Lost Boys & Pirates [Completed]

5;

One of them stands and heads towards us. The rest turn away to resume their activities. I recognize the male as one of Rye's boys. He offers a grime smile to Peter and a warm one to me. The bow strapped over his back is missing its matching quiver.

My instincts tell me that I know whatever comes from this boy will be nothing good. My heart hopes otherwise. Since I don't see any of the trio around, my mind agrees with my instincts.

"Danny, what is it?" Peter asks as the brunette steps forward.

"There was a problem at the lagoon. Rye and Issac went to solve the problem."

"Where is Milo?" Peter's voice is clipped.

"He went to scope out Captain's location. He believes Captain is using an old spot that he hasn't used in decades."

The sigh that escapes the male beside me nearly makes me pity him. He pinches the bridge of his nose. The stress coming from the copper haired boy beside me reminds me of the lead nurse in the hospital. Nothing she could do would ever lessen the burden.

Danny glances at my form before turning back towards Peter. Danny seems to wait for the correct time to tell Peter something. His lips narrow and his shuffling is enough to let me know he wants to run before having to say the news. I wonder who dared him to tell them everything.

"He made a declaration while you were showing Maera the island."

Peter stiffens beside me. "What is it?"

"He is to get the girl in the next two days or he will attack."

My heart drops. "No."

My whisper of disbelief causes them both to glance at me. My hand flies out to grip Peter's arms, eyes wide with fear and chest tightening with panic. Flashes of bloody bodies burn in my mind. No war, no death, no loss.

"No war, please. I escaped one and I don't want another."

"We've been in a war for the past three decades, Maera," Danny explains, his voice soft. "You're our hope to stop it."

Peter gently grips my hand before kissing the back of it. "Tomorrow we will meet him. Rye will be there along with Issac."

I sigh in relief. If I can stop this war, I will. I will do whatever it takes. Even if it means suffering from the rest of my life. That I can promise.

°•°•

Morning rolls around much faster than expected. Peter managed to find a spare set of clothes from a previous girl that visited Neverland. Her light yellow dress is more simple and basic and comfortable than mine was and matches my sky blue eyes. It feels odd to wear something someone else wore ages ago but I cannot complain. After all, it is softer and more comfortable than my own dress.

Rye, Milo and Isssc are sitting at the table with nervous expressions. Peter is currently missing. The cold, cautious gaze in Issac's warrior eyes are hesitant. Milo and Rye both hold a sadness I didn't expect. I hover behind my seat until I realize they won't attack.

"Are you going to leave us?" Milo's voice is quiet.

"I don't know," I tell him honestly. "I want to stop this war. I had my own back home and wanted to escape it."

Their gazes watch me closely as I tell them a bit about myself. The pity in Issac's eyes causes me to glance at the table. The room is deadly silent. They need to know, so they understand how badly I don't want this war to happen.

"Where did you come from, Maera?" Rye finally asks. "What happened to you?"

"The neighborhood you found me in was notorious for scrimmages with the Union and the Confederates. The north versus the south. My father went to war to never return and my brother spent every minute protecting me with his life."