Unshadowing Pan

Fighting Back

It had been a while since Emma, Regina, and Neal had left. The boys were getting restless and I was becoming more and more worried for Henry's sake. The fire that was keeping us warm began to burn out. I had been watching it the whole time, waiting for an excuse to leave. Finally, I stood up and felt the heat from the fire drift away as I walked towards the closed woods.

"I'll go get more wood," I called out. I didn't wait for a response, instead I continued walking further into the woods

I sighed of relief furthering myself into the woods, glad to have finally escaped the large group. I needed this time to myself. I hadn't had time alone at all. I needed to think about all the things that had happened to me. From waking up in Neverland, to meeting Pan, and now saving Henry... I feel so useless being left behind here. I understand why Emma, Regina, and Neal left, but I just wish I could have gone as well. Henry was under my supervision, I should have kept a closer eye on him. I should have never left him alone.

"You should know better to be alone." My heart skipped a beat, I quickly spun and faced the cause of all this.  Pan who smugly smiled and leaned against a tree. "You don't know how many deadly beasts may live on this island. It's too dangerous for a girl, but the more I see you the more I am intrigued."

I ignored him and continued to look for wood. I couldn't join Emma and the group, but I could make more time for them.

"I see they're taking you to their land. Once you are there, do you think they'll abandon you or do you actually think they will welcome you with open arms?"

I was trying my best to ignore his efforts to manipulate me. I took a deep breath. "It doesn't matter what they do to me. As long I leave this place, I'll be fine." 

Something I said appeared to have bothered him. "Why do you wish to leave so much? Can't you see that this island can give you anything you ever wished for?

I wasn't sure why he was acting so calm, but it worried me. A calm Pan was often the most dangerous...

"Tell me, what will you do if you found out that your family abandoned you? Sent you here with no memory just to get rid of you. Are they even alive?"

Maybe it was because the thought hadn't crossed her mind yet, but those words finally got to me. "Stop." I yelled balling up a fist and throwing the pieces of wood at him. He swiftly dogged them.

"You really don't like me, do you?" He looked back at thee wood pile he dodged.

"I hate you."

He laughed. Tears began to blur up my vision, but I fought them back. I was not going to let him see me cry. But I was going to give him a taste of his own medicine. 

"You're alone," I said.

"What?" He seemed taken back, "oh I am anything but alone. I have all my friends."

"They've already turned all their backs on you. The second they were reminded that they have people who love them, they forgot about you. You're alone, because no matter how many friends you find or make, they will always leave you. They will always choose the people they love." I couldn't stop my ramblings, he hurt me so I will hurt him. 

"What do you know about love?" He growled, "you have as much as I do. Do you really think Henry or his family will ever love you?"

"No, but I will find it," I answered plainly, "See there's the difference between you and I. You only love yourself and your youth. And because of that, you're incapable of love. You will always be alone."

He was infuriated. I knew I had hit a soft spot because he raised his hands to kill me, but he never did. Instead, he turned around. I was so tired of his antics. FInally, he is scared. 

"Oh did I hit a nerve?"

"Don't say another word," he warned.

"Have You ever stopped to think that maybe having someone you love or care about, is better than living forever alone?"

He opened his mouth to say something. I was surprised as I looked at his shocked face. Did he actually care? Did it actually scare him to be alone? He has filled this island with the lost boys maybe because he didn't want to be alone after all...

"I don't know what it is about you..." He paused, "leave. You infuriate me."

"What?"

"Leave, before I change my mind.I am giving you your chance to live.  After all. None of this will matter once Henry gives me his heart."

"I swear if you even hurt him!"

"I'll see you soon Aria," he smiled evilly as he disappeared right before my eyes.

I knelt down to the ground and fought for my breath. I had to save Henry. I won't let Pan destroy his life. Not after seeing how his family came all this way to save him.

This may be Pan's morbid game, but I was not going to let him win.

Updated: March 20, 2023