15: A Talk with Pan

"Are you mad that I wasn't your little errand girl?" Was the first thing that came out of my mouth.

Peter flicked off a speck of dirt from his shoulder, "No, I expected as much. But I thought you wanted answers."

I raised my eyebrow, "I already know that I'm Wendy Darling's daughter. The only other answer I'm looking for is for a way to get off this island."

"Why are you so desperate to leave this island?" Peter scowled, "There is nothing for you to return to. You've been nothing but lost in the world until you came here. Even in the short time, you have to admit you fit in more here than back there."

"You're wrong..." I let my voice trail off.

"You're hesitating," Peter said, "Deep down you know I'm right."

I didn't say anything in turn. Being in Neverland gave me a sense of belonging.  

He just grinned at me, "You were always supposed to be here, Jess. However I am starting to think that you have a death wish considering that you constantly find yourself facing some sort of danger. I'm not mad about that, it makes for great entertainment."

"You're the one who sent the monsters after me," I narrowed my eyes, "So I wouldn't call it getting into trouble."

"What matters is you fight back," Peter faced me, "You're the only girl I've met who won't shy away from danger. You might not realize it, but I do. You get a special light in your eyes when things get interesting. It's a lust for life not unlike my own."

"What are you trying to say?" I asked him suspiciously.

"I want you to be my Queen," Peter said aloud and I froze.

"Your what?"

"You heard me," Peter stood, "The Queen of Neverland. It does have a nice ring to it. I want you to be my right hand."

"I thought there were no kings and queens in Neverland."

"There isn't but that aside, I want you to be a leader alongside me. It's in your blood," Peter cupped my cheek.

Peter wasn't the Dark One, but I kept my wits. He was a demon in his own right. I was just a player in his little game. His proposal would guarantee me safety on this island, but that would also be losing. 

"Let me tell you a story, Jess," Peter began, "Long ago, the Shadow did something unprecedented. It brought a girl to the island along with her brothers.  As the three siblings spent more time on the island, they were allowed to shed their societal upbringing. They embraced who they were in such glorious ways. The eldest was a girl named Wendy Darling."

At the mention of my mother, my expression hardened while Peter's only became brighter, "Never had I seen such emotion before. She viewed the world so optimistically. The magic was alluring. She was eager too, I'll give her that. If only I saw past that sweet exterior, there was a monster inside. She was just using me and conspiring with the Annamay tribe to steal my power and leave the island. Soon they would learn that no one tricks Peter Pan."

Peter took a deep breath, "Flash forward and I vowed that I would never let anyone grow close to me. That is until I crossed paths with you."

"Me?"

Peter smiled and I widened my eyes noticing that his smile was unlike his previous ones. It was full of genuine emotion. He sighed, "When I heard from the Shadow that you were brought to the island, I'll admit I knew who you were. Being on the pirate's ship would be your first test. If you couldn't survive or be coerced into being a pirate, you weren't going to be in trouble. To my shock, I saw you escape the ship and into the jungle. You showed a level of tenacity and courage in the face of danger. When I met you face to face, you were truly radiant."

"You tricked me," I recalled.

"I did what I had to," Peter defended himself, "You surprised me too. I didn't expect you to push me off a cliff. Or give me mouth to mouth."

"I thought you were dead," I said bitterly, "I refused to let someone die."

"You have a true kind heart, Jess," Peter said, "But you're walls are high. Just remember you can't hide anything from me. I see right through you, Lost Girl. And yet you also brought something out in me. Tell me, Jessica Mallory, why do I feel the urge to protect you instead of letting the monsters tear you limb from limb or enact revenge on the vile witch from long ago?"

"It's your emotions, you tell me," I said.

We faced each other as Peter held my hand. he brought it to his chest. I could feel his steady heartbeat, but every so often it would skip a beat. 

"Do you feel that, Jess?" Peter asked me barely above a whisper, "It's my heart and it's beating for you."

"For me-" I started but didn't get the opportunity to finish my sentence.

For a demon who possessed powerful magic, his kiss was light and soft. They fit perfectly with my own. He cupped my cheek and I felt butterflies inside of me. What are you doing, I shouted internally, He is the enemy.

I placed my hand on his chest and tried to push him off me. He in turn wrapped a hand around my waist immobilizing me. He was in control. When he finally granted me a chance to breathe, my cheeks were flushed. 

"I apologize," Peter said, "I couldn't help myself."

"You're claiming you have fallen in love with me?" I shake my head in disbelief, "That's a lie if I have ever seen one."

"I'm not lying."

"Don't delude yourself, Pan," I seethed, "You can't love someone."

"How do you know that," Peter closed the gap between us, "I just haven't found someone worth loving until I met you. The world hasn't been the kindest to you, my Lost Girl. Even so, you have fought for your life. Allow me to take some of that weight off your shoulders. You're not alone anymore."

He wiped a tear from my face as his words rang through my head, 

You're not alone anymore.

