Neverland

Chapter Five

The last of Tinkerbell's followers are given the task of burying their former leader. It turns out most of the Lost, boys and girls, weren't as supportive of Tinkerbell as Liam made it seem.

After Tinkerbell is buried, the Lost raise me up on their shoulders and chant my name, just as they had did with Tinkerbell. The last of Tinkerbell's followers are no more. Everywhere I go, the Lost follow. What I want is answers, and Liam can give me those. However, I haven't seen Liam since I killed Tinkerbell. I killed Tinkerbell. How strange those words feel on my tongue, in my mind. I am a killer, I killed Tinkerbell.

I insist to the Lost that I need some time on my own. Tired of the dark side, I go to the lighter side of the island, where waterfalls glittered, and mountains rise above everything else. The Lost graciously offer me food and I hike to the top of the highest mountain, the one that the Lost call, Dark Ridge.

I hike for an hour or two. The clouds grow thicker, mist heavy over the island. At the top, I circle to see all the island. I can't see any other land beside this one. There is one ship docked where the light meets dark. From this height, I watch the light side grow larger, taking over the dark. To my right, is a huge rock shaped like a skull.

I clear away dead grass. Something sharp drags across my palm. I gasp, and take in the thorn that drips with my blood. Wiping my hand on my trousers, I notice how tattered my clothing is. I must find something else to where, before my clothes turn to rags. The blood seeps in easily, steadily staining the brown cloth. My brother, Jack, had a cut quite like this one. He always believed in magic, in hope, in a better life. I suppose I did too, at one point, but when our parents perished in that fire... Believing is something I haven't done in a long time. It is awful to think that I only believe when I am almost at my end. I can't control this magic, or any magic at all.

"So this is what our hero does in his spare time." I recognize Liam's voice almost instantly.

"I needed some time alone." I don't turn around.

"I respect that." Liam walks to me. I pull a strange fruit out of my sack, but I don't eat it.

"There are some things you need to know," Liam says. "No interrupting, I may answer your questions. I know you must have some." I only nod, afraid my emotions will explode if I speak.

"Tinkerbell is dead," Liam says. "Obviously, you know, you are the one that is responsible for her death. The Lost need a leader. They now look to you as a leader. Because of this, I am sorry to tell you that you cannot leave Neverland." This is the first time I have heard of the name of this land.

"Neverland?" I say. "So I am to be the leader of the Lost, in Neverland, until the end of my days?"

"Yes and no," Liam says. "You are expected to do just that, but not until the end of your days, but until the end of time." This gets my attention. I stand, angry.

"What do you mean, the end of time?" I shout. "I don't want to be leader of some sad children for all eternity! I did not volunteer for this! I have a life to live." I stop. "I had a life to live."

"You don't age in Neverland," Liam says. "You never grow up, and you never leave." Never grow up. Be sixteen forever. Do I deserve all of this? I know that I'm not a perfect boy, but to be thrown into some fairy tale land and basically be crowned the inhabitant's king? I have to set some rules, some conditions. We're playing by Pan's rules now.

"I'll make sure children believe, so no one will be dying. I'll be the leader," I say. Liam nods and starts to speak, but I hold my hand up. He remains silent.

"On one condition." I hardly recognize my tone, but I decide I like it. No more scared Peter, troubled Peter, Peter, who is afraid of his own shadow. I am the new Peter Pan, and I fully embrace this dark side of myself.

"No more girls," I say. Liam looks surprised. "Girls are trouble," I continue. "From now on, we will be the Lost Boys."