Escapism Of The Lunatics

2 | Peter

Running. That was all I did. Who knew I would be voluntarily following the music that tormented every one of my nightmares. Unaware of how long the melody would last; I knew I just had to be quick. Fear struck me, being back in the very same forest that caused my trauma: I felt a severe amount of guilt weighing my shoulders like bricks. I guess this is part of my punishment for my brother's disappearance. Although everyone told me I shouldn't blame myself: I couldn't help it. He was mine to take care of and always have been since my mother gave birth to Jack.

Trying to shake off the horrid nostalgia that laid upon the path I stumbled through, the fire pit was in my sight. I froze. Was this really a good idea? If my brother hasn't found a route to escape them, would I have any chance? Maybe. After all, Rumple did say he would come back. He was honest about the Pied Piper's arrival tonight, thus he had no reason to lie about him coming back in my dreams. I narrowed my eyes at the scene; it was the very same sight as the night they took my brother. Apart from the fact, the boys looked slightly different, but still dancing joyously however.

I took a step further. The hooded man with a pipe to his lips in my sight. He played the pipes with a luring and innocent tune; it took every possible will in my body to resist the urge to attack him there and then. That man was the cause of every one of my night terrors and he stood there happily stealing innocent boys from their families. There was no turning back now.

I blundered closer and joined in. My feet tripping here and there, I danced with the other boys around the fire. I tried to deny that I was enjoying it; but I couldn't resist. It was bizarrely freeing to let the music light up the void of darkness that had been settled in me for such a long time. Waving my hands about and humming silently; I twirled and jumped and leaped. It was peaceful. I was so lost in the sounds and the movement that I didn't it comprehend the fact that the surroundings had changed. I looked up at the trees; they were much taller in highly and more lusciously green. But what really confused me was the structures on them: treehouses? How didn't I notice them before? I throughly check out the surroundings. This forest clearing was obviously bigger than the one I was in before and there were big tents here and there. They weren't there before, were they?

The boys seemed just as bewildered as I was.

The Pied Piper chuckled loudly on a rather large tree stump, making his appearance loud and clear, "Lost Boys, do not fret. The name's Peter..Peter Pan.
As we know you all craved freedom and limitless boundaries and I'm here to deliver. Welcome to Neverland."

He took his hood off to reveal himself. He was...a boy? Merely 17 by the looks of it. I was dumbfounded by his youthful appearance; was this really the evil figure that oppressed my dreams. It can't be. He had brown hair and a leafy green shirt on with various weapons around his waist. But that wasn't the thing that caught my attention; his piercing emerald eyes spoke millions of unwritten thoughts and feelings that time itself wouldn't be able to comprehend. He had broad shoulders and an intense gaze. From the stories I've read on him, he should be younger and most definitely not the villain.

I look around to see various Lost Boys staring at us and smiling at us, the new arrivals. I notice a familiar face, the one that left the very same night as Marcus: Thomas. He was staring straight at me, his gaze fixed solely on me.

I can't have him recognise me; it would demolish the entire plan. His gaze left me as another Lost Boy caught my attention. He made his way in front of my and I couldn't help notice the subtle scar that grazed across his eye. He noticed my the concern in my eyes and asked with a smile, "You don't have to be afraid. I'm Felix, Pan's second in command, and you are?"

My mind went blank. What is my name? I couldn't say the truth, although I could have said any name in the world, but a part of me felt like it was unwise to lie entirely. He chuckled, "Cat got your tongue?"