He lifted my chin and I found myself lost in his green eyes. 

"Hey, I want to show you something," Peter said.

Before I could turn him down, he grabbed my hand and teleported us away from the cliff. We reappeared in a different part of the jungle. Unlike the rest of the dark jungle, the trees here were more fairytale-like. They twisted in various directions and were a healthy brown. 

"Where are we?" I asked him.

"We're in the pixie hollow," Peter whispered as small lights flew around us. 

While they looked like fireflies upon closer look, they were small people with golden wings and pointed ears.

"You can only see them if they want you to see them," Peter said in a quiet tone.

They were flying about the rich jungle. Peter held his hand out and golden dust landed on his hand. 

"That's pixie dust," I gasped.

Peter nodded his head, "It is."

He sprinkled it on us and I felt our bodies fly into the air. The sun was setting as Peter held out his hand, "Would you care for a dance?"

I placed my hand in his as he guided me through the sky. For a boy who I thought lived untamed on the island for so long, he was a gentleman. Even when I tried to trip him up, he easily maneuvered around me. He picked me up bridal style and spun us around. I couldn't help but let a laugh slip from my mouth. This brought a smile to Peter's face. 

We sat on a branch of a tree and Peter held his hand out again. Two pixies spun around and created a golden necklace. 

"May I?" he asked.

I let him place the necklace around me. He stared at it proudly. The necklace itself was a careful chain of gold that connected a pendant. It had a mixture of gold and silver entangled amongst itself into a Celtic knot. 

"It can have many meanings," Peter whispered into my ear, "It can have a deeper meaning like eternity, loyalty, or friendship. It can also symbolize love and is blessed by the pixies."

"It's beautiful..." I couldn't lie to him as I held the pendant in my hand.

It wasn't too heavy and the chain wasn't too tight. 

"Thank you," I say softly. 

My eyes then turn to the view of the waters surrounding the island. In the moonlight, it almost glowed an alluring blue. The stars shining in the sky. 

"What about you?" I asked out of the blue.

"What do you mean?" Peter asked me, confused.

"I assume that you also came to Neverland from elsewhere," I continue to stare out into the night sky, "What is your story?"

"My story..." Peter's voice hardens, "That is too long for one night, My Lost Girl."

"You claim you love me," I turn to face him, "Yet you don't seem to trust me."

"And you don't seem to trust me," Peter leaned in, "And isn't that a real shame?"

I could tell his mind was plotting and I tilted my head, "You haven't given me a reason to."

Peter cracked a smile at me, "It's all a part of the game."

"Your game doesn't seem all that fun," I snort, "What's the point if you and I are going to be running in circles?"

"I suppose you do have a fair point," Peter stood balanced on the branch, "I have an offer then to you, Jessica Mallory."

I joined him on my feet, "What is it?"

"You wish to recover your memories and find out who you were?" He started.

I nod my head.

"Do you remember the task that I gave you?"

"You mean the one that you reassigned to Baelfire?"

"There was a reason that I didn't tell him what the task was," Peter explained, "And that's because you're the only one who can complete it."

"Why is that?"

"It is the key to your memories," Peter leaned against the main branch, "It is the key to who you are. I promise you one thing, going down this path will provide you with the answers you seek."

I could sense the incoming warning.

"But it'll be at a cost... Remember every truth has its price."

I took a deep breath and considered my options. I was determined to find out some answers. On the other hand, I could also tell Peter wasn't lying when he said there would be a cost for them. It truly felt like a deal with the devil.

"Peter," I say after a few minutes of silence.

"Yes, Jess?"

I bit my tongue as I thought about what I originally planned to ask him. Instead, I said, "Thank you for a nice evening."

Peter kissed me softly on the lips, "As I mentioned before, you are not alone on this island. I'll give you the world. With me, you won't get hurt."

He stepped back, "I'll see you back at camp."

"Okay," I nodded my head.

He vanished and I sat back down on the branch recalling what just took place. Peter was a confusing person. One second he is conniving and then he is sweet. I am not sure what is a trick and what is true. My hand went to the pendent. A warm feeling was filling my chest as I shook my head, "Snap out of it, Jessica. He's just playing games with you."

I thought about what I wanted to ask him instead of what I said. 

Is Peter Pan the worst evil here?

Neverland was akin to a minefield. Danger lurked around every corner. Beasts of all kinds roamed the island. Evil brewed beneath its mesmerizing jungle exterior. It served as a reminder to always keep my guard up. Falling in love with Peter Pan himself would be letting my guard down. That can never happen. Not if I have anything to say about it.

Tomorrow, I thought to myself, you'll find the answers you seek. No matter the cost.

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Hey everyone,

Sorry for such a delay in posting any stories, life has been pretty hectic and I haven't had any motivation to write until recently. I'm going to try my best to be more active and thank you for your continuous support.

Thanks,

Eden

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