The Dark Days

Six.

I'm scared. I'm so scared that I can't do what I came here to do. I'm scared that I'll have to do what I hoped and prayed I would never have to do. I silently scream at the universe all the profanities I know and wish it all the bad karma in the world.

Suddenly I'm surrounded by red smoke. When the smoke disperses, I have to cover my eyes due to bright light. My eyes take their time in focusing, and when they do my gaze falls upon a light brown-haired boy. His eyes are dull and angry and bitter, but it all disappears when he sees me.

"Kasey!" he exhales, and his arms are instantly around me.

I'm confused. He notices and pulls away. His hands go to my face, cupping it, his eyes worriedly searching mine. "What's wrong? Don't you remember me?"

I squint. "Peter?"

He nods eagerly. "Yes, it's me."

I look around to see a room with white walls and black furniture with silver and black decor. There's also a giant red bed, a mahogany nightstand, and a huge brown teddy bear. "What's going on? Where am I?"

He smirks evilly and one of his hands leaves my face, going into his pocket and bringing out a vial of glowing red liquid. "I have it. The curse."

This only confuses me more. I just shake my head. "Where was I? How long was I...." My eyes land on a small wooden box with a red jewel on top. "Pandora's Box...." I whisper, the pieces finally clicking together. Suddenly I remember everything. "Was I... Did you put me in Pandora's Box?" I demand, throwing his hand off my face and backing away.

He closes his eyes and sighs. "Yes," he confesses, opening them. "So no one would take you away from me."

I shake my head and begin to back away. "No..." I whisper. "No...." My voice begins to raise as tears dot my eyes. "No, no you can't! You can't do this! Peter, please! Please, don't do this!"

He shakes his head. "I have to."

"No you don't! You don't have to, you just want to! Peter, Neverland is gone! You have to accept that! It's the only way!"

Suddenly he's in front of me, his eyes burning into mine, his hands gripping my arms. "No. Don't you see?" He shakes his head as he speaks. "Don't you see I'm doing this for you?"

I shake my head sadly. "No matter why you're doing this, it isn't right." My hands cup his face and bring it closer to mine. "Can't you see that this is wrong? You're killing innocent people, all so you can bring your home back? Peter," I say softly, "you know this is wrong. Neverland - Neverland is gone. You just have to let it go." My hands slip down to his chest. "Please."

He releases my arms and puts his around me, burying me in his chest. I sigh sadly and put my arms around his neck. "I can't," he whispers. "They have to pay. I'm sorry."

A single tear slides down my cheek as I press my lips softly to his forehead. "I'm sorry, too."

I step away, shaking my head. Then I cross over to my backpack and bring out my uncle's old hunting knife, careful to hide it from the boy behind me.

"Kasey?" Peter's voice sounded nervous and cautious. "Kasey, what're you doing?"

"You give me no choice," I whisper, and then drive the knife into my stomach.

I gasp in pain, my vision suddenly fuzzy and warped. I can hear Peter screaming at me and wishing this wasn't happening. I lose my knees and feel Peter's arms catch me. His face appears in my vision, but it's blurry and more of a silhouette than a face.

I feel the knife coming out of my stomach and it makes me groan. I hear the muffled noise as the weapon hits the floor. Peter's hand is covered in my blood, and seeing the ruby-red color makes me dizzy. His blood-covered hand comes up to cup my cheek, making me want to punch him in the stomach. "Peter...." I whisper. "Stop touching... my face... with your bloody hand...."

"Now isn't the time for jokes!" he yells. "Kasey!"

My vision begins to darken.

"Peter," I whisper. "I love... you...."

"No!" Peter yells. He straightens and cradles me against his chest. "You're not going to die! YOU'RE NOT GOING TO DIE!"

I'm scared. More than I was when I was stuck in the box. I'm not afraid for my life. Call me insane (which is true), but I don't really care if I die. Maybe, if I die, it'll convince Peter to stop what he's doing. I'm afraid for Peter. If I die, who will he be angry at? Me? Himself? Henry? Felix? The grownups? And what if I don't die? What if Peter finds a way to heal me? What if I live? Will he be angry? Will he scream at me? Will he hurt me? Will he heal me just to kill me himself?

No. Peter would never kill me. Neither would Pan. Right?

"You shouldn't give up so easily."

Edith? "Edith. Is that you?"

"Of course it is."

"Hey, I'm here too!"

Mikah? "Mikah!"

"What, you expect Edith to take all the spotlight?"

"I miss you guys. So much."

"Yeah. We know."

"We miss you too, Kasey. But we're not here to talk about us! We're here to talk about you! And Pan. Sadly."

"Mm-hmm. You need our help. Big time."

"Yeah, I guess I do. He's not listening to me. He's not opening his eyes. He can't see it. I don't think he ever will."

"Oh, don't be stupid. He hears you. But, just like all boys, he chooses to ignore the signs because he think's it's just his imagination."

"I doubt he'll think that after today."

"Tell me about it!"

"Do you think he'll heal me?"

"Duh!"

"Of course he will."

"What about when I wake up? Will he... hurt me?"

"I don't think so."

"I highly doubt it, Kasey."

"I seriously hope you two are right."

"So do we, Kasey."

"So do we...."

"Oh, no. You're waking up."

"Wait, no! I can't go yet! I still want to talk to you! Please, no, don't go! Don't leave me alone with the wrath of Peter Pan! Please!"

"Oh relax, we're not going far! We'll always be in your heart. Always."

"Promise, Kasey. We'll come back when you need us."

"I love you. All of you. And I miss you so much."

"The guys miss you too, Kasey."

"They can't wait for you to come home. We'll play Truth or Dare for all eternity! All seven of us! Won't that be fun?! OMGoodness I am sooooo pumped!"

"Goodbye, Kasey!"

"We love you!"