O'Children (A OUAT Neverland Fanfic)

Chapter 12: Escape Part 2

"But if these years have taught me anything it is this: you can never run away. Not ever. The only way out is in."

― Junot Díaz

When she awoke, she found herself standing, but unable to move. She was tied to a tree. Confused. she began to struggle, trying to somehow manage to loosen the rope that held her back. She tried to kick, but her ankles were also tied back.

Clenching her teeth together, she continued to struggle, panic setting in.

Where was she? It was too dark to tell. Where was Jared? She really wished she didn't care.

That was when a sharp voice came from the dark before her.

"Who are you?" The protruding voice asked, as it drew closer.

It belonged to a female.

Jane continued to struggle beneath the rope.

"Who are you?" Jane replied, snarling. Why was it necessary that she tie her to a tree? Had she done anything?

"Answer the question, and I might let you go." The girl hissed. Her words were very drawn out.

The vessel that belonged to the voice withdrew from the dark, as light from a few flaming torches lit up her visage. She had striking blue eyes, and fair skin that seemed as soft as silk. Locks of crimson red hair fell to her shoulders. She was beautiful.

Jane exhaled deeply, eyes meeting the others. "Jane Fairchild. Now- who are you? What do you want from me?" She inquired, the rope making her flesh itch.

"Ah." The ginger hummed. "I go by Ivy. And I'm afraid I've never seen you in these lands before. And that's not very good on your part. Peter brought you here, I assume. And Tiger Lily won't take to that lightly." She raised an eyebrow.

Tiger Lily, of course. Rivals with Peter Pan. This ought to be good.

"Look, I won't do any harm. I care for Peter about as much as you do. I was just trying to leave. And my brother- my. My brother! Where's my brother!?" Jane finished, just remembering the nagging absence of her brother.

Ivy just laughed. "He's fine, but his fate depends on how well you cooperate with us. And Tiger Lily will be deciding what to do with you, not me. You don't have to plead with me." She said, reaching her arms out to help untie her. When she did, she took a portion of the rope and tied it around her wrists, tight.

"Now come with me." Ivy instructed, pulling her arm as she led her into the darkness.

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They descended deep into the forest, dodging towering trees and beady-eyed animals.

Not soon after, Jane spotted light, it illuminated a camp, similar to Peter's.

Cicada's stirred in the distance, setting an eerie atmosphere.

Ivy pulled her arm hard, as they entered the area, hollowed out tree's and fires at every turn. There were girl's everywhere, but they were dressed quite differently than the lost boys. They wore dress-like rompers formed from leaves and cotton. They wore strings of berries for necklaces and bracelets, and some sported feathers in their hair, and bandana's of snakeskin.

She found herself quickly adapting to the environment, feeling as if she fit in better here than she ever did with the lost boys.

But as she was dragged through the crowd of females, they all eyed her with a vicious spark, already territorial. She dreaded the fact that she would soon be face to face with the dame that even Peter himself feared on some level.

The numbing sound of an approaching figure set her teeth on edge. Fearing to lift her gaze, she eyed the moccasins that hid the figure's feet, not daring to revert her eyes.

No luck there.

Moments later her head was jerked up to meet the gaze of a towering female with honey coloured skin and piercing green eyes.

Eyebrows furrowing together, the girl snapped at another that was tailing behind her, voice lingering in a foreign tongue.

But her eyes never left Jane's, a concrete expression of curiosity painted on her visage.

"This is girl I hear of?" The girl, who she assumed could only be Tiger Lily, questioned. Her voice was exotic, brimming with a tone of hostility.

The girl that still had her in arm's lock nodded once.

Parting her lips, Jane wanted to speak, but was lost for words.

And the strangest thing occurred. There was a change of expression in Tiger Lily, Her eyes lightening, and grip on Jane's chin releasing.

Tiger Lily grinned widely, menacingly.

"I knew you would come. The stars foresaw it. You have come to finish your mother's work, darling Jane."

Her lip curled.

"Jane Darling."