Before Pan (OUAT fanfiction)

18: Deadly Hollow

Here I was standing in the middle of a dark clearing with the lost boy who led me here nowhere in sight. Why did I forget to use my brain?

I wished I had my bow and arrows with me, but only had time to grab my dagger before being dragged out of the camp. The terrain was unknown and darkness was the only thing I could sense. 

"Whoever you are, come out and face me!" I called out with confidence.

A twig snapped to my right and I darted my head towards the sound. I peered into the darkness cast by the trees holding my breath. I wasn't prepared for what happened next. 

I was knocked off my feet by an unseen force. I swung my dagger through the air hoping to make contact with my assailant. I quickly scampered to my feet, "Where's Sam."

"Sam is dead," a wispy voice responded.

It was grating to the ear and my eyes wavered at the thought.

"He and his little friends were such tasty little morsels. Their youthful screams and the way the life in their eyes faded as I turned them into a perfect masterpiece for my master." The voice said alighted. 

Hearing this made me grind my teeth, "How dare you! You'll pay for that. Show yourself, you coward."

My hand went to my cheek as a trickle of blood flowed down from a fresh cut. I barely even registered what had happened.

"You taste so sweet," The voice taunted, "Much sweeter than those three."

The voice paused, "The blood of the Annamay Tribe,"

The mention of the Annamay Tribe made me harden my gaze. The voice seemed to have shifted from light taunts to murderous. Across from me, a creature formed. It wasn't human or animal. dark smoke emanated from its body. Looking at it drained me of my energy. Never had I felt a greater evil than the being standing in front of me. Even Peter wasn't this bad.

"Your head would send a lovely message from my master," The entity said.

"Your master?" I narrowed my eyes, "Just who is that?"

I didn't get an answer as it went on the attack. it managed to land a kick to my stomach. I stopped myself just short of Dreamshade bushes. I rolled to the side as a blade of shadows embedded itself in the ground where I once lay. Its message was clear, it wanted my death.

It continued its onslaught of attacks forcing me on the defensive. Its skill was unmatched. Its movements were so quick I struggled to find an opening. Our little arena felt like it was closing in on me. 

My movements were growing sluggish from exhaustion. If I had any hopes of making it out of here alive, I had to attack. Without hesitation, I lunged forward. I impaled the creature where I believed its neck to be. It hollered out in pain. Its cry was loud and to my horror, more of its brethren appeared. They surrounded me all wielding their weapons. 

"Too afraid to fight me one on one?" I taunted it, "How cowardly."

This provoked one of them enough to attack. I gracefully sent it colliding with its ally, "There's more where that came from!"

I knew I was being too cocky, but if it bought me time to think, then it was worth it.

"Who are you?" I glared at the leader.

I received no answer so I decided to find a way out of there. My head whipped around the clearing for any openings. I didn't know where any of them led, but I had to take the risk. I climbed a tree before swinging across a vine to create distance between myself and them.