19: Edge of Chaos

I blinked hoping I misheard him. A tight grin covers my face, "I'm sorry, come again?"

"You heard me," Peter responded. 

This time, there was no humour in his tone. It was firm and cold. My body tensed in response as I shook my head, "You can't be serious."

"I am 100%," Peter said stoically, "If Azruth is freed, I can't afford any weaknesses on my island."

"I'm a weakness?" I couldn't help but snap.

Peter nodded, "For this fight, I would need a militant army. You are too kind and softhearted. I don't want to see you fall."

"I don't think that is your choice to make, Pan," I hissed and he flinched, "I have nothing where I came from. Coming here saved my life. By sending me back, you would be condemning me to a fate worse than death."

"This decision wasn't easy for me," I felt Peter getting upset, "As leader, I have to protect everyone."

I stood up from my bed and faced the demon, "And who is going to protect you? After all, once the leader falls, the rest won't stand a chance."

"Felix will," Peter replied confidently.

I wiped that smirk off of his face with a punch to his face. His hand went to his cheek and saw his nose was bleeding. My knuckles were covered in his blood that I wiped off on the sheet, "I can handle myself."

"Really?" Peter crossed his arms, "Let me refresh your memory of earlier. You were about to be killed by Azruth had I not intervened in time."

I was silent, he did have a point. I was in a tight spot if Peter hadn't come to save me. He was more knowledgeable about the island, but my family had a history here, specifically my father. I felt it was my responsibility to protect the island as my ancestors once did. It also gave me a chance to avenge my grandfather's death.

Knowing that I would do something I would regret if I stayed at the camp with Peter, I just shook my head at him, "Just know you're being a coward."

I shoved him on my way out of the camp to cool my mind. Any second longer and I would have strangled Peter for being so stupid. He thought I was a weak link which I highly disagreed with.

I didn't know where my feet would take me as long as it wasn't by Peter. My dull green eyes found me in an unknown part of the jungle. I had my bow slung over my shoulder with Dreamshade tipped arrows. At this point, I was half tempted to hunt down the demonic spirit myself to prove to Peter that I was stronger than he thought. 

My body froze as I heard Baelfire. He sounded like he was in a conversation with someone. I secretly hid behind some boulders and eavesdropped on his conversation. 

"You have done well thus far," The voice Baelfire was talking to said. 

My face went pale as a ghost when I recognized it. While not as whispy, its feared tone paralyzed me. It was Azruth. 

"How much more do I have to do?" Baelfire asked Azruth.

"Not too much more," Azruth answered, "I just need a final blood sacrifice. The first three were just delightful."

Sacrifice? I thought and my eyes widened, He was talking about Roger, Sam and Eric. 

"As you can see, I brought the final sacrifice," Baelfire said curtly, "In turn, you will provide me with the necessary tool to harness the power of the Shadow to finally leave this cursed island as we agreed."

"Of course," Azruth replied, "We made a deal. Finish it now and I shall grant you the power you need to break through the barrier of this realm."

I heard the muffled voice of a Lost Boy and then a thud. 

"Do it now, Baelfire, before the wimp's voice attracts unwanted attention."

"Of course," Baelfire complied.

I heard the sword of a blade entering flesh and the struggles ceased. I covered my hand with my mouth at the brutality committed by someone I thought I knew.

"Excellent," Azruth's voice mused, "The final step now is to take all the blood and go to the sacred site. Once there, you will know what to do. And don't worry about the mess, you won't be the one to have to worry about it."

Azruth's presence faded and I held my breath as Baelfire walked past me. When he was out of sight, I stepped out to where the conversation had taken place. Baelfire was a traitor to the Lost Boys and me. He killed innocent lives without regret all to resurrect the most evil spirit on the island. He made Pan look like a daisy.

My eyes focus on the deceased lost boy in front of me. Blood pooled around him and I knelt. His vacant eyes would never close again. His chest stayed flat. I knew this boy. It was Charles, also known by his nickname Charlie. 

Charlie was one of the youngest on the island. He had proven himself despite his age. His determination and discipline were what made him favoured by Peter. At that moment, I knew he was still no match for the battle ahead. 

I debated on burying the body of Charlie or rushing off to warn Peter. Time was dwindling and I had to make a decision. I grabbed a hold of the body and dragged it into a bush and away from prying eyes. His blood stained my hands, but that didn't matter to me. I closed his eyes and whispered a few prayers. I hoped he would be at rest. There was no time to grieve. I had to warn Peter. 

With lightning quick speed I ran back towards the camp. Peter was nowhere in sight, but Felix noticed me immediately.

"Jess?" Felix walked over to me, "Is that... Blood?"

"It's not mine," I swallowed, "It's Charlie. He was murdered by Baelfire all to bring forth Azruth."

