Pan's Game || OUAT Fanfic || EDITED VERSION

Chapter 43; Nasty Habits

"We often allow guilt to consume us but we must realise that we can start over at any given time."

~ Unknown

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Alice's P.O.V

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"I don't think Henry likes it here."
"What makes you say that?" Peter asks, blocking my counterattack with his sword.
"He isn't socializing with the other boys," I say, swinging my sword at his legs.
Peter grunts, jumping just before my sword hits him. "I don't expect him to open up to the other boys so easily. He just got here."

"Yeah," I say, blocking Peter's side cut with my sword. "I guess it'll take him awhile to get used to all of this."
"What did you and Hunter do last night?" he asks, swinging his sword in an overhead cut.
I bring my sword up, blocking his blow. "Not much, we just had a Harry Potter marathon. Hunter kept insisting that Draco Malfoy looks exactly like him, but I don't see it."

"What time did you go to bed?" Peter asks, recoiling back as I thrust my sword forward.
"I don't know," I say, blocking the multiple blows he throws at me. "I must've fallen asleep halfway though the marathon because I don't remember falling asleep."
"Wanna take a break?" Peter asks, slowing down.
"Yes, please."

I stake my sword into the grassy ground and rest my head on the hilt, exhausted.
"You know if you wanted to rest, you could've just said so earlier," Peter says.
I wave my hand dismissively as I try to catch my breath. "I'm alright. I just... Need to... Lie down... For awhile..."

"Okay, but just so you know, I won't hold it against you if you admit that you're tired," he says.
I shake my head, straightening myself. "I'm not tried. Anyway, how was last night? Was Henry the errand you and Felix had to attend to?"
"Yes," he replies, not missing a beat. "Henry was the only person we had to attend to last night."

He's lying to me.

I can tell by the way he answers my question. I'm suddenly glad that I decided to study "The Body Language Of Liars" for my English project in my final year exam last year as it helps me tell when someone's lying.

For instance, Peter just made two mistakes in the way he answered my question. He repeated the words "last night" and provided too much information by telling me that Henry was the only person that they had to attend too. That and he emphasized on the word "only" too much.

I nod my head at his answer, deciding not to confront him about his lie. Peter not knowing that I'm aware of his lie gives me an advantage. I'm just going to let things play out and wait until he slips up to find the truth.
"Are we going to have a bonfire tonight?" I ask.
"Yes," he answers. "It's a tradition for us to have a bonfire party when we have a new recruit."

"I that case, I'd better take a shower now," I say, handing Peter my sword.
He opens his mouth to say something.
"And don't you dare say that I need one," I interrupt.
Peter smirks. "I was going to say, don't take too long, or I might just join you."
I smack him in the chest. "Pervert."

"Hey, I'm not the one who stares at your arse when you walk by," Peter says.
"That was you, not me!" I exclaim, walking off.
"Whatever helps you sleep at night, love," he shouts.
I roll my eyes, walking down the path to the waterfalls.

****

I watch the Lost Boys whoop as they dance around the fire to the beat of the drums. I smile, remembering how it felt like when I first arrived here. It feels like a century ago when I first got here. My smile disappears as I spot Ray dancing in the crowd. Am I the reason why he feels lost and unloved? Or is it because he felt that his parents abandoned him? I guess I'll never know.