Neverland

Chapter Twenty-Seven

The rain starts at a drizzle, and within a few minutes it becomes a downpour. I am cold, numbed, and unfeeling. I shrink to the muddy earth, extending one leg as Hook sets it with wood, leaves, and vines. I don't have any reaction when Hook moves the bone back in place. He finishes the job by tying the vines.

"There have been far worse, mate," Hook claps my shoulder. He turns, then realizes I am not following him. "He bends down next to me. "Listen. We can still find a way to save Wendy."

Still not facing Hook, I say, "Have you..." Pausing, I think of how to ask this question. "Have you ever been in love?" I can tell Hook is surprised by this.

"Aye," he admits. I almost didn't think he would answer.

"What happened to her?" I say softly. He stands, then helps me to my feet.

"She went too far," he says. "She was too... too..." Hook struggles for the right word. "Mad. But before I could try to change her ways, she was killed by the legendary Peter Pan."

The one-handed pirate loved the former fairy. No wonder he calls for vengeance. But isn't this a twist of fate? Two bitter enemies, joining together.

I can't apologize to Hook for my actions. Some apologies mean nothing, and mine would seem meaningless.

I lean heavily on a long branch Hook finds for me. I try to keep little to no pressure on the broken bone. Somehow, I feel that my failed magic was a sort of revenge. A hand for a broken foot that may never heal. Oh yes, fate is laughing at me now.

Breathe in. Breathe out. One foot at a time. Everything moving in a synchronized order. When we are deep into the woods, Hook tells me it's time to set up camp. The ground and leaves provide for my sleeping mat. The stars and moon above gleam brightly. Hook makes a flicker, which becomes a blazing fire. I like fire. It is calm, controlling, and can destroy everything in its path.

Before I close my eyes, I see the stars glimmer. Out there, somewhere, I wonder if she can see them too. And know that someone who cares about her is looking at them with her.

Cool wind brushes my face, slowly waking me. When I am finally fully awake, I lay still for a few minutes longer. My sense of peace stays until I remember. My heart aches. Remembering.

Hook is gone, but that doesn't worry me He'll be back. He always is. The portion of Neverland inside of me feels like it is eating away at me, piece by piece. It did the same to Jack, and now the spirit can stay here in this realm. It would go according to play, except for one bit. Me.

I am the one thing that keeps the spirit tethered to Neverland. With my magic slowly regaining, I come closer and closer to my former invincibility. But if my shadow is destroyed...

It's as if I flash into the shadow's thoughts. The disgust for Neverland, for the weak leaders and people. The ones in this land are more easily bought, perfect for usage. Neverland is so corrupt, that the longer it exists, the closer the spirit comes to dying. If the shadow does come to an end, Neverland will be an island with no voice. Here, here is a refuge, a place to buy some time. For the shadow. The longer I am here, the more likely it is I will die.

I am light. I am powerful. Those thoughts run through my mind as I attempt to fly with no luck.

During the day I gather nuts and fruit close around me. Soon I have a storage enough for about three days. Sometimes I feel sudden jolts of power, only to have most of it slip away.

Three days go by as I wait for Hook. I can't move much, as each movement sends shooting pain through me. The foot seems to not healing.

I come to the assumption that Hook has been killed off. What other explanation is there for his long disappearance? But then again, why kill Hook and not me?

I make preparation to departure. Miraculously, I still have my satchel. I fill it with the nuts and fruit that I gather. Hoping to find water soon, I float a few meters off the ground, slowly gaining height until I reach a suitable flying point.

The moment I build up my energy to take off, someone crashes through the woods below me. I see a dark blur. Hook. He runs full speed to our camp. Turning around in circles, he calls my name. His eyes go to the sky and he frantically waves me down. I rush to the ground.