The Land Never Lost

Chapter 28

Peter's world flipped, only this time he wasn't flying towards the stars. He was crashing, heading face first into the worst nightmare he could imagine. Duncan had shown the boy scary visions before, but this was real. Peter's nemerald began to flicker weakly as despair crept up his leg and into his heart. Tears streaked his face as he knelt down to check Belias, his gaze never leaving Duncan and Hawk. Luckily, he could feel a pulse from Belias.

"This has to be a bad joke. Tell me I'm dreaming Hawk. What are you doing?". Peter asked shakily.

Hawk looked up at Duncan, who nodded and stepped aside. Hawk turned towards Peter, "You wouldn't know the difference between dreaming and not dreaming. You live in a state of fantasy all the time. If this feels like a nightmare, well welcome to the real world Peter." Peter stood back up and clenched his fist, he went to charge Hawk but Duncan held up a hand. Before Peter could act, he and Belias were surrounded by at least twenty glooms.

"Stop. Listen, my boy." Duncan said forcefully.

Hawk threw his head back and laughed, a sound Peter had never heard come from his friend. "Acting without considering who it affects, whose life it might change, that is so you, Peter. Selfish. Like all the times we got grounded. Like all the stress you put on Sister Angelina. Like all the time you were gone. If there was a little fun to be had, Peter just went along."

"Hey I told you before I left. And I didn't know time was different in Pan. How could I know I would've been gone that long?" Peter asked.

Duncan walked to Hawk and leaned close to the boy. He whispered in his ear, "His mother had the same excuse. How could they know time was so different in Pan? The answer is simple.". Hawk closed his eyes, "DON'T LEAVE!" he shouted at Peter. "If you don't leave me, this does not happen."

"This isn't you Hawk." Peter pleaded.

"This is me now."

"What happened?"

"I had to grow up! We all do, eventually. It's only fair. Who took care of the boys when the sister was sick? Who had to work and stop playing? And If I had to, then you have to. Every lost boy in the world, I'll lead them. And not to some fairy tale, like you, but to reality. Harsh, cold reality that has no place for kids playing adventure.". Hawk proclaimed for all to hear.

Peter shook his head in disbelief, "You were my vice captain. You said you would follow me." Hawk flapped his wings and ascended into the sky. "You should listen to your father.". That word would have stung if spoken by a stranger, but from Hawk it shook Peter to the core. Hawk continued, "I'll start with our brothers in Pan. There won't be lost boys when I'm done. And they will follow." Hawk beat his chest, "I'm captain now!" and with that he flew to the sky of the Shade.

Peter stared angrily at the sky, ready to give chase, when he heard a soft voice. Belias had regained consciousness and said softly, in a volume only Peter could hear, "We have to stop Hawk. Pan... They will be caught off guard.". Peter looked around, knowing escape was nearly impossible. He reached down and helped Belias to his feet. They stood among a sea of enemies, grossly outnumbered, and still reeling from the shock of betrayal.

Duncan moved forward, "I will not let you leave like Wendy did."

Peter's shoulders tensed, but Belias said, "He is trying to mess with your mind. Staying and fighting is exactly what he wants from you.". The fairy was right. Duncan was evil, to the core, and selfish. He truly felt Peter, and his mother, belonged to him. Peter knew he would have to face this man one day, but there was something bigger than himself at stake. He had to help Pan, even if what he truly desired at the moment was to fight Duncan.