Revenge on Neverland

Chapter Eleven

Something shifted outside of the cage - a twig snapping, perhaps. I stirred, my limbs stiff where they rested against the unforgiving wood. My eyelids fluttered open with a groan, the nerves in my neck pinching as I raised my head away from the bars. Sleep had somehow managed to take over during the night, leaving my muscles rigid and aching for release from the small enclosure. The moon was still bright in the sky, although it hung closer to the paling horizon.

I snapped my eyes across the enclosure as the lock bobbled against the cage. I bit my lip, meeting a pair of green eyes through the bars. The door swung open, and I pressed my back closer to the wood, ignoring the pinch in my shoulders.

"Rise and shine," Pan shot me a grin, burying the key into his pocket. His eyes trailed over my disheveled curls, and with a chuckle, added, "Looks like someone slept well."

I glared at the boy. Stifling a groan, I stretched my legs, my muscles yearning for movement. My thigh ached, and I glanced down to see a scar from the now completely healed wound, the pale skin glowing in the moonlight. Ignoring his watchful eyes, I ducked my head through the door, signing in relief as I stood and straightened my back.

The Lost Boys shuffled around us, a few collecting their weapons and gear, while others groggily shoved their boots on. I was accustomed to early mornings from being on the sea, waking at dawn to wash the salt from the deck, or re-tying the ropes that had worked themselves loose during the night, though I still suppressed a yawn. My chest ached as my thoughts drifted back to my father's ship. It had been four nights since my capture. Four long nights. I tugged my lip between my teeth as I realized this had been the longest I've strayed from the crew, or my father, for that matter.

Pan uncoiled a fraying rope, grabbing my bruised wrists as he did so. I snapped my hands away as his fingers brushed mine. "What happened to no ropes?"

"That, love, was only if you won," He grabbed ahold of my wrists once more, wrapping them together with the coarse rope.

"Pan, we're ready to move out," Felix called, slinging a rather large club over his shoulder.

Pan nodded, releasing my bound hands. The rope rubbed against the reddened skin, though the knots weren't as tight as they had been in the past. "Jackson, you're in charge of Thea." He ordered, tossing the lead of my rope to the brown-haired boy.

Jackson nodded, his fingers tightly lacing around the rope as he caught it. He shot me a grin as Pan walked ahead, Felix following in step. I rolled my eyes, my tangled curls sweeping across my forehead. The Lost Boys followed behind the two, brushing away the green foliage as they journeyed deeper into the jungle. He pulled me forward as we followed into the darkness that loomed ahead, and I swallowed, unsure of how much time I had before even my father couldn't save me.

- ✶ -

"Hiyah!"

Cal leaped on top of a rock – barely dodging the other boy's sword. He stood tall, well, as tall as his short stature would let him, his grin stretching wide as he raised his own sword in defense.

A few of the younger boys had decided they needed to practice their swordsmanship as we trekked through the jungle, jumping from logs and rocks as they fought, much to the other's dismay. The small boys had argued they needed to practice in case they came upon another ambush.

The sun had risen in the sky over the few hours, its bright rays causing my cheeks to flush from the warmth. The trees provided a refreshing escape from the sun, though the shadows came in retreating patches as we walked. Jackson had walked a few paces ahead, though stayed close, leaning in as he listed off the names of the other Lost Boys.