Chapter 23: Scars

Lea's Perspective:

Dull rays of the sun shone through the snow-covered trees. Millions of snowflakes floated through the air and danced along with the slight Neverland breezes. There was only one person I knew who could have possibly done this, and he was standing not twenty feet away from me, leaning against a large cedar tree. I observed the way he watched the Lost Boys play from a distance, his eyes fixated on their bright, happy grins. But his focus was interrupted when the sound of a hut door opening rang through the air. Standing in the doorway was Hannah, her lips parted and her eyes gazing at the cascading snowfall. Her blonde hair was quickly covered in snow as she held out a hand in front of her. Stepping out of the hut and venturing out into the snow, she bent over and grabbed handfuls of it, throwing it into the air and spinning in circles. Laughter filled the air and Lost Boys continued their shenanigans. Why was Peter allowing this? He knows how tightly bound we are. God forbid we get too rambunctious and Hook and his crew hears us. Of everyone, Peter knows that we can't get distracted by anything right now. Looking over at Peter, I watched as his eyes met Hannah's. For a brief moment, a grin crept upon his face and he laughed to himself. All I can say is at that moment, I was quite puzzled. That smile was unlike anything I've ever seen on Peter. I couldn't tell you a time that I had seen him smile like that. Picking up a chunk of snow off the ground, Hannah formed a snowball and turned toward Peter.

"Hey, Peter!" She shouted before chucking a snowball at him, hitting him in the face.

Did she just call him—

"Snowball fight!" Lost Boys began to shout.

All of a sudden, mounds upon mounds of snow were being thrown through the air at one another. Peter began throwing snowballs back at Hannah, ducking behind trees and hiding for cover. It was every man for himself, and they thrived with it. Can't they see that it's all fun and games until we lose everything? Everything we've ever worked for, everything we've ever been through, the people we've lost…It will all be for nothing if we don't—

"Ha!" Julian and Sam began to shout.

The side of my head was now covered in freezing cold snow, making me shiver. I could feel the wet snow streaming down my back and seeping into my black tank top. I turned my head and glared at them as more snowballs fired my way.

"Get Lea! Get Lea!" The boys shouted. It was at this point that all of the boys were against me.

They want a snowball fight?

I'll give them a snowball fight.

I crouched down and picked up a handful of snow, tightly packing it in the palms of hands. I chucked it at Sam who went flying through the air and towards the ground. His face was consumed by snow, chunks now matted in his brown hair. Julian was met with the same fate as I threw a snowball at his face. Lost Boys came at me left and right, but they were no match for me. My adrenaline was pumping and I released a few laughs here and there, shrieking when Sam shoved a handful of snow down my back. For a few moments, it seemed as though we were escaping from the world around us. Peter was fooling around with the Lost Boys, Sam and Julian were having a blast, it was almost like old times…

Almost…

As the battle came to a slow, Lost Boys began to fizzle out and relax. The snow had stopped falling and the sun began to warm up the air. While it was fun for a few moments, we couldn't lose sight of what was important. With everything I've seen today, we're not gonna have a chance against Hook. We have to spend every last moment we've got training. As the Lost Boys joked and conversed with one another, I decided that enough was enough.

"Alright boys, you had your enjoyment for the day. But it's time to get to work. Training starts in ten," I announced, wiping any remnant of a grin from my face. Turning away from the boys a voice piped up from behind me.

"But, Lea!" Hannah countered, taking a few steps in my direction. "Can't training wait for a little bit? We've only got so much time before the snow melts," she began. One by one, boys began to chatter amongst themselves in agreement. Turning my head toward her without meeting eye-contact, I shot down her suggestion.

"We've got a long day ahead of us and not a moment to spare. We can't get caught up in games…" I replied plainly. Hannah scoffed and turned towards Peter, speaking between the two of them.

"Don't you think the Lost Boys deserve a break? Just for a bit? All we do is train," she complained. Peter raised a brow and replied nonchalantly.

"Lea's in charge of training. It's up to her," Peter responded as he folded his arms. It's about time she learns she can't always get what she wants. Hannah sighed as she continued trying.

