Lost Girl: Peter Pan/Once Upon a Time

Part VI: Cannot Abandon; Cannot Remove

Later the same night I am still in the clearing, sitting on the ground next to the fire and watching it burn and crackle in front of me.

The Lost Boys left to "patrol" the island less than an hour ago, though I don't know what they expect to find. Both Peter and Felix said that they were going also, and the excursion began with them assuming the lead.

A brisk wind blows through the trees, causing tongues of flame to whip back and forth. My eyes are drawn to its mesmerizing rhythm and movement.

It doesn't provide me with much heat, so the chill of the wind bites at my bare arms and I pull at my elbow-length sleeves to cover them up as much as possible. When I left home with a mysterious shadow, grabbing a coat as I flew out of the window didn't occur to me.

When I left home.

The thought stings like salt on an open wound.

Are my parents home? Do they know that I'm no longer there?

Maybe they have sent out a search party to look for me.

I think of the signs and posters that might be put up all over town, asking its citizens if they have seen me.

But the entire time, here I'll be sitting. On an island in the middle of nowhere, warmed only by the fire in front of me.

I rub my eyes to keep the tears away, but to my frustration, one slips down my face. Even though I don't really want to cry, I let it roll down my cheek anyways.

While I am alone here on the island, my emotions are something that I cannot abandon or remove. They keep me remembering what is important to me: my parents. If I forget my emotions, I'll forget them.

"Why are you crying?" Asks a voice from behind me.

I jump and sigh heavily as I see Peter standing there.

"I thought you went with the Lost Boys," I say, slightly agitated.

"I decided to come back!" he walks over and sits down next to me, only looking at me and not saying a word.

"Well, if you really want to know, I was thinking about my parents," I admit.

"So you...miss them then? How peculiar."

"Of course I miss them!" I'm almost disgusted by his question. "They're my parents!"

He pulls back defensively, like the question was meant to be innocent. Maybe it was supposed to be innocent. Nevertheless, asking if I miss the people who brought me into this world seems ridiculous.

"I'm sorry. I guess I'm just emotional right now," I say.

Peter doesn't answer, but instead stares at the fire. Its flames had me hypnotized not moments earlier, and it appears it has done the same to him.

"I think you'll like it here," he says finally. "We'll take care of you. You'll learn to be one of us."

"What?" I question intensely, a twinge of alarm shooting up inside of me.

"Well, since you are going to live here you'll need to be comfortable!" he explains.

I spring up off the ground, glaring at him in shock and astonishment. He looks back at me, but his face is covered with signs of confusion and bewilderment. He acts as if he has no idea what is wrong with his statement.

"I am not staying here Peter."

"Of course you are, don't be silly, Lyv!" he laughs when he speaks, but he appears uneasy. Why does he look uneasy?

"No, Peter. I am not. My parents are back home and they don't know where I am. I have to go back." As I say this, I stiffen my jaw and clench my fists, my fingernails digging into my palms.

Peter is standing now, only a couple feet away from me. Before, he acted dazed and confused, but I watch as his attitude rapidly changes in a matter of seconds.

Frustration.

Anger.

Rage.

Fury.

He lunges at me and grabs my shirt collar, thrusting me towards a large tree that stands only a few feet away. When he brings his face close to mine, I look into his eyes and see an inferno of limitless wrath. They burst with hot fury, exactly like the fire that had us both so easily enchanted.

"Let us get one thing straight, Lyv. You are staying here," he tightens his grip on my collar, making it difficult to breathe. "You are in Neverland now. With me. And no one can leave without my permission, which you don't have. So forget about your home and your family, because you are never going back."

I shut my eyes like they are doors, hoping to further the distance between me and his jarring words.

It doesn't work.

Releasing me, he backs away, his face still burning with rage. This is the monster that Hook warned me about. The one that I shouldn't grow close to. The one that could be the death of me.

I watch as he walks towards the fire, once again gazing down into it.

When I feel like he is distracted enough by the whispy tongues of flame, I dash towards the trail that originally brought us into this clearing.

"Run away, Lyv."

"Run away."