Peter Pan The Killer

Chapter 37: Peter Pan Opens Up

The night stretched on for even longer as both Peter and Gwen climbed down the winding steps from the rooftop back to her apartment. After all that, it was impossible for Gwen to say goodnight and let him leave. She let him stay over for longer. Long enough to convince herself that this was real, that they were on the same side.

Gwen dropped onto her bed after taking off her jacket. She literally ran out of her apartment in pajamas. As Peter came over, his eyes caught on the files with documents spilling out of them on the floor. He crouched and pulled out some papers. Gwen saw his eyes narrow, staring at the police reports. Gwen walked over and crouched beside him.

"I promise I don't know where these came from. I was having lunch with Pauline, then when I returned from the washroom, these were in my bag, and Pauline was quick to leave. I have no clue as to how she would have these in the first place," Gwen explained, properly this time.

Peter frowned in response as he rummaged further into the files. His eyes landed on older documents, ones from the Neverland Bioengineering Foundation. Gwen saw him tense. He flipped on further before slapping the file close, shutting his eyes as if his head hurt.

"Peter...," Gwen mumbled, brushing his hand with hers. He opened his eyes and stood up, then walked over to her bed and sat down. Gwen followed in pursuit.

"They... Did terrible things to you, didn't they?" she asked, unsure whether to keep prying. He stared up at the ceiling and let out a sigh, before flopping onto the bed. He covered his eyes with an arm.

"Yeah they did," he murmured. He was silent for a long moment. Gwen thought that was the end; he was not planning to talk. She laid down beside him.

"I... was practically raised in that laboratory," he continued, so softly, Gwen had to inch even closer to hear his low voice.

"I never really knew what I was part of, what were the purpose of those experiments..." he said.

"What I did know... Only much later..."

"Was that you couldn't die," Gwen continued for him. He uncovered his eyes and stared at her with curiosity.

"I spoke to him, Dr. Louis Young, one of the scientists involved in the project. He told me what they were trying to do to you," Gwen explained. Peter covered his eyes again.

"What happened when you escaped?" she asked.

"I ended up on a smuggler's ship. They weren't too nice to me either. I was stuck there for months till I managed to escape," he said, he sounded rather emotionless talking about it. As if all the torture had turned him numb. Yet it was the mention of the laboratory that often triggered him worst. The horrors he must have experienced.

Gwen rested her head on his shoulder and put and arm around him. He tensed up for a moment before gradually relaxing.

"When did you meet Skul?" she asked.

"The moment I escaped the ship. It almost felt like he was waiting for me. He took me in, it felt too surreal, his kindness..."

Peter frowned. "Because it was surreal. It was all a lie..." He shook his head. Gwen squeezed him gently. He glanced at her. "I'm tired. And done talking," he said, ending it.

It was the most she had ever heard him talk about himself, hence she was more than satisfied. She did not want to push him even more. Reliving those moments were hard, let them unravel with time.

"I'm sleepy too..." Gwen murmured.

Peter was about to get up when Gwen held him back. "You can stay," she said, gripping his hand. He looked taken aback.

Was he ready to let his guard down completely? Did he truly trust her? These questions filled her mind. A silent contemplation passed, but as confused as he was, he laid back down. At that moment, he looked vulnerable. His eyes held no guard; it revealed his doubts, his worries. Gwen gave him a small smile. Then huddled beside him and closed her eyes.

She could hear his heart beating, a quick rhythm that resonated with hers. Was he nervous? So was she. It was comforting to know they both felt the same.

For the first time, in a very long time, Peter slept engulfed in warmth.
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Summer morning rays warmed Gwen's bedroom. She opened her eyes to a fast asleep face. Peter was far from awake. He looked too innocent as he slept. His dusky blonde hair was a mess of tangles, his lips slightly apart as she heard his soft intakes of breath.

Gwen's heart stirred at the sight.

In just a month, a strange series of events had brought upon this moment. One she would have never expected to happen. He did not leave, like he usually did. He let down his guard and opened up to her last night. Everything escalated so quickly, even Gwen found it hard to wrap her mind around.

That silent moment in the morning was peaceful. A brief serenity. Peter's eyes flickered open. His gaze was unfocused, green eyes brightened under the sunlight. He looked almost ethereal. As he stared at her finally registering the situation, he looked confused then unsure, but then he relaxed.

"Good morning," Gwen whispered.

Emotions flickered in his eyes, before he replied with a lazy smile,

"Morning."

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