Unshadowing Pan

The Devil Himself

"A lost boy never apologizes." I heard Pan say to Henry. I was watching from afar when I saw Henry shoot an arrow at a boy who had an apple on his head. I cringed while watching. At first, I considered saying something but then figured he'll make me the one with the apple.  Instead, I stared up at the trees. 

By this point, I was growing very tired of the same old green. I could smell the smoke from the pit of fire as someone cooked meat. I walked over to a log keeping myself quiet. The more I made myself invisible, the better. Especially after seeing that look in Pan's eyes. He was enjoying whatever he was doing to Henry.

"Now why don't we play another game?" Pan called out. "Perhaps... Aria would like to join." He gestured over to me. A monstrous look on his face. I groaned into my hands before picking my head up.

"You mean the girl?" I heard someone ask. 

I glared at the group of boys before standing up from my log. If it weren't for my pride I wouldn't care, unfortunately, I didn't get a good sleep so I'm cranky. I wasn't going to show them I was scared. And I sure as hell won't be picked on for being a girl.

Walking over to them I made sure to show I was not afraid of them and smiled.  "What game," I asked.

"We call it the chase," Pan said intrigued by my morning attitude.

"The chase?"

"It's when we chase after someone before they reach the safe spot by killing them..." He explained so nonchalantly. Damn her ride... 

"The safe spot is the water at the end of the island. Where we found you at," he pointed at me smirking devilishly, "And you are it."

"What?" I didn't even have time to process his words completely. The boys all stared at her with a horrid look in their eyes. Suddenly, I felt prey.

I didn't waste another second. With one deep breath, I ran as fast as I could. Already I could hear their shouts and calls. Battling my fear and anxiety to remember the path back to the rocky beach, I held on to whatever strength I could muster. I just hoped my body could hold on.

 I lunged over the large roots of trees. There was no way I was going to go down because of a stupid root. I could hear the cheering of the boys as they began aiming arrows at me from the trees. They were quick. As the arrows zipped past her, the piercing sound made her ears ache. I yelped as an arrow nearly struck my side. I dodged and ducked as the boys continued to run after me. I stopped trying to remember my way. Every tree and every track was identical. There was no way I could make it back. The pain in my legs was growing. I was going to die. And just when I felt like giving up, I remembered something.

Like a vision from my past, I remembered someone was with me. I wasn't alone. I had someone waiting for me. I had to keep fighting or I'll die on this island. And I wasn't going to let that happen... not anymore.

 I stumbled.

"Damn it," my voice cracked, facing my killer. It was a lost boy, but he was scared. He had a weapon in his hand, but he was shaking. He didn't want to kill me. He gulped, fear in his widened as he fought for his breath. "I'm sorry," I told him, knocking him off his feet. 

 I had to focus on getting to the beach. I ran for a little while longer. It was strangely quiet now. I stopped running. I began to walk examining the paths as finally I found an opening in the trees. I sprinted out of the woods and out in front of me, along with the sea, were the lost boys in a long line. Pan stood in the middle, grinning. I looked over at Henry who seemed terrified.