Counting Stars

Chapter 22

Pan's P.O.V.

As I think of me reviving Juliette, another thought comes to mind. Her story and Leo's story. They didn't match and she never gave me an explanation as to why. There is the chance that Leo could be lying. But he has been nothing but loyal to me since I brought him here. Also, Juliette has attempted to escape before. I would need to speak to Leo, but his story may seem more likely than Juliette's.

I make it back to camp to see Leo talking to a few Lost Boys. "Leo." I say, causing him to stop and turn. "Mind if I speak to you in private?" I ask, even though it wasn't really a question.

He nods and I lead us out of view of the Lost Boys. "Is something wrong, Pan?" He asked me.

"I spoke with Juliette about her cheek and your stories don't match. Care to explain why?" I ask with no emotion.

All Leo does is heavily sigh and shakes his head a little. What was he thinking? "I told her a story to say. I promised I wouldn't tell you. I'm sorry, Pan."

"Sorry for what?"

"She tried running again. Juliette tried fighting me to get away. I stopped her, but I accidentally punched her in the face. I didn't want her getting hurt so I told her to tell you this story that I made up. I guess there was some kind of miscommunication. I'm so sorry. I just didn't want Juliette being punished. I understand that you are mad at me. It was my fault. If you want to punish someone, punish me."

I knew I could trust Leo. Of course I was mad at him for not telling me the truth at first, but he was noble and told me. "It's alright Leo." I tell him placing a hand on his shoulder. "Just tell the truth next time because it will save everyone a lot of trouble." I take a few steps back. "Now I have some business to attend to." And I disappear in a cloud or smoke.

I head to the mainland. I know a way to make sure that Juliette never runs away from me or our love again.

Leo's P.O.V.

Of course I purposely told Pan a different story. Of course I told him that Juliette tried to escape. She shouldn't have rejected me like that. I know I told her I would wait until a certain number of rejections but I couldn't hold myself back. It was too much fun to just ignore.

I know Pan won't be back for a while so I decided to pay my dear Juliette a visit. I find the tree house latter and begin to climb. Once I am at the top, I see Juliette sitting on the bed all tied up. I smirk and it was like she could register my smirk because she turned in my direction. She gave me a nasty glare, but I keep my face.

"What do you want?" She asked.

"Just wanted to see how you were holding up." I tell her.

"Why would you tell Peter a different story? Now he thinks I tried to escape and we both know I didn't."

"Oh, did I accidentally tell Pan something completely different?" I ask sarcastically. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to. Well, I actually did mean to. It was just too fun to pass up." I laugh. Clearly she doesn't know what humor is considering she didn't laugh in response. "Are you ready to join me?" I asked.

"Are you ready for another girl to reject you?" I'll admit that was good.

I was about to hit her, but then think about it for a moment if it was worth it. "I won't hurt you this time. Pan's punishment, whatever it may be, will be much worse." She stiffened. I loved it.

I climb down the latter leaving her to think about my threat.

Juliette's P.O.V.

I don't know what to make of Leo's threat. What did Peter have planed for me? I didn't do anything. I shouldn't be punished. Leo should. But he has been a Lost Boy for a long time. He would of course trust him over me. I'm just so scared.

Then, all of a sudden, on his cue, Peter is in the tree house by magic. I turn to him clearly showing a lot of fear. He walks towards me getting down to my level so our noses are practically touching. I don't say anything. I don't want him to get more angry than he wrongfully is.

I notice that he is wearing a satchel that he defiantly wasn't wearing before. I look down at the satchel and then back up at him.

"You will never run away from me again, Juliette."

"I already told you, I didn't run away in the first place!" I exclaim.

"Well it doesn't matter if you did or didn't, because I found a way to make sure that you won't." He reaches in his satchel and I am in pure horror from what I see.

A heart! An actual, human, beating heart! How is it still beating? That's impossible! I let out a little shriek. He chuckled. How sick could he be? "Peter," I start. "whose heart is that?"

"Your mother's." I look at him in disbelief. He killed my mother?!

"You killed my mother?! How could you? Do you think I will love you after that?"

"I didn't kill her. I only took her heart. She was asleep so she didn't even notice. She was a complete wreck by the way." I wonder why? Maybe because her daughter went missing in the middle of the night. I think to myself. "But you will at least attempt to love me and you will never run again because if you run, all I have to do is give it a little squeeze and mommy dearest is no more." I cry so hard. How could he do this? I can't love him now.

He takes my face and starts to wipe away my tears. "Don't cry my love. I promise I will give it back as long as you do what you are told."

"Why would you do this?"

"For you. For us. Everything I do is because I love you and I want you to love me too. And now with this," He gestures the heart. "I know that you will never leave me."