"Baelfire?" Felix gripped his spear, "So he was a traitor."

Fear flickered across his eyes, "Azruth... You don't mean... The Blight, do you?"

I nodded my head, "He killed Charlie. He killed Roger. He killed Sam. He killed Eric. Where is Peter? He needs to know about this treachery. He needs to know that the Blight is going to happen if we don't stop him."

"Where's the body?" Devin asked quietly.

"It's on the trail towards Echo Caves," I said with a lowered faze, "You won't can't miss the bloodshed. I moved the body into the bush."

"Devin," Felix ordered, "Grab a few of the strongest boys and retrieve the body. We'll bury him with the others."

Devin nodded and went to fulfill Felix's orders. Meanwhile the second in command faced me, "Pan's at the beach. He's waiting for you."

"I'm sure he is," I mumbled.

I began to walk in the direction of the shore when Felix's voice stopped me, "I never thought I'd see the day when you didn't want to leave the island."

My back straightened, "How can I leave my home?"

Felix didn't say anything as I left the camp. My feet carried me swiftly and I could see the boy standing at the edge of the water. 

"Ah, Jessica," Peter said almost somberly, "I've been waiting for you."

His eyes went to my bloody appearance, "What the hell happened to you?"

"A traitor," I growled, "Azruth is going to escape his seal tonight."

"That's impossible," Peter shook his head, "I saw to it."

"Well, you're wrong," I told him, "Baelfire was the one killing lost boys."

"That doesn't seem characteristic of him," Peter denied, "After all, you vouched for him."

"He deceived us both," I shook my head, "We need to move and think of our next plan."

I let out a cry as I was picked up by the back of my shirt. Peter just stared at me with a sad look on his face. 

"Jessica, I'm sorry I have to do this," Peter said, "My shadow will take you. I never should have let it bring you here. I never should have fallen in love with you. I'm sorry for dragging you into this mess. Chances are after this we won't ever see each other again. I wished we could have more time to play games together."

"Peter!" I screamed his name in fury, "Do you even care that Baelfire is running loose on the island and killed our Lost Boys?" 

He was making a big mistake. 

"I do care," Peter lowered his gaze, "I care deeply about each of my boys both past and future. However, I can always get more. There is only one of you. I couldn't live with myself knowing that you were killed."

He cupped my cheek and kissed me passionately. I almost melted into the feeling when I felt my body being lifted into the air.

"Peter!"

"Take her now," Peter said, "A storm is brewing."

His shadow nodded and despite my thrashing, I was powerless against it. Peter and the island grew fainter. We flew across the endless waters. I knew I had to find a way to get back to the island and save everyone. I glanced up at my transportation and said, "I know your loyalty is to the Island more than Peter Pan."

"That is true," His shadow agreed.

"You also know that the last time Azruth came into physical form, it took all of Peter's power to seal him away."

"Indeed," His shadow agreed with me again.

"As well, you know this time is unlike the previous two. Peter isn't as powerful as he once was and his Lost Boys will be massacred."

"Just what are you saying?" The shadow asked me.

"I'm saying, I'm not going to just help Peter defeat Azruth," I let the fire light up in my eyes, "I'm going to eradicate it from existence. I know who I am now. I am Jessica Mallory, the last remaining daughter of the Annamay tribe. I will save Neverland and nothing is going to stop me. With all that out of the way, I order you to let me go this instant."

To my surprise it did. I plummeted into the cold sea. I was treading in the water as it flew over me, "Good luck, Jessica Mallory."

It flew away from me and I found myself in the middle of the sea. No land was in sight and I knew these waters were home to deadly mermaids and creatures. 

"You couldn't have just dropped me back off?" I sulk. 

The sea was getting rougher by the minute as I could sense Azruth's power growing. The storm clouds about me were dark and menacing. My body was thrown around in the waves that tried to drown me. 

Rain started to pelt me and the wind left my body chilled to the bone. Navigating the turbulent sea was beginning to tire me out. No doubt this was the evil spirit's intent. I coughed up water as I struggled. By now I could barely see in front of me. The waves were ten feet high and each time they crashed down, it took all my energy to resurface. 

I wanted to just stop and rest my body, but doing so would be death. Thoughts of Peter, the Lost Boys, and Tinker Bell cycled through my mind. This is what gave me the strength to keep battling the storm. 

An object landed in front of me and I saw it was a life preserver. The voices of men were lost in the sound of the waves and the storm above. I grabbed on and let it pull me through the waves. I saw the silhouette of a ship in the distance. Whose ship was it? 

Lightning clashed and as I drew closer I could see more and more details of the ship. Its sturdy wooden build and its many white sails harnessed the wind. My eyes widened as it dawned on me just who my rescuers were. 

"You've got to be kidding me," I mutter as I look at none other than the Jolly Roger. 

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