11: Breathe

Pain comes in many different forms. It could be physical such as a broken arm or a leg. Those would heal over time and if you were lucky, there would be a faint scar. The other category of pain came in the form of psychological torment. It plagued minds and no matter how much one can brush it off, it lingers. Your happiest moments... Forever tainted. It manifests into nightmares and screams. It leaves you cold inside begging for release. 

My eyes opened after some time to see Peter silently checking on my wounds. His green eyes flickered into my own green eyes. Based on the light outside the tent, it appeared to be nighttime or just after sundown. 

"Oh, you're awake," Peter said in a quieter voice, "Did I wake you?"

I shook my head trying to remind myself of who this demon in sheep's clothing was. Despite being a demon who sent a monster to kill everyone, he tended to my wounds with such care. 

"You don't have to do anything," I mumbled, "I would prefer it if you just left me alone."

"Left you alone?" Peter raised an eyebrow, "When has that led to anything good?"

I rolled my eyes at him as he stood up, "I made a plate of food for you since you slept through dinner."

Before I could object, he had left the tent to retrieve the food. My tear dried face was hardening into its layer and I felt the need to refresh myself. I sat up in the cot and assessed myself. My skin was littered with bandages. Peter knew what he was doing. 

"I got to get up," I said aloud to myself. 

I grunted as I forced my heavy body to rise to its feet. I wobbled slightly, but soon regained my balance. Just in time for Peter to return.

"What do you think you are doing up?" he narrowed his eyes at me.

"I'm not going to continue being your little doll," I glared at Peter.

In turn, I felt my forehead be flicked. My hands went to the spot and Peter had the hint of a grin. It then faded as he spoke with more authority, "Do what you believe is right. Just don't expect me to treat you again if you land yourself in trouble."

"I'm sure you'd be more than happy to send another monster my way," I say to him bitterly.

Peter didn't deny it, "What can I say? You always put on quite the show."

He then took his leave and once he was gone, I pondered in thought. Tinker Bell was gone. She had fallen into the abyss and was left with a cold, bare resting ground. It didn't bode well for me and I made the executive decision to retrieve her body and bury it. Perhaps that would be my way of letting myself come to terms with what had taken place. 

When I exited the tent, I saw the boys were preoccupied with Peter allowing me to take some weapons and the food Peter had gotten for me. I left the camp and entered the jungle. 

It was dark and probably not my most genius of plans. However, the dark would make it easier to move around. My stomach growled resulting in me nibbling on some of the food I had. It filled my stomach as I walked and I came out to a clearing. In the distance, I saw the cliff where the fight against the monster took place. 

My eyes became mesmerized by the sight before me. The night sky and its stars were twinkling. It covered over the island like a blanket. I thought of Tinker Bell. Perhaps she was looking down at me. I decided to make camp here. I started a small fire that kept me warm. As I stared at the flames, I could have sworn I had heard the faint callings of a pan flute. 

The next morning, I opened my eyes to be met with sunlight. The fire had died out in the night and I trekked onward. 

When I got to the former battlefield, memories of what had happened previously resurfaced. My body stiffened as I stood at the spot where I had lost my best friend. There were dried blood stains from the beast that was slain. 

"Now how to get to the bottom of the chasm," I muttered as I searched the scene. 

Long vines were hanging off to the side. That gave me an idea. I unsheathed a machete and sliced through the vines with ease. I wound them around each other to make a sturdy rope. It wasn't perfect, but seemed safe enough. I tied it around a large boulder and tossed the other end off the ledge. 

Cautiously, I started the journey down the rock face. My hands were gripping the vines tightly knowing that if I let go for even a single second, I would be met with the same fate as Tinker Bell. My muscles screamed at me for being used, but I continued. 

When I reached the end, I let out a sigh of relief. At the bottom, there was not much except the occasional shrub or dirt. My green eyes scanned the bottom for Tinker Bell. She had to have fallen somewhere around here. I began to turn over stones and explore the area. 

"Did something else take her?" I gritted my teeth. 

I continued walking until I came face to face with a cave entrance. I swallowed nervously as there was no light within. But if Tinker Bell's body was dragged here, I'd have no other choice but to keep moving forward. 

My senses heightened in the darkness. The sound of water droplets on the cave bottom echoed around me. What was this place?

A mysterious light could be seen up ahead. A thought came to my mind. What if Tinker Bell survived? It was a far fetched idea, but one that filled me with renewed hope. I approached the light and entered a chamber. It was filled with gems and despite no openings to the surface, the entire room was illuminated. 

The gemstones in front of her could be worth millions. How Hook and his men did not find this place was beyond me. 

"Finally young and rich, huh Jess?" Peter's teasing voice spoke behind me.

I shrieked and swung my fist in a random direction. Peter caught my hand unfazed by my actions. He lowered my fist, "You seemed to have wandered away from Camp... Again. Are you trying to make this a new habit?"

