Reader of The World Beyond

3: We Chase an Imp and Step on Jack Frost

The three of us stopped running and gasped for air. Where the hell did they go?

"Where is he?" Midas asked.

"The Starian says here, but—" I was cut off by a woman's scream.

"Hey!"

We turned to see a boy with long golden curls on his head, a buttoned nose, green eyes that gleamed mischievously and a face full of freckles. He was wearing a funny green outfit with vines around his arms and legs.

He had stolen cotton candy from the woman's daughter who looked no older than six years old.

"Mummy, is this Rumpelstiltskin?" the girl asked.

The boy looked like he was about to choke, "What?!" he spluttered. "No, you stupid girl!" -The woman let out a dramatic gasp- "I'm Peter Pan!"

The girl wasn't bothered by being called stupid. Her eyes were as wide as tennis balls. "Like, the Peter Pan?"

"Yeah, who else?"

"Can you fly?"

"Not now. Can't find my fairies friends. No pixie dust, no flying—"

"Pan!"

Peter froze at Midas' voice. He slowly turned to look at him. They locked eyes.

"Hello, Gold Touch Boy," he said smiling, but I could tell he was nervous.

"Ex-Gold Touch Boy," said Midas, then he lunged.

Peter fled.

Timon and I exchanged curious glances then chased after them hearing the little girl say, "Mummy, the Peter Pan ate my cotton candy! I'll tell everyone at school!"

But whatever her mom replied, I didn't hear it.

"Midas, stop!" I yelled, but he kept running. My sides started to ache after a few seconds. I've never run so fast in my life! The boys showed no sigh of stopping, and Timon seemed used to running a lot, like he ran laps every morning to have his breakfast!

Just as I was about to give up and let the boys go, Peter swerved to the left and ran into a thick wall of bushes, disappearing behind the leaves.

Midas followed a millisecond later.

There were two loud splashes and I realized too late that they've fallen into the lake.

I couldn't stop myself in time (my legs being out of control) and ran right into the bushes earning a few scratches and splinters.

SPLASH!

I had my eyes closed as I hit the water.

I quickly swam to the top, spluttering and gasping for air.

Peter and Midas were trying to drown each other, punching and kicking, splashing water everywhere.

"Stop—!" I tried to call, but water clogged my mouth. "Stop—!"

A hand grabbed my arm and pulled me out of the lake.
"You good?" Timon asked.

I shook my head no, while glaring at the two boys who were about to drown.

Just then, a man rowing a wooden boat floated towards them. He grabbed them both by the cuff of their shirts and dragged them in. They, however, didn't intend to stop killing each other.

The boat rocked left and right, threatening to tip over. The man didn't waste his time. He smacked them both with his paddle. They stopped fighting instantly and turned to the man in surprise. He yelled at them something I couldn't make out and started paddling to the dock.