Saving Peter

Capter 28: Wendy

I have been watching Peter's camp since I got to the outskirts of it, waiting for the perfect opportunity to get my brother alone. I inch closer to him when I notice him near the edge of the camp. I take a quick look to make sure that no one is looking in our direction. Then I grab my brother by the back of his shirt and pull him towards me. I quickly clamp a hand on his mouth to cover his surprised shout. 

He tries to struggle against me, but it's very weak. Even his shouts for help are a little pathetic, and pointless since I have my hand over his mouth to silence him. "Would you be quiet, it's just me." I turn him around so he can see me. 

He looks at me startled but quickly recovers. "What do you want?" Well, this is not exactly the family reunion I was expecting. His tone makes it clear he isn't happy to see me. A little unusual for him, but I'm not going to complain as long as he still helps me. 

I think on how I am going to phrase this so that he will not question me. "I need your help." Okay, maybe not my best attempt at trying to talk him into doing something. But right now, directness is important. 

"Really? What could you possibly need my help with?" He inquires skeptically. 

I sigh, starting to get annoyed with him interrupting me and making demands. "I need your smarts genius. I need your help figuring out a riddle map. Do you think you can handle that?" It's clear my frustration is leaking into my voice. However, I can't bring myself to care. 

He rolls his eyes. "Of course I can. But why should I? You haven't exactly been fair lately. Or ever. You've been manipulating people. You've been hurting people. I don't want to help you with that." Where did this confidence come from? he has never dared to stand up to me before. Never tried to talk back to me like this. It's as if I am looking at a completely different person. 

I roll my eyes, not enjoying his attitude. "Who told you that? I haven't done anything of the sort. You should know better." 

There's an uncomfortable silence where he just stares at me for a minute or two. I'm not sure exactly what is going through his head. This is the first time he has ever shown even the slightest bit of disagreement towards what I have to say. I really hope he isn't growing a spine. Now of all times? It would be incredibly inconvenient right now. 

"Are you really going to tell me that you had nothing to do with that mermaid attack on the pirates? And that that's not why you aren't in camp anymore?" He asks seriously. "Or that the rumors aren't true?" 

I scrunch my face in what I hope is a believable confused face. "I have no idea where you got that from. But I don't think any of that has anything to do with me. And what rumors are you talking about?" Technically I'm walking the line between truth and lie right now. But isn't that how the best lies work? With a small kernel of truth laced in to make them believable. 

"The rumors that you were the one that attacked our brother and that's why Peter came for him." John says in a very blunt tone. 

I try not to show my reaction but a part of me freezes in fear at knowing that someone might have found out that little secret. "Who said that?" This question is just as much for my own curiosity as it is to try to show my innocence of the accusation. 

"Just about everyone." He gestures vaguely with his reply. 

Well that's helpful. It also doesn't tell me where it started. I must have taken too long to respond, or rather to deny the rumor because John's expression changes from grave to angry. "You aren't denying it!" He accuses. 

I sigh and roll my eyes. "Do you really think I would do that?" I try to pose this response in a way that I neither have to confirm nor deny the rumor. It's usually easier that way. 

"I don't know anymore. But if it's true I won't help you. I can't help you." His voice grows in anger and volume. I have to shut this down quickly before he draws attention to us. 

"It's not true." I state as bluntly at possible. My eyes glancing around, hoping no one has noticed our argument with the amount of noise he has been making. 

He narrows his eyes at me. "You're lying!" He pushes me away from him. "I knew it! You really are just as bad as they've been saying. I won't help you!" 

I clench my jaw and glare at him. How dare he defy me! Fine. If he wants to choose sides, he can do that. And he will have to deal with the consequences that come with it. "Fine. If you won't help me I'll do it myself. I will get what I want and I will do it without your help. But if you get in my way, I won't hesitate just because you're my brother." The venom in my voice and my icy stare compliment my now burning fury. This will not end well for him. He will learn his place just like the rest of them. 

His eyes grow wide and he steps back from me. I scoff and turn my back to him. There is nothing more for me to do here. I step away from him and towards the trees again. I guess I'm on my own again. And I'm not going to give up. 

I don't care that everyone has figured out the secrets I have been hiding. I don't care that John has abandoned me. I don't care that I don't know how things started going wrong. I have my mission. I haven' needed help before. I will do as I have always done and continue towards my goal. Alone. That's how I've always been. That's how it will be from now on.