The Jewel of Neverland

Chapter 16

Amy's P.O.V

"Amy, " Emma said, looking serious. "What do you know about Henry?"

"He's okay," I assured them, setting down a now empty cup, "But I think he's been manipulated pretty badly. Last time I saw him he was acting like a Lost Boy.  Peter told him something and then he was able to hear the sound of his pipes."

"Oh no," Regina stood and paced around the fire, "Pan's brainwashing him.  We need to get to my son, now!"  I could tell my sister was angry at her inability to do anything for her son.  I wished I had done more for Henry.

"And Neal?"  Emma asked. 

I told them about the cage.  They were upset and Emma fought her tears.  But Mary Margert reassured her.  They came to understand that all their energy had to go towards saving Henry first.  It's what Neal would want.

"What do you think we should do?" Emma asked me, genuinely interested in my opinion. "You know this island better than we do. Without Neal, we don't know much at all." Mary Margaret placed a hand on Emma's shoulder.

"Hold on a sec, let me think."  My eyes wandered around the area. We were in a small clearing that looked like a swamp without water. Mud and wet grass littered the ground. To get a better look at where we were, I stood and headed for a nearby tree. Grabbing the trunk,  I lifted myself higher and higher into the tree. 

"Amy?"  Regina asked, "How will Lost Boy-style tree-climbing help us now?"  I could hear her eyeroll. 

"Be patient!" I shouted below to her.  As I reached the top of the tree, I surveyed our surroundings.  We were not far from where the Lost Boys liked to hunt hogs.  I had an idea.

I slid down the tree and landed on my feet, my grey boots working nicely in the jungle terrain.  "Follow me," I smiled to the women, "And bring your weapons!" 

Emma already had her sword strapped to her hip. Mary Margaret threw a bow and arrow onto her back with such swiftness that I felt alarmed.  She had the grace of a criminal.  Wasn't she Snow White?

Next Regina walked past, with no weapon in sight.  "No weapon?" I asked her.

"My magic could do more harm than all the weapons on Neverland combined."  She grinned. 

"Peter's magic included?"  I asked, reminding her of his power.  Her lips stiffened.  I didn't want her to get cocky.  I had lost enough family members; I wasn't about to allow arrogant confidence take Regina from me.

"And where's your weapon, dear sister?"  Regina grinned sarcastically. 

My heart ached a little as I remembered my own magical abilities. Turning away from her, I grabbed a nearby net.  "No weapons for me." I quickly headed for the jungle, not wanting to explain further.  I'd killed enough for my lifetime. 

While we walked through the jungle, I explained my plan to them.

"Nice work," Mary Margaret nodded after I'd finished.  "Seems full-proof."

"We can hope."  Regina muttered.

We settled on a covered bush and hid ourselves in a semi-circle shape, that way whichever direction the Lost Boy came, we could grab him.  Hopefully, we would see a wild hog and in no time, a Lost Boy would appear.  The Lost Boys really were very predictable.

Finally, a hog approached in our line of sight.  The animal snuffed around the muddy ground in search of food.   It wouldn't be long now.

Sure enough, a hooded Lost Boy with a long spear appeared in the distant brush.  The boy was crawling like a lioness, ready to pounce onto the helpless animal.  However, unbeknownst to him, Mary Margaret was another lioness ready to pounce.  She hovered a way behind him and drew her bow and arrow with more alarming grace and silence.  Closing one eye and aiming confidently at the boy, she released the arrow as it headed straight for a rig on a nearby tree that immediately released a cloud of net onto the Lost Boy.  He sank to the ground with a thud as the hog squealed and ran away.  The Lost Boys kicked, but he was not getting out.  Regina had used her magic on the net, making it inescapable.