The Mermaid-Cursed Pirate

Chapter 25

Recap:

Tears are flowing now, her words breaking off a few times as she sings. "Oh, darling don't you ever grow up, don't you ever grow up, just stay this little." Charlie looks up when a tear hits his face and throws his arms around her neck to comfort her. "Oh, darling don't you ever grow up, don't you ever grow up, it could stay this simple. Don't let nobody hurt you, don't let no one break your heart. And even though you want to, please try to never grow up. Just never grow up."

The boys seem to know the right response at the moment, and crowd around her, hugging her as she shakes from her silent tears. No one says a word. Instead, they surround her with their brotherly love. Charlie went the extra mile, wiping her tears away and giving her a comforting smile. Eventually, the tears stop falling, and the boys step back one by one. She gives them a light smile, thanking them without a word.

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To Sirena's surprise, none of the boys mention what had happened the night before. All they do is smile brightly to her in an attempt to brighten her spirit. Pan was still fast asleep, but it was a peaceful slumber now. Sirena spent most of the day in Pan's tent, worrying about his health. If he never woke up, she could never leave Neverland. The boys needed a leader, whether that was her or Pan.

After she was able to get Pan to swallow down some water, his eyes shot open. He sat up, gasping, then noticed Sirena sitting next to his bed.

"You!" he seethes. "How could you lie to me, to all the boys? How could you do that to us?"

Without a seconds pause, she replies with a look of confusion, "What on earth do you mean?"

"You know exactly what I mean, Sirena. Why don't you go tell all the boys that you're about to leave them again? I could understand that you needed to leave, but what I don't understand is why you are going to that-that stinking pirate!"

She laughs, trying to play it off, "And where did you get this idea?"

"That potion gave me a vision. I saw you leaving. You gave the boys an enchanted shell so you could talk to them. You said you were going to the land without magic. Then I saw you with him."

"What do you mean by 'with him'?"

"He was about to kiss you. And you didn't do anything to stop it." Sirena looks to the ground, realizing that she is, without a doubt, caught. "So, is it true?"

"It's true. But it's not what you think." He tries to interrupt but she holds up a hand to silence him. "I am bound to him, Pan. There's nothing I can do about it! I sent him to the mermaid council. They said if we tried to sever the bond, we would both die. There's no way to break the curse. The only way I get through this without turning human is if, by some miracle, he is my soulmate. Which means I have to kiss him. It's my only chance."

Pan shakes his head and stands up on shaking legs. Sirena grabs his arm. "Sit down! You need rest before you go anywhere."

"No. I won't let you lie to the boys any longer. You pack up your stuff while I gather the boys. Then you tell them the truth and get off my island." He glares at her harshly until she releases his arm. He stumbles his way out of the tent.

Sirena drops her head into her hands and sighs. "This isn't the way I wanted this to happen," she thinks to herself. She teleports herself to her cave and tells the captain what happened and how she will be there soon. Sirena packs up all of her potions and keepsakes in the cave. Then she uses some magic to seal the case shut and sends it to the Jolly Roger. Then she teleports herself to her tent to gather the rest of her things.

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By the time Sirena left her tent with her bag in hand, the boys had gathered around the Great Fire. They started to whisper between themselves when they saw Sirena approach.

Pan looked angry, but Sirena could see in his eyes that it was a mask for the pain caused by her lies. "Boys, Sirena has something she needs to tell you."

She sets her bag down next to an open stump, then stands on it to address her boys. "This is very hard for me to say to all of you, so before I start, I want to let you all know that I love you with all my heart. I never meant to hurt any of you, and I am incredibly sorry for my actions." She pauses and looks at the boys' faces. They all look confused at her words, but no one seems to be mad yet. "I have been lying to all of you."

They boys explode in an uproar, but she screams to silence them. "Let me explain first. Then you can be mad at me. You all remember how I am bound to Captain Hook?" The boys nod. "That part is true. But he is not my enemy. He is my friend, in fact, he has been trying to find me a way to break the curse." She explains everything as the boys sit in silence. When she finishes, none of the boys move a muscle.

"Well, if that's the end of your story, it's time for you to leave," Pan orders.

"No!" Charlie shouts, standing up and walking to Pan. "She didn't do this to hurt us. She did what she thought was best. She is still a Lost Girl. So we will treat her like one. Tonight we celebrate our time with her and if she still wants to leave in the morning, we will let her."

The rest of the boys stand up and move between Pan and Sirena. Pan sighs and nods his head before walking away. The boys cheer and hug Sirena, surrounding her in love.

"Let's party!" shouts Charlie, making everyone laugh.