Crimson

Chapter 25: Up, Up, and Away

Hannah's Perspective:

Running blindly through the forest, I dodged and ducked sharp tree branches as I could hear their heavy footsteps gaining speed. I knew that I would be easy to outrun, but if there's anything I'm good at—

It's being a pain in the ass.

I had no plan, no athletic ability, and no idea how the hell I got myself into this hellhole. All I knew was if I was going to make it out of this I needed to get to Lea before anyone else. Whether I like her or not, she's an ally. I felt my legs and chest begin to burn. I couldn't keep running like this. I had to stop but I knew if I did I would be done for. Just when I began to lose hope I heard a scream in the distance.

"Hannah!" The voice echoed.

The voice belonged to none other than Lea. And for once, thank God. But for a moment, I questioned myself in the fear that it would be another trick. How do I know Lea isn't one of them too? For God's sake she was being nice to me today...after tackling me and nearly ripping my hair out...

Yep, it's her.

I pivoted and pushed myself to run in the direction of her scream. I could see boys chasing after me in my peripherals and used it to motivate me. I pushed and pushed even though I felt like I could trip and fall on my face at any moment. I began to recognize the shrubbery and trees, knowing I was nearing the creek. I slowed to a stop when I neared the clearing. I watched as I saw a young boy pinning Lea to the ground as she pleaded.

"No! No!" She screamed as she pounded her fists against the ground. "I won't do it! No! No!" She strained. The boy hushed her.

"The less you struggle the quicker this will be over," he insisted as he pulled a vial of purple shimmering dust from his pocket. Lea squirmed even more. Hearing the footsteps of the Lost Boys I grabbed a large log from beside me and began to approach Lea and the boy from behind. My feet barely made contact with the ground as I stepped quietly through the trees. "When you're answering to me...you can be sure that Peter Pan will be no more...I'm saving him just for you..."

Alright, that's it you little psycho...

The boy uncapped the vial as Lea screamed. As he readied himself to empty the vial I swung the log and hit him from the side of his head. My swing knocked him off Lea as she sat in shock with wide eyes. Outstretching my hand I spoke out of breath.

"Hannah Williams at your service," I breathed heavily. Lea grabbed my hand as I pulled her up.

"I owe you one," she spoke as she found her balance.

"We don't have time," I spoke hastily. "The Lost Boys are right on my tail," I continued. Lea quickly bent over to pick up her bow and quiver. She grasped at her neck and patted at her chest in confusion. Her brows furrowed.

"What the—" she stopped speaking as boys came sprinting from the forest into our sight. She grabbed my forearm and pulled me aside as a Lost Boy attempted to tackle me. He fell into the creek and Lea pulled me along. "We have to go, now," she ordered. Beginning to run, the Lost Boys caught wind of our whereabouts and began to hunt us down.

"Where are we going?" I questioned as Lea led me deeper into the forest in an area that strayed far from the path. Through her heavy breathing, she replied.

"Somewhere that will get us the hell out of here," she wheezed. "I don't know what happened to the vial of pixie dust I had but I guess we'll just have to improvise."

Her pixie dust...

This was all my fault...

The area around us began to darken as we headed further into the forest. There were so many trees that you could barely see the Neverland sky. It held this sort of eerie and dark atmosphere that was unsettling.