Once A Lost Girl | Once Upon A Time Story | Peter Pan

03x02 - Pain - Present

I sat on the floor against a tree. Here I am again, somehow managing to ruin my own life by existing. I hugged my knees to my chest, thinking of how I could possibly do this. Can I save them both? There doesn't seem to be a way around it. Magic is very specific in it's requirements-dark magic especially. Immortality and eternal youth have the highest costs.

   To save one life, you must give another. Maybe to continue your life and youth that heart has to be young. Either way, I wish I had done a better job with Henry-tried to tell him magic wasn't real, that it was all just a book. Maybe the face would have changed on the parchment.

    What am I saying? Would I really let Peter kill someone to live longer in youth? To prolong his own life? Even if that person were bad or had done unspeakable things I shouldn't. I should save the person from death... maybe. I should find another way... probably. If there is no other way? Let them die or save them? Who do I choose?

    Snow and Emma seemed to be having a heart to heart over on the other side of the clearing. Hopefully, it helps her progress with the map.

    Hook sat by me, of course sipping his rum as he did, "You look like death," he said bluntly, "What's turnin' in that 'ead o' yours?"

    "Killian, shut up," I snapped. He chuckled.

    "Well, come on. Spill it."

   "I," the words stuck in my throat, "Pan," I hesitated again, taking a deep breath, "Pan is planning something bad, obviously, but-"

   "But?" Killian asked.

   "But I think his motive is self-defense in a way. No man wants to die just like that-they at least try to go out fighting, right?" I reasoned. I seemed to be making a lot of excuses for this demon.

    "I s'pose," Hook glanced around, then moved his flask in my direction. I raised an eyebrow in question. "You look like you could use it," I took a quick sip and scrunched my face a little as the fermented liquid burned on its way down my throat.

    "Ugh, what's the proof on that?" I asked.

    "Let's just say a lot," Hook responded, "as for what you said, it doesn't really matter. The fact is, he took the boy and now we 'ave to get 'im back. You up for it?"

    "I hope so.."

    "The map is working!" Emma exclaimed. Hook and I shot up. "We know where Henry is!" everyone converged in the center of the clearing.

   "Where?" Regina asked, both relieved and worried.

   "We're right here," Hook informed, "on the southern tip of the island, in the middle of the Dark Jungle. Pan's camp is due north."

   "That's where he's keeping Henry," way to state the obvious, Emma. We all needed that.

   "What are we waiting for?" Regina rushed.

   "Have you never been off road in a forest, M'lady?" I said, "terrain isn't exactly ideal. We'll probably hit some hurdles we'll need to jump over," before the queen could fire back, Charming spoke.

   "We should prepare. We only made it out of our last encounter because Pan let us. We'll need a plan."

   We'll need more than a plan-we'll need an army of sorcerers and witches. If you asked me, I'd say we need a miracle. Then again, we can't just sit around and do nothing. If a plan is all we're gonna get, then start planning. Maybe it'll help me figure out what to do.

   "And if I disagree?" Regina's voice pulled me out of my thoughts.

   "Well, go ahead but I think we both know our best chance is together," Emma reasoned. This, of course, wasn't good enough for Her Highness.