Neverland

Chapter Twenty-Two

Our bodies slam on the dirt floor. We made it. We are back in the prison. I pat myself down to make sure that every portion of me is in the right place. Wendy is curled up on the earth, clutching her stomach, a side affect of her being reassembled. As for me, I am all dried up. I can feel that my magic is gone, for the time being, at least. The emptiness will be like a thirst never quenched. I always hunger for more.

Despite the journey using up all of my power, at least I know the secret to destroying my brother. It dawns on me that Hook hinted that that secret would be in my memory. So I know who already knew the answer.

"You knew the answer," I say to Hook's direction. He appears from the shadows and says, "That I did."

"Then why didn't you say anything? You foul-"

"Because," he interrupts. "Then it wouldn't mean anything." Wendy touches my arm gently.

"Peter," says Wendy. "I am so sorry, I had no... idea." She falters when she sees the hurt, disgusted look on my face. I am tempted to yank my arm away, but I don't. Hook clears his throat loudly.

"Then you know what you have to do, mate." Hook claps my shoulder. I turn, pulling myself from Wendy in the process.

"Yes," I say. "But how to break free..." I am lost in thought for a moment. The sound of grinding stone breaks the dim silence. A pillar of light falls on the three of us. A boy jumps from the opening, landing smoothly in front of us. No one can make a landing like that, not unless they have magic.

"Jack requests the three of you," he says. Hook makes a small noise. "Yes, even you, pirate." Hook and Wendy are both pale with fear. I have never known Hook to be afraid. I wish my sword was with me. My questions on escaping vanish as two boys bind our wrists behind us. With a touch from the first boy, we glow faintly of the color (purple). The holding magic confirms my suspicions: Jack has taken my power.

With this magic there is no hope for escape. We are held captive until the magic is broken. Or until the wielder is put against his will.

We are marched in line down a path through the forest. The (perspective) from day to night is extremely different. I like the night better, though, because it gives me a place to conceal myself.

"Peter, what do we do?" Wendy hisses.

"I am thinking of that," I answer. My mind is whirling, but nothing comes to me. A thick tree trunk split down the middle creates a table, every space filled with food. Thick, juicy grapes, sharp cheese, and soft bread cover the wooden plates. The boy who first entered our prison seats us. Wendy and Hook sit at either side of me. The boy stands at the head of the table. It feels as if there is no one on this land but us. Even the second boy has disappeared.

(Purple) smoke surround the boy, leaving Jack in his place. He twitches for a few moments, as if he's fighting something inside. Jack regains his composure and glares at us.

"Well go on," Jack says. "Eat." I suspect there must be truth magic or something similar in the food. Hook, Wendy, and I make a silent agreement as we connect eyes: We will not eat this food. I open my mouth to reply, but Wendy gets there first.

"It is proper to have the host take the first bite," she says smoothly. Hook nods.

"Aye," he says. "I believe the fair lady is right." Wendy gives him a strange look. I find myself doing the same. What sort of game is Hook playing? Jack gives us a look of hatred and neither sits nor eats.

"Then I suppose I should get straight to the point," Jack says. He turns to me. "Do you know why you are here, Peter?" Instantly, I am reminded of when I was brought to Neverland, being asked the same question. Again, I don't know the answer, but this time, I do know at least part of it.

"I am guessing it has to do something with my magic, as it's gone." I mutter the last few words, then continue. "But I don't have the faintest idea what this place is." Jack laughs and gives me a sly look.

"You do know the way to Neverland, yes?" Jack says. Of course I do. I have lived there so long. I assume that this place works similar to Neverland, though, as Jack is still alive. I nod.

"Good. I thought so," Jack continues. "Coming to my land is liken to Neverland. Only, to come here, it is the first star to the right. Then straight on until daybreak." The lightning must have shot us off course. I wonder what has become of Neverland now. Jack leans close to my face.

"You think you are so great," he hisses. "You always did, even though you were the younger brother. No matter what I did, you were always better. There is about two years between us! But did that matter?"

"After all this time, you still can't see what is right in front of you," I say. "The shadow is using you, Jack. It will take over your soul and destroy your very essence." Jack's eyes flash (purple) for a moment, and I know; he's just about gone. But something else is wrong. His face twists again, and he looks to be in pain.

"How is my magic working for you?" I say quietly.

"None of your business," he mutters.

"Well, if that's it," I say. "Then we had best be off." I stand, my hands still tied. Wendy and Hook do the same.

"No," Jack rasps. He locks me in place with a wave of his hand. "You need to watch this."