Counting Stars

Chapter 7

Juliette's P.O.V.

No, I really wasn't ready to meet new people, but for whatever reason I couldn't tell him that. Either I was too scared of his reaction or my throat was so dry that sound couldn't even come out. Maybe it was a little bit of both. Instead of talking, I gave a fearful and sad look. I just wanted to go home. 

"What's wrong?" He asked genuinely concerned. 

"Peter I just want to go home." I say with my voice horsed. 

Peter heavily sighs and cups my face, tilting my head up to make my brown eyes look into his green ones. "Darling, this is home. I know it won't feel like that right now, but eventually you'll see that it is where you belong."

"I thought Neverland was for lost and unloved children?"

"It is."

"But I'm not lost and I don't feel unloved. Therefore, I don't belong in Neverland. You need to let me go." 

That wasn't the right thing to say. He grabbed my upper arms and pulled me close so we were chest-to-chest. Or face-to-chest because of how much taller he is than me. I don't know, either way, we were close together. I didn't like the sudden darkening of his eyes. "I believe I told you last night that I don't have to do anything. If I want you here, you are here; regardless of whether you believe so yourself or not. One way or another I'll make you realize that you are meant to be here. I don't care what I have to do to make you realize, but trust me, my dear, I'll do whatever it takes." His voice was low and dark. I knew this wasn't an empty threat. 

I simply nod my head, but that wasn't enough. "No. I need to hear you speak. Let me know you understand with your words."

"Y-yes. I understand."

His mood changed within a second. His eyes became a lighter shade of green and he had a small smile on his face. He brushed the hair out of my face and I did my best to not flinch. What is wrong with him? "You'll get use to things around here. I don't have doubt in you." But what if I don't get use to things when he wants me to? What will he do to me? He said one way or another he'll make me want to stay. What did that mean? I will try my best to 'get use to things' while thinking of a way to get out of here.

"Now listen," Peter starts, getting me out of my train of thought. "you will meet the other Lost Boys. Keep in mind that they haven't seen a girl in a very long time. If any of them cause you any trouble, just let me know and I will take care of it personally. Okay?"

"Yes."        

"Don't be afraid to tell me if they are making you feel uncomfortable."

"What would you do to them?"

"Nothing you would have to worry about. Now let's get going."

The walk wasn't very long. It felt long because there was only silence between Peter and I. He didn't let go of my hand once. He made sure not to grab my wrist because of how much they still hurt.   

I had to know what he was thinking. I had to know what he meant by 'whatever it takes'. "Um, Peter?"

"Yes?"

Well, here goes nothing. "What did you mean when you said you'll do whatever it takes to make me 'realize'?"

"Exactly that. I will go all the way to make you want to stay."

"But what does that mean? What will you do to me?"

He stopped and turned to look at me. I think I saw sadness in his eyes, but I couldn't tell. "Let's just hope that you never have to find out what that means, darling." Wow, he sucks at this whole calming thing. That made this entire situation worse. I wished I had never asked. I have to get away. I know that's obvious, but it just has to happen.

"We're here." He says gleefully breaking me from my thoughts. 

I take a look at the camp. It's actually nice. There is a large bond fire in the center and a bunch of tents around. There were boys walking around doing... whatever it is that Lost Boys do. 

"Boys!" Peter calls out. They all instantly stopped what they were doing and look over at Peter and I. They all ranged from ages of maybe twelve to seventeen. I thought that the Lost Boys were suppose to be... well, boys, not teenagers. "This is Juliette." He says gesturing to me. "Like I told you all last night, Juliette is to be respected. If there is even a tiny complaint then you all know what will happen." They nodded their heads. What will happen? "Tonight we will have a celebration for her arrival. Until then, you may go back to what you were doing before."

They obeyed him once again. How do they just let him have this kind of power over them? They didn't look like they feared him, kind of admired him. They looked up to him. It was cute, it would be cuter if he wasn't mental.

Peter starts pulling me away from the group of boys and over to a tent. I look back at the boys and there are only two boys looking back. The one boy is giving me a kind of sly smile. It was a little creepy but I wasn't going to tell Peter that, otherwise he would do something to him and I didn't want people getting hurt. Plus, he was cute. The other boy who was a tall blonde with a scar across his face was just staring at us. I didn't really know what kind of stare but it was defiantly unsettling. Again, not telling Peter.  

He pulls me into a tent that I assume is his. It was nice. A bed and a nightstand. There was a silence between us. I think he didn't know what to say and I just didn't want to say anything to him. But, he takes it upon himself to talk anyway. "So, tomorrow after the celebration-"

I cut him off there. "I don't want anything like that."

"It'll be nice, you'll like it." Knowing there was no way out of it, I just nod. "Tomorrow I want to take you on a tour of the island. It'll be just us." He wraps his arms around my waist pulling me to him. "We will get to be alone." He was being seductive. "And we will get to look at the second most beautiful sights." He brushed the hair out of my face placing his forehead against my. I shake under his touch. His lips dangerously close to mine. "The first most beautiful sight being you." His eyes closed and I waited to feel a passionate touch against my lips...