The Girl From the Sea

3 - From the Mouth of Mermaids

(Serina's point of view)

We were on the boarders of camp just about to break through the trees. I snuck a glance at Peter seeing his solemn face and his eyes blazing with fire. He didn't say a word to me as he turned to walk into the camp. I quickly grabbed his hand, making him stop and look back at me, his green eyes dark.

"Do you think it's true what Hook said? I asked. "If it has anything to do with the mermaids then it must be a proph-"

"It doesn't matter," He snapped. "Mermaids are snake like demons and who knows when they are telling the truth."

He turned away from me, yanking his hand out of mine starting to make his way into camp, then paused turning back once more,

"Why did Hook look at you that way?" He asked softly.

"I...I don't know." I answered, feeling my stomach turn in knots as he looked down at me. I was unable to meet his dark gaze.
His face showed no emotion as he turned back around and kept walking making his way into camp.
"Stupid pirate." I heard him mutter under his breath.
I hadn't seen this side of Peter very often, and when I did it wasn't quite like this. He seemed so...cold.

I followed behind him, pushing aside leaves that were as tall as I was as. They along with thick bushes kept our camp tucked away and hidden. I again started to worry about the darkness that has a small grip on his heart and the role it could play if he succumbed to it. I shuddered thinking about it; thinking about how close he came to killing today, to shedding blood.

The younger lost boys and girls were excited to see Peter as they were away from him all day. They jumped and climbed on him, their laughter ringing throughout the forest.

"I thought you were a no good pirate and you were gonna try to come get us today, Peter?"

He glanced over to Felix unsure what they were talking about but decided to play along Felix gave him a slight smile and shrug.

"I was a no good pirate today, but you know what? I searched and searched for all for you and couldn't find anyone! You hid yourselves away too well!" He laughed; his eyes brightening as his lips came to a smile, but there was still an unsettling look just behind those eyes as they lightened up from the dark look they've had most of the day.

It was already late upon our return, but dancing around the bonfire is a nightly routine here in Neverland. Plus we haven't even had dinner yet and I was starving! Some worked on starting up a roaring fire while others helped in putting out a food spread of fruits and berries along with a whole slowly roasted hog. No one hesitated to start stuffing their faces when the food had become ready. It was delicious!
"I'll never leave Neverland" I thought to myself as I took a big bite out of my slice of hog. "And I'll never grow up."

Most everyone had finished eating and was now taking to leaping and dancing around the massive bonfire yelling and howling out at the top of their lungs... everyone except Peter that is. I scanned the area looking for where he might be. I caught his eye as he looked away from me. He was sitting off to the side on the outskirts of camp with Felix. They were whispering to each other and glancing around as if planning something.
"What silly thing is that bloody demon planning now?" I gave a frustrated sigh trying to shrug it off as I rolled my eyes giving a loud howl and joined the other lost kids in dancing around the fire, feeling my heart race in excitement.

Time passes and the bonfire started to dull into a trivial campfire and most everyone had made their way to the treehouse headed for bed. I was still sitting out by the smoldering fire enjoying talking to Xander, one of the older lost boys on the island.

"I heard Peter went a little bonkers today? You think if you weren't there he would of...well...killed him?"

It's true we joked about Hook until our stomachs hurt from laughter, but never have we mentioned taking his life. I looked down at my feet,
"I honestly don't know."