Counting Stars

Chapter 18

Pan's P.O.V.

I woke up the next morning to happily find Juliette asleep in my arms. She just looked so cute snuggled up in my embrace. I don't remember holding her this tight. I know that there was a part of last night where I don't think I felt her. Maybe she is just finally getting adjusted to how things are around here. Maybe she is just finally accepted Neverland as her home.

For a minute, I just lay there and look at her. I mean a really look at Juliette. I take in all of her features. Her silky, brown hair. Her lightly toned skin. Her small yet plump lips. Her small nose. I look at everything there is to look at. I wish her brown eyes were open. They are just so big and exquisite. I could look at them all day. Then again, I could look at them all day long; which makes it much easier considering that she is here with me forever and always.

I smile to myself as I slowly try to get out of bed without waking her up. I take my arm off of her waist only to have her start twisting and turning a little. I stop immediately. Juliette stirs a bit more, but then settles down once again. I breathe better now and make my way off of the rest of the bed.

When I am out of my tent, I am greeted by my Lost Boys sitting around a dead fire pit talking to one another. There are others whom are just emerging from their tents. I love how they are able to act as a family yet not be related by blood. It just goes to show that sharing blood doesn't make you a family. I'm glad I could save them, just like I'm saving Juliette, she just doesn't see it yet.

I make an announcement to the boys telling that we would go hunting today. We were running low on food. They all start to prepare their weapons when Leo comes up to me. "So what about the girl?"

"First of all, the girl is Juliette. Second, what about her?"

"Do you plan on bringing her on the hunting trip with us?" I give him a look showing him that his question was stupid.

"Of course I'm not taking her with us. Why on earth would you think I was taking her with us?" I couldn't let her get hurt. I could heal her of course, but I would hate to see her hurt.

"What if she plans on running away again?"

"She won't try that again. Trust me. I gave her a little scare yesterday and got the message across."

"But don't you think that is the perfect opportunity to run. She will be alone. No one would be guarding her." After thinking about it, it would be perfect timing for her to run away. I knew she wouldn't, but still.

"You're right." I knew I would have to leave her with someone, but the thought of leaving her with another boy cause me to boil with jealousy. Then again, they all knew better than to go after my girl. "Leo, would you mind staying behind and just keeping an eye on Juliette?"

He thought to himself. "Well, I was kind of looking forward to hunting..." he rubs the back of his neck. "but I guess I wouldn't mind doing that for you."

I pat him on the back. "Good man. She is just sleeping in my tent. I'm just going to check on her."

I make my way back to my tent to see Juliette sitting up a little on the bed. I'm so happy to see her awake. I'm so happy to see her eyes open. I'm just so happy. "Morning, darling."

"Morning." She says quietly.

I walk over to the bed and sit down next to her. I take one of her hands into my own. Luckily, she doesn't flinch at my touch. "I'm taking the boys out hunting this morning." She nods. "While I'm gone, you are to stay here. I don't trust you yet after the last time so Leo will stay here as well and watch you."

For some reason, her eyes grew when I mentioned Leo staying. "No!" She says. "I mean... don't leave me alone. What if Hook comes?"

"The camp is protected, he can hurt you." I reassure her as I brush hair out of her face. "Plus I think Leo can take a few drunk pirates." 

As I get up from the bed to leave, she does something that I didn't think she would do... got up and hugged me... willingly. "Please don't leave me. Let me come with you."

"I'm sorry darling. I don't want you getting hurt." I unwrap myself from her and look into those beautiful eyes of hers. "I'll be back soon. Don't worry."

Juliette's P.O.V.

And he disappeared. Just like that. I pace a little around the tent. I can't believe this. I'm going to be alone with that monster. Who knows what he will do to me.

I step out of the tent to talk to Peter once again only to see that he and the other Lost Boys aren't there. I step in the middle of the campsite and still see no one. I am freaking out.

"So nice to truly be alone." I hear the true devil's voice from behind me.