Robbie Kay Short Stories

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Sweat is trickling down my face as I make my way through the thick flora of the jungle. Not even shade can offer refuge against the incessant heat of the afternoon. My brain is urging my body to move forward but my steps are getting sluggish and I’m losing my momentum as the hours pass. There is no way I can reach the Spring without stopping for a few minutes first. I still had at least a solid three hour hike ahead of me, maybe even four hours. You’ve found it once before, you’ll find it again, I chant to myself as doubt starts to creep its way into my head again.

If I don’t reach the Spring tonight this whole risky trek across the island will be in vain and all those people back in the settlement will surely die. There’s also the chance that he’d find me before I even reached the Spring. But this time I knew what to expect, or rather, who to expect. This time, I was ready for Pan.

I, along with the rest of the people from the northern tip of the island never ventured down past Bears Hiding Place. This was the second time I was making the exception, and I had no intention of failing again. Since i was the only person who had ever returned in one piece from this type of mission, i was voluntold to set out for the Spring again. I reluctantly agreed, knowing full well that the only reason i had survived the first trip was because Pan had decided to spare my life, for reasons unknown to me. I didn’t want to push my luck, but it was for the greater good of everyone-so here I am, walking through the wild jungle of Neverland alone. Again.

People have been falling ill in my settlement and no one can place the ailment. We know that it must be something that’s being ingested.The first signs are stomach spasms, followed by a high fever, hallucinations, and unconsciousness. Lastly, the black tongue appears before the victim’s death. In less than 4 days dozens have already died.  Even though we didn’t know the cause of the mysterious illness, we knew what could cure it; one sip of the Spring’s water had the power to cure any condition. Of course, the Spring itself was located on the most remote part of the island and safeguarded by Pan.

I had the privilege to meet his acquaintance some time ago when I first sought its water-and had the scar to prove it. I instinctively reach my hand over to the side of my neck and feel the smooth curve of the mark Pan’s blade left on me. My hand falls back to my side as I think back to the smirk on his face and the crazed look in his eyes as he stood over me, his foot pressing my chest down to the ground as I laid there, horrified and waiting for my death; but it didn’t come. Instead, he grabbed my carafe that was filled with the Spring’s water and emptied it on me. “No one on this island gets this water without my permission” Pan hissed at me, his green eyes almost glowing in the dark, and just like that he was gone, and I was left bleeding and alone.  

I shake my head slightly, trying to get rid of Pan’s piercing green eyes from my head. It was strange how his eyes stayed so vivid in my head. It felt like the memory of his face was always new in my mind. I wince uncomfortably at my thoughts. I wasn’t going to let him get to me this time, no matter what.

I continue along the path to the Spring until a lagoon comes to view on my left. I know I shouldn’t stop but I’m literally melting away, my energy spent fighting against the jungle’s elements. Just for a few minutes, Y/N, i tell myself as i make my way over to the sandy shore of the lagoon to examine it more closely. 

The surface of the water is still, and I can see right down to the bottom; it didn’t seem to deep. I glance around at the quiet area around me and set my pack down> I peel my sticky clothing from my body and lay out the long white shirt, pants and my underwear flat on the sand, hoping the sun would help dry them quickly. I unbraid my long hair and let it fall down my back as I step cautiously into the cool pristine waters, sighing as its freshness surrounds my warm body. I swim out a bit further into the lagoon and giggle as the tiny fish around me kiss my bare legs. In that moment i feel safe, and I allow myself to float on my back, completely relaxed and enjoying the calm moment.