Promises of Gold

10. No Rest for The Wicked

Cordelia gasped as she saw a good looking boy in the bush. He had dark purple hair and dazzling blue eyes. He smiled at her with a smirk as if he knew something she didn't. She was beyond confused by what he meant.

"Excuse me? Who are you?"

"One of the manipulated ones. As James likes to call us. Come with me. I'll show how wrong he is. You'll remember everything with our help." he whispered.

"No. I don't trust you. I don't know you. Leave." Cordelia said, getting scared and backing away.

"You'll change your mind eventually Cordelia. They always do. If not, we have other ways. You'll see me again soon." the boy said before giving her another eerie smile and retreating.

***

"And he just fell! Right in the river." Lola exclaimed before everyone began to laugh.

Cordelia forced a smile at the anecdote as she stood beside Lola again. She drank her punch not being able to shake off what had just occurred. She would tell James after the party. Cordelia needed to know who the boy was and what he meant. She had never seen such a boy. Purple hair?

"Cordelia may we speak?" James asked interrupting her thoughts.

She nodded and let him lead her away in a secluded corner by some more jungle. She took a deep breath ready to tell him what had occurred. She began to open her mouth to inform him.

"What happened? You seem off?" James asked, cutting her off.

"James. When I was getting my drink a boy in a bush tried to convince me to come with him. He said you were wrong about them and he would show me why. He also said I would change my mind and that they always do. Or they had another way. He was quite creepy." Cordelia exclaimed sounding panicked.

"What did he look like?" James demanded suddenly furious.

"He had purple hair and bright blue eyes. He looked our age." Cordelia said almost stuttering.

"Max. I'll take care of this Cordelia. Stay away from any woods when you're alone and be on your guard. They know you're here and they'll try their best to get you to go to them." James stated still angry.

"Why do they want me?"

"Your magic. With it they can get most of the land and live however they like. The boundaries will be broken" James explained worriedly.

"How could he get through?"

"He used to be one of us. He became one of them after you left and the boundaries were made. He's their dirty man. Don't listen to him. I told you I'll protect you and take care of this." James told her urgently.

Cordelia nodded and let him lead her back into the crowd. He seemed to watch her for the whole night. As if she could be  stolen any second. How could there be evil even here? In what seemed like a paradise?

"Would you dance with me Cordelia?" a familiar voice asked, startling her.

Cordelia turned around to see the brunette boy at her ceremony. She luckily remembered his name was William. She was surprise she remembered due to how many people she met that night. She reluctantly agreed and let him lead her in a dance to the classical music some of the girls were playing.

"How are you liking Neverland?" William asked as they danced slowly.

"It's wonderful. But odd. James told me all about the others on the east side."

"Oh them. Don't worry. James and I will take care of it quickly" William assured her.

"You know?"

"Yes. I help him with a lot of the protection. In the past there was a lot of violence due to the other side. I stood by him in all his calls." William told her as he spanned her around.

"Oh. Does this happen often?"

"Not anymore. It was expected since you arrived though." William admitted.

"How could there be evil here? This place is so secluded and feels like a haven. It's odd that there's a place for evil even here" Cordelia sighed as they danced.

She saw James staring from the corner of her eye as William held her waist. She focused on William as they ballroom danced to the music.

"You should know by now." William said with a sigh, as their eyes met.

"What?"

"There's no rest for the wicked Cordelia. Even here"