The trees whistled. Creating a scratching tune that cursed my ears. The cold wind pinched my cheeks and the moon couldn't look anymore ominous. But those things didn't scare me. I've felt worst. The innermost part of me was howling in fear because of the darkness.
Although the moonlight shot rays of light through the canopy of trees, it wasn't enough. And with the howling in the distance, I didn't know how much longer I could take.
I take a look at my hands, almost blue. I rub them together in a attempt to create heat, to no avail. I'm so cold that I close my eyes and imagine a fire keeping me warm. Suddenly, I began to feel a burning sensation on my lower chin. I open my eyes to find a small fire radiating from the palm of my hands, but before I could comprehend it; the blaze turns into smoke.
I look at my palms and there are no burn marks. 'What just happened?' I asked myself. I try to conclude that I was dreaming, but pinch myself. I'm awake. I'm slightly panic and close my eyes to calm my nerves.
I awoke to daylight blinding my eyes. I squint and find Thomas bringing me a bowl of eggs and a piece of bread next to it and an apple in his other hand.
"Rise and shine."
I took the bowl and forced a smile, "thank you."
"Sleep well?" He said jokingly.
I looked around the clearing to check the coast was clear and leaned forward, "Tell me everything you know about magic?"
"Why?" He furrowed his brows in confusion, "did something happen?"
"I don't know, it could've been a dream," I hush away the subject.
"Tell me."
I sighed, "Fire came out of my palm. I don't know how. It was cold and I imagined a fire keeping me warm. The second I realised there was a small fire in front of me, it turned to smoke."
Thomas stayed quiet, processing it all, "you've got to do it again."
"No. Anyway, you never answered my question."
"I don't know much about magic, apart from that Peter has it and he can heal people."
"Heal?"
"Yes. I've seen him do it a few times, but he only does it when it's critical or for punishment."
"Punishment?"
"It's not that bad, he only does it when someone is really out of line. But when he's really angry he would hurt us, then will wait a while before he heals you."
"Not that bad? Tell me more."
"I really shouldn't say, you hate him enough."
"You've already told me this much."
"No Aurora, we are done here."
I didn't press the matter further, knowing it would be pointless. He changed the subject, "you know, you can't lie about your identity forever. Peter will find out eventually, he always does."
"Well, I can try."
He nodded and I asked out of curiosity, "Why are you so loyal to Pan?"
"I owe him my life. It might've not looked like it, but I wasn't happy back home. Then I came here and finally had a family, although it seems dumb; I've never felt like I've belonged anywhere before coming here... I know you feel the same way too."
I put my bowl down and remained quiet.
"I watched you at school; how you kept changing your friends; hovering around different people; trying to find a group you belonged to. When you settled with my friends, I could tell you still felt fully unaccepted...lost."
"Tommy boy, we got training to do." I gazed behind Thomas to find Ian at the edge of the clearing.
I nodded at Thomas and gave the bowl back, subtly holding his hand, "it's okay, I get it now. I'll see you later."
They left. I closed my eyes; considering Tom's words. But I was always content with my life back home. I might've been lost, but I settled for things because I knew it wasn't going to get better for me. Maybe I could settle here, or even belong for once in my life.
No, I scolded myself for such a thought. I came here to save Marcus from the monster that locks up children in cages and abuses them, speaking of saving: where's Rumple? He was meant to come back and tell me how to leave. I worried slightly that he has left me for dead, but left that thought knowing I still owe him a favour. I closed my eyes and tried to sleep, afterall, I'm not leaving this god forsaken cage anytime soon.
"You're free meatie."
I awoke to Peter opening my cage, "I have a name, you know."
"And what may that be?"
I hesitated a little, "A.J"
"Alright A.J, you better behave today."
I left the cage, my legs trembling. I smiled at my feet touching the ground, "Can't make any promises."
Suddenly, he pressed me against the cage and threatened a dagger at my throat, "Yes you can."
Our close proximity was new to me and I couldn't help but blush. I was so embarrassed and unfortunately... he could tell. I tried maintain some sort of dignity, "okay, okay I won't."
He smirked. Adoring my surrender, he pressed the flat side of his dagger against my cheek. The cold metal gave me goosebumps. "Promise me."
"Wha... what?" I felt his forest green eyes penetrate through me and my naked soul.
"Promise me that you'll behave." His voice came out as a soft whisper, it laced a subtle venom.
I sighed and tried to grip onto whatever rationality I had, "I promise."
"Promise what?" If his grin was any bigger, his ears might've fallen off. Can't he just leave me alone?
I looked down. I was suffocated by the intoxicating look in his eyes, "I promise to behave."
He let me go and looked me up and down, "I suggest you have supper with the others, little one." There was a glint of satisfaction in his eyes and for that, I completely hated myself for fulfilling that. I shivered and made my way to camp. He went a different direction.
When I made it to camp, Thomas saved a seat for me on a log. I sat and asked him, "Do you know where the lagoon is? I stink."
He laughed, "The lagoon is down the path to your right, but aren't you hungry? You look a bit pale."
I was still stirred up from Peter, but I felt too ashamed to tell him. "No, I'm fine. Really. I'm going to go."
