Unraveling Darkness [abandoned/incomplete story]

Chapter One: Welcome to Neverland

Song for this chapter: One Way Or Another by Until The Ribbon Breaks

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Okay. Breathe. In through the nose, out the mouth. Gosh I'm out of shape. My legs are on fire. My stomach muscles are practically screaming, and to top it all off, I have the horrible hair standing on the back of my neck feeling that tells me I'm being followed.

Desperately needing a break, I stop, leaning against a tree. My breath comes out in short ragged puffs. I'm not even sure where I'm trying to get to, or where the hell I'm going. I just know that I'm not supposed to be here. At all. Literally, the last thing I remember is going to bed last night. Next thing I know, I'm waking up here. Alone, in the middle of the freaking forest.

A snap causes me to whip my head around in a panic, a chill running down my spine. Okay, time to get moving again. I break into a run, trying to keep the scary thoughts of who could be chasing me from my mind. No need to panic. This is just a casual run through the woods. In my pajama shorts and tee shirt.. Barefoot.. Yeah. That's logical. Whatever, that scenario is better than the idea of being chased by a crazy stalker who may or may not want to kill me. 

In the midst of my mind ramblings, I manage to crash into something. Wait. That's not a something. Somethings don't grab your arms when you run into them. This was definitely a someone. Taking a deep breath and holding it, I glance up to see a pair of humor filled green eyes staring at me. His eye brows raise as he speaks, "In a rush to get somewhere?"

For a moment I don't respond. His frayed dark blonde hair is short and unkempt, with dirt stains that have seemingly become part of his skin. I break from his grasp, releasing the breath I had been holding. A smirk plays on his lips. 

"Cute pj's," He teases. I can immediately sense the cocky attitude. The arrogant way he holds himself. 

Ignoring his comment, I ask "Who are you?" 

"Shouldn't I be asking you that? You are the one trudging about in my forest, after all," He leans against a nearby tree. "Barely clothed I might add," His eyes wander with the added comment, causing me to try and tug my shorts lower. 

"Your forest?" Great, I've managed to run into a spoiled rich kid who thinks he owns the world. Just my luck.

"Yes, my forest. But," He pushes himself off the tree. "No matter. You're forgiven." 

Um, yay?  

"Introductions. I'm Peter." He smirks. "Peter Pan." 

Laughter ensues. Is this guy serious?

"And you, Cassie Fisher," He continues. My laughter stops dead. How the hell does he know my name? His smile turns dark. "Are mine."

"Wha- ?" I can't even process this. Is he insane? "Is this some kind of sick joke?" 

"I can assure you, this is very real." He pulls a knife out he had hidden on his belt, and I flinch. My core goes cold, and my face hardens. "Come on boys!" He yells, pointing the knife in the air. 

My head begins spinning as boys appear out of various places. From behind rocks, trees, bushes. They're everywhere. What the hell have I gotten myself into?

"This is insane, all of you are insane!" 

He only smiles at my words. "I admire your bravery. You have spirit. Good, you're going to need it." He turns to speak to the rest. "Take her to the camp!" 

Suddenly, I feel two of them take my arms. I try and resist, but my efforts effect them little. 

With that, 'Peter Pan' disappears. Like, literally disappears. Vanished into thin air. I can't even think. Can't process what's happening. Still thrashing around, trying to escape my captors, I narrow my eyes at one of them who starts approaching me. 

"Welcome to Neverland" He grins. 

...

Funny how one day your life can be one thing, and the next be something totally different. Like, yesterday my life was boring. To and from school, lame part time job, living with my grams. And now I'm being kidnapped by a lunatic and his minions. 

As we enter the camp, the first thing I notice is everyone's eyes on me causing me to internally curl into myself. I've never felt so uncomfortable in my own skin, feeling like a pig going up for slaughter.

They roughly sit me down on a log by the fire, two of them standing mutely on either side of me. I let out a shuddered sigh. Okay, breathe. Everything's going to be fine. 

I look to the boy on my left. "Can you tell me what's going on?" I ask. He barely glances at me before just staring straight ahead. Okay.. 

I turn to the other. "Where am I?" Again, the same reaction. They are blatantly ignoring me. Rude..

Should I expect any different though? I'm not at someone's house for tea. I'm being held hostage. I'm lucky all they're doing is ignoring me. They could be.. okay not gonna let my thoughts go down that dark path. I'm not panicking. I'm perfectly calm. 

It must have been at least an hour or two before 'Peter' or whoever he is finally returned. 

"You," I tear my gaze away from the fire to see him striding towards me. "Come with me," He walks past me, and into one of the many huts in the camp. Taking a deep breath, I slowly walk into the tent. 

The lighting is poor, but I can make out a small makeshift bed in the corner of the room, and a chair in the other. Other than that the room is bare. 

"Sit," He gestures to the chair. 

"I'll stand," I shake my head. He doesn't seem pleased, but lets it go. 

"First, I'd like to apologize," He says, causing me to raise my brow in disbelief. "I understand that you must be extremely confused."

"No, it's fine, really, getting kidnapped by crazy people is a regular for me." I don't know where the sarcasm comes from, but I almost instantly regret it. 

His smirk returns and my tense shoulders relax slightly. So far so good. Haven't pissed him off yet. 

"What do you want with me?" I ask after a moment of silence. 

He pauses before answering. "Do you believe in magic?" 

"What?" That's it. This guy is officially bonkers. 

"It's a simple yes or no question" 

"Um, no?" 

His smirk grows into a smile, slowly walking towards me. "So, if I said you are a witch," He stops in front of me before disappearing. My heart nearly stops and I hear his voice whisper in my ear behind me. "Would you believe me?"

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I have made two trailers for this story. One is posted on the side. But both can be found on my YouTube channel: xXSidelineDreamerXx

Please let me know your thoughts so far!^_^