Queen of Nothing

Chapter 14

There's no sound anymore. I pull my hand out of Malcolm's chest, with the ashes in my hand and tears in my eyes. He looks at me while falling to his knees. He probably didn't believe I could kill him. But Rumplestilskin was right. I wanted to kill him. Malcolm is the bad part of Peter. He's the one who abandoned his son, he's the one who always wanted more power and he's the one who thought love is a weakness. I nearly hear Rumplestilskin's laugh as Malcolm falls to the ground before disappearing in green smoke. I turn to the lost boys and Talia and they're all looking at me. I look at Hunter, laying on the ground with his eyes closed, and feel anger in me again. Neverland is not poisoned anymore. It's an island for children to visit in their dreams, they should all be happy and laughing when they're on it. I open my hand to let the ashes of Malcolm's heart go with the wind. Then I close my eyes and imagine the island as it should be. Bright, beautiful, full of life, full of joy.

"Look!"

I don't know who talked but when I open my eyes, the island is changing again. The rain stops, to be replaced by a bright sun shining high. Tree leaves are green, and flowers are growing. And slowly, all the dark in Hunter's chest goes away and he breathes again. He opens his eyes and Ben helps him sit up.

"You saved him, Emily."

My hands and eyes stop glowing and I crouched down to hug Hunter.

"You're fine, sweetie."

"Did we win?"

"Yes, we did."

Everyone cheers for Hunter and me. Little by little, every lost boy rebuild the camp. It's nicer than before, with the nature around us and no danger. I even see Ben talking to Talia, like I told him to. They all think it's over, now that Peter is dead. They will probably be sad when they realised what I did, but for now they only want to enjoy the fact that the bad guy can't hurt them anymore. I feel a little hand taking mine and turn to see Hunter.

"Thanks for saving me."

"I wasn't going to let you sleep while we did all the work."

He laughs and tug on my arm so I crouch down and he can kiss my cheek. Then he gives me a big smile and run away. I try to smile at that sight. The lost boys are happy. Hunter is alive. But I can't smile. I just killed someone. Not only someone, I killed the boy I loved. As much as I didn't want to admit, I was in love with Peter Pan. But I had to kill him, he would have hurt everyone I loved. First, the curse, then he broke his promise to never hurt the lost boys. And now, I'll never be able to break the curse.

"It's not over, don't be sad."

"Peter is dead."

"Malcolm is dead. Now, tell me everything and I'll help you."

"You should go see Ben, he has something to tell you."

"That he loves me? I already know that."

"Well, let him tell you. He'll be happy."

"I will, when everything will be over. We have to find Chris, to find the other heart and to break the curse."

"I can't break it. Peter is dead."

"And Chris?"

I look at her then realise what it means. Chris is alive. Chris is Peter Pan and he's alive.

"You're the best, Talia."

"I know, but why?"

"I'm going to Skull Rock. Take care of the boys."

I kiss her head and run in the jungle. I know what I have to do. There's still one heart, the heart of Peter Pan when he fell in love with me. The heart of true love. And there's still Chris. He is a copy of Peter, he can break the curse with me. While I run, I see the island around me. It's a new one, a better one. It's my island, now. I'm the daughter of Neverland and I saved it. Of course, I couldn't have done anything without Talia or the lost boys, but now I can let them alone. I'm the only one who can break the curse. I fly to go across the water to Skull Rock.