Free(PanxOC)

Chapter 18 Deals

I shoved my way through the thick brush, cautious of dreamshade, as I tried my best to remember where I had seen Wendys cage. I sucked in a breath as a thorn pierced my upper arm causing me to wince and smack my hand over the wound. I pulled my hand back and gazed down at the blood for a few seconds before hearing my name being called, cursing under my breath and hurrying in the opposite direction.

"Wait up!" Tate called, stumbling through the trees behind me. We reached a small clearing, him calling my name the entire time, before I finally spun around, rolling my eyes.

"What?"

"Look," He panted, holding up a finger for a moment while he leaned forward, bracing his palms on his knees. "Something tells me you still need my help."

I chuckled, placing my hands on my hips. "And something tells me this is the most physical activity you've done in quite a while."

"I like to consider myself a reasonable guy." He continued, ignoring my comment as though I had never even spoken. "So, I will help you... because im a good person."

"I highly doubt that." I muttered under my breath. "What would make you think I even need your help in the first place?"

"Well, for starters, Wendys cage was that way," He pointed to the left, just over his shoulder, speaking I between pants. "When you found it."

"What do you mean? Is it not there anymore?"

He smirked. "So, what I took from that is you do need my help."

I reached for the pocket on my belt, whipping out a dagger and pointing it at him, narrowing my eyes. "Keep it up, I dare you."

"Okay, okay. Lets be rational here." He held up both hands in mock surrender. "They move the cage every week or so to an undisclosed location."

"Who." I demanded more than asked.

"Felix and his 'crew', if you will. There are five of them, including him, all of Pans most trusted boys. You wont be able to find it."

"But you can?" I quirked my eyebrows in a way that would make Pan himself proud.

"No, not right now. Give me until tomorrow night and I'll have all the information you need." He leaned back against a nearby tree trunk, crossing his arms against his chest.

"What's so special about tomorrow night?" I mimicked his actions, crossing my arms as well.

"The day after tomorrow is our 'bath' day, for lack of a better word. Pan has an agreement with the mermaids," He paused. "You do know about the man eating mermaids right?" He waited for me to nod.

"What does that have to do with tomorrow night?" I tapped my foot impatiently.

"I'm getting there. He always goes the night before, also know as tomorrow night, to make sure the agreement is still intact so we can all safely bathe. He'll be gone, and he almost always takes Felix with him. I can sneak into his tent while he's gone, grab the map, and boom- got everything you need. Two birds, one stone."

"And what? You'll just help me because you're a 'reasonable' person?" I studied his face, letting my eyes follow the path a droplet of sweat was carving into his dirt covered cheek.

He laughed, brushing his shaggy bangs back with the tip of his middle finger. "No. Talk of the camp is you've got Pan wrapped around your finger. You keep your mouth shut about what happened in my tent-"

"What almost happened." I corrected, earning an eye roll.

"Whatever. Keep your mouth shut and I'll help you."

"Fine." I finally agreed after a few moments of silence. "I'll meet you here tomorrow night as soon as Pan leaves."

He nodded, jutting out his hand. "Even?"

I stared down at his stained palm, feeling a smirk stretch across my face as his hand trembled a bit out of nervousness, before shaking my head and smacking his hand away. "Not yet."