Escapism Of The Lunatics

4 | War

The trees whistled. Creating a scratching tune that cursed my ears. The cold wind pinched my cheeks and the moon couldn't look anymore ominous. But those things didn't scare me. I've felt worst. The innermost part of me was howling in fear because of the darkness.

Although the moonlight shot rays of light through the canopy of trees, it wasn't enough. And with the howling in the distance, I didn't know how much longer I could take.

I take a look at my hands, almost blue. I rub them together in a attempt to create heat, to no avail. I'm so cold that I close my eyes and imagine a fire keeping me warm. Suddenly, I began to feel a burning sensation on my lower chin. I open my eyes to find a small fire radiating from the palm of my hands, but before I could comprehend it; the blaze turns into smoke.

I look at my palms and there are no burn marks. 'What just happened?' I asked myself. I try to conclude that I was dreaming, but pinch myself. I'm awake. I'm slightly panic and close my eyes to calm my nerves.

I awoke to daylight blinding my eyes. I squint and find Thomas bringing me a bowl of eggs and a piece of bread next to it and an apple in his other hand.

"Rise and shine."

I took the bowl and forced a smile, "thank you."

"Sleep well?" He said jokingly.

I looked around the clearing to check the coast was clear and leaned forward, "Tell me everything you know about magic?"

"Why?" He furrowed his brows in confusion, "did something happen?"

"I don't know, it could've been a dream," I hush away the subject.

"Tell me."

I sighed, "Fire came out of my palm. I don't know how. It was cold and I imagined a fire keeping me warm. The second I realised there was a small fire in front of me, it turned to smoke."

Thomas stayed quiet, processing it all, "you've got to do it again."

"No. Anyway, you never answered my question."

"I don't know much about magic, apart from that Peter has it and he can heal people."

"Heal?"

"Yes. I've seen him do it a few times, but he only does it when it's critical or for punishment."

"Punishment?"

"It's not that bad, he only does it when someone is really out of line. But when he's really angry he would hurt us, then will wait a while before he heals you."

"Not that bad? Tell me more."

"I really shouldn't say, you hate him enough."

"You've already told me this much."

"No Aurora, we are done here."

I didn't press the matter further, knowing it would be pointless. He changed the subject, "you know, you can't lie about your identity forever. Peter will find out eventually, he always does."

"Well, I can try."

He nodded and I asked out of curiosity, "Why are you so loyal to Pan?"

"I owe him my life. It might've not looked like it, but I wasn't happy back home. Then I came here and finally had a family, although it seems dumb; I've never felt like I've belonged anywhere before coming here... I know you feel the same way too."

I put my bowl down and remained quiet.

"I watched you at school; how you kept changing your friends; hovering around different people; trying to find a group you belonged to. When you settled with my friends, I could tell you still felt fully unaccepted...lost."