Free(PanxOC)

Chapter 24 Storytime

After walking for what seemed like close to forever we finally came upon a break in the trees, opening the forest up to a small clearing just in front of a massive cliff. Pan stopped in between two of the trees and waved his hand in front of him indicating that whatever was at the bottom of the drop off was what we had come to see.

I took a few timid steps forward, glancing back periodically as Pan began to trail behind me, the small voice in the back of my head that still had a shred of common sense screaming at me to be aware in case he pushed me over the edge. I reached the rocky ledge and carefully leaned forward, peering down at the oceans dark blue waters below.

The silvery light of the moon bounced off of water, contrasting so harshly with the deepness of the waters color that everything below me seemed black. Out of the corner of my eye a shimmering light caught my attention and the closer it got to the cliff the further out I leaned. A gasp escaped my lips as my foot slid forward, following my upper body, but before I had the chance to try and brace myself two large hands shot out and I felt fingers digging into my sides.

I spun around with wide eyes, meeting a set of forest green orbs that were staring right back at me with such a calm essence that my heart rate slowed back to normal within seconds. "Are you alright princess?" 

I shook my head upon hearing his voice, clearing my throat lightly before stepping back a bit. "What is that?"

I followed his motions, taking a seat on the ledge so I wouldnt fall forward again, instantly spotting more lights under the smooth and gentle waves. "Mermaids." He replied with a slight grimace that I easily overlooked. 

"They're beautiful."

"They're also deadly." My head shot up to stare at him in surprise, although im not sure why killer mermaids on Neverland was so shocking to me. "Get too close and they'll drag you down and drown you." I'm sure my eyes spoke the words I couldn't seem to find, as Pan chuckled and muttered 'its true'. "I thought I'd better show you them in case anything were to happen." 

"Why?" I asked out of surprise and genuine curiosity. 

"I guess I just realized that there are some things on the island you should be made aware of, seeing as you wont let anything go without a full explanation, and finding certain things out on your own could end up in a disaster."

"I can take care of myself pretty well, thank you very much." I exclaimed. 

"No, no. I meant a disaster for me. Things on Neverland run very smoothly thanks to me, and I cant have some nosy girl running around throwing off the balance that i've set here."

I rolled my eyes at his quick come back as though he caught himself saying something he didnt realize he was saying. "Okay." I rolled my eyes and took a deep breath. "So, tell me. What should I know?"

"You've seen the other camp, yes?" I nodded slowly. "They shipwrecked here a few centuries ago."

"Why let them stay though? I though you hated adults."

"I do." He replied. "But because they are, in fact, adults the magic on the island affects them differently."

"How so?" I interrupted earning an annoyed look and shutting my mouth quickly.

"I let them stay on the island as long as they keep having children."

"But thats impossible. No one ages in Neverland, how could they possibly have children?"

"Like I said, the magic affects them differently. The adults do age, and I may have put a particular enchantment on their camp so their children do as well."

"Thats why you wont let them move camp, and why you got so upset when they traveled closer to ours." I realized out loud, waiting for him to nod. 

"Eventually the magic on the island will captivate the boys enough and they'll venture into my camp."

"So they're providing you with lost boys and they dont even know it. The adults will eventually all die out and all that will be left is the children." He nodded. "But wait, if they arrived here centuries ago how are there still adults left?"

"The girls are more resistant, they have all been able to resist my pull and even keep some of the boys from being affected too, but one of them is rather rebellious."

"Tiger Lily." I whispered.

"Indeed. I can feel her resistance growing weaker and her curiosity growing stronger with each passing second. As soon as I can break her the rest will follow in no time."

I released a large breath of air that was taking up all the room in chest after absorbing all the information i'd just been given. "And Wendy?" I asked out of anticipation.

He smirked causing a sick feeling to form in my stomach. "You think I left her cage in the same spot because you found out that I have Felix move her every week." He paused for me to nod slowly. "Which is why I didn't. You were heading to the backside of the indians camp, thats why you got this story instead."

He rose to his feet suddenly. "You can stay here if you want, but dont get to close to the edge. The mermaids have a certain pull of their own."

"Wait!" I exclaimed just as he reentered the cluster of trees. "What about Wendy?"

I heard him laugh even though he was still walking away from me. Cocking his head to the side he called over his shoulder, "Get closer to finding her and we'll talk."