Peter Pan The Killer

Chapter 9: Peter Pan Here We Come

The French were kinder than they had expected. A long while after regaining their breaths and energy, Gwen and Belle were still unfit to walk. One of the passing cars had agreed to give them a ride to Amiens since the driver was heading there. Their roughed up state made the middle-aged woman drive them to a clinic. Belle tried to refuse, but the woman did not take no for an answer.

She brought them straight to the emergency, and the doctor forced the girls to take X-rays. Miraculously, they had no broken bones. Gwen had twisted her ankle and had a hairline fracture on her forearm. The doctor advised her to not strain these regions for a couple of weeks. Gwen could not promise him that. She would probably end up with severely broken bones the end of this.

Belle was less hurt than she was. Gwen assumed she had done this jumping out bus thing more often. She landed in a safer position, hence had to deal with only flesh wounds. Once they were treated, they insisted on paying for the medical bills; the woman had no choice but to agree. During that time, Gwen and Belle had convinced the woman that she did not need to call the cops to make a report on whatever that had happened. They covered the bus jumping episode up by a camping mishap lie.

They thanked the lady, and she left them to wander the streets of Amiens. The bandaged partners took a moment to have some food and discuss their situation and consecutive plans. Belle pulled out her laptop, and the map appeared on the screen.

"It'll take two hours to get to Paris, but we need to detour since we know James will be there waiting. If we take the train instead of the bus, it will still drop us off at the same station," she said.

Gwen groaned in frustration, "No trains or buses. So, what? We steal a car?"

"You catch on quick," Belle said with a smirk which looked weird since she had a band-aid plastered from the corner of her lip across her cheek.

"I was joking," Gwen replied.

"I'm not," Belle shrugged.

"I got a better idea, Belle. Something much more legal."

-----------------------------

"Merci, Monsieur," Gwen said as they drove out of the parking lot of the Europcar Rental Services. A one-way car rental was not too hard to find, and they got themselves a comfortable Renault Twingo.

"Stealing a car would leave no traces..." Belle muttered.

"James is not getting out of that bus till Paris. He'll take some time to track us down. We'll leave the car at Marne-la-Vallée," she replied. Belle begrudgingly agreed.

Belle drove since Gwen's arm and ankle were still hurting pretty bad. Gwen kept on rambling for the entire two hours to relieve some tension. She knew Belle was tired as well, so she did her best to keep her energy up. Halfway through the ride, they passed Paris.

The Eiffel Tower stood proud and beautiful, it made Gwen really believe she was in France. They took a little detour into the city to grab snacks. She gawked at everything before they were back on the highway, coffees in their hand.

Peter's hideout was in Marne-la-Vallée, according to Belle. Gwen was unsure of the reason he chose the particular city. She glanced at the Eiffel Tower that was now a tiny speck in the distance. Belle said it was less obvious than Paris. However, Gwen had learned the city was home to Disneyland... Maybe that was why?

An image of Peter taking the opportunity to play in an amusement park every other day was hilarious. Weirdly enough she could see it happening. Peter was rather notorious and playful, but his emotions were like a rollercoaster. One moment high, the next downright sadness.

It was sunset by the time they reached a hotel. Belle booked it for one night. She said if they found Peter, they could stay at his place till they made their next move. If they didn't, Belle was not planning on staying there any longer.

Gwen's body felt like lead when she slumped onto the bed. Her arm and ankle needed rest, sitting in the car was not as comfortable. Belle was sitting on the edge of the bed, busy on her phone. She did not understand how Belle was not tired.

Gwen stared at the dimming sky through the window. Peter was out there. Not too far away from her. Their reunion drawing closer and closer. A bubbling sensation filled her, both excitement and nerves. What then? What if Peter wanted nothing to do with her now? What if he did not want to help her save Pauline?

These thoughts haunted her. There was a larger fear above them all. An irrational fear. Something she should not even be thinking about. Her heart still ached though.

What if he did not care for her the same?

Questionable feelings had risen since their parting. First it was pain, loss and grief. Then she tried to push it all away, turn to stone. Now, she was brimming with hope... And something more? She did not want to name it. She feared it would only hurt her.

But the oncoming surge might not stop. It might just become uncontrollable when they reunite. She felt on the edge of a looming abyss, a force luring her to jump. The fall would hurt. Why did she still yearn to do it?

As she pondered, her eyes fell shut. Exhaustion took over her bones, and she dozed into a slumber. She did not notice Belle eyeing her carefully and shutting her phone. As soon as Belle was sure she was unconscious, she slipped out of the room.

The moonlight had filtered into the room. Gwen lay asleep and alone.
Only hours later would she realize, the night was about to hold a bittersweet reunion.

--------------
A/N: Thank you for reading. Leave a vote and comment!!