bananas. "After we leave this island, we're all going to be so healthy," he laughed.
If I understand this situation correctly, then Pan's plan comes at the expense of Henry's life. Henry must share that same understanding because he looked terrified when Pan approached us earlier. Yet, here he is…so optimistic now.
I grabbed a banana and sat down next to him. "I'm sure both of your moms will be very proud of you," I said.
As exciting as this little adventure has been so far, I can't say I'll be too sad when it's over. Glancing around at the towering trees and motionless bushes, I felt a shiver crawl down my spine. Where were the animals? The bugs? The breeze? Sitting in this lifeless pit of forestry, it felt like Henry and I were the only ones on the island, despite knowing that to be anything but the truth.
"And so will your dad, Katelyn. He'll see how brave you are."
"This is what you call bravery – outrunning arrows and retreating at the first opportunity? I think that's a better demonstration of weakness," an all too familiar voice droned from behind us.
As I whipped around to face him, something else caught my attention. The sun was shining higher than it had been when Henry and I first stopped. In this improved lighting, I saw something metallic nestled too neatly beneath some leaves. It would be too obvious if I continued to scan the ground, but I'd bet that's a trap…a trap that would keep Felix from ruining our escape mission.
The smallest of smirks spread across my lips, but I don't think it was enough to give me away. He didn't seem to pick up on anything, as he remained standing in place with his oversized club hanging across his shoulders.
"What? No bratty comebacks?" he taunted. "I'd expect a little more from a pirate's daughter."
Any of that meticulous planning I'd been doing flew right out at the door as a flood of emotions took its place. How did he figure it out? Was it something I said? Something I did? I could feel myself losing focus. He should be the one squirming, not me.
"So what? I'm surprised you didn't figure it out sooner," I said with a shrug.
"I'm more curious as to why you were so desperate to keep it a secret. Does Daddy embarrass you?" he mocked.
A heated blush crept across my cheeks as I found it difficult to maintain eye contact. "Of course not," I replied. "I-I didn't want to become some sort of bargaining chip…I didn't want to be used as his weakness."
"Maybe you should've just stayed behind. You couldn't have thought that we would never figure it out. Now, you're just going to complicate everything they came here for…"
I know he was trying to make me feel guilty, but I actually felt angry. Just because they know the truth doesn't mean it's game-over. My plan will still work so long as we can escape from Felix.
"No, you're wrong," I said, suddenly feeling refilled with confidence. "Love and family aren't weaknesses, they're strengths. I guess I can't expect you to understand that because, well, you don't have that. You don't have anyone who cares about you."
Something akin to pain flickered in his eyes, but he didn't say anything. He took a couple steps forward, but avoided stepping on the trap's trigger. It's possible he knows what's hidden beneath those leaves. If that were the case, we'd need more than verbal sparring to persuade him.
"Enough with this pointless chatter," I said, drawing my sword. "You and I both know of a more efficient way to settle this."
His eyes landed on my weapon, but he didn't appear threatened. "Haven't I already proven that you can't win against me?"
"I'm not really one to take 'no' for an answer." I bent down and grabbed my trusty dagger. With surprising precision, I chucked it at him. The dagger made contact, becoming embedded between flesh and muscle on his arm. As he hissed in pain, a combined rush of anger and surprise flashed across his face.
"Now you're really going to be sorry," he snarled. He ripped the dagger from his arm and charged forward. Had he been less blinded with his desire to retaliate, he might have noticed how unafraid Henry and I stood in the midst of his imminent attack.
The moment his foot landed on the metal plate, a net made of woven vines sprung up from the ground and engulfed him. We watched as he flew up into the higher layers of the trees. Henry and I exchanged pleased grins before taking off again.
With Felix out of the way, nothing else could stop us from making it to the beach.
+Hook's POV+
The only proof that David was still alive behind me was his wheezy breaths and occasional short-winded complaints. Given how much was riding on his successful recovery, I suppose I'd prefer that to dead silence.
"Where exactly are we going? I swear we've passed these bushes already."
"Dead Man's Peak," I said, glancing back at him over my shoulder. "It's that mountainous rock up ahead." That seemed to temporarily satisfy him as he continued the trek without further criticism.
