Queen of Nothing

Chapter 11

The island looks so dark it makes me shiver. There's no sound coming from it. No bird, no wind and no mermaid. The Jolly Roger stops, and my father comes beside me.

"Are you ready?"

"I don't really have a choice. I need to find Peter."

"It might be dangerous, you don't know what happened to him since you last saw him."

"He won't hurt me or any of the lost boys. And if he does, I'll do what I need to do."

I'll stop him from hurting anyone, even if I need to do something I don't want, like fulfilling the deal I made with Rumpelstiltskin. Behind me, the lost boys and Talia are getting ready. No one really knows what's waiting for us but they're all ready to risk their lives. On one hand, it's great for me to know that all those people want to help me fight a boy who saved their lives by bringing them to Neverland. On the other hand, it's sad to think that those young boys who should enjoy their childhood need to fight to have their home again.

"He probably knows we're here."

"He's not going to let us go away?"

"He doesn't need you or your crew, but he does need to trap us on the island. As soon as we step foot on the land, you need to go away. Go back to Emma."

"You don't want my help."

"No."

"Even when you obviously need it."

"I can handle Peter."

"He's a demon."

"I have Neverland's magic."

My dad sighs and hugs me with one harm. I turn to him and put my head on his chest.

"You won't let me help you, right?"

"I want you safe, at least until you remember me."

"I'd like to see you safe until I remember you too."

"I don't have anything to fear."

Well, I can fear having to kill Peter or being heartbroken, but I can handle that. After I kiss my father on his cheek for the last time, we finally separate. Talia squeezes my hand as I watch the Jolly Roger disappear. She knows how it feels to separate from your family when you don't know when you're going to see them again. Or if you'll ever see them again.

"So, what's your plan?"

"First, we need to settle in a safe place. Then, we'll separate to find Peter."

"Mily, is it really a good idea to separate?"

"I know what you're thinking Ben, but Peter won't hurt any of the lost boys."

"What about Talia?"

"I can handle myself."

"You're just a girl, you won't be able to handle yourself against Peter Pan."

"Just a girl? Well, you're just a boy!"

"I'm a lost boy, Peter himself taught me to fight."

"You're not just a lost boy, you're a stupid boy. Let's separate now."

"Talia, I don't think..."

"Ben will find a place with the younger ones. In case anything happens, they'll be safe with him and the twins and Cody. Wyatt and I will come with you to find Peter."

Ben tries to object but Talia sends him a death glare. There is an awkward silence for a few minutes before Chris talks.