Pan: Return to Neverland

The Hard Truth

I took a deep breath and entered the treehouse.
"Jacob?" I asked as I walked in.
He turned and wrapped his arms around my waist, making me uncomfortable. He kissed me on the forehead and I tried to smile as he replied,
"What is it?"
"I was wondering...could I see how you guys get fairy dust? I find the process interesting."
"I dunno. I don't think it would be anything you'd like to see."
"Please?"
I could tell he was still unsure. I held my breath and closed my eyes as I kissed him quickly. He smiled and said,
"Well, if you really want to. The workers will leave mid-morning today."
"Thank you, Jacob."
That morning I followed the workers deep into the jungle and into a meadow, somewhere I'd never been to in Neverland, which was rare since Pan had showed me all, well...most of the places here.
It seemed like the meadow was once fertile and alive with flowers, but now the grass was yellow and the only remnants of anything ever living there were brown, dried petals.
"What is this place?" I asked.
"We don't know. We just go where Jacob tells us." replied a worker.
"Cover your ears!" another shouted, but it was too late. I winced in pain as he blew an ear-piercing high-pitched whistle, causing dozens of glowing lights to appear from the dead grass.
"What are those?" I questioned rubbing my head.
"Fairies."
They brought out giant nets and captured them in giant groups, until none were left. I didn't think it could get any worse, until what happened next. I watched in horror as they took a fairy one by one, plucked off their wings, and threw them back in the field to crawl away. On our way back I was silent and still in shock from what I'd just seen.
When we got back to camp, a worker shouted,
"Alright, let's grind them up boys!" and all the workers scurried into a treehouse to finish their work. I sighed and sat on the ground, just staring into the fire.
"___!"
Jacob's voice startled me and I looked behind at him,
"Hi."
"How was your day?"
"I learned a lot." that was all I had the strength to say.
"Pretty boring stuff, right? Just daily routine."
I shuttered at the thought of all the days we had been gone, if we only knew what was going on here...
That night I snuck down to see Pan. It was close to midnight and Felix had already fallen asleep. Pan, however, lied wide awake on the cell floor.
"___?" He whispered.
"Yes." I said as I lit a torch and walked over to him.
"Why are you still up?" I asked.
"I assumed you'd come...or at least I hoped you'd come."
I sat on the floor and told him about what I had seen that day. He held my hand through the bar and said,
"It's going to be okay. We can stop him."
"Pan, it was terrible. Everytime I close my eyes, that's all I can ever see."
He reached his arms out through the bars and cupped my face,
"How can I make this easier for you?"
"Give me a hug without these damn bars in between us."
"Unfortunately that's not something I can do. Any other requests?"
"Kiss me."
He pressed his lips against mine and brushed my cheek with his fingers. His touch was soft yet protective and gave me a warm feeling.
"I love you." he said.
A tear rolled down my cheek,
"I don't want to leave."
We stood up and he kissed my hand.
"And I don't want to let go..."