Take Me Away

Chapter Eleven

Peter left obviously pissed off that I wouldn't answer the way that he wanted me to, but who the hell cares right now. I throw the rock out of my cage. I look around, and slowly open the cage. No one followed me to make sure I stayed here. Maybe I can venture out and explore. I look around to make sure that no one is watching, and no one is lingering by me.

Once I realize the coast is clear I start walking behind the cages, and far away from the tree as I can get. I'm walking for a good ten minutes before the trees open up to the waters, and there is a path of glimmering rocks leading to a smaller island, with only a small little cabin on it. I start walking down the path, and as soon as I get to the door it opens. "Well it seems I have a visitor."

"Um, hi."

"And a girl it seems. Why are you on Neverland?"

I hesitate to answer. Looking him over, his face is shiny gold in colour, and his hair a darker gold and long and messy. He wears a scaled looking collared jacket. "Miss? Why do you roam Neverland under the radar of Pan's knowledge? Oh, wait, he knows." The man does a weird cackle, and rubs his hands together. "In fact, you're in some trouble."

"Who are you?"

"I'm Rumple," his evil eyes look deep into mine, "Rumplestiltskin, and you are Erin. Am I wrong?"

I can feel someone watching from the other side, and Rumple looks over my shoulder doing the flirty finger wave. "Hello, Rumple." I hear Peters familiar voice, and I look back. He doesn't walk on the path to come get me. Peter just stands there. "Hello, Peter, how are you?" Rumple giggles.

"Just peachy. Come on, Erin." Peter grows angry. "Now."

"No." I say, and Rumple looks at me amused.

"You've got a firecracker there, Peter." Rumple giggles again. "You always liked the feisty ones, eh?"

"Erin, get your fucking ass over here right now." Peter is steaming now.

"If the girl doesn't want to go back in your care, she shouldn't have to. Where is your manners?"

"Fuck manners! Erin, get over here now!"

I look at Rumple, and then into the waters. Why isn't Peter just taking me back? Why won't he walk the path? "Erin." He says more calmly, looking at me. His foot slightly inches on the path, but it crumbles under his foot. "Rumple" Peter say sternly.

"Why is it crumbling?"

"I have cursed it, my deary." He giggles, and looks at Peter. "Remember our deal?"

I look over at Peter confused, and start to walk back to Peter, but he seems really mad I don't know if I should. "Yes, please come here." Peter begs. Rumple walks behind me, and whispers, "you don't have to go back to him. He doesn't have a heart, Erin. He'll just kill you." This sends shivers down my spine. "Rumple! I will rip you limb from limb!" Peter yells.

"See, my dear."

I look down, and run over to Peter. I just want this day to be over already. Rumplestiltskin starts giggling that creepy giggle he has, and turns into his house. "See you soon, deary." With a flick of his wrist the door slams.

"Do you have a fucking death wish, or something!" Peter yells, and grabs my wrists, shoving me into the tree behind me. Just like that the begging from his eyes turned to boiling anger once again. "You are lucky you're not dead!" He comes so close to me I can hear his heart beating fast. Why is he so scared of this man? Peter turns around, and runs his hands through his hair angrily. "Go back to your cage, Erin."

I slump my shoulders, and go to step towards him, but he puts his hand up making me stop. "Now!"

Quickly, turning around I walk towards my cage. I don't want to make him more mad than he is right now. I'll just keep quiet. Maybe he'll let me out for dinner tonight, if he's cooled down. Then i'll talk to him. I jump up into my cage, shutting the door, and laying down with my knees up. The bright sky, slowly fades from a beautiful light blue, clear sky to a dark purple, and the stars glistened. "You okay?"

I sit up quickly, and look over at Drew. "Yeah, yeah." I sit criss cross while he walks over, and sits on the dirt. "Just checking. You hungry?"

"Not really, actually." I say.

Drew stays quiet, and looks around. "How did you find Rumple?"

"What do you mean? Everyone knows. Don't they?" He nods, and I sigh, pushing my long, annoying hair behind me. The cage moves, and I freak out for a second looking around. "You put too much weight on the one side, so it shifted."

"Oh, sorry, never been in a cage hanging from a tree before."

Drew gets up, and unlocks my cage. I dangle my feet out the door, and he takes a step back putting his hands up. I place my hands on his muscular arms, and his hands find my waist helping me down. "Thanks, but why did you let me out?" I ask confused, and he shrugs.

"You need to eat," Drew steps away, and goes to walk away, "plus, um, Peter wants to talk to you."

Drew's body language changes from calm, and collected, to tense. I follow him to the table, and Peter stands by a tree at the far side of the bonfire. All the boys talk amongst themselves, and Drew goes over to Felix. I stand there for a second, and play with my shirt. I need to change. I walk over to Peter, and stand behind him. "Um, can I take a shower, and change?"

Peter doesn't even speak. He just nods. "Where's my bags?" Peter snaps his fingers, and both my bags appear on the floor. "Thanks." I say, and slowly bend down to pick up my bags, but stop. "Actually, I want to talk to you first."

"About?"

"Look at me." Peter doesn't budge. "Peter?" I place my hand on his shoulder, and he tenses.

"What, Erin?" He turns quickly, still angered. His eyes soften looking into mine though.

"Um," I almost forget what I was going to say, "what has got you so scared of Rumple? Who is he? Why were you so mad at me earlier?"

One second we're in the woods by the fire, and the next we are in his room and my bags are on the floor in the corner. I look around, and orient myself before looking back at Peter.

Peter paces, and then pauses thinking to himself only to return to pacing. "Peter, who is he?"

"That doesn't matter, Erin."

"Yes it does, Peter." I say, and step towards him. This doesn't seem to help my case though because Peter looks down at my feet then to me with disgust. "You need to learn your place here, Erin. You are not here because I pity you, or want you here. You are here simply for my amusement, and if you don't believe me then I am going to just have to try harder aren't I?"

I don't even know what to say back to this right now. So, I just stand there dumbfounded by his words. As if he punched me in the stomach as hard as he could, and knocked out every breath I could possibly try to reach for. "Now, go shower, and change and do as you wish. Felix will be with you this time, and no questions will be asked, and get a good nights sleep. Tomorrow will be a long day, my love." He smiles at me as if what he said didn't sting a little bit.

Me, being the stubborn ass that I am though, grabbed my bags then slammed his door on the way out. I didn't know where I was going though. There's no shower if there is no washer. I look around, and follow the path to the table, and I find it quicker this time. "Felix?" I say, and he walks over to me. The rest of the boys keep dancing, and laughing with each other. "Yes?"

"I need to wash up, and get changed. Peter says you are in charge of me for the night I guess." I sigh, and Felix laughs.

"It's that a way, hun." We both walk to this opening right near Peters little home, and it looks almost like the place I saw the mermaid. Except the grass is greener, and the waters glow, the space is also bigger, and there wasn't much covering the water. "How do I wash up in here? Won't people see?"

"I won't look I promise." Felix puts his hands up in surrender, but his grin suggests otherwise.