"A little enjoyment wouldn't kill you ya know," Hannah spoke. I scoffed sarcastically and laughed to myself.

"You'd be surprised," I cocked a brow and chuckled.

"Actually—" a Lost Boy called out, "I wouldn't mind another round if it means I get to hear Sam scream like a little girl again," he laughed as he gave Sam a noogie. One by one, boys began to express their approval with the idea.

"Enough. We're training and that's final," I called out once more. Disappointment was evident in the Lost Boys' tones as well as Hannah's.

"Always the fun governor…" a boy joked. I looked back and scowled as their eyes widened with fear and regret.

"Well, that's the rules…" I countered distastefully. If only they knew the horrors that lied ahead of them today. If only they knew what I saw. But I couldn't risk telling them and stirring up trouble.

"Can't we break the rules? Just this once?" Hannah's daring voice called. Ignoring her obnoxious comments, I rested my eyes and exhaled heavily in an attempt to keep my calamity. "Why can't you just act like a teenager for once, Lea? Do adventurous things! Live life on the edge!" She insisted. "Instead, you just want us waving swords and doing target practice for the next two hours while you tell us how much we're not ready for 'the elements of Neverland'" she mocked with a chuckle.

She doesn't have the slightest clue what she's talking about…

"I bet you would even discover that you like having fun, believe it or not!" She laughed aloud, Lost Boys joining her.

Stop it…

"Have you just forgotten under that cloak of yours that there is a world out there?" She laughed sarcastically. Ooo's were audible from the Lost Boys. I clenched my jaw.

Shut up…

"When will you just let go of your uptight attitude and be a Lost Girl?" She questioned. I clenched my fists, causing my knuckles to crack.

I'm warning you…

"C'mon, Lea. Can't we just have a little fun—"

"I said no!" I shouted as I turned to her. At that moment, the forest fell silent and the Lost Boys stared at us with wide eyes. There was not a bird to be heard for miles. Peter looked over at me as my eyes were unmoving from Hannah's. Her face distorted into one of anger.

"Why are you so insistent on treating us like a bunch of dogs?" She exclaimed. "For once, can't we just enjoy ourselves?" I took a few aggressive steps toward her.

"You don't haven't the slightest clue what you're talking about," I snapped.

"Oh, I don't? She hissed sarcastically. "Enlighten me," she challenged. I narrowed my eyes.

"You haven't seen the things I've seen. You can have your fun after the war. But now is not the time to bitch at me for doing the right thing," I snarled. "So, you are going to shut up for once and listen. You are going to get your head out of your ass, grab a bow and sword, and be down in the training area in seven minutes," I ordered. The forest remained silent as I turned and walked away from Hannah.

Hannah's Perspective:

Lea turned on her heel and began walking away from me. My tongue in cheek and my fists clenched, I stood in place.

"No."

Lea stopped in her tracks and turned toward me.

"What did you just say to me?"

"I said no," I retorted. "I'm sick of your shit, Lea." Shaking her head, Lea scoffed.

"Is that so?" She laughed. "It's funny because I was thinking the exact same thing about you," she chuckled.

"What did I ever do to you?" I raised my voice. "What? You don't like that you're not the only girl in Neverland now? You don't have all the guys to yourself anymore?"

"You watch yourself, Hannah," she snarled, her dark eyes growing darker.

"No. I will not hold back anymore. Since the day I got here, you have treated me like shit. Why can't you just accept that I'm here to stay?" I fought. She shook her head and tisked.

"Unlike you, I had to earn my stay here. And even when I thought I had earned the privilege to stay, I still got treated like crap. But you know what I did? I worked my ass and proved my worth. I do what I have to to keep everyone safe while you waltz around like a ticking time bomb ready to get everyone killed," Lea replied enraged. I narrowed my eyes.

"Guys, cut it out," Pan started. Neither one of us paid him any attention.

"You see, I don't think that's it," I mocked, "I think there's something else going on here." Slowly, we both cautiously approached each other.

"Like you know anything," Lea hissed. I chuckled and rolled my eyes.

