Neverland

Chapter 2

            “You know, we’ve never really had a girl here before,” said Pan as we walked through the trees, “I mean, they’ve been brought here, but they just don’t quite handle it as well as the boys. You see the boys get here and see all their dreams come true, but girls just think about how they’ll never see their families again, and they cry… a lot. It’s just not worth it to keep them here, so the Shadow takes them back, and everyone’s happy, even if it does break the rules.” Ok, I thought to myself, So he always talks like he’s frustrated. “But what about you?” he asked, “You don’t seem upset at all… You’re obviously a bit aggravated, but you haven’t asked me when you’ll be leaving yet.”

“Leaving?”

I laughed, “Your stupid Shadow did me a favor, even if I’m still picking sand out of my eyes. I’d never go back there. Not willingly, anyways.” Peter raised his eyebrows, but didn’t say anything. For that I was thankful. I really wasn’t comfortable with explaining the details of my “family.” He just needed to know that I had no intention of returning to that hell of a house. “We’re here,” said Peter as we stepped into a large clearing. Tents were pitched around the edge of the trees, and a large bonfire blazed in the center. There were about thirty boys milling around, laughing, staff fighting with tree branches, and eating something that smelled… interesting.

“Oi! Shouted Pan, “Listen up!” the boys quieted down and turned to him. I was surprised. I’d never seen a group of young boys be so obedient. There was something about Pan, a sort of older brother authority that he cast over the boys, and I couldn’t help but wonder how he’d acquired it. “Boys,” he continued, “I’d like you to meet Kate. She’s… well, she’s not like the other girls we’ve had here.” “So you mean she’s not going to burst into tears?” asked a boy who was definitely the youngest there. Pan chuckled, “No, I don’t think so.” The boy looked at me in awe, like I was some strange anomaly, which, I guess, to him I was. “Alright, so I just want you guys to treat her like the others,” he looked at me, his forehead scrunched up, “well, not just like the others, but, well… just respect her. Okay?” The boys nodded, some a bit more enthusiastic than the others. “Alright, that’s it. You can go back to your other activities.” He shouted, and the boys immediately went back to their rowdy normal selves. There was a happy, jovial feel lingering in the air, and I knew that this was what I’d been missing in my life before this. A sense of family. Suddenly, seeing them together, there was nothing I wanted more.

“Socks!” called Peter. At first I was confused. Why the hell does he need socks? I wondered, I mean, come on. He doesn’t even wear shoes. The young boy from before ran up to us. “Wait; hold on,” I said, “the kid’s name is Socks?” Pan shrugged, “We don’t know his real name, he couldn’t remember it, but when he came here all he was wearing was a pair of socks, so the name just sort of stuck.” I nodded, feigning comprehension. “Take Kate around and introduce her personally to the other boys,” said Pan to the boy. “Why? Can’t you take me around instead of sending your little followers to do your work for you?” Peter chuckled, but it wasn’t like he had before, it was demeaning, “Please, I have much more important things to deal with than showing some girl around the camp. Besides, Socks here is happy to help you. Isn’t that right, Socks?” “You’re even prettier than the fairies,” Said the little boy looking up at me.  I smiled. “See,” He turned to the boy, “don’t let any of the boys shoot her with an arrow, alright?” Socks looked terrified as he nodded vigorously. He took my hand and pulled me away towards the other boys. I glanced over my shoulder to watch Pan as he disappeared into the woods.