The Real Peter Pan

• Chapter 12 •

"When you're drowning, you don't say ' I would be incredibly pleased if someone would have the foresight to notice me drowning and come and help me' ..... you just scream."

-John Lennon

It's been an hour even since Claire left me to go request a song. I'm pretty sure it shouldn't take this long.

"So Brennan..." Molly says behind me. Her and the rest of their quintet hold cups of what smells to beer in their palm.

"Hey-"

"So we hear that your Peter Pan's new interest." May says lifting her left brow.

"Uhh who told you that?" I ask surprised.

"Oh sweety." Madeline says shaking her head and giggling. "No one had to tell us anything."

Mia takes a step forward. "We know everything that happens around here."

My eyes squint. "Did Claire tell you something?"

"Of course I didn't!" A voice screams in my ear.

"Where have you been!" I yell to Claire over the music; totally forgetting the odd Peter conversation.

She stumbles on her feet and catches herself using my shoulders. "I've been with you this whole time!"

The smell of liquor hits my nose and I back up. "Claire! Are you..." I take another whiff of her bitter odor. "Drunk?"

"Psh!" She flips her hand. "Nah, but some hot guy gave me the freaking best tasting water I have ever tried!"

I look over the the girls- who seem to be watching my every move. "I should go and take her home. It was nice meeting-"

"Whoa." Melody stops me. "You can't leave yet."

"Yeah, you haven't even completed the new girl pledge." Molly smirks.

"New girl pledge?" I repeat slowly, more to myself.

"It's a tradition at our parties. If you've never attended before you do whatever we want."

I laugh. "I only came because I broke a promise."

"We don't care, your here and that's all that applies." May scowls.

Shaking my head; I grab Claire's arm. "Ha ha. Nope- sorry. Let's go Claire."

Then a boney hand harshly grips my shoulders. "You are going to do it." Mia hisses. She turns to her sisters. "Lets take her to the shore. Leave Claire here."

The sun is down but it's not quite pitch black out as they drag me to the river.

"Alright, you're going to lead us out half way towards the middle." Molly orders.

A confused expression swarms my face. "How is it a pledge if everyone of us does it."

"Oh my God!" Mia groans. "Just go!"

A stab of anger fills me as I dip my feet in the river water. The deeper I walk into it, the more my body freezes. Then, when I feel as if we're far enough I begin to turn around.

"Okay, now what do you want me to freaking-" But before I can finish my sentence, hands shove me under the waves.

I thrash and squirm under their hold. For less than a second, I actually let myself believe that they'll pull me up and say 'congrats you survived'.

But I know better.

Because of the short notice, my ability to hold my breath is shortened and I can feel my heart begin to rapidly thump against my ribs.

Please no. Don't let me end like this

A knee to my chest sends the last of my savored air escaping my lungs. The pain of leaving this earth tramples the pain of the bland river water filling up my throat. My head feels as if my brain is expanding to break through my skull; pushing my breaking point.

I give up.

I relax my muscles and take in my last moments in this life. My physical state grows tired as I drift off into death.

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

▪️▪️▪️

The damsel falls unconscious as the knight rips the five evils from the river.

He pulls her limp bones to the surface and rushes her to the shore; laying her head carefully on a grass pillow.

The savior presses an ear to her unmoving chest and moves his eyes to glance upon her parted violet lips.

Quickly he pounds on her heart and breathe's life back into her lungs. With one final breath she coughs up the dark water that invaded her system and opens her eyes.

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

▪️BRENNAN'S P.O.V. ▪️

Pain still covers my motionless limbs as I awaken.

My vision is blurred like a camera without a lens- but as I focus on the figure in front of the stars, a sob finds it's way to enter the air.

"Dammit Brennan." Peter breathes as he dangles his head.