"I think you're afraid," I said. "And not just afraid," I continued, "I think you feel guilty." A look of question crossed Lea's face. "See, I know you've been hiding things, Lea. That's what you're best at. Shutting people out," I remarked.

"Share your bull somewhere else," Lea rolled her eyes as she turned away once again. I felt a sense of anger burning up inside me that I just couldn't hold back any longer.

"What was his name, Lea? The boy you got killed?" I called out. There was a momentary pause before Lea stopped and turned toward me. "What was his name?" I repeated. Lea stood not saying a word. She stared directly into my eyes. "Jake, was it?" I continued. At that moment, I saw a fury in Lea's eyes like none other. "How does it feel knowing his blood is on your hands?"

"Stop it…" Lea spoke quietly, a sternness in her voice.

"Some friend you are. Did you even care about him in the slightest?" I pried.

"Watch it…" Lea spoke louder. I continued.

"I mean, if you did, maybe he would still be here."

"You don't know what you're talking about," she spoke aggressively. I continued shooting cold and nasty jabs at her.

"Your friend is dead and you feel guilty about it. Big whoop. At least he was able to get away from you, you bratty, selfish witch—"

"You bitch!" Lea screamed as she charged at me, tackling me to the ground.

"Whoa! Chick fight!" A Lost Boy called out in excitement. The Lost Boys circled around us as we fought. Lea pinned me to the ground with her hands wrapped around my neck. Her eyes, dark as I had ever seen them, stared daggers into my soul. Unable to pry her hands from my neck, I grabbed a chunk of her dark hair and yanked her to the ground. As I attempted to land a hit on her, she kicked me in the gut, sending me back to the ground. I grunted as my back slammed into the dirt.

"Lea, stop!" Julian shouted and pleaded. But she tuned him out as she grabbed ahold of my leg. She dragged me toward her as I attempted to get back on my feet. Her nails dug into my ankle as I skidded across the dirt. As she leaned toward me, I grabbed ahold of a chain around her neck that was hidden behind her shirt. I caught her off guard and pulled her to the ground, the chain around her neck snapping. Gripping onto the back of her emerald cloak, I ripped it from Lea and threw her to her knees. Holding her prized emerald green cloak in the air, I looked down at her with rage. As my eyes fell toward her hunched over on the ground with her dark, wavy hair in front of her shoulders and exposed black tank top, I slowly lowered my clenched fist with the cloak. My eyes widened and my lips parted in horror.

Lea's back was covered in dozens of horrendous blood-filled scars and gashes. Nearly all of the skin was discolored and mutilated. Layers upon layers of scars and previously inflicted wounds covered her. It was horrifying to see. She had to have been whipped a hundred times to have such critically severe scarring. I could feel my heart thumping as I glanced down at her cloak that she had hidden under the whole time I'd known her. Looking back at her, Lea was panting as she glimpsed up towards the Lost Boys' observing eyes. She glanced back at me, and for the first time, I saw fear in her glossy brown eyes. Her breathing got even heavier as she stumbled to get up. In a flash, she sprinted into the forest, fleeing in between Lost Boys, and out of sight. Everyone, especially the Lost Boys, stood in absolute shock. I turned and examined Pan's rigid and unrelenting facial expression. Lost Boys whispered amongst themselves ever so quietly. With narrowed eyes, Pan called out.

"Enough!" He shouted. Pan's yells echoed through the air. "Grab a bite before training. I'll lead it today," he announced. With that, the circle of boys slowly disbanded. They intermingled and began talking amongst themselves before grabbing some breakfast. I continued staring out into the forest where Lea had fled. Felix approached me from behind and crouched to the ground, picking up a broken chain and an in-tact vial containing a few ounces of a shimmery, golden dust. Holding the vial up to his eyes, Felix spoke.

"Looks like you did a real number on her," he muttered. "I'll be sure to keep this safe," he spoke.

"What is it?" I asked when my forearm was grabbed roughly. I turned my head and witnessed Pan gripping my arm.

