Second Date

Chapter 32: Romeo

Chapter 32: Romeo

"Pan!"

Together they screamed. Even Tinkerbell squealed through her gags. But Peter did not move. He was still as stone and grey and as a ghost, one bone white hand curled over the poison apple.

"He bit it!" Rapunzel cried. "He bit the poison apple! Oh Eugene! Peter's - "

Jim reacted so fast he didn't realize he was running until Flynn and Rapunzel called that they were right behind. Skimming down the slope, he tore across the crater for Peter Pan. The crystal mirrors threw his reflection across the distance.

The Evil Queen turned. Sweeping over Peter, she flung her arms.

"Jim!" Flynn shouted. "She's casting a spell!"

"Jim!" Rapunzel lugged Tinkerbell over the crystals. "Jim stop!"

"But, soft!" The Evil Queen clawed her hands. She retracted, as if she were ripping the air. "What light through yonder window breaks!"

Wind rose within the crater as The Evil Queen spoke. But it was more than wind - it was tangible, almost sharp. It was as if a butcher knife followed the breeze.

The wind hit. Jim slipped over the crystals. Shards broke across his back as he scrambled for Peter. But as The Evil Queen sang her incantation, Peter began to disappear.

"Pan!" Jim struggled against the wind. "Peter!"

The Evil Queen lifted an arm. Summoning the evil incantation, she pointed at Peter.

"But, soft! What light through yonder window breaks?

Tis fair Juliet, heart soaked with heartache!

Magic of darkness, and wind swift as snake!

Flightless Romeo, to Juliet take!

And cross starry love, with sleep ne'er to wake!"

The wind rippled over Peter. Jim, Rapunzel, and Flynn screamed as it pulled him apart like sand. And when The Evil Queen's incantation was complete, Peter was gone. He had disintegrated into the spell.

All that remained was the poisoned apple, two bite marks in the white flesh.

"He's dead!" Rapunzel cried. Her hair settled with the dying wind. "Oh he's dead! Peter's dead!"

"He's not dead!" Furiously, Jim pushed upright. "He's - "

Suddenly The Evil Queen was upon him. Jim stopped as she pressed a dagger to his sternum. His spine stiffened. He dared not move. He dared not breathe. A flinch forward, and she would carve out his heart.

"Not dead - " The Evil Queen said. Slowly she traced the dagger up and down. "-but death-like sleep."

Jim felt the dagger through his skin and against his bone. Instinctively, he looked down. The Evil Queen's reflection stared back at him through the blade. She was beautiful. True, she was a villain and Jim despised her; but she was severely beautiful. Like a cold, stone statue.

However, with every other blink Jim saw a hag within the blade. A hag that was rotting inside her own skin.

"That spell?" Jim spoke to the blade. The tip was resting between his collar bones. "What happened? Where's Peter?"

Tantalizingly, The Evil Queen rotated the dagger against his skin. "Into the wind."

"Self explanatory." Jim choked. "But thanks."

The blade crossed down. The tip bumped over his ribs.

"The apple?" Jim continued. "Why'd you put Peter to sleep?"