The Real Peter Pan

• Chapter 19 •

"If there is chaos and confusion everywhere, and nothing makes any sense, there is probably a sociopath at the helm."
-Michelle Parsons

I stomp my way outside so fast that I run into a waitress carrying a meal and it spills out of her hands; but I'm too angry and determined to stop and help her mop it up.

Once I reach outside I freeze. I don't face him and I don't talk. I just take a few moments to feel the chilled air and try to calm down. I close my eyes.

"I'm tired of this." My words are quiet but forceful.

"I know." Peter says.

That seems to set something off in me. I whip around as an uncontrollable stream of tears falls from my eyes. "No! I'm tired of all the secrets and every time I try to make it clear you just hide more!"

He just stares at me.

A sob of frustration come from me. More tears fall and I feel like I've lost control. I cover my face with my hands and cry angrily. When I look up I look at Peter. He looks to the ground and my heart clenches at the glisten of tears in his eyes. Mentally exhausted I sit on the curb.

Taking a deep breath I say, "I'm sorry, I just-"

"Okay." He interrupts. "I'll tell you the truth."

My body jumps into a state of shock. He lifts his eyes to me and I blink.

"What do you want to know first?" Peter says as he sits next to me.

I take a minute to comprehend. I wasn't really ready for a yes...

"What are you trying to protect me from?" I stutter. I can see his fist tighten.

"It's not a what, it's a who."

I nod and it's just quiet besides the faint music coming from the bowling alley.

"Is it Hook?"

Peter stands up and for a minute I think the floor begins to shake under us as the flames shoot from his eyes.

"How do you know about him!?" He yells and I can feel a force of powerful wrath hit me.

"You.... You mentioned him."

Then he drops his shoulders and dangles his head. "Oh."

"Who is he?" I ask.

Peter shakes his head. "The only word I can describe him as is hellish."

Chills run up my arms. "Is 'Hook' a code name... Because your's is-"

"Peter Pan?" He raises an eyebrow. "No. His name is James Hook..from Eton."

I rub my eyes. "Wait a second. Is this some sort of a joke?"

He lowers his eyebrows. "What?"

"You are Peter Pan, trying to save me from Hook and we are in London! This can't be real."

"It is! All of this is real!"

"Oh really?! What does this so call Hook want with me anyway?" I throw my hands to my hips.

Peter shifts his eyes away. "I can't tell you everything....yet."

I laugh.

"What's so funny?" He scowls.

"All of this! The fact that I even believed your real name is Peter Pan and now 'Captain Hook' is coming to get me!"

"Brennan...." I look over to Claire who is walking outside hand in hand with Stephan. "He's telling the truth."

I stare at her. She lets go of Stephan's hand and walks to me.

"What so now that you are back with Stephan you are just going to believe what he tells you?"

"He didn't tell me anything. He showed me."

I roll my eyes. "Showed you what?"

She grabs my hands and smiles. "Neverland."

I just stare at her more as smiles. Then I yank from her and walk backwards.

"I'm done." I turn around and begin to walk away.

"Brennan! You can't hide from the truth forever, you're in danger!" Peter yells.

"No! Don't ever talk to me again!" And with that I start the long walk back to my home.

••••••••••••••••••••••••••

The walk home is cold and dark. The streets are quiet except for the few cars that pass every once and a while.

Finally I reach my door but I notice all the windows are dark. Slowly I walk in.

"Hello? Mom? Dad? Declan?" I say. No reply. They must have just went to bed early.

I walk to the kitchen and my eye catches at small piece of paper on the far counter. I walk over to it and pick it up. It's a list of scribbled words I can't make out.

But the last one is written bold and clear.

Hook.

Then a hand grabs me and spins me around. I gasp and come face to face with my father. Except it's not him... His eyes are red and his hair ruffled. Bags under his eyes as if he's been awake for weeks.

"Dad?" I gasp. But he swings his arm back.

Is he going to hit me?!

I duck as his fist meets the counter. Scrambling to my feet I scatter from the kitchen. He charges after me and I scream.

"Dad! Stop!" I try to run up the stairs but he grabs my right leg and yanks me back down the hard wooden steps. He wraps his hands around my throat to pin me down. I try to pry him off but he's too strong. So I do the one thing I know how to do.

I throw my knee upward and he releases with a painful groan. I stumble back up the stairs and slam my door shut. I lock it and back away. Quickly I pull out my phone and go to my contacts.

"Peter.... Call Peter...." I murmur to myself as I hold my phone with shaky hands. Then before I can press call a body slams straight through my door. My dad throws me to the ground and the phone springs from my hand. I land hard on the shredded wood and groan. Again he places his hands around my neck and I squirm uncontrollably to get away. I look over to see my phone just out of my hands reach.

I stretch my arm as far as it will go as I try to escape his hold. My finger tips just skimming the phone. I scream in frustration and swing on of my legs knocking his knee from under him. It gives me just enough freedom to grab the phone and call. But he pins down my arms and reaches in his pocket.

I'm still as he pulls out a syringe of a size that I didn't even know existed.

I hear my phone click and a voice.

"Peter!" I scream. "Peter help!" My body thrashes as he brings the needle to my neck.

I shriek as the unknown liquid is plunged into my veins.

"Peter..." My voice dizzy. I try to yell again but I can't form words in my mouth. My father lifts off of me and walks from the room.

But my body is cemented to the ground. My eyes blur and I try to scream again before my brain shuts off.