4: Hiding with a handsome stranger

Jack stood in front of me with a serious look on his face. I had a small smile on my face. 

"Jack?" I say puzzled.

"Aye," the boy answered.

"Like in Jack and the Beanstalk?" I teased.

Jack shook his head, "No, of course not. I'm much better."

"And not as modest," I mumbled under my breath. 

"You still never told me your name," Jack said.

"Oh," I let my voice trail off, "My name is Jessica."

Jack's eyes lit up, "Jessica. What a lovely name that also exudes strength. It suits you."

I rolled my eyes at the compliment, "I didn't tell you my name for it to be complimented. Besides, we should keep moving."

I pushed past him when Jack's hand pulled me back to him.

"Do you even know where you are going?" His eyes asked playfully.

"I'll figure it out as I go," I shrugged my shoulders.

"What a lost little dear," Jack followed behind me, "You're going to lead us to certain doom."

"Well, I don't see you taking the lead on this," I bicker back.

"Touché," Jack brushed past me. 

We ventured deeper into the jungle and neither of us said anything. The trees gave way to a cliff and I found myself looking out into the horizon. It was endless crystal blue seas and cloud-speckled skies. The breeze felt fresh and if I didn't know where I was, I would think that I was on some kind of vacation.

"It's beautiful," I say unable to hide my amazement. 

"The truth hides its thorns in its beauty," Jack warned, "Mermaids and mythical beasts call those waters home."

"Mermaids?" I asked him. 

He nods his head, "Aye. Let me warn you, they are bloodthirsty creatures who will drown those who are lured by their songs."

"I'm sure not all of them are bad," I defended.

"Remind me to throw you in the water next chance we get," Jack scoffed, "Then you can witness firsthand what they do to those that enter their waters."

"I can handle them," I say confidently.

"Sure you could..." Jack says avoiding my gaze, "Come on, let's keep moving."

He dragged me back into the jungle on the unmarked paths paved by Lost Boys before them.

"This is an island," I argue, "Eventually we will have to face them."

"I am well aware of that," Jack remarks, "I'm just trying to put as much distance between us and them as I can."

Later that day, I checked the not orange sky. It was sunset. I pointed it out to Jack whose face visibly pales, "I see. We're going to have to make camp for the night."

We chose a place and Jack gathered some wood. He started a fire and rose to his feet, "I'm going to go get us some dinner. Don't move."

Jack left and once I was alone, I thought about my next plan of action. Deep down, i knew that there was only so much running you could do. If you wanted to end it, you had to confront the villain itself. To do that, she needed to learn more about the Lost Boys and their mysterious leader, Peter Pan.

She heard a rustling in the bushes and hurled her dagger in that direction. A yelp could be heard and she saw Jack walking through the woods with her dagger and a dead rabbit. 

"That was a little too close for comfort, princess," he said icily.

"My bad, "I apologized half-heartedly, "I thought it was someone else."

Jack didn't answer and instead focused on roasting the rabbit. The sunset was now giving way to the night sky and as my green eyes were admiring the night sky, I started a conversation with Jack, "What's your story?"

"What do you mean?"

I lowered my head, "How did you wind up here?"

"I can barely remember the details myself," Jack sighed, "It's been so long since I've thought of the time before I became a Lost Boy. I don't even remember my mother's name. That's why I want to go back. I want to figure out who I was."

"I can understand that," I sympathized, "I too don't remember my past. I woke up here in Neverland on Hook's ship. It frustrates me to no end."

I sighed, "Maybe If I leave, I might be able to redeem myself and find some closure. Speaking of which, who is this Peter Pan?"

"Some say he's a cunning demon," Jack shifted uncomfortably in his seat, "Others say he's a saint. All I know is that he likes his games and that if he wants something, he will get it. Peter Pan always wins."

"I doubt that," I chuckle, "He hasn't met the full force of Jessica Mallory."

"What makes you think you can beat him?"

"Well, for starters, I have you with me, Jack. There isn't anything that we can't accomplish together. And second, everyone has their weakness. We just have to find it."

"He has no weaknesses," Jack disagrees, "If he did, he would not have been the leader of the Lost Boys. He plays games with our minds."

"I guess, we'd just have to do the unexpected," I strategize. 

They finished the rabbit and I took in the dark woods that surrounded me. 

"One of us should keep watch," I say, "In case the Lost Boys hunt through the night."

"That is unlikely," Jack frowns, "They never do since other dangers are lurking in this jungle."

"You go to sleep first," I ignored his comment, "I'll wake you up when it's your turn."

"I trust you not to slit my throat," his eyes narrowed at her.

"We're allies," I said simply, "If I killed you now, that would only be setting myself up for failure in the future."

Jack just stared at me until finally lying down. The fire flickered and I twirled my dagger in my hands. My eyes watched the sleeping boy. His calm breaths and closed eyes. It had only been the first day we met, but we learned so much from each other. 