Once we reached our location, I started to climb, despite his predictable protests. "Look, mate, you're going to need my help if you expect to get to the top. You're in no condition to climb this alone," I shouted once I'd made some distance up the rock. He wasn't particularly pleased, but seemed to see some reason in my words.
With a hook for a hand, the climb wasn't exactly easy for me, either. Upon reaching the top, I took a moment to gather my breath. Just as I was about to toss the rope down, a silhouette in the distance caught my attention.
The figure sped forward and appeared directly in front of me. My worst suspicions were confirmed – it was Pan.
"Evening, captain," he said with a small smile. "You seem to be going through a lot of trouble for someone we both know you can't stand."
"I'm not doing this for him," I said through gritted teeth, unsure why I felt any need to give him some justification.
"Oh, that's right. You've taken a liking to the savior…Emma. What does your daughter think of that?"
Whatever hatred I harbored toward him intensified with the mention of Katie. I had gotten so caught up in this secondary rescue mission that I was distracted from my concerns. "This conversation is over," I snarled, turning around to throw David the rope. Pan had already moved so that he was blocking my path.
"Actually, I think it's just beginning. Don't you remember how things used to be – when we had an agreement?"
"I'd hardly call it an agreement," I said lowly, feeling memories of my hellish exile in Neverland resurfacing.
"We both got what we wanted," he smirked. "You did all my dirty work in exchange for your life."
"I've got more than just my life to be concerned with now."
He held a hand over his heart and feigned a sympathetic expression. "And I completely understand. That's why I'd like to offer you a new deal: do a couple tasks for me in return for a one-way ticket back home. But here's the best part – I'll even let you leave with the two people you hold most dear." He paused and leaned in a little closer. "Emma and Katelyn."
Flashes of a potential future played in the back of the mind. Emma would probably hate me at first, but over time she could come to appreciate me. Plus, the sooner Katie gets away from this place, the better.
Could I really just leave everyone else behind here? No one would miss that crocodile or Regina for that matter. David would have Mary Margaret and Henry.
"What exactly do you need me to do?" I asked. "Why do you need me at all when you have an entire army of boys?"
He waved his hand dismissively. "The little details don't really matter. Besides, I'm going to need you to prove your loyalty first."
I laughed. "When did my sworn word not become good enough?"
"Didn't you know? It's not wise to trust a pirate. Don't worry, I'm sure this preliminary task won't be too much for you to handle."
"Out with it already," I said, subconsciously glancing at the ledge in case David suddenly appeared.
"I want you to kill him," he said.
I rolled my eyes. "He's practically dead already, you know."
"Of course, but I want you to kill him. I want you to take this infamous hook of yours and stab him – rip his life from his body."
"What could you possibly gain from that?"
"I just need a demonstration of your good faith. Oh, perhaps now would be a good time to mention that the consequences for denying my offer will be severe."
Years ago, the choice would be easy. Now, there were too many additional factors clouding my judgment. I couldn't possibly give him my answer now, which he must've noticed. In a flash of movement, he managed to obtain my bottle of rum. He shoved it up against my chest. "Maybe a drink will help you sort things out."
And then he was gone.
+Peter Pan's POV+
Whatever happened to Hook since his last visit to Neverland has made him weak. I had hoped that a threat would've been sufficient enough to guide his decision, but now I'm going to have to add a little pressure.
The Lost Boys might've thought that Katelyn and Henry made some successful escape. I've known their location this entire time. Right now, they just set up camp on the beach.
With the help of a little pixie dust, I flew closer to their location and hid out in some bushes. I couldn't resist grinning at the sight – Henry was asleep, which left Katelyn all to myself. A bow and arrow materialized in my hand as I stood up and took aim.
We'll see how long the captain's resolve will last once he finds out his daughter has been poisoned with dreamshade.
A/N: In the next chapter, someone will make a deal with Pan, but it may not be who you'd expect!
Thanks to everyone who's read/commented/favorited/alerted this story ^_^
All I'd like is 3-5 comments, then I'll get to work on the next chapter!