Once A Lost Girl | Once Upon A Time Story | Peter Pan

03x10 - Awake - Past

         "Love? How do you feel?" The voice was soft; caring. "You took a nasty hit on the head. You really need to be more careful."

         "What?" I groaned and my head practically split in two. "Ow."

         "Relax. You'll feel better soon. Here." My whole body felt like static. I winced as my head pounded. The feeling intensified before it slowed and melted away. I drifted back to sleep.

         The next I awoke, it was on the beach. My hand was wet from the tide rolling in. I shot up, frantic. Baelfire. I was supposed to meet him? I did. I did meet him. Where?

         My eyes darted around. I looked for anything familiar. Nothing and yet everything. I've seen this rock. I've seen this water. I've been on this beach. I met Baelfire, right?

         "There you are. All alone this time?" I whipped my head around. "Good. Then we can speak properly."

         The woman was gorgeous. Her hair was wet from the ocean and wavy as it fell down her back. A coral crown sat atop her head. Pearls adorned her top and neck. Her smile was soft and inviting. Her eyes... they were striking. Silvery blue.

        "I'm Evita. Elyssa, isn't it?" She asked. My mouth went dry. I nodded. "Come, sit."

        Everything in me screamed no. The scales on her tail shone a gorgeous blue. I know I shouldn't. I know what she could do. I sat with her.

        "Look at you. Don't you want more?" Evita's smile turned sinister for just a moment. It was a split second. Maybe I was imagining things. "I've heard you, you know. How badly you want out."

        "Yes," I whispered.

        "There is a way, but you have to trust me." Her hand cupped my cheek. I leaned into her touch despite myself. "Can you do that?"

        I found myself nodding. She slipped into the water. I hesitated. My heartrate quickened. Don't get in the water. I was knee deep. Turn around. Hip deep. ELYSSA NO.

        "Foolish girl," she hissed and pulled me under. I held my breath on instinct, but there was no urgency. Water swirled around me and the mermaid's claws sunk into my skin, but I did nothing. If this was it, let it be it. Let me sleep.

        It could never be so simple.

        "Elyssa, are you mad?" The shadow that yanked me from the water dropped me at Pan's feet. I refused to look at him. "Mermaids. You're smarter than that."

        "Maybe she's finally realized there's only one way off this island." Felix remarked.

        "We'll discuss this later. Felix, gather the boys. It's hunting time." Pan grabbed my chin and made me look at him. "You better be here when I get back." He dropped my face and walked away.

        There's a certain type of peace when you finally realized you've lost. All the hurt and frustration washes away. The only thing left is the cold, empty heart of acceptance. There's no hope to swoop in and stress you out or make you anxious. There's nothing to keep you up at night. There is only the stillness. There is only the quiet.

         My skin tingled, and then burned. My hands sparked. I watched in silence. The feeling was... warm. It was like a hug or cuddling up under a warm blanket. A soft prism of colors shone in my hands. I took another small breath.

         I took off toward the lagoon. Whatever afterlife is simply going to have to accept my contribution. I started walking. I was getting off this island one way or another. I'm more valuable alive? Let's test that theory. Let's see if I'm more valuble alive.

         The water came into view quickly. Only this time, instead of inviting me the mermaids scattered. I stopped short of the tide line. Of course he made sure they wouldn't try it again. That's fine.

          I climbed the rocks. I got up as high as I could. "I'm more valuable alive? Prove it." I whispered.

I jumped.