Playing In Pan's Game

Chapter 8

Ace's POV

I couldn't stand around Thomas with the rest of the boys for much longer. It was too painful to see yet another Lost Boy dead.

Two emotional breakdowns in one day? Why, I was on a goddamn streak. As if finding out Hook was alive wasn't bad enough, this happens.

My anger boiled inside of me. This was all Pan's fault. If he would've killed my father, Thomas wouldn't be dead and he wouldn't have had to lie to me. Where was the point in lying to me anyway? Was I just a pawn in his game? I doubt it was because he was protecting me, I can handle myself!

"Acelina!" Peter exclaims, landing in front of me. "I'm back, what did I-" he stopped. "Oh my god your eyes are red, have you been crying?"

I didn't know where to start. Whether to yell at him about lying to me, or about Thomas's death.

"What do you think?" I snapped. Peter walked over and reached out to rub my cheek. "Don't touch me."

He froze, confused. "What?"

"You heard me. Don't touch me," I snapped.

"What's gotten into you?"

"I don't know, Peter, how about what's gotten into Neverland?" His eyes widened in realization.

"Yeah, you really thought I wouldn't find out, didn't you?! You know Peter, you are the only person I have ever trusted, and then you pull this shit? Why couldn't you tell me!" I yelled.

Peter took a deep breath. "Look, I know I should've told you from the start, and I wish I did. But the moment I realized my mistake it was too late. Trust me, Felix has been trying to get me to tell you for-"

"So Felix has to tell you to be honest with me?" I interrupt. "You know, I wouldn't have been anywhere near this mad at you if you would've told me yourself without all this going behind my back crap. Why couldn't you tell me? Why couldn't you kill him?!"

"I was so afraid if I told you, you would hate me. I couldn't risk that, I couldn't risk losing you. If I could've killed him I would've, but if I tried too, I would've lost you," he explained.

"I would've rather died then find out you lied to me! Thomas is dead because you didn't kill him!" I screamed.

"What?!"

"Yeah, bet you weren't expecting that."

"Ace, please, just listen," Peter begged.

"Telling me now is a little too late, don't you think?"

"I couldn't bear the thought of losing you, I need you. I thought if I didn't kill him, you would hate me."

"Hate you?! Would I be extremely pissed off? Yes, maybe even ignore you for a week. But you at least would've had the guts to tell me!"

"I know I messed up, ok?! I get that!" Peter screamed. "You know now, though, so what does it matter?!"

"What does it matter?! Are you serious? You lied to me, you could've told me and you didn't. Maybe you're just pretending to need me. Maybe the reason you didn't tell me was because then you'd lose whatever advantage you have of keeping me here!"

"Why do you always think the worst of me?!"

"Maybe it's because I know you better then anyone. Because I know how much you love to play games. You are a talented liar, Pan, so how do I know you aren't lying to me?"

"I love you, Ace. I have never said that to anyone else. I know what I did was wrong. I know I should've told you, I should've killed him. I get that. Don't you think it's been killing me inside?" Peter's eyes grew red, was he about to cry?