The Real Peter Pan

• Chapter 13 •

"The more anger towards the past you carry in your heart, the less capable you are of loving in the present."

-Anonymous

I cough once more as the the remaining water drives up my throat.

"I got you- I got you." Peter soothes as he holds me so I am sitting up.

My mind struggles to absorb all that's happened; and my heart is racing. I'm in such of a state of shock that I don't even notice that Peter is shouting at me- trying to get my attention.

Then slowly my brain refocuses; my ears begin to pickup sound and my eyes break the place where they were frozen.

"Where are they!?" I jump in fear.

Peter holds me down as I shake violently. "They're gone! Don't worry."

I look at him with hope. "They- they are?"

"Yes, I took care of them."

My eyes spin around, picking up every detail of my location."What did you do? They were just here!"

"I, I can't tell you." He exasperates, dangling his head in shame.

"Can't tell me!" I gasp. "Those bitches tried to murder me! They were even friends of Claire's and-"

Oh crap.

"Claire! She could be hurt, what if they got her!" I scream, flailing my body upwards trying to get up.

"Brennan!" Peter speaks loudly; attempting to calm me. "I swear on my life that you will never see those girls again! Just trust me on this- and Claire is fine."

"I-" And then if it was possible, it seemed the night got darker. The wind picked up; making my soaked body turn to ice.

Peter's eyes turn quickly to stare at the river. He almost looks afraid.

"Come on." He says scooping me up in his arms. "I have to get you out of here."

"W-why? W-whats go-ing on?" My teeth chatter.

"It's not safe here. Plus your freezing and hurt, so you need rest."

I notice he is making his way over to the car. "Stop!" I yell with my horse voice. "I c-can't leave w-without Claire."

The breeze hit's my skin again and a layer of goosebumps appear.

"We don't have time. I need to get you back."

"P-Peter... She's in t-there completely wasted! We can't l-leave."

He huffs and begins running us back towards the house. Inside the music is so loud I can barely hear my own thoughts. Peter sets me on my feet but doesn't remove his hand from my back; obviously afraid that if he does I will fall apart. Which actually could be a true prediction.

My sleepy eyes scan the crazed crowd. They move from the people stuffing their face with snacks to the drunk girls grinding all over the guys. Then I spot Claire.

"There!" I shout to Peter; pointing towards the drink bar. He nods and carefully begins to push me through the dancing crowd.

"Claire!" I yell her name. She sloppily turns to face me.

"Brennan!" A smile creeps on her face. "I met this really attractive-"

"No time Claire." I interrupt. "We're leaving.

"What; hell no. I still need to chat with Molly!" She hiccups. Then she raises an eyebrow. "Girl? Why are you all wet?"

"It's nothing. Let's go!."