Peter Pan The Killer

Chapter 36: Peter Pan I Won't Let Go

Within the shadows cast by the selfish moonlight, a man glanced at the single figure leaping out an apartment window and landing onto a tree branch. The man smiled, a menacing grin compatible with the darkness. He lowered his top hat and watched the boy.

Peter Pan. The boy called himself. What a foolish name, but perhaps fitting for a foolish boy.

The man of darkness watched as Peter leaped down from the tree and onto the sidewalk. He was angry, sad, but most of all betrayed. Poor child just kept on making the same mistakes repeatedly. Peter stood, unmoving, hand tucked in his pockets as if yearning the warmth he just lost. So, gullible.

I taught you better. The man said in his mind.

It was perfect how it all fell into place. The girl gained his trust, awakened a long dormant heart. It was all too easy to frame her. After all, her own best friend was to blame. It was perfect timing. Now he shall set the true plan to motion. He was about to drop some crucial information to aid a certain detective, James Hardwing.

The man slipped into the shadows, vanishing in the darkness, leaving Peter to freeze in the night.

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Gwen stared at the curtains, fluttering against the gaping window. As always, before she got too close, he would run. Her chest ached. Was she supposed to let him be, just like that?

That was exactly what she did to Anna. Not again, not this time. If he was hurting, she would be there. She would not let him suffer alone. Like she promised to herself, she was not planning to make the same mistake twice. Peter would never believe in her if she did not prove herself to be trustworthy. Hence, prove herself she shall.

Gwen grabbed her jumper and house keys, leaving the apartment in a flurry. He could not have gone far. She raced down the stairs until she was out in the open. The night was dark; the moon was not very forgiving. She raced around the block, looking for him. And just as she suspected, he was still there.

Peter was not walking; he just stood there half hidden by the shadows, the street lights not even sparing their shine. Gwen did not think twice, she ran towards him and threw her arms around him from behind. Peter jerked in shock at the sudden embrace.

"Peter, I'm sorry, but please let me explain!" Gwen said, pressing her forehead against his back. He remained silent. Gwen took it as a chance for her to explain, and so she did.

"I don't know how those files ended up in my bag, but trust me, I was never planning on handing them over to any authorities. Peter, when I said I wanted to help you, I meant it. I promise I won't betray you. I know a promise is not going to cut it. I wish I could do more to make you believe in me. I know trusting anyone is going to be hard for you, but-" Gwen got cut off, as Peter pulled her hands away and turned around to face her.

His eyes were hurt and confused. The dim streetlamps reflected off them, she could sense even his convictions wavering.

"Peter..." Gwen muttered, but he placed a finger over her lips stopping her from speaking, as he sighed.

"Stop. You've said enough," he said.

Gwen winced at the words, a dull pain settled in her chest. Peter stared at her changing expressions, before shaking his head and letting out another frustrated sigh.

"You're really something, Wendy," he muttered to himself, Gwen did not know what that was supposed to mean.

The next thing she knew, he scooped her into his arms, and lifted her princess-style, before leaping onto a bench to provide him the momentum to bring himself even higher. In a minute, leaping from one object to another, they were standing on her apartment rooftop, overlooking the town. He put her down, as a gust of wind blew past them. Gwen was unsure of what to do, but followed Peter who leaned against the railings, staring out at the cityscape. She did so, glancing at him. He looked pensive, his gaze distant.

"I can't come to trust anyone so easily, Wendy," he said in a low voice.

Gwen stayed silent and allowed him to speak his mind. He never usually did, and so when he did, it was better to listen. He continued slowly, as if still contemplating whether or not to tell her more, "The people... I believed in, never hesitated to leave me behind to save themselves... Wendy, I think you know most of what I'm talking about," he said turning to her.

Gwen only shrugged slightly, she moved a little closer to him. He did not seem to mind.

"Gregory Skul, right?" Gwen asked, as if she did not know the answer.

"He was one of them..." he replied. It only made Gwen hurt for him even more. If Skul was just one of them, who knows how the others betrayed him. It was no wonder why Peter could not bring himself to trust.

"But you make it hard to resist..." he muttered as his eyes met hers. Gwen's breath caught in her throat.

"Tell me, Wendy," he said taking her hand and pulling her towards him, "Why should I trust you?" he whispered.

Gwen's heart sped at his words and their proximity. The moonlight cast upon his skin and lit his eyes, making him look almost ethereal. He felt more human, more alive. Was this because she was close to him? Was she bringing him back to life?

"Peter..." she did not know where to begin.

From the beginning.

She took a breath and gazed up into his eyes. "I always thought my sister was fine. That she was happy. I blamed you for her death, but now I know it was not so simple."

"She was depressed and hurting. And I did nothing. I left her to suffer, till she felt death was the only escape. I failed her," Gwen's voice cracked. She did not want to cry, but it was too hard to control the overflow of emotions.

"I could have saved her. I could have told her death was not her route to freedom. Peter... You're just like her. I thought at first, you were this cold-hearted murderer, but then again, no one is the way they are without reasons. And I learnt yours." She did not realise a tear had escaped her eyes till Peter wiped it away. Her heart stuttered at the gesture.

"You want death as much as she did. But I'm here to do what I should have done with Anna. I'm here to help you, to help find a reason to live, to find the joy you've lost. I'm not failing you the same way I failed her," Gwen said. She finally let out the thoughts that had accumulated in her chest over the past month. It was relieving. Peter stared at her. His eyes searching for a reason to deny, but he could not find any.

"I know it's hard to believe, but I promise you, I will not betray you. I couldn't possibly," Gwen said through her sobs.

Peter sighed and looked away, "Stop crying, it makes me feel like agreeing with you for no reason," he muttered with a slight pout.

Gwen blinked in disbelief. Her crying was getting him soft. She almost chuckled. She wiped her tears and turned his face towards her.

"Peter, I'm not letting go. No matter how much you push me away," she said, determined.

"I know," he replied, with a small smile.

A smile? Gwen had to do a double take. A smile that was genuine, not mischievous. Whatever it was, that one smile turned her into a hot mess.

"So... What does this mean?" Gwen had to ask. Now what? Where did they stand?

He leaned forward and pressed his forehead against hers, "This means..."

He stared at her seriously, "I trust you," he whispered. Gwen felt her heart soar, but she had to keep her emotions at bay.

She smiled, "Thank you."

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