"What are you doing here?" I asked him, "Don't you have other things to do?"

"What else could be more entertaining than watching you on your little journey?" Peter crossed his arms.

He then had a cold expression, "She's dead, Jess. Stop looking for her."

"I refuse," I shook my head, "Her body isn't down here."

"I know who enters and leaves this island," Peter said darkly, "And I can tell you that I do not feel her presence on the Neverland."

"Why should I believe you?" I challenged.

"Believe what you wish," Peter flagged her off, "But know that there is no place for grief on this island."

"Spoken like a true demon."

"Watch it..." Peter warned.

"Well you came and stopped by to annoy me," I said, "Time to move on to your next stop."

"Don't you know Jess that you are always a full day trip," Peter teased. 

"Gees... Lucky me..." I mumbled.

Peter grabbed a hold of my hand and dragged me deeper into the chasm. He gestured towards the various stones, "Pick one."

"For what exactly?" I asked skeptical.

"Just pick," Peter told me.

I sighed and gave in to his demands. There were countless gems ranging from diamond to quartz. Peter followed behind me in silence. 

"Might I recommend that one?" Peter pointed to an amazonite embedded into the cave wall. 

"It's pretty," I didn't bother to hide my opinion on it.

"You can have it if you want," Peter extracted it from the wall. He tossed the stone towards me and I caught it. I held it in my hands confused, "Why?"

"I just thought you'd like to have it," Peter shrugged his shoulders, "Plus, it has healing properties. I thought it'd make you feel better."

The stone pulsed in my hand radiating a comforting warmth. I held it close to my chest and before I could open my mouth to thank him, a roaring beast made its appearance.

"Oh," Peter's devious tone made me glare, "I forgot to mention that these caves and the area as a whole were home to a beast who doesn't like it when people steal from him."

"What?!" I grabbed Peter and shook him violently, "You didn't bother to tell me this beforehand?"

"You didn't ask," Peter carelessly shrugged. 

The monster blocked our way out and Peter kept his hands in his pocket, "Since you have the gem, you can fight the monster."

"Me?" I hurled the stone at him, causing him to scowl, "You're the one who took it out from the wall!"

The beast swiped towards us and I rolled away with my bow loaded. I let an arrow fly and it pierced the creature who cried out. 

"Is that all you can do?" Peter goaded as he stood beside me.

"I don't see you doing anything," I snarled.

There was only silence and Peter had teleported out of the cave. 

"Peter!" I cursed his name as he abandoned me. 

The beast cried out again and I recklessly snapped at it, "Shut up. I'm already pissed at that stupid demon for leaving me here."

Long story short, the beast did not take it that well. I was sent flying out of the jewel cave and back into the canyon. The beast followed in pursuit and revealed itself in its full glory. It had giant wings, and claws and its body was something inhumane. It seemed even more menacing than the beast that Peter had gotten to attack herself, Tinker Bell and the Lost Boys. 

I exhaled deeply and began to climb on the cliff wall. The beast was charging towards me, I leapt out from the wall and landed on top of it. It began to use its arms to swat at me like a fly, but I strategically avoided his attacks. 

I pulled out my dagger and raised it into the air before stabbing the monster repeatedly. It cried out in pain and collapsed to the ground with myself sitting on top of it. 

"Sorry," I say apathetically, "I'm not in a good mood."

"I knew you could do it," Peter smiled and appeared behind me. 

I tried to restrain myself, but could not stop myself from punching Peter across the face. His green eyes darkened as he frowned, "I guess I deserved that."

"How could you leave!"

"Awe, did you miss me?"

"It would have gone a lot quicker!"

"It wasn't my thing," Peter shrugged his shoulders.

"You're unbelievable," I say in disbelief. 

"And you still have that fire," Peter admired, "Remind me to join in more of your adventures."

His devious façade faded and he grabbed my hand.

"What are you doing?"

Peter didn't answer as he teleported us out of there. Instead of being at camp, I stood in a different area of the jungle. 

"Where are we?" I asked Peter.

Peter remained silent as I followed his gaze to a small mound of dirt with a flower on top. My eyes immediately got wet as I realized what he had done.

"Hopefully this will put you at peace," Peter told me as I felt my body tremble. 

"Tinker Bell..." I shed some tears.

Flashbacks of what happened to her went through my mind. Now I stared at the small grave Peter had made. 

"Come on," Peter said after a few minutes, "Let's head back. You can always come back here and visit her. She wouldn't want you to beat yourself up over a tragic accident."

My fist clenched as Peter took me back to the camp. I wasn't strong enough to protect Tinker Bell from the monster, but I silently vowed to become strong enough to survive whatever came next.

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Hey everyone,

This story kind of fell on the back burner since I shifted my focus to the Ending Pan and Golden Hope. But do not fear, this story will be completed as will the sequels. As of right now, updates might be slower until I finish Ending Pan.

Thanks for your continuous support,

Eden

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