Escapism Of The Lunatics

3 | Protectionism

Before Marcus left, I took care of him. Even our own mother would refer to me as his second mother. I loved Marcus and I thought he loved me two. But his refusal to come back home tells me otherwise. Does he really not want to come home? He was favourited by my parents and I didn't mind it. Although it did hurt sometimes when he was clearly treated differently from me only because of his gender. I was a girl and he was a boy. That means I'm less important than him.

My mother expected me to stay in line and never do anything reckless. She wanted this perfect daughter who grew up into the perfect house wife. What I wanted never really mattered. I had plans of travelling or exploring the world during my gap year later on in life, but my mother said girls like me don't do such. But if I was a boy, then things would be different.

But that still doesn't explain why I could hear the pipes; I wouldn't consider myself lost. I mean, my parents loved me, or at least my mother. Although we didn't share the same values, we had a good relationship. Maybe I am lost; maybe they didn't love me. I could tell they had it in them with the way they treated Marcus. Or maybe I'm lost because I never fitted in at school. I would usually just hover around like a wasp trying to find a flower to collect nectar from.

Who knows? But a part of me still believes I couldn't be lost; after all I was certainly not a boy. Thus, maybe my ability to hear the pipes was a mistake. Or maybe it's because I was a 'magic wielder', whatever that could mean. I certainly didn't feel magical, or even special.

All I felt was responsibility for Marcus; as if he was my own child. I know it sounds melodramatic, but my instincts to protect him are always heightened. Especially after his disappearance.

So when I saw him bullying a Frankie during training; all hell broke loose. I raised him better!

I was about to storm up to him when someone grabbed my arm. Thomas. The stern look in his eyes said it all: it's not worth it. he knew me well. When Thomas figured out my identity, he was dumbfounded.

FLASHBACK

Frankie, Thomas and I were walking back to camp. The awkward silence was oddly deafening. There were several boys around the fire eating out of carved bowls. Beginning to join in, Frankie asked, "Aren't you guys coming?"

"No. Auro- A.J and I are not hungry. Talk to you later." There was a hint of anger in his voice and we made our way towards our treehouse. His silence was intimidating. I felt as if I was about to be scolded like a child.

We made our way inside and he slammed the door, in turn making me jump a little. He looks at me straight in the eyes, "DO YOU HAVE A DEATH WISH?"

I jumped again at his voice; remaining silent. He must have noticed my fear and walked up to me with a regretful glare, "I'm sorry. It's just- you don't know what you've gotten yourself into by coming here. Why are you even here?"

I had to come up with a lie. Fast.
He clearly has a sense of loyalty to Pan; I concluded to tell the half truth. My composure faulting, I speak up, "I came to save Marcus. It was my fault he came here, I was the one who heard the pipes. So, when I heard the pipes again, I knew it was my last chance to save him..."

He takes a deep sigh, "You shouldn't have heard the tune-Nevermind that, you can't save him. There's no escape."

I wanted to tell him about the deal I made with Rumple, but a part of me was wise enough to not trust him. Not yet anyway.

"I gathered that... I just didn't know I would end up here..."

"What did you think then? Did you seriously not think this through? Random boys going missing and never returning. It's common sense to not fall for it."