Lost Boys & Pirates [Completed]

4;

Peter keeps a tight grip on me until we are at the edge of the Hollow. He finally relaxes at the forest edge before he sends a wicked glare at the tree. The wind catches a few strands of his copper hair. The gentleness he held before is now filled with a confusing anger. The fairies weren't all that bad. They seemed nice.

"I hate the fairies so much," he whispers before looking over me. "Are you okay?"

His hand reaches up to cup my chin, our eyes meeting. My hand tightens on the strap over my shoulder. I bite back a smile at his worry.

"I'm okay. No one touched me."

He sighs in relief. "There's one more place to go. They're much kinder and sincere. I trust them."

"Lead the way."

He smiles and we head to the northern end of the forest. His cloak keeps me warm as we hike higher on a mountain. The occasion flash of his power keeps him warm and lights up the darker sections of the forest. I notice that the day has become later afternoon while we were in the Hollow. After a long break of silence, I finally speak up.

"What did Tink mean by saying I had a choice to be part of the Crew?"

"Every new member to Neverland has the option to join the Lost Boys or part of Captain's Crew," he explains vaguely.

"But I haven't met him yet."

"You are a Lost Boy. Normally I never fight Captain with his choice of member but you made the wish of a Lost Boy. We haven't heard one in a long time."

I pause in my movements. "I get a choice, right? You will let me see if I belong with them or not?"

The fury that suddenly radiates from Peter makes me stumble back. The flash of green surrounds us as his anger flares. "They almost kidnapped you and they hurt you! They assaulted you and you still want to try to be part of them?"

His eyes are glowing, his hands clenched tightly as he glances at me. The way he spit out his words makes me realize that he wasn't giving me a choice. What if it was your Lost Boys who were the violent ones to me, Peter?

"You want me to stay as a Lost Boy?" My voice is hesitant. "I don't fit in. Rye is the only one I feel comfortable around."

"He is your protector, yes," Peter deflates. "You will soon learn them all. Issac will warm up to you and Milo already adores you."

I remain silent. He must take that as our cue to continue our trek. When the sun reaches lower in the sky, we finally reach a small village. The tents and smaller buildings are adorable. Smoke from the communal fire reaches high above us. The clothes hand from any set of railings or makeshift racks and people are constantly moving around.

A few men and women walk along the pathways. My eyes widen at seeing adults. Women are creating clothes of all colors and the men watch and help. A few men stand when they see me and Peter, weapons in their hands.

"They're adults," I whisper as we step into the village.

"They felt lost too. Neverland is for anyone who feels lost."

Eyes land on our forms as we head towards a solitary tent. One person follows behind us with his own weapons prepared. I grab Peter's hand quickly before we stop at the tent entrance. The cautious, warning eyes cause my anxiety to rise.

"Lily, are you here?" Peter calls out. "I have someone you would like to meet."

A shorter woman exits the tent. Her dark hair braided perfectly and her red dress is unique. A few stripes of paint are along her cheeks similar to stripes of a tiger. The red dress wraps around her shoulders like a cape while dropping down her waist loosely. A few other layers wrap around under her waist and overlap. A pair of slippers sit on her feet and a small leather pouch hangs from her hips.