"You're coming with me," he muttered darkly as he dragged me away from Felix and toward his hut. Lea's cloak still in hand, I followed Pan into his hut where I found Sam and Julian waiting inside. Pan slammed the door behind him. My emotions got the better of me and suddenly I burst into speech.

"Does somebody want to explain to me what I just saw?" I questioned hectically, my voice hitching. "S-she was covered in j-just—"

"What the hell were you thinking?" Pan hissed. I stared with wide eyes. Both Julian and Sam stood with grave expressions.

"I don't know," I cried, "I was in the moment…and I was so angry…I didn't mean to—"

"What? You didn't mean to what? You can't tell me you weren't trying to upset her," Pan snarled. I struggled to find the words.

"I was trying to get under her skin," I freaked out, "I wasn't trying to hurt her like that!" I explained. Pan rolled his eyes.

"Well, thanks to you Lea is out there alone in the forest defenseless. She ran without even grabbing as much as her bow and quiver. Do you realize what you've done?" I clenched my jaw.

"I will take responsibility for what I said, but you can't tell me I'm the only one at fault here. She's just as much to blame," I insisted. She started it with the whole—"

"For the love of God, who cares who started it?!" Julian raised his voice. The room fell silent. I had never heard Julian yell before.

"I…I didn't realize how much Jake meant to her as a friend…" I said quietly. The room fell quiet for a moment as Julian and Sam exchanged a gaze. "What?" I questioned as their eyes fell to the floor. Sam looked up at me.

"They weren't…just friends…" his somber voice spoke. I raised a brow as my eyes widened.

"You're such as asshole" she laughed, a grin stretching across her face, revealing a white smile. "How can you guys be so mean to Sam like that? I mean, yeah, it's Sam, but still. Doesn't he deserve some pity points?" Lea turned around as she walked further through the field. I could tell that I was seeing everything from someone else's perspective, but whose? How was I seeing this? They jogged to keep up with her as she continued to speak.

"So, what's next? A secret ambush on Julian? Another rope trap set for Ryan? My personal favorite was when you guys took Brett's clothes while he was out for a swim" she chuckled, her white smile shining brightly as she turned around to look in my direction. She slowly came to a stop and looked out to the pink sky.

"Thanks for everything today. It really beats having to put up with Pan's demands. It's just nice to feel like a normal teenager sometimes…" Lea raised a brow. "'Course I can't say I've ever really been a normal teenager I guess." Her eyes fell to the ground before looking back to the sky. My view was fixated on her as she looked out the sky. It's strange how it feels as though all of this was actually real.

That…That vision I had…

It was a memory…

It was his memory!

"T-they…they were…" I trailed off in realization.

Oh my god…

He was…more than a friend…

My heart sank.

"I didn't know…" I spoke solemnly.

"Well, you knew he was our friend, Hannah. He was one of the best people we've ever gotten to know. And you talked about him like he was nothing…" Julian replied.

"I didn't mean it," I spoke strongly. "I'm so, so sorry…" The room fell quiet once again.

"We know you didn't get to meet the real Lea…before everything happened…but you have to trust us that she's not the enemy here. Hook is…" Sam insisted as he leaned his back against the wall. I looked at the boys with my head hung low.

"Did Hook…do that…to her?" I questioned as I felt anxiety in the pit of my stomach. Both Julian and Sam nodded their heads while Pan stared at the floor with his arms folded. My eyes widened and I took a step back, looking at Lea's cloak in my hand.

What have I done?

"Sam, Julian, can I get a second with Hannah?" Pan requested with a serious tone, his eyes not leaving the floor. Nodding to Pan, both Julian and Sam headed toward the door, giving me one last look before leaving the hut and closing the door behind them. Pan remained quiet.

"I didn't mean to—"

"No," Pan cut me off, "I don't want to hear it, Hannah." Pan's eyes left the floor and looked directly into mine. He took a few steps toward me."Is this some kind of game to you?" He interrogated, his eyes growing a dark green. I raised a brow.

"What?" I questioned. Pan was persistent.

