Checkmate

12. Twitterpated

The next day, Felix and I couldn't help stealing random glances at each other any chance we got. Over breakfast, during training, whilst hunting, but never when Pan was around. We even risked sharing a short kiss in the dense forest as we collected firewood. The two of us battling to carry the most ending with us instead carrying very little.

When we returned from the forest, so had Pan from the mountains, some sort of secret business he had with one of the lost boys. I realised later that the cage holding Kayde was empty. I was sad at the unnecessary loss of life, but glad I no longer had to worry about him coming back for round two.

Pan sat on his throne with his face devoid of any emotion as he cleaned his fingernails with my dagger. The boy picking out obvious specks of dried blood to drop them unceremoniously on the forest floor next to him.

Felix took my small bundle of wood and nudged me forwards, gesturing with his head for me to continue on towards the demon king. "He only listens to you," Felix whispered. "If he gets too bored, he may start killing."

Not wanting anyone, including myself, to die because Pan was simply bored, I stepped forward and curtsied low. "Your majesty, I sense you are feeling low. Might I suggest a game?" My gaze flicked up to his eyes, and I watched as they flashed with intrigue. "Perhaps... hide and seek?"

"An excellent idea, my lady," he replied, matching my tone and my curtsey with a bow. We stood together at the same time and quickly he whistled for the boys. When all were accounted for in a circle around us, Pan announced the game and many scrabbled to be the hunter. The voices silenced when Pan raised his hand and demanded he be the hunter, promising to find all the boys before the sun went down.

"But Peter," I started in the same tone as before. "You could find all of them in seconds and that would be no fun. How about another in your place to make the game last a little longer into the night? No light means no one else can see. If you chose me, it would be an enjoyable challenge for me to hone my skills."

All the boys clambered at a chance to be the hunter once again, but Pan silenced them once more, his eyes flitting to a silent Felix. "Annie and Felix." My heart stopped at his declaration, panicked that he knew of our stolen moments and kisses. "They shall be the hunters, giving you only a few minutes to hide."

All the boys stood still, unsure of when to go.

I released a breathy laugh, half in amusement and half in relief and not having been found out. From the corner of my eye, I watched Felix visibly release his shoulders that had tensed at the sound of our names together. I took a moment to scan the faces of the lost boys as they stared at me. "Well?" I paused for a moment. "GO!"

They scurried off into the woods, taking weapons and rope with them. I made a mental tally, knowing that I could take four of the boys without any issue. Pan paused, looking between Felix and I as we plotted a plan for a few seconds before he vanished into a hiding spot. I watched him go; Felix too focused on working to notice.

Sure enough, Felix and I worked well together, putting our relationship aside for one afternoon to catch all bar one. The boys hung their heads as they sullenly stormed back to camp after being found. Pan, of course, was hard to catch, but he stuck to the rules and even helped us to find the last boy.

"If he is this hard to find, then he must be dead," Pan said plainly, his face devoid of emotion.

"Don't say such horrid things. I'm sure he's fine."

Felix sighed heavily and lowered his bow. "No, Pan is right."

The boy king nodded. "If I can't sense him and find him, then he is definitely dead. I'll call the boys."