Chapter 28; Family Reunion

"I've fallen in love with adventures, so I began to wonder, if that's why I've fallen for you."

~ E. Grin

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Will's P.O.V

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    "Christian?" Alice asks. "Your full name is Will Christian Robertson?"    "Will, why didn't you tell us you had an older brother?" Lewis asks.    "Because he took off when I was little," I say. "I stopped using my middle name when he left."    I remember what happened on the day he disappeared. My parents had just told us that they were going to get a divorce and that my brother and I were going to be separated.

    I remember how devastated I was when my parents told me that he ran away. I screamed at them and shouted that it was all their fault that he left. But it only made them argue more that night, blaming each other of his actions. I cried myself to sleep for almost every week after that. The reason why Alice and Lewis didn't know about my brother is because he was home-schooled.

    I shake my head, pushing my feelings aside. "Enough about that. It's your turn to answer questions. Where are we? How did we get here? How'd you get here? How did he manage to knock us out earlier?"    "And why are you so close to that Peter guy?" Lewis adds.

    Taking a deep breath, Alice begins to explain her situation to us. She starts by telling us that we're on an island called Neverland and that the things that "The Child Thief" talked about were all real. She then tells us that she didn't leave us on purpose and that she didn't get here the same way as we did. She said the words "I believe", but it took a couple days before anything happened.

    She tells us that Peter kidnapped her. Lewis and I clench our fists at that. She also tells us about her "game" with Peter and how she plans to win. I decide not to tell her about Lewis's feelings towards her. She explains that he has magic and that he's always three steps ahead.    "Oh," Alice says. "And another thing, he doesn't like it when anyone calls him Peter."

    "Then why do you call him that?" Lewis asks.    She shrugs. "I don't know. It makes him sound more like a human. "Pan" makes him sound like a demon or something."    Lewis nods, changing the subject. "Are we just supposed to stay here until you win the game?"

    "For the time being," Alice says.

    "Is there really no way off the island?" I ask. "None of which you've ever tired before?"   She shakes her head. "No, you can't get off the island without his consent."   "So what now?" Lewis asks. "We just stand by and do nothing?"    "Of course not, you'll train with the others," interrupts a voice. The three of us jerk our heads towards the entrance of the tent.

    Pan stands at the entrance of the tent with his arms crossed. "I won't have any one of my boys be a useless git."    Lewis scoffs. "What, so we're your boys now?"    "You two are on my island, that makes you my boys," he says. "I own you two now, just like I own Alice."

    "Listen here, Peter," Lewis says, spitting his name out like poison. "You don't own anyone, not Will, not me and certainly not Alice."    The brunette teleports in front of us and grabs Lewis by his shirt. "Don't. Call. Me. Peter."    He looks like he's about to say something else but Alice interrupts him. "I'll kill you if you hurt him."

    "You don't have the guts," he says, letting go of Lewis.    Alice places her hands on her hips. "I have more balls than all of you combined."    I place my hand my my mouth, stifling a laugh. Lewis isn't so successful, he laughs outloud, then covers it with a cough.    "Has she always been like that?" Pan asks.

    "Ever since she met us," I say.    "I'd hate to break apart the reunion, but it's sundown," Pan says. He jerks his head towards the exit of the tent, telling Alice to follow him.    She shakes her head. "Not this time. I'll be staying with the boys tonight."    He starts to argue but Alice shuts him up with a glare. "Fine," he grumbles. "But just for tonight."

    "Thanks," Alice smiles. "Now, go away."    Pan walks out the tent, muttering about girls and how crazy they can be. The tent flap falls shut the second he walks out.    "He's so bipolar," I say. "Alice, how did you manage to survive?"    "I had Ray to keep me company," she says.

    The sound of my brother's name brings back both good and bad memories. Alice takes one look at my expression and immediately regrets saying it. "I'm so sorry, Will. I didn't mean to—"    "No, it's alright, Alice," I say, giving her a small smile.    Lewis senses the change in atmosphere and attempts to lighten the mood.

