Again In Neverland

Chapter 36: Lost

"In this world, it is too common for people to search for someone to lose themselves in. But I am already lost. I will look for someone to find myself in." -C. JoyBell C.

LIL'S POV:

The celebration of defeat had already begun by the time Peter and I made our way back to camp. As we swam our way through the clear night sky, we could hear the distant calls of the Lost Boys running through the forest below us in the dark.

I gave Peter a questioning look, "Aren't they afraid they'll get lost in the dark? Wandering so far from the tree house?"
He crinkled his nose, "You're asking if the lost Boys are afraid of getting lost? No, they're all familiar with this area - in light or darkness. And besides, getting lost is fun to do sometimes."
"Fun? It's terrifying!"
"I think that getting lost is always rewarding in the end. By the time you find your way back, you've changed. Something in your life that once was so ordinary and plain, becomes entirely new. Getting lost gives you a good perspective on where you started... and if getting back there is really the best option for you."

I stare at him, puzzled. Sometimes he does this. Sometimes he'll spit out these beautifully structured sentences that sound far too advanced for his mouth, and it completely amazes me. Meanwhile, the other half of the time, I hear him talking to the Lost Boys about who's feet are the smelliest...

I often ask myself if I'll ever decipher the riddle that is Peter Pan.

With his brooding charm, his cunning smile, his cheeky laugh, and his natural charisma. His untainted innocence and desire for fun, his intelligence with weapons, and his irresistible leadership. He was born to be a legend -- a true riddle. And I don't think even Wendy figured out who he really was.

Peter snaps his fingers in my face as we land gently at the base of the tree house, "Lilith? You tired? I could take you up to bed if you'd like."

I stifle a yawn, trying to shake away this sudden wall of exhaustion that I feel creeping in my bones, as I see Gil and Bubs jubilantly running past us with a chest of treasure in their hands.
"And miss out on all this excitement? No way. I'm not missing this."

I stretch my arms over my head, arching my back just slightly and feeling the soothing crack of stiff muscles. In the process, I notice again a stinging pain in my abdomen. As I move my arms, it turns into burning. It's dull, but I still feel it nagging at me - just begging to be noticed. It feels like I'm being stung by hundreds of bees or bitten by thousands of ants, inside my skin. I take a sharp intake of breath and my hands fly to my side.

"Woah. Are you sure you're alright?" Peter asks, his voice laced with concern.

Just as soon as the strange pain came, it went. I took my hands away and nodded, "Perfectly cheeky."
Peter eyes me, not believing that I'm telling the truth, "If you say so. But one more falter and I swear, if you don't go to bed than I'll personally drag you up there myself."
"Oh, really?" I teased, getting in his face.
He put his hands on his hips and leaned closer to me, our noses just meeting, "Really."

It occurs to me then that we haven't been close like this... close to kissing or anything... since that night in the woods, on our way to get the Neverleaf. That feels like a lifetime ago. That day, he freaked out. He yelled some pretty intense things at me and refused to get anywhere near me. But since then, he hasn't twitched out in close situations. He's... changed.

"Oy, you two!" Someone shouts.

Peter and I's heads whip to the left, quickly breaking our close contact, to see Trevor standing there struggling with a sealed chest.
"Wanna help take this up? Or are you two just gonna make googly-eyes at each other all night?"