Finding A Way Back To Her - Book 2 of Finding A Way Back

5. A Cloud of Smoke

Joey's P.O.V

I awaken to nothing but my own senses. As I blink my eyes and try to stretch I realize someone's arms are wrapped around me. I flinch and turn my head as best as I can, and realize it's Peter. He's sound asleep, one arm wrapped around me, the other under his head. He has the slightest snore and it's actually quiet calming.

I don't wake him up. I feel myself enjoying his comfort. I lay there on the tiny bed, which can barely fit us both, beside him.

Nolan suddenly pops in my mind. What would he think if he saw us? I have to get back to him. He probably thinks I'm dead by now.

I push the thought of Nolan out of my mind by putting my hand in Peter's motionless one. I feel all the blisters around his palms and the scars on his fingers. I feel the way they have hardened over the years. Concrete but cotton. I trace the paths of his veins.

I then hear a yawn from behind me.

"Good morning, love." Peter woke up.

"Good morning, sleepy head."

"How are you feeling?"

"Fine. I'm just wondering, when did you decide to come up in the bed with me?" I say, a little sarcastically and a little humorously.

"Don't you remember?"

"Remember what?"

"You were having terrible dreams last night. Tossing and turning and such. I woke up when I heard you yelling "No! No!". I had a feeling you were having a flash back or something. So, I came up in the bed with you, thought that might stop the nightmares." I remember now. I did have a dream. But all I can remember from it was Charlie.

"Well, thanks." I say, not telling him what I remember.

Nolan's P.O.V

It's been about a day and a half and Joey's still not back. What if Pan killed her? Maybe he's bending her heart just to break it. What if she's stuck in a cage while she watches Pan kill some kids? I know I sound paranoid, but how could I not?

And I promised myself I wouldn't lose her, no matter what it takes.

Joey didn't tell me much about Pan after she came back. Just about her being in a cage and all. If I do lose her, I'm going to need a plan to get her back. I need to do my research.

And the best place for research is the library.

I'm sitting on my bed flipping her note over and over in my hand. All the other kids are outside playing. I see one bright-eyed boy going down a slide.

There's a library right down the street and I should be able to get there by walking. There's a window at the end of the room and I sneak out of it. I run over to the fence and climb over it, making sure not to make too much noise. I then start sprinting down the street to the library. It's two buildings away from the pizzeria.

I finally get there. I catch my breath before I go in and then I open the creaky, old doors. It's quiet but you can still hear whispers, even though I don't see anybody. I go the fantasy section, knowing that's the only place I'll find magic. As I'm in between shelves of books I hear my name being whispered.

"Nolan."

I shrug it off and go through more books. But I keep hearing my name.

"Nolan. Nolan."

It's like someone's beckoning me.

This time, I follow my name. The sound keeps growing closer and closer. My name keeps on coming faster.

"Nolan. Nolan. Nolan. Nolan."

And then it stops all together. I'm stuck right in front of a shelf that has a sign that reads "Classics." And right in front of my face is the spine of a book. Peter Pan. I hesitate pulling the book out, but I have to. I open the pages and shivers are sent down my spine when I read one. As I flip through more pages one falls out onto the floor. It floats so gently down it doesn't seem real. I pick it up off the floor. It's not a page. It's a note. And on the front of the folded part, it reads I can help you, kid. Out of some kind sense I can't explain, I drop the book, put the note in my pocket, and leave.

I run back to the orphanage this time. I can barely breath once I get to the gate. But, I climb over it and crawl back through the window. The kids are still playing outside, even though I was gone for a little less than an hour. If not, much more. In fact, it's like not any time passed at all. The same kid is still going down the same slide.

I think back to the note. I take it out of my pocket, and this time, I open it. I read it aloud.

"Next time your alone just say this phrase, 'Dark One I summon you!'"

All of a sudden there's a could of smoke. And when the smoke is gone, there's a man.

"Why, hello, dearie!"

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Hi guys! It's me! Just wanted to tell you I will be making yet another cover change! And, I'm just wondering how do you like it so far? Thanks! Bye!

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