"This was all about getting payback at Lea, wasn't it?" He snarled. "And to think that I was beginning to—"

"What? Beginning to what?" I cut him off angrily. He exhaled heavily and clenched his jaw. He narrowed his eyes and smirked sarcastically.

"I started to think that maybe you and I weren't so different. This whole time that you've been here I couldn't help but think that there had to be some sort of reason why you ended up here. But maybe I was wrong…" He looked away from me for a moment as my heart sank.

"You don't mean that…" I spoke softly. Breathing heavily, Pan met my eyes once again.

"I trusted you," He scowled. "I open up to you and you use it to hurt others. I tell you about the things we've gone through and you use it to your advantage. Was it all just a scheme of yours to manipulate me?" I looked into his green eyes as they softened and held a look of pain. Pan paused, "You're just like Hook…" My eyes widened. He can't truly mean that…

"I would never do that," I tried. "I made a mistake doing what I did…" Pan's glossy eyes fell to the floor.

"Just when I thought that maybe you were different…" He said. His green orbs met mine and they darkened instantly. "But you're exactly everything I thought you were…People like you are the reason why I don't trust anyone." He turned away from me and I tried to reason with him.

"Peter, please—"

"Do not call me that!" He shouted, his eyes held a level of anger and pain I hadn't witnessed before. It felt like his hut was practically shaking.

"I never meant to hurt you…" I insisted. He scoffed.

"You think you can hurt me?" He laughed.

"You're just in denial that you liked not feeling alone," I scathed. All Pan did was chuckle and shake his head.

"Lea sacrificed herself and saved my life all those years ago. She paid for it dearly when it should have been me. I have to deal with that every day of my life that I let her suffer. If she gets taken hostage or dies out there, you know whose burden that becomes?" He smart-mouthed me. I stood silent as he went on.

"You make things right with Lea or don't bother coming back," Pan snapped sternly. He brushed past me and left his hut, slamming the door behind him. Standing alone in Pan's hut, I looked at Lea's cloak, still clenched in my fist. I exhaled heavily. How did I manage to screw up so badly? For once, I found a place that might be willing to accept me…and what did I do? I screwed it up like I always do…Just like I always did back home…

"You have such a gift, Hannah. But you're just wasting it by constantly getting in trouble. I don't even know where to go anymore…"

My uncle's voice echoed in my head.

"You know there's going to be times where you're going to have to do things you don't want to. Life isn't fun and games all the time…"

"All I'm saying is that there's a point where you need to grow up…"

No…

I can fix this…

At that moment, I knew what I needed to do. Running out of Pan's hut, I looked around my surroundings and retraced my steps where Lea's and I's fight took place. Looking into the forest where Lea took off, my eyes fell to the ground where the remainder of the snow held the slightest trace of footprints. This would at least give me a start of where to look. Picking up Lea's bow and quiver off the ground, I swung the quiver over my shoulder and held her cloak and bow in my hand. Setting off into the forest, I followed the footprints until there were none left to follow. At this point, I would have to use my instincts. I traveled through the forest and constantly checked my surroundings. I strolled for a good half hour when I began to lose hope. There's no telling where she could be by now. As I came close to giving up, I heard the splashing of water in the distance. My ears perking, I stopped walking and stood still. I listened closely…Ever so closely…

Another splash echoed through the air.

Whatever it was sounded close…

I kept moving towards the source of the sound, being careful to not make any noise myself. Venturing in between trees and shrubs, I pulled back a sheet of vines that revealed a large, open creek that held a smooth body of water. Sitting before me was the girl with long, wavy brown hair with her arms wrapped around her knees. A small pile of pebbles laid next to her. She sat unmoving and still, picking up another pebble and skipping it across the creek water.

Well…

Here goes nothing…

A.N:

Hello everyone! Surprise, surprise! An update so soon? Enjoy it because it will probably never happen again XD. With a lot of free time on my hands, it has allowed me to sit down and just write my little heart out. So, anyway, what did you guys think? Was the fight Hannah's fault? Where did Lea's scars come from? Will they be able to put their differences aside? Why was Pan so angry with Hannah? Let me know all of your thoughts and predictions and I will see you in the next update!

-The Storyteller