I stayed in her bedroom while my mother got Harlan settled in the guest room. After what seemed like ages, she poked her head in and asked me to join her in the kitchen. I got up, and sat down at the table next to Hunter, who put his head down on the table.
“You must be exhausted, Hunter. Taking care of normal sized kids is draining, I’m sure it must be more so to be caring for Harlan while he’s in this state.” My mom sat down on the other side of him and ruffled his hair affectionately.
Hunter lifted his head. “I just wish there was something I could do right now. I don’t want to wait on these mythical adventures to play out in order to get him back to normal. Yesterday, I wouldn’t have even believed you if you told me what was going on, but today I have no choice.”
“I know how you feel, Hunter.” I spoke up. “And I hate that this is my fault.” I choked back tears. “You don’t have to come with me, you know. You can stay here and take care of Harlan. I can get his soul back on my own.”
“No way. I’m wouldn’t send you into this crazy screwed up fairy tale alone, even if I did blame you. Which, I don’t, by the way. I might have acted like it earlier, but I don’t blame you, not really.”
“Thanks.” I smiled sadly at him.
“How are you two getting to Neverland?” My mother asked, twisting her ring over and over around her finger.
“Hades is sending a ferryman to get us tomorrow at midnight.” I looked at her, wondering how long this crazy quest would take, and if my family would ever be free of this godsforsaken curse.
“Good, that’s good. It gives us time to prepare. And it gives me time to go and dig something up out of the attic that might help you. Why don’t you and Hunter make a list of supplies you might need, while I go up there and look for it?” She stood decisively and was halfway toward the attic stairs before I replied.
“Okay.” I went to the junk drawer and rooted around for a notepad and pen.
Together, Hunter and I tried to think of things we might need.
“I say we both carry a small backpack, like we were going camping.” Hunter interjected into my musings.
“That’s a good plan. That way if one of us loses the other, or we lose a bag, we’ve still got one to work with. I say we carry a lightweight blanket, matches, and some suitable food. Who knows if we can trust the food in Neverland?”
“Good point. You can’t ever trust food in fairy tales, right? What about myths?”
“I’ve got no idea.” I shrugged.
“Well, we’ll have to do some research on that. I’m also going to say that we both need to be equipped with at least one knife.”
“Do you even know how to use a knife?” I asked, skeptically.
Of course, I didn’t really know how to use one either, but my question still stood.
“Sure. You stick the pointy part in the bad guy, and keep it away from yourself.”
I sighed. Yep, we had no idea what we were doing. Moments later, my mom came clomping back down the stairs. I looked up and saw that she was carrying a wooden box.
“What’s that?” Hunter asked.
YOU ARE READING
Straight On Til Morning
FantasyHow far would you go to rescue the one you love? Olivia Darling is willing to go to hell and beyond to save him. This is her story.