"Wait", he retracted a sword and leant it to me. I gave him a look, "It will give me some peace of mind."
I nodded and took the sword, making my way to the lagoon.
It was evening, but the sun was still out. I lost the path, but eventually found it again and saw a beautiful lagoon. The water was turquoise with a mossy green reflecting from the trees. A small cave covered half of it, but the inside of most of the cave was covered my a thin waterfall. I took my clothes off, apart from my undergarments and vest.
I dived in and let the water fill my pores. It's been too long since I've had a good clean, I though to myself. I let the water sink into my scalp. I kept close to the edge, and bathed myself.
In the far distance, I could see a simmering yellow tail. I left the water and watched as it got closer. I noticed more tails making my way in various colours. I put my clothes on as fast as I could, and watched as three faces erupted from the water.
They were beautiful. Their hair sleek and silvery, their eyes big and rounded. They lifted themselves up. Mermaids.
The one in the middle, with a beautiful facial structure took my hand. Deep down I almost felt envious of their looks. She gently pulled me closer to the water and I couldn't help but obey. They seemed so innocent and pretty. She looked deep into my eyes and pulled my hand closer to her body. She wore shells on the chest, and another wore seaweed. I never thought I could be so entranced by someone's beauty before, but here I am almost falling for their looks.
She held my palm tightly, almost too tightly. I pulled away slightly unsure, then suddenly her teeth bared fangs. She bit my wrist hard and I screamed. I could feel the sharp teeth penetrate my skin; my arm felt like it was on fire.
Abruptly, she pulled her teeth out in disgust, "His blood tastes of a women's"
The other one with blonde hair and hazel eyes spoke, "He's a girl? Is she the women from the prophecy?"
The second she let go, I reached for the sword, pointing it at them, "leave me alone. I'm from no prophecy!"
"You can understand us?"
I attempted to ignored the brutal pain in my arm, "why wouldn't I? You speak English."
"People with magic can only understand us." She said licking the blood off the teeth, "I'm surprised Peter hasn't killed you already considering the prophecy."
"W-what prophecy?"
"I can't remember- something about the doom of Peter Pan will come with a twice broken heart and two others in each of his hands."
"That doesn't make sense."
"Tell me girl, does Pan know of your gender or magic?"
My eyes widened, but I quickly composed myself, "well of course, him and I are great friends."
She scoffed, "Well then a friend of Pan's is a friend of ours. What is your name? Or maybe I should ask Pan."
"I'm A.J. You don't need to ask him."
"Well maybe I won't... at a price."
I sighed at the siren and thought 'why is there always a price to pay?', "What do you want?"
The three mermaids were discussing glances,"Warn us of the upcoming war." The stunning scarlet haired one said.
"There's a war coming?"
"We are way past due for one. Will you warn us or not?"
I huffed, "I will."
They left as abruptly as they came. A part of me wondered what war they were on about. It might explain all the training, but does Pan really expect children to fight a war for him? It's absurd. Ludicrous. Especially since he has magic.
I made my way back to camp and realised my arm is dripping in blood; more than what I initially thought. I hurried and once I made it, Ian saw me basically dragging myself into the clearing in pain.
"W-what happened?" He asked as he approached me and inspected my arm.
"I was attacked by mermaids." I spoke breathlessly as he helped me to a nearby tent.
"Charlie, A.J was was attacked by those bloody sirens."
"And survived? Damn you are a lucky lad." He sat me on a bed in the centre of the room and inspected my arm, "Well, that mermaid sure did a number on you. What did she look like?" He spoke while gathering a few things.
"Well she-, wait you haven't seen one before?" He begin to pour liquid from a foggy jar in my wound, in turn making me hiss.
"Sorry and no, none of us have. Rarely we see a few in the distance. But when we do, it's best to run the other direction, before you could fall for their tricks. Nobody has survived an encounter with a mermaid and lived to tell the tale...well part from Pan. For someone as thick as you, you're really lucky." He brought a needle and thread out.
I look at the tip of the needle, "I d-don't feel too lucky at the moment."
He laughed, "Just look the other direction. Ian distract him."
He came up to me ruffling his blonde hair, seemingly slightly anxious. I asked, "Are you afraid of blood?"
"No. But when I see your flesh half open, I tend to feel a little queasy." He sarcastically spoke while biting his nails and tapping his foot.
"Fair enoug- ouch."
Charlie spoke up while penetrating the needle into my arm, "Ian pass him the rag."
Ian passed me a dirty old rag and looked at me expectantly.
"And what am I supposed to do with that?" I asked.
He spoke nonchalantly, "Bite it."
I hissed again, "I can handle the pain."
"Are you sure because your on the verge of tears."
I wiped my eyes with my free arm, "I don't need it."
Before Ian could respond, Peter came into the tent, "What happened here?"
Charlie spoke with ease while finishing up my injury, "A.J was attacked by a mermaid."
He looked at me and tensed, almost as if he was in shock that I survived, "Tell me what happened exactly."
"I went to bathe in the lagoon- "
He interrupted, "Which lagoon?"
