Origins

Origins VII

The ship ran aground smoother than I would've thought.

Unfortunately, it was louder than I thought as well. Then again, what do you expect for a land without docks? As soon as the ship grounded, I flipped over the side and layed down on the sand which shone like polished gold in the morning sun. Nico was quick to follow, as was Ralph. Jason and the twins joined us once the bridge was lowered to the ground. I closed my eyes. The warm sand felt good against my bare back. A shadow passed over me.

"You can fly, yet you still like the ground, boy," Hook said.

"Jimmy, move. You're blocking my sun," I said, not opening my eyes.

"Oh, excuse me then," he said. He threw a handful of sand at me as he walked away. The feeling was almost foreign as it rolled off my chest and stomach.

Hook began unloading the ship as the rest of us frolicked in the sand while Tinkerbell chimed sarcastic comments from my shoulder, not that anyone other than Nico and I understood. Once Hook finished, we began setting up shelter. We didn't know what was on this island. As I walked back towards the boat to get something, I thought I saw a fishy tail dart back underwater. My instant thought was mermaids.

"Mermaids aren't real," I muttered.

Then Tinkerbell punched my face.

Who was I kidding? If fairies were real, who's to say mermaids weren't either.

"Hey, captain!" I called. Hook came running over. He knew if I used his title that it was serious.

"Yes, Pan?" he replied, using my last name instead of "boy."

"Are there mermaids in the water?" I asked. Hook scowled.

"Aye, there are. Nasty creatures. Steer clear. I hear they like eating arrogant boys," Hook said, but he was smiling.

"Was that last part a joke?" I asked.

"No, I was serious about that most of all," he said sarcastically. So it was a joke.

"You mean to tell me the 'Great Captain James Hook' has a sense of humor?" I asked. He cuffed me on the back of the head.

"Go back and help the others, boy."

I was resting my eyes on the sand when I heard Nico get up next to me. I followed.

"Going for a walk in the moonlight, Neeks?" I asked. He once again reddened at the nickname I'd given him.

"Yeah."

"Mind if I walk with you?" Nico's face grew into a wide grin.

"Not at all," he said. We walked in silence for a while, our fingers interlaced.

"Anything on your mind?" I asked. In response he pulled out his phone. It had a selfie of me, him, and his mother as the screen. In fact, I had the same home screen as he did. I saw a tear run down his cheek in the moonlight. I gently brushed it away. I eased him to a sitting position.

"Nico, what is it?" I asked.

"Our parents. Do you ever think they miss us?" he asked.

"Maybe. But your mom was more of a parent to me than my parents were. I know you two were close."

"I just feel so bad. I left her all alone." He started crying harder. I held him while he cried into my shoulder. I felt bad for his mom as well. I wished we could go back, just to let her know that we were okay, or at least somehow send a message.

"Thanks, Peter," he hiccuped once he was done crying. He was leaning his forehead against mine.

"You needed a friend, not a sarcastic commenter," I replied. We gazed into each other's eyes and before I knew it, our lips were locked in a kiss. I heard a sound like a bell nearby. Tinkerbell flew down and landed on my shoulder.

"I knew it! You are together!" she chimed.

"Oh, shut up," I said to her.

"Tinkerbell, do you mind if Peter and I are alone?" he asked timidly.

"Not at all," she said. I could hear a smirk in her voice, and she flew away.

We continued walking in silence, still holding hands for a little while. Then Nico broke the silence.

"Ya' know, Pete," he started. I glared at him. "Peter," he amended. "Maybe the-" he said before a pale hand grabbed his bare ankle and pulled him underwater. The mermaids. I couldn't swim, but the well being of my best friend took precedence over that. I dove after him into the deep, dark, cold, and wet water. I dove after him, into the unknown.