    "I don't know about you guys," Lewis says, yawning. "But I'm exhausted."    "It was only a ten minute walk here," I say.    "We had to climb a hill and take out those," he pauses, recalling what Peter Pan had called his boys, "Lost Boys."    "Aww," Alice says, feigning sympathy. "You poor baby."

    Lewis throws a pillow at her and I laugh.    "Let's go to sleep before this becomes another pillow fight," I say, pushing my cot in the middle of the tent.    Lewis walks to the other cot helps me. Soon, the two cots are lying side by side. It's just enough space for the three of us to sleep.

    I begin to get into bed but Alice stops me by hugging me from the back. I don't hesitate to hug her back.    "I missed you guys," she mumbles into my shoulder.    Her eyes are glossy with tears, I wipe them away.    "We missed you too," I say, kissing her on the head.    Lewis then engulfs us in a bear hug. "We barely survived without you."

    I decide not to tell her about his attempted suicide, it'll just ruin our moods. We all pull back, our mood has improved drastically. We then climb into bed, Alice is sandwiched between Lewis and I.    "Goodnight, guys," she whispers, placing her hand in mine.    I lace my fingers with hers. "Goodnight, Alice."

    I close my eyes and welcome back all the memories of my brother.

****

    "So let me get this straight," I say, resheathing my sword. "You've been spending your days on Neverland having survival lessons like a boot camp?"    She nods. "More or less."    "Where can I sign up?"    Alice and Lewis both hit me in the shoulder.    "I'm joking."

    Alice hits me again. "It didn't sound like you were joking."

    "Can you blame me?" I ask.    She rolls her eyes. "I'm gonna take a shower. See you guys at the bonfire tonight."    Lewis turns to leave. "Are you coming, Will?"    "No," I say, grabbing a bow and quiver. "I'm gonna stay here and work on my aim."

    "But you're already great shot," Lewis says.    "An ordinary archer practices until he gets it right," I say. "A ranger practices until he never gets it wrong."   "Dude," Lewis says. "Stop it with the Ranger's Apprentice quotes."   "But it's my fandom," I say. "The protagonist and I even share the same name."

    "You and Alice really need to get out more," he says.    "Why should I surround myself with people when I can surround myself with books?"    Lewis sighs. "Whatever, I'm gonna change out of these clothes, I'm starting to smell."    "I'll see you in the tent when I'm done," I say, nocking an arrow.    "See you."

****

    I sigh, wiping the sweat off my face. I should probably get back to the tent. It's been an hour since Lewis and the other Lost Boys left the training grounds. I stop in my tracks. I think I just heard a someone cry out in pain. I shake my head, I must've imagined it. There it is again! I pick up a spear and slowly make my way towards the sound.

    It's coming from behind the trees.    "Come on, runt," says a voice. "Fight. Back."    I hear a groan as he says the last two words.    "Forget him, Drew," says another voice, this is one deeper.    I peer though the leaves, there's a boy lying on the ground. The boy's eyes are what catches my attention.

    I could recognise those Hazel eyes. It's Ray. He lies on the ground, bleeding. Andrew, ignores his friend and kicks Ray. I flinch as his foot comes into contact with my brother's stomach.    "Hunter, this runt made us look bad in font of everyone." says Andrew, turning to face the blonde boy, Hunter.

    "For once, my brother is right," says another boy. His hair is a few shades darker than his brother's striking blonde hair.    "For once?" Hunter exclaims, annoyed.    The boy continues talking as if his brother hadn't spoke. "Drew, this boy is friends with Alice. His brother is the infamous Will Roberson. If Pan doesn't kill you, his brother will."

    Andrew scoffs. "I'm not afraid of a sixteen year old boy, Jerome."    "You should be," I say, stepping out from behind the trees.    The three boys glance at me, probably thinking of which option would help them, fight or flight?    "Go away, little boy," Andrew jeers. "This is Lost Boy business."    So they've chosen to fight.

