Remember | A Peter Pan OUAT x OC Story

Backstory: Welcome to Neverland

Elena had never felt as free as she did then, with the shadow, flying above the land she called home.

Elena always felt she was in an invisible cage. Her mother's reputation had put a lot on her shoulders. The Queen's guard and all the help around the castle refused to acknowledge her because of their fear. If they didn't say anything at all, well, then there was nothing to incur the Queen's wrath. The villagers were slightly different. If they said something, it was in fear of her telling her mother something. Otherwise, they all just ran away whenever she had a chance to go out. Even the kids her age avoided her. Even when she was younger. It wasn't a cage or a box or anything of that nature, but it was lonely. Now, without her best friend, Snow White, it was even worse than before.

In the nighttime air, the first feeling Elena noticed was how much of a chill was up there. She felt the cold wind on her face and skin constantly, and it gave her shivers in the best way. She was flying! Maybe not on her own, and maybe not to a destination of her choice, but that didn't matter to her. She had a grin on her face resembling a little kid who just got everything they wanted and more on their birthday. The moon on her pale skin reflected in a way that was mesmerizing. It contrasted perfectly with her long dark brown hair.

"Where are we going, mister shadow?"

The shadow simply glanced down at her and squeezed her hand even tighter. They lifted even higher into the air and Elena had the chance to see the whole Kingdom in a way she never expected. Her question was forgotten, and instead, her breath hitched in her throat, and she stared in awe at the stillness of the land below.

It took a long time, but eventually, Elena saw a scene change. No longer were there houses and marketplaces. No longer was there little, fire-lit lamps outside of massive castles, illuminating the walkway. Instead, there was a big, beautiful, dark blue ocean, and sitting in the middle of it was an island. The island. If she was starstruck before, she was now overwhelmed with the emotions of awe and surprise. That's the island she dreamed of. Right in front of her.

However, the closer they got, the more Elena noticed. The island was much darker now than she had dreamed it to be. She tried telling herself it was because of the night, but she knew it was more than that. Before she could question anything else, the shadow eased her down onto the beach, letting her feet hit the sand before letting go completely and flying back off again.

Elena didn't know this, and she certainly did not feel it, but the moment she stood up on that island, her feet on the sand, time froze. Everything looped, and the same day began playing over and over again. Every realm was affected from the Enchanted Forest to Earth. Everywhere apart from the island. After all, how would time loop in a place where it has always stood still?

"Thank you! I guess"

The last part of that statement was under Elena's breath. The shadow just dropped her on the beach with no sort of direction or help. She was unsure whether the thank you was warranted. However, she did want to be free, and this was it. The cool, ocean breeze and the sand beneath her feet made her feel a way she has never felt before. Holding onto that feeling, Elena took off running, down the beach, she wasn't tired at all anymore and she was excited to start exploring.

Elena ran until she heard something awful. Something that she never thought she would hear on an island from her wonderful, wonderful dreams. It was crying. So much crying. She stopped in her tracks, and suddenly became much wearier of where she was. She had a bad feeling when she first saw the island, and this only confirms the suspicion she had of darkness. 

It did not take long for Elena to find the source of the noise, which was maybe a dozen of little boys sat on the beach, near the water, crying. She quickly made her way to the one she was closest to. He was roughly eight.