Free(PanxOC)

Chapter 19 Off Limits

The next day crept by at an incredibly slow pace causing the anxiousness of waiting to build up inside of me until I was sure I would scream. I spent majority of the day sitting at camp, stirring up the casual conversation with whichever boy chose to sit with me in that particular moment. One good thing that came out of the utter boredom of doing nothing all day was that I had the chance to observe everything from up close. 

I noticed that Pans appearance around camp was scarce, popping in once to tell a few bored boys to collect fire wood and hunt some game for dinner, and then again with Felix. They stopped at the edge of camp to whisper to one another, but stopped shortly after they realized I was watching them, both disappearing in a different direction. 

I was so wrapped up in keeping track of the suns decent that I barely noticed Pan taking a seat beside me on a large log. "Penny for your thoughts?"

I snapped my head up to meet his gaze, glancing around and noticing that most of the boys were returning to camp and heading straight to their huts. "Just thinking. Its not important." He smiled innocently, but I couldnt help but feel as though he knew I was lying. "Why is everyone going to their huts so early? We havent even had dinner yet?"

"I have something important to do tonight. You should head back to the tree house, there are some berries in there if your hungry." I blinked at him before nodding my head quickly and rising to my feet, hurrying towards the tree house. "Oh, and Anna?" I turned around slowly, holding my breath as I prepared for him to ruin my plans. "I'll be back late. Dont wait up."

I felt my shoulders sag as I released the deep breath I had taken, flashing him a quick smile and dashing away.

***

I waited in anxiousness with shaking hands, pacing the length of the tree house, until the last ember of the fire in the middle of camp flickered out before making my way down the ladder. My heart pounded so loudly in my chest that my entire body seemed to lurch a bit with each thump, stirring up the restless butterflies that had taken flight in my stomach. 

As I tiptoed as quietly as humanly possible to the edge of camp I silently asked myself why I was so nervous. A big part of me knew that if I got caught Tate would most likely have some serious consequences, but Pan would never do anything like that to me, at least, thats what the big part was telling itself. Another part of me, the intelligent part, was screaming with all its might at me to turn around and stop trying to play detective. 

I weighed each option in my head, but before I could properly make a decision, Tate stepped out from behind a nearby tree and waved me over. "Change of plans." He whispered, gripping onto my wrist and pulling me towards a path I knew we werent suppose to go down. 

"What are you doing?" I whispered as loudly as possible, trying and failing to release myself from his grip, finally digging my heels into the dirt and breaking free.

"Look," He turned to face me, excitement and nervousness gleaming in his eyes. "I know I told you Pan was meeting with the mermaids, but I was wrong."

"Wha-"

Before I could even question him he continued talking. "Felix always checks to make sure all the boys are sleeping before him and Pan leave, but tonight he didnt."

"So?" I placed my hands on my hips, suddenly feeling chills sprout along the exposed skin on my arms. 

"No, you dont understand. He always checks. Always. If he didnt tonight its because Pan isn't talking to the mermaids. Felix is still in his tent right now! I checked. If you dont believe me go and see for yourself." I shook my head lightly. "Alright then."

"Im sorry but, I dont see your point. So we got the day wrong, we'll just have to wait until another night."

"No, no, no." He shook his head harshly, his behavior now completely contrasting with his usual calm and collected one, pacing lightly and tugging at his hair as though something was driving him crazy." I know everything that goes on around here. Thats my talent, every boy has one and knowing things is mine, and I can honestly say I have no idea why they switched it up, but what I do know is a little while ago I saw Pan go down this path and he never came back."

"So whats down there thats so important?"

Tate threw his hands up the second the question left my mouth, responding immediately. "I have no idea! None of us do. He told us it was too dangerous because it was lined with dreamshade, but all of us know thats crap."

"Okay." I said lightly, holding up my hands a bit. "Clearly youre really upset about this, but im still not sure what you want me to do."

"I want you to come with me. We'll follow Pan down the path and see where it leads." He must have noticed my horrified expression, as he grasped my shoulders, bringing me closer to him. "He wont do anything to you and you know it! It'll work out, I swear!"

"Have you ever stopped to think that maybe its off limits because its something even more dangerous than a trail lined with deadliest poison on the island?" I shrugged him off, stepping back a bit. 

"Yes." He replied blatantly. "A main factor about being a lost boy though," He paused, smirking. "We love a good adventure."