Escapism Of The Lunatics

8 | To Wed or Be Dead

Pain.

I could imagine being hit by lightning more comfortable than this.

My body rested in a foetus position as my sore body ached and trembled in agony. The cage seemed even more smaller now, like my hope. I haven't seen Peter in the past two days I've spent in this cage and a part of me was relieved for it. Seeing him would mean putting up a fight, something I was too weak and tired to do right now. In the mean time, I've been practicing my magic and can almost radiate fire from my palm instantly now. I've noticed the more I used my magic, the less quickly drained out I become.

I do get visitors. Most of the time Ian comes by to give me supper and breakfast and he would sneak me whatever extra food he can. I was grateful for that. I wanted to see Thomas, but I understood that he felt too bad to see me in my condition.

Ian told me that ever since the hunt, Peter hasn't been around The Camp lately. Felix told Ian he was at Skull Rock. I didn't know much about it from my research before coming here, apart from that it was a cave of some sorts. It was separated from the island by the sea at a short distance. Apart from that nothing else has happened.

I questioned a lot of things. Like why Peter intended on keeping me alive. Or what he was going to do with me. I wasn't scared. I didn't fear dying oddly enough. Ever since Marcus went home, all sense of my motives slowly vanished. I felt empty. Like I had no reason to live. Although I didn't have the urge to die, at the same time, I didn't have an urge to live either. As if my whole being was pointless.

Amongst all these thoughts, a ladybug landed on my hand while I was laying in the cage. Although it wasn't much, I found it mildly entertaining. I asked if, "I wonder if fairies paint your black spots."

It flew away and I immediately had a bad feeling about it. I looked in front of me too see Pan in the shadows. I lifted my body up, trying to ignore the pain. His intense glare spoke million words of hatred. He stormed up to me and I cowered away to the back of the cage. I wanted to rip his smirk off his face.

He chuckled, "How's the cage treating you?"

I stayed silent. My goal was not to feed into his taunts.

Ignoring my lack of response, he continued, "My little flower was so bored that she started talking to a bug. How silly."

My face was growing red in embarrassment while he spoke, "I guess your wondering what I've decided to do with you. I've been discussing it with my shadow and-"

I interrupted, "Your shadow?" well... there goes my vow of silence.

He explained, "I detached myself from my shadow so it would have its own entity bound within the island's magic. He works for me and does what I say. That's all you need to know. May I presume?"

His arrogant tone was getting on my nerves, but I nodded to his question. He presumed, "We have discussed two choices for you. Either you live in this cage for eternity and be tortured and punished for you crimes-"

My mind skipped to whatever my other choice would be.

"Or you live at our camp, alongside the lost boys, and will be treated fairly."

Something was up, "What's the catch?" I furrowed my brows.

He was in disgust, "A union between you and I. One that is death till us part..."

I was completely bamboozled. Please tell me he's not on about what I think he is.

He noticed my confusion and spat out, "Marriage."

My eyes widened, "You're absolutely mad."

"Don't flatter yourself. I was hoping you'd take the first option. This was my shadow's idea. He believes that if we wed, then it could potentially defy the prophecy."