Neverland

Chapter 2

"Do you actually believe this place is haunted?" My voice was the only thing that broke the eerie silence. The only other sound that could be heard in the dark was the constant rush of water a few feet away. River Hook was deeper than it looked, water pulsing against jagged rocks that looked threatening in the full moon glow. We were in a clearing, trees hung towering over the open patch of weeds, obscuring the sky but parting just enough to let light through. It was cold, but not cold enough to make us leave, and I tugged on the sleeves of my crew neck, covering my palms.

"Maybe." Sarah spoke shakily, staying nearer to the group. Aiden was roaming around and Rebecca sat on the ground tugging strands of grass from the earth. Sarah had her eyes aimed at the white water, her face was paler in this light, almost like a ghost.

"Two boys died here a couple years ago. Both ten year olds who wanted to see if the legend was true. They never found the bodies." Rebecca's voice was soft as she randomly spoke, and I knew she was sobering up. Her face was sad, and she continued to pluck at the ground without looking up at any of us.

"She was a tutor for one of the boys. Their names were Tony and Adam." Sarah explained in a hushed voice, frowning.

"Well this is just depressing." I sighed, and gave a look of sympathy to my cousin. She didn't notice.

I was about to suggest we all leave, since none of us were having fun, but as I turned to look for Aiden he wasn't there.

Just moments ago he was walking near the trail, mumbling about the girl he had been with and now he was no where to be found.

"Where's Aiden?"

Sarah turned away from the water, looking at me confused. She then looked around, her dark eyes searching for the familiar boy. Her eyes tried to focus in the lack of light but there was no use.

"Um...?"

Suddenly Aiden emerged from the darkness. His clothing and hair blended him nicely amongst the bushes and he screamed, twisting his face up sourly and pushing his hair to cover his eyes.

I screamed as well, scrambling back from the sudden shock and tripping over, just barely saving myself from the edge of the river bank and hooking my foot onto a buried stone.

"You son of a bitch!" I cursed as Aiden held his stomach laughing. Sarah repeatedly swatted at him while scolding him but he paid no mind.

"You should have seen your expression! Priceless!" He hooted, fixing his hair again. I was about to protest when I felt myself slide backwards on the steep hill.

"Guys-" I managed, but was cut off by my screaming as the rock under me loosened and rolled away. I was tumbling down the river bank, there was constant pain as my body kept colliding with the harsh exterior of the earth. I couldn't see anything but dirt and suddenly I was underwater.

The river immediately pulled at me, dragging me down and away from the clearing.

"Help!" I tried to shout, but water was filling my mouth and lungs. I saw only water, and heard nothing but the sound of my heart hammering against my chest as the river swept me away.

Was this how those boys felt? Completely out of control?

What if they never find my body?

Stop, you will not drown. You can't drown you have things to do, you have a future.

"Adi!" I think Aiden shouted, but before I could reply the floor underneath me vanished, and I was tucked again under the roaring water.

Everything was dark and the water was freezing. I flailed my arms to try and find something to hold on to, my hands only met more water. My lungs constricted against my chest and my mouth opened, gasping for air but only being met with more water.