When it was my turn to rest, I didn't take my eyes off Jack. His green eyes looked at me, "You can close your eyes. I won't hurt you."

I processed his words for a few minutes before exhaustion caused my body to give out and my eyes shut.

"You're pathetic," one of the girls at the orphanage pushed me into the wall.

"You'll never find a family," another agreed.

I felt my body get thrown across the room. It was another day at the orphanage. The cruelty of the other orphans was apparent. I had only arrived recently and it was clear that I was an outcast. I tried to extend my friendship to them, but they just scoffed and turned away. 

The directors and staff just turned blind to the horrible treatment the other orphans did to me. My face was covered in bruises and stained with tears. Each night, I would curl up on the floor while they took the beds. My cries were muffled by my hand as I learned that tears were a weakness. 

One day, they took me to the woods. I was hesitant at first, but they were acting so friendly to me, it seemed like a dream.

"You can be it. Count down from 60 and we'll go hide," the girls explained. 

A smile formed on my face, "Okay."

I started to count down and by the time I got to zero, everyone was gone. I looked for each of the girls to no avail and noticed it was getting dark. I shuddered from the cold and called out for them. 

A rustling from the bushes caught my attention. I called out again and jumped back to see a wolf in front of me with its canines bared. I fell to the ground and scooted away from it. 

Tears threatened to fall on my face, but I held them back. The realization sank in, I was left for dead. And then the wolf pounced. 

"Jessica!" a voice shook me awake.

I shot up panting and then looked to see Jack's concerned face, "It was just a nightmare. Are you okay?"

I nod my head, but his hand when on my face. I froze feeling the wetness of my tears. I wiped the rest off and stared at my hand. My hand clenched into fists and fell to my side. I looked away from Jack expecting him to make fun of my tears. He did the exact opposite.

"It's okay," Jack consoled me, "I get nightmares like that too."

He lay down on the ground beside me. I moved away from him, "What are you doing?"

"I heard it helps," Jack said and hugged me tightly from behind. 

My cheeks became blushed and I was grateful it was dark out. His lips found my ear and whispered, "Try to get some sleep, Jess. I'll keep you safe from the nightmares."

And that was what I did. The next morning, I woke up to find Jack sitting by the fire. His green eyes brightened at the sight of me.

"Morning, sleepyhead," Jack greeted as if last night didn't happen, "How was your sleep?"

"Better," I shrug my shoulders.

"Good, because I plan to create more distance between us and the Lost Boys," Jack informed me.

"Sounds like a good plan," I agree. 

We set off when we heard voices shouting. It couldn't be possible, I thought, For them to have found us so easily. Jack grabbed my hand and we broke into a run. My heart skipped a beat at the action that was unfolding. A Dreamshade-tipped arrow flew past us. 

I noticed Jack stop and I frantically snapped at him, "Why are we stopping?"

Jack pointed up ahead. I saw the edge of a cliff and ran to it. Below us was the water and no other way out.

"I was a fool to think that we could outsmart Pan," Jack said. 

"Hey," I tell him, "Don't you dare give up just yet. They might outnumber us but don't underestimate our potential. We got this far."

"That's easy for you to say," Jack frowned, "You haven't met Pan. He will most likely torture and kill us for such treason."

"I don't recall swearing fealty to him," I crossed my arms. 

Felix broke into the clearing with a group of boys behind him. They had their weapons out and Felix laughed dryly, "This is the end of the line. You cannot run from Pan."

I pushed Jack behind me and Felix laughed at that, "Well would you look at that, she thinks she can protect the traitor."

The boys hollered in laughter and Felix paced back and forth, "I wonder what punishment will you face. Dismemberment, being a target for training, kitchen duty or maybe he'll even sacrifice the both of you to the pirates or mermaids."

"You little leader isn't going to be doing any of that," I growled. 

"And why is that?" Felix asked me.

Ignoring his taunts, I glanced over my shoulder at Jack, "Do you trust me?"

He nods his head. Before he could ask why, I pushed us both off the cliff. Felix's voice could be heard and I smiled. I felt Jack's shocked expression as we fell into the water. It was cold and deep. I was disoriented and noticed Jack's body sinking towards the ocean floor. I grabbed him and used all the strength I had to bring him up to the surface. I took refuge on the shore to catch my breath. 

My eyes filled with fear when I noticed that Jack wasn't breathing. I shook his shoulder and then brought my mouth to his. When I pulled away I found myself surrounded at spear point by the Lost Boys and Felix. 

"Did you think you could run?" Felix asked her, "You are daring, I will give you that."

His gaze shifted to Jack, "What are your orders, Pan?"

I furrowed my eyebrow and heard Jack's voice speak from behind me, "You did well, Felix. I guess it is time to end this little game of cat and mouse."

Surrounded by Lost Boys and with the demon himself under me, I realized the truth. I had just saved the enemy.

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