Neverland

Chapter 9

“So what do you know of this Peter Pan?” asked one of the men as we settled on more conversational topics. “He’s deadly and ruthless,” I shook my head, “He’s never been defeated.” “Well,” said the other, sharpening a knife, “He’s never met us before.”

“I’m sorry,” I laughed slightly, “I don’t know any of your names.”

“Well, I’m Bentley,” said the taller one. He was dark haired and muscular, “But most people just call me Ben.” I nodded, “and you?” I asked the other. “I’m Greyson.” He had fair skin and dark eyes. His blonde hair was buzzed short and his body was lean, like a runner’s. “And I’m Sloane,” said the girl extending her hand. I shook it. Her grip was strong and her hands were calloused from years of work. Her short dark hair was pulled back in a ponytail, and her features were pretty, but strong. I recognized her as the biggest threat here.

Kate hadn’t left my side the entire night. I honestly couldn’t tell if it were simply part of the act, or if she really just wanted to be with me, but either way I was happy with it. I kept my arm around her and kissed her forehead every now and then. That was mainly for show. While I did like having her near me, I wasn’t one for public displays of affection. We spent the night talking with the group about where they’d been and what they were planning to do. If what they were telling me was true, they’d prove some very interesting play things, but entertaining nonetheless.

I heard whooping outside the cave, and tensed as did Kate next to me. The three others drew their weapons and gathered at the entrance of the cave. “Don’t let their arrows touch you,” I whispered to them, “They’re laced with dreamshade. It’ll kill you the moment it reaches your heart.” They nodded at me, and braced themselves for an attack that didn’t come. I knew this would happen, and I relaxed against the wall. “They’re gone.” “How can you know?” asked Bentley. “If they wanted to attack they already would have.” “Or they just don’t know this cave’s here.” I shook my head. Really, the ignorance of these adults was beginning to aggravate me, “If you’re going to survive on this island you really need to stop underestimating these boys. Pan knows where we are. He’s just playing with you. If you’re going to try to kill him you’ll need to do it soon or he will figure out what you’re up to.” Greyson looked at me with suspicion, “If you don’t think Pan can be defeated, why did you work so hard to escape?” I looked at Kate, deciding it was her turn to take this one. She returned my stare, “We can trust them, Jack,” she said. I gave her a look of uncertainty, and she sighed, “Pan made a deal with us. If we could find a way to escape and make it across to the other side of the island he’d let us go back home. Another one of his games," she said with a sneer, "We’ve been here so long, well, we took the chance, even if Pan always wins. We just had to try.” “How long have you been here?” Sloane’s kind demeanor was starting to unsettle me. She was up to something, but I wasn’t sure just what it was yet. “How long has it been?” Kate asked me, “about five years now?” I shrugged, “I stopped counting after three.” “So you’re both, how old, exactly?” “I suppose back home I’d be twenty now,” shrugged Kate. “Yeah, and I’d be, what, twenty one?” I asked. “I guess so.”

“Well,” said Sloane, “I guess you’re right. We are going to need a plan, and you can help us form one right now. You seem to know Pan pretty well. I shrugged, “When someone spends five years trying to get you to join them you get to know them pretty well.”

Kate’s POV

Pan was very good at this.

He played the part with confidence and suavity. I just sat there acting like a traumatized child. I guess I did pretty well, but it wasn’t exactly challenging. The five of us sat in a circle devising how to trap Pan, but I didn’t really contribute much. I honestly didn’t even know Peter all that well, so I didn’t want to get something wrong and screw it up. Instead I just zoned out, which honestly was much easier than pretending to understand what they were plotting anyways. I’ll admit, it was humorous watching Pan plot his own demise. If I didn’t know better I’d have said he was doing it candidly, but I did know better. There was no way any of this would work on him. No, he was bullshitting his whole way through this.

Originally I had felt guilty about tricking these people, but when I learned of their plans I knew we didn’t really have a choice. And, hey, if we were going to save Pan, why not have some fun doing it?

“Well that’s a wrap,” said Sloane clasping her hands together. Something about her made me uneasy. I didn’t like her friendly demeanor. It was almost too sweet, and I couldn’t help but wonder at the authenticity of it. “Now, let’s put this plan into action.”

“Kate,” said Pan, “I want you to stay here. If I’m not back by sunrise tomorrow go to the other side of the island. You have to get home.” “No,” I shook my head, “I’m not going anywhere without you.” He looked as if he were about to protest. “Besides,” I added, “You could use a shot like me.” “But where are you going to get a bow?” “We’ve got one, actually,” said Bentley retreating into the back of the cave, only to return with a slim, aluminum crossbow. “Now, this is what I’m talking about!” I didn’t have to pretend as I admired the fine, modern crossbow. This was much more like the ones back home, and the familiarity was comforting. “Bolts?” I asked before being handed a full quiver. “Nice.”

“You know that won’t work against Pan, right?” asked Peter, or should I say Jack?

“I know,” I said, “But maybe I can take out one or two of his damned lost boys.”

Hey guys! sorry this update took me so long, I know it's not the most exciting, but I've been really sick, and plus I've had a really bad writer's block, which I'm working through at the moment, but I don't think there'll be many updates for a little while because I've got exams coming up, but after the nineteenth I should be free to write! see ya soon! -Kat