Peter Pan The Killer

Chapter 12: Peter Pan's Hideout

Peter was quick to act like the painful confession did not happen. He stood up, forcing Gwen off his lap before proceeding to scoop her into his arms.

"Belle is waiting for us," he said, as he nimbly leapt onto the windowsill.

Gwen's heart was still in turmoil, but she forced those emotions down. She clenched her eyes shut as Peter hopped off the window. Once on the ground, he put her down and took her hand in hers. They walked down the streets of Marne la Vallee, hand in hand, bathed in ambient streetlights.

"Um... Peter..."

"Just forget what I said... We have bigger things to worry about," he muttered, shaking his head.

Gwen could tell how he desperately wanted to change the topic. The words he had spoken had come out unbidden, hence Gwen did him the favor of pretending it did not happen. Although, the unease in her heart proved difficult to quell.

"So where are you taking me, lost boy?" she asked, veering the mood to a lighter note.

Peter gave her a lopsided grin, "My place. Well, one of the many hideouts I have scattered across the globe!" He dramatically spread out his arms. Gwen chuckled.

"Why have one here, though? Why not in Paris?" she asked.

Peter scoffed, "Why have a place overlooking the rusty tower, when you can have Disneyland twenty minutes away?!" This one made Gwen laugh and punch him lightly on the arm.

"If we didn't have a bigger problem at hand, I might have forced you to take me to Disneyland while we're here," she joked.

He held her gaze, "I was in fact planning to," he said with a notorious smile. A blush rose to her cheeks.

She could not believe they were casually strolling in France, laughing and holding hands. It was as if one of Gwen's strange fantasies had come true. She reminded herself she should refrain from having any fantasies in the first place, but she could not help it. The tingling sensations, the underlying tidal wave ready to consume her whole. The feeling was sweet and addictive.

This feeling...

"So are we heading to a tree house, a cave, a cabin?" Gwen tried to imagine the various possibilities.

"Just you wait," he replied.

After some walking, they stopped at the opening of a narrow alley. Belle was sitting cross legged on the pavement, leaning against the wall. As usual, she was busying herself with her laptop. She noticed them approaching and peeled her attention away from the monitor. Her eyes landed on their linked hands. Gwen suddenly had the urge to pull her hand away with embarrassment. Peter however, was not concerned, he held on as tight as ever.

Belle raised a brow but did not dwell on the petty situation. She lifted her chin and motioned to the dark alley.

"Let's go. I've been waiting here for hours, and you didn't give me the key," she said annoyed, shoving her devices into her backpack.

"And you know I would never give you the key, Belle," Peter replied, tugging Gwen along the alley.

"If only it was digital," Belle huffed, hoping she could hack into his hideout.

They stopped at a dead end. The end of the alley was so dark, she could barely discern their figures. Peter's hand brushed the wall, she could not see what he was doing, but could hear a faint clicking and tapping noises. There was a grinding of stone. Still unable to see anything, Gwen felt Peter pull her into a gap in the wall. Belle followed close behind.

"Honestly, Peter... Do you have night vision or something?" Gwen murmured, now grabbing his forearm with her other hand, clinging close to him. She could not see a thing and solely relied on Peter guiding her.

"He probably does," Belle remarked from behind her, then cursed as she heard the sound of the scraping of skin on the bricks.

"Add some lights next time," she whined. Peter ignored both of their comments until he stopped walking and told Gwen to put her arms around his neck from behind. In a half piggy-back, Gwen's stomach lurched as she felt like she was free falling.

She opened her eyes, and light flooded her view. It was disorienting after the walk in the dark. Blinking twice she took in her surroundings and could not help the gasp that escaped her.

This was far from the hideout she imagined. In fact, it was not even a hideout, it was a bloody studio suite!

The area was wider having ample space for a mini living room, pantry, and a partitioned off bedroom. A set steps led to a mezzanine floor, which held what she considered a workroom with a couple of PCs and shelves. She turned to where they came from, a single pole was positioned leading up into the dark tunnel. Belle has slid down the pole and quickly made herself at home by plopping onto the couch.

She felt fingers brush underneath her chin that pushed her jaw up. She did not realise it was hanging the entire time. Peter stared at her amused.

"I didn't think you'd be that shocked," he said with a chuckle.

Gwen quickly composed herself. Scanning around the room she took in the modern interior. Peter never appeared as someone with exemplary artistic taste. But looking at the dark parquet floor paired with furniture ranging within the color pallette of grey to blue, either he hired an interior designer or she just discovered one of Peter's secret talents.

She followed Peter to the pantry and sat on a tall stool. Peter had pulled out a couple of drinks and placed them on the counter. From the array of drinks he popped open a bottle of juice and threw a can of beer at Belle's direction, which she caught effortlessly.

Gwen stared at the drink in front of her. Peter placed his elbows on the counter, resting his chin on his palms staring at her.

"How d'you... Do all this?" Gwen asked, still flabbergasted.

"Ways you wouldn't be too proud of if I told you," he replied with a shrug.

She understood what he implied. Whatever the illegal means, she currently did not want to find out. Picking up the bottle labelled in French, she drank its contents.

Belle slid into the stool beside her. "Okay, so can we get to business?" She asked. Peter pressed the bridge of his nose and motioned for her to continue. She noticed him pick up the same bottle Gwen drank from and took a swig. She unconsciously blushed.

"As I've explained, Skul wants PXDST. He has her best friend held hostage. We also have James and Co. tailing us," Belle summarized.

The mood took a turn, the lightweight excitement replaced by unease and foreboding. They were all silent for a good moment before Belle leaned forward, her blue eyes sharp.

"So, Peter, care to share what the hell PXDST is?"

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