Peter Pan The Killer

Chapter 27: Peter Pan's Lead

Gwen did not get off her bed in the morning, but Pauline was yelling like a madwoman on the other side of the door. She crawled to the front door and swung it open.

"I brought lunch," she beamed, holding up a cloth bag with containers filled with Mrs Gonzales's delicious cooking.

"If it weren't for the food, you'd be dead," Gwen murmured as Pauline walked past her and into the small.pantry to grab plates.

After dishing out the steaming hot chicken enchiladas, yellow rice and salsa salads, Gwen got to eating. However, despite the delicious feast laid before her, Gwen had the appetite of a corpse. Pauline silently ate, observing her. She knew Gwen was more than distracted. And what was worse, she suspected it was because of the killer she was hunting down.

"Gwen... Do you wanna go out for a bit? Watch a movie or something?" Pauline said. She made it her duty to make sure Gwen had not lost touch with the normal.

Gwen shrugged, "I guess."

After getting ready, the two girls were out into the Northern Quarter. The streets were bustling, the warm air energising the usually dull people. Summer was in full swing, and Manchester was one of those places that never took no for an answer. Youngsters were flocking the antique cafes, Gwen passed by one and felt her heart constrict.

Billsbury's Cafe

The cafe reminded her of how she was ridiculously forced to drive all the way here just to get danishes. Peter Pan was so full of cockiness back then. Now it seemed to have diluted with the intense rage boiling his blood. She knew she was responsible for triggering it. And she was not sorry. The rage was true emotions, hidden by that mask of obnoxiousness.

"Gwen," Pauline tugged her. She realised she was slowing down. She quickened her pace and left Billsbury's Cafe behind.

They stopped at a boutique wedged between a bar and a tattoo shop. Murals covered the brightly painted building, and the structure gave away its age. The boutique was filled with bohemian apparel and accessories. Gwen knocked her head on a huge dreamcatcher hanging from the ceiling as they entered.

"Oh Gwen, don't forget, prom is like four days away!" Pauline reminded as they looked through the clothes hanging on the racks.

"Yes... I'm aware. And yes, I'm not going with anyone," she replied.

"But Gwen! This is your final high school party. You have to go with a date!" Pauline whined. Gwen shook her head, ignoring her.

After shopping and grabbing some drinks at a Starbucks, they trotted along the now lit streets. The evening sky had cast a dim glow, combined with the variety of lights from the shops; it was beautiful. They passed Aunty Emma's cinnamon rolls, a huge crowd of people were piled at the counter rushing to order. It had been a while since they had eaten cinnamon rolls. Gwen turned to Pauline. She knew the whole shopping idea was to lighten her mood. Gwen felt indebted to her best friend.

"Hey, why don't I get us some rolls," Gwen suggested pointing to the shop.

"Are you crazy? That place is like a madhouse," Pauline exclaimed.

"I won't be long," Gwen replied and entered the bakery.

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Pauline stood outside Aunty Emma's peering through the glass windowpanes, catching a glimpse of Gwen disappear into the mass of people. She sighed to herself. The girl always bit off more than she could chew.

Pauline felt a tap on her shoulder. Whipping around, she turned to see a tall man, wearing a long trench coat and hat, obscuring his face. He had nothing in his hands but a long cane with a tiny skull on its top, although; the man looked like he did not need a walking stick.

"Good evening," the man said.

"I'm sorry, do I know you?" Pauline replied. The man looked suspicious. If he was planning to mug or kidnap her, she had better make a run for it.

"Don't fret, I just want to lend a hand," he said. His eyes peeked through the shadows of the hat, and Pauline felt compelled to stay put by those bright blue irises.

The man pulled out an old name card. It was frayed around the edges and dirty. He placed it in her hand. His hands were gloved. The man was dressed for winter despite the warm summer air.

"If you want to help your friend," he said, tilting his chin towards the bakery. "I suggest you give her this."

"How do you know her?" Pauline asked warily. The man smiled.

"A mutual friend," he answered. Then as if the group of people walking past him swallowed him up, he disappeared.

"Got'em!" Gwen exclaimed, exiting the shop. Pauline still held the old name card in her hand.

"Pauline, what's wrong," she asked. Pauline stared at the card in her hand. What if it could help her? She wanted to help Gwen as much as she could. This was something she could finally do.

"Gwen, take this. A man gave it to me. Said it could help you," Pauline said, grabbing one paper bag of cinnamon rolls and handing the card to her. Gwen took it and read the contents. She widened her eyes and turned to Pauline.

"Who gave this to you?" she asked. So it was important, Pauline thought to herself.

"I don't know. He looked pretty suspicious though, with the whole trench coat, top hat, walking stick get-up," she said.

Gwen was staring hard at the card. She looked deep in thought, the gears in her brain working. She put it into her pocket.

"Well, I'll look into it," Gwen said.

Pauline wondered how the name card could help her. All it had was the name of a doctor, a web address and a contact number, which were all related to the large title at the top of the card.

The Neverland Bioengineering Foundation.

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A/N: Hey, there lost boys! Hit that vote button if you liked this and want more!