All three of us were crammed aboard the raft, elbow to elbow with the villagers.

Many had welcomed us into their ranks with a cheerful grin and a soft word. Pan had saved one of their own, so it seemed only necessary that we were warmly received.

But a few remained suspicious of Pan and me, including the haughty Chief himself.

He cuddled in a corner with Tiger Lily and Calla close into his side, but his eyes remained focused on a certain red-haired man. Suspicion radiated from him in waves.

Tiger Lily and Calla had no such qualms. They were passed out, each snuggled around the other, their hair mingling in a single dark wave. Soft snores echoed from them in quiet bursts.

For the second time that day, I was smacked with their resemblance. Calla was almost an exact copy of her mother, mannerisms and all..

Between the Chief's and Tiger Lily's attitudes, it was far too easy to see that they shared a joint leadership. Some of the villagers were more traditional in the ways of the man while the others were revolutionary with the woman's views.

I shook my head. Those twisting politics were far too complex for me at that moment.. Instead, I turned my attention towards something far more interesting to a child.

The salty wind stung my face, the tangy air burned my nose and eyes, but I kept my eyes focused firmly on the water slipping past beneath us.

If there were fairies, Indians, and pirates plaguing this island, then there had to be at least a sign of mermaids. They were shifty and slippery, but they  were also a valuable part of my grandma's tale. I wanted to unravel their existence as much as I did Pan's, and hopefully figure out Grandma along the way.

Neverland had been her saving grace, and I wanted to unravel what had gone wrong since then. Its magic had been drained completely, leaving behind a hollow island. Mysteries were the very air upon which Pan flew.

This place was plagued with a weariness that set me on edge. Darkness held onto every single leaf. Who knew what every bend and nook held? What dangers snuck around in the shadows?

As we reached the sandy shore, the Chief blocked our escape onto the solid ground. He held his tanned hand towards me, an accusing gesture that drew everyone's attention.

"Who's this? Another child to join your limitless harem, I presume?" He mocked with an arrogant air. A bitter note slid just underneath that arrogance, a reminder of some past tragedy that had refused to heal properly.

Pan brushed his words aside with an insignificant wave of his hand. "Of course not! I don't keep a harem." He was nonchalant, his tone one of great unimportance and ease. His stance was relaxed, but I caught the flash of guilt that washed across his cerulean eyes.

What had my savior done? Everyone upon this island was out for a taste