Hook Before Swan

Hearts and Clubs

For the third day in a row I trudge through the brush to find the brothers Jones only this time as allies not enemies. I brainstorm ways to break Liam's fate to him and his brother with no avail. I make it to our meeting spot despite my want to run back to avoid the conversation all together but I know if i do Liam will have no chance. At least this way we can buy him some time. Killian and Liam are no where to be seen so I begin snacking on a small cake I snagged from one of the boys on my way out of camp.  I hear steps behind me.
"About time, I thought you guys were gonna..."
As I turn instead of seeing Killian or Liam I see Felix.
"What are you doing out here in the open?" He asks, his voice is off though. I can't figure out what it is but I have a strange feeling.
"What do you mean? I'm on my way to find the Jones brothers. I just stopped for some breakfast." Felix's eyes are hollow.
"You should be careful out in the open like this, they might see you." His voice isn't his, it's like someone else is in his body.
"Ya that's kinda the point" I say to myself.
"Who were you talking to before you saw it was me?" Oh my gosh! I've only ever read about this in books! I mean I know it wouldn't be beyond Pan I've just never seen it done myself.
"I asked a couple of boys to come out with me today, they said they had nothing better to do but Pan must have taken care of that." I smile an laugh to try to cover my lie.
"Haha right" Felix swings his knobby club down from over his shoulder "I just wanted to give you this, wouldn't want you defenseless should trouble arise" he hands me the dagger he took last night.
"Oh, ya thanks" I take it and slide it through my belt.
"I better get back, I'm supposed to patrol the beach today. I'll see you tonight" Felix stares at me for a second to long before getting up and walking away.
"Aren't you forgetting something" I call after him but there's not response. I pick up his club he left on the ground and while it's dense it's not as heavy as I expected.
"Faker" I smile. No wonder he never let me hold it. He always said I'd club him to death and run but at the time he was probably right. I notice something at the bottom. It's a small piece of parchment, similar to what's in my notebooks, tied with a thin piece of vine. I untie it and scratched in messy writing is a note:
"Get away! It's not me."
My mind races trying to decipher a meaning.
Just then Liam and Killian emerge from the tree line.
"Sorry about that love, the captain got a late start" Killian smiles and I look up.
"What is it?" He says seeing my unamused face.
"It's not safe here, we need to get away from camp" they both nod and follow me deeper into  the brush.

                               *          *          *
"What is this about?" Liam asks after we've been walking for a good 15 minutes all of which were silent.
"I'm sorry, we had to get farther away from camp. Pan has ears everywhere" we sit in a small cluster of rocks "My brother, Felix. He came and talked to me earlier while I was waiting for you but something was off. Before he left and gave me this though" I show them them the note I've been clutching in my hands.
"What does he mean its not me?"
"Im not exactly sure but I think Pan is controlling him" by the blank stares I'm getting I have a feeling they don't really understand.
"What are you talking about?" This time Liam speaks up.
"If my suspicions are correct Pan has Felix's heart. Felix has always been Pan's right hand man but with him under this kind of control no where is safe. I suggest we hurry up and get what ever you need done and get off this island" Killian grinds his teeth and Liam looks...I don't really know. For some reason he's hard for me to read.
"How are you coming with that?" Liam looks at me.
"What?" Why can't I focus? Another glance at Killian answers my question but I try to push that to the back of my mind.
"Our passage out of this forsaken realm!!!" His face is bright red as he shoves the words at me.
"Well I'm sorry for covering for you when Pan comes calling!! I'm working on it ok but understand that at any time I can turn you in" my face is inches away from Liam's but he leans in closer "And you understand this, girl. No one is making me take you with us" I see Killian look away "if I really wanted I'd get your help with the Dreamshade then leave you to clean up the mess when this Pan starts asking questions, I have a feeling he wouldn't be to keen on one of his little minions helping the enemy."
"But if you were really the captain you say you are you wouldn't need help from a little girl"
"Enough!" Killian pulls us apart as our faces are almost touching "look, if any of us are ever going to get off this island we're gonna have to work together. Liam I'm sure Ash is doing her best to get us what we need and Ash my brother is a fine captain but his temper can get in the way, you'll have to excuse it." Killian looks at us both. I relax a little but Liam storms off.
"Killian there's something you should know" i can't control my fidgeting hands.
"What is it"
"It's Liam..." he cuts me off before I can finish "Look I really do apologize about him but he's still my brother.."
"No it's not that. Pan. He told me something last night" Killian is looking right into my eyes but I break the gaze.
"He has to die, that's what Pan said" I hold my breath waiting for some kind of reaction but there's none. Just still silence.