"The path to the left of the one from the training area."
Ian spoke up, "No mermaids live in that lagoon, it's too clean for them to live in."
Pan almost seemed angered that Ian commented, "Ian, Charlie, you may both leave now."
They both left without a word, but Ian sent and apologetic glance before exiting the tent. I was left alone with my childhood monster.
"Are you sure they were in that lagoon?"
I looked down and didn't trust my voice, and almost whispered, "I did get sort of lost on my way there."
"Was the water clear or dark blue?"
"Dark blue."
He sighed in relief, "How did you escape them?"
I had to make a lie up fast, "I guess I got lucky. The second she bit me, I yanked my arm away and ran."
"Weren't you close? Didn't they drag you in the water?" He seemed unconvinced with my response.
I tried to assure him, "Although they were beautiful, deep down I felt a gut feeling that something was off about them. So I stayed on land while she tried to pull my arm into the water. When I struggled against her grip, it was then she bit me and I made a break for it."
He stayed silent, acknowledging my words.
"Can you speak to them?" I asked. I scolded myself for asking him such a question, but I couldn't help it. I needed to know more. And his answer was not one I was expecting.
"Yes I can, why do you ask?"
"Can't you tell them not to kill us, afterall it is your island." I tried to sound sincere or respectful to not set him off.
He walked up to me, "I might own Neverland, but I do not own the ocean. I may be able to control the nearby current, but not the mermaids. They own the ocean and I have to respect that since they came here before me."
"So you can't stop them?"
He didn't seem annoyed by my nagging, which surprised me to some extent.
"No, but every time they kill one of my lost boys, I kill one of them."
I stayed silent. The savage image of him brutally killing one of those beautiful creatures struck me. They deserved it, of course I knew that. But I still felt uncomfortable about the idea of killing.
He was about to leave the tent, until he questioned, "Why do you care? You just came here and have little to none friends. The majority of the lost boys stay away from you. You don't even seemed bothered about yourself." He said looking at my still bleeding wound.
I realised I was meant to finish wrapping it with a bandage next to me, but was too focused on something else. I thought of a logical answer to his enquiry. One I know will affect him, considering the fact he wants us to fight in a war for him.
With stern eyes and my shoulders up high, I spoke slowly to emphasise every one of my words, "I don't want any of these children to get hurt, they are too young."
He furrowed his unplucked brows and spoke slightly faltered, "There's something different about you A.J. I can't put my finger on it."
And with that he left.
I couldn't help but pull a smirk. I was proud. For once, I didn't cower away or submit. A new found feeling arose from deep within; liberation or bravely maybe. No, it was hope. Hope that I could defeat the monster that haunted my nightmares.
My moment of liberation was halted when Thomas leaped in with worry written all over his face. I stood up and he looked at me up and down, then breathed out as if he held it in for hours. The smile of relief said it all for me, but what he did next left me frozen.
He hugged me.
I kept my hands to my side as his were wrapped around my waist. He whispered in my ear, leaving chills down my spine, "Don't ever worry me like that again."
I didn't say anything back, instead I wrapped my arms around his shoulders. We stayed like that for what felt like hours.
"Ahem."
Ian's voice was heard at the door of the tent.When I pushed Thomas away, a huge chunk of me felt empty. By now both of our faces were reddened and looking at him.
"So..."
Thomas walked up to him, "shut up" he said and then nudged him while leaving while I followed.
When we came out of the hospital ward, the sky was pitch black and the fire at the centre of the camp was luminous. We said our good nights to Ian then made our way to the treehouse. On the way I saw Marcus with his friends. I could tell he was concerned about me by the look on his face, but I smiled and nodded. He looked relieved to know I was well and smiled back.
It hit me that I was better off reviving my relationship with me brother during the meantime. If Rumple has a way of getting us off this island, then I'll most likely need his cooperation to get him back home.
Once we reached the treehouse, Frankie was out like a light. Thomas made his way to his bed and I walked up to little Frankie. I tucked him in and couldn't help, but think that I should try to get him out of here with Marcus. He's just a child. So innocent and pure and definitely doesn't belong in a battlefield.
I made my way to my bed and asked Tom, "Why do we train?"
He looked at me then thought about it for a while, "I don't actually know. I assumed it was because we need to know how to survive in Neverland. There are sirens, natives and sometimes pirates make their way here and if they cause a threat; it makes sense that we know how to protect ourselves."
"There are pirates?" I lift my brow and asked in disbelief.
He chuckled, "yes, but they are usually scared of Pan, so I wouldn't worry."
"Why? He's not even an adult."
"Because he has resources and knows how to get this magical bean that takes your wherever you want to go."
I was about to ask, but he knew where I was heading with my next question, "Nobody knows where he gets it from, it usually appears from his hands with magic and the last time someone tried to steal one from him was banished."
I hummed and still had an urging question, but knew it wasn't exactly safe to ask.
Thomas noticed my slight distress and asked, "why are you suddenly curious about all this?"
I tried to be subtle. I'm a good liar, but I'm not so sure about myself when I'm with him, "I was just worried Peter was preparing us for something."
"Like what?"
"A war."