    "That's my brother you're beating up," I say, gesturing with my spear. "That makes it my business."    "A sharp stick. Wow, I'm so scared," jeers Jerome.    Ray spits out blood. "Go back to the campsite, Chris, this isn't your fight."    Andrew chuckles. "Yeah, listen to your brother, little boy."    I grit my teeth, tightening my grip on the spear. "My name is not 'little boy'."

    I swing my spear and hit Andrew in the temple with the butt of my spear. The older boy falls to the ground, unconscious. I glare at the two brothers who are now staring at their fallen leader.    "Who's next?" I challenge, swing my spear in an arc.

    Jerome gives his brother a look and they both get into a fighting stance. Hunter throws a punch at me, but I'm too fast for him. I duck and hit him in the chest, sending his sprawling onto the ground, wheezing.    "That's my brother, you little shit!" snarls Jerome.    "An eye for an eye."

    He lunges at me. I swing my spear under his legs but he just jumps over it. I try to knock him out the same way I did with his leader but he grabs the spear from me and breaks it in half.    "I never liked that spear anyway," he says, throwing the broken pieces away.    I bring my hands up to protect my face. "Think about what you're doing."

    "Your leader is down and your brother is dazed. Are you really going to try your luck at beating me in a fight?" I ask.    He circles me. "You don't scare me."    "I can wield any weapon known to man, I could've killed you if I wanted to," I say. "Are you still sure that you're not scared?"    Jerome growls. "You hurt my brother, I'm going to kill you."

    "I'd like to see you try," I taunt.    Jerome runs towards me, attempting to tackle me. I had just enough time to swerve aside. But Jerome has other ideas, he places his arm around my neck, keeping me in a choke hold. I gasp for air, clawing at his face. I reach for his neck, searching for his pressure point and press it. Jerome then releases his grip on me, hitting the ground.

    I walk over to Ray, stretching out my hand.    "Since when did you learn how to use a weapon, or fight?" he asks, taking my hand.    "Since you left," I say. "It was father's idea."    "Why didn't you fight back?" I ask. "Dad made you take self defense classes when we were younger."

    "I wanted to," he admits. "But every time I feel like fighting back, I always remember what happend to me in the eighth grade."    "It wasn't your fault."    "Chris, I put those boys in a hospital."    "It was self defence," I say. "You didn't intend to hurt them."    "But I did, I hurt them."    "These boys aren't like the ones at our old neighborhood."

    "I just don't want to stoop down to their level."    "There's a fine line between protecting yourself and stooping down to their level," I tell him.    He remains silent.    "Promise me something, Ray."    "What?" he asks.    "Promise me you'll stand up for yourself the next time," I say.

    "Alright, Chris," he says. "For you."

****

    "I was wondering where you boys were," Alice says, walking towards us.

    Ray and I spent our break catching up with each other's lives. I told him about our half brothers and sisters. I told him how mother and father were happy now that the both of them had found someone new. I told him how they grieved for him every year, on his birthday.

    "Oh, we were just catching up," I say.    "What happend to your face, Ray?" Alice asks.    "We were just wrestling," I say.    "That's all? No run ins with the trio?" she asks.    "Nope," I say, looking at my brother. "No run ins at all."

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Well this chapter is shit. I blame my lack of inspiration atm. Writer's block really sucks. *sigh*

How are you guys? I'm just enjoying my four day school holiday. I forgot how much I hated school. Speaking of school, my exams are coming up so I apologise in advance if I don't update as often as I used to.

I'll try to update as often as possible, but I might not be able to due to my upcoming exams. Please don't stop reading just because of that.

Well, I guess that's all for this A/N, bye 👋

~ Alice xx

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Do you guys like the quotes I write at the beginning of my chapters?

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Vote, comment, rate, do whatever you what <3

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Edited: 24.11.2017