Trapped in Neverland

3

It has been about a week since we had our run-in with Pan. But now, as I sit on the couch and read one of my books on magick, the sound of tapping on the window draws my attention away from my book. I look at the window, and see a shadow flick across the glass, then fade into the woods beyond my house.

I blink, and get up. I grab my wand, and follow the shadow.

The shadow moves through the trees with fluid grace. I look around as the figure walks at a brisk pace through the woods, and I start to struggle to keep up with them. Then, we round a corner and come across a large, bioluminescent lake.

I stare at the water, watching as a the shadow slips into the water, vanishing beneath the surface. I shiver and walk closer to the water's edge.

"Hello?" I call into the twilight.

The figure's head pokes out of the water. Something feels weird here. Something feels ... wrong. I look around me, rubbing my arms. The woods around me loom too tall, and the sky is a dark purple bruise. I look at the figure, and nearly fall down when I scream in response to seeing the figure's face inches from mine.

"Who are you?" I ask, staring at the dark shadow-like person standing before me. The person's face is not young or old, and I cannot tell what their gender is, but I see their eyes are deep, fathomless blues, greens, and purples. The white and gray hair that hangs around the shadow's face looks like spider's silk.

"I am the divine, and I am the above. I am the below, and I am the shadow lurking in your light-filled heart."

"What?" I ask.

"My name is The Gray One."

"The what now? Seriously, who are you?"

The creature grabs my arms with their long, cold hands. I look at them in surprise, and they move closer.

"Tinkerbell ... you will be the most powerful Faerie of your kind. You will know sooner or later what your ability is. For now, know this; Three people search for you now. An exiled Prince. A desperate assassin. And a twisted mage. They all search for you, and I will tell you this one last thing..."

The Gray One leans closer to me, their shining eyes gleaming bright. I shiver again, and they chuckle in response. The Gray One then tilts their head to the side, and speaks again.

"One will bring you your salvation, one will bring you friendship, and one will bring you death. It is up to you to decide who will bring you what."

Then, The Gray One plunges into the water, vanishing beneath the surface, never to re-emerge.