"It's your fault, y/n!! Rot in Hell! Henry is dead because of you!! Because we all had to watch out for YOU. Because YOU had to sneak on board!" Emma's voice echoes with anguish, tears streaming down her face.
"I'm sorry, I di—" I begin to apologize, bewildered by the accusation.
"Don't even start. You're a disappointment, y/n. Henry was the son I've always dreamed of, and now, my daughter is the reason he is dead. I don't want to see you again," Hook whispers, his gaze piercing into my soul.
The ground beneath me seems to vanish, plunging me into a bottomless abyss.
But before I hit the bottom, I wake up.
I jolt upright, heart racing. "Don't cry, y/n, it's just a dream. These people mean nothing to you anymore, so who cares what they said in a stupid dream," I murmur, attempting to soothe myself.
Dizziness washes over me; we've likely just traversed the portal. Dad—no, Hook—often spoke of the sensation of passing through the portal to Neverland.
It's time. Each creaking stair draws the attention of everyone on board as I ascend.
"Y/n? What are you doing here?!" Hook demands, his anger tinged with fear.
"I wanted to come with you guys. Problem?" I retort, irritation lacing my voice.
Hook's brows furrow. "YES! It's dangerous!"
"I know how to survive. Calm down," I assert, my tone firm.
"Calm down? You don't know anything about Neverland or Peter Pan," Hook counters, his concern palpable.
"I know enough. Don't touch Dreamshade, don't cross Pan's path, blah, blah," I rebut.
"If he finds out you're here—" Hook begins.
"Then what? Am I really that valuable? I doubt it, considering you've always made me feel like trash. He'll find out sooner or later," I interject, frustration mounting.
"Calm down, girl. Hook, we can't do anything about it now, it's too late," Emma intervenes.
"You know what? I don't care. I hope Pan finds me soon. Maybe I'll have a better life without you," I declare, defiance coloring my words.
"A better life? He'll torture you, your life will be a living hell! I never told you what happened to Wendy Darling, did I?" Hook reveals.
"No, you did not. But I imagine she found happiness with Pan," I retort.
"For almost 350 years, she never saw anything beyond the four walls of her cage. A lost soul, no hope, no 'happy life,' just pure torture. But if that's what you want, go ahead!" Hook retorts.
"Wait, what? Thanks for telling me sooner! Well I guess that's still better thanks living with you! You know what? I hope I die on that stupid mission! And I'll be the first person on this ship to set foot on that soil. I'll be the first to disappear into the woods of Neverland. You'll never see me again, Father!" My words hang heavy in the air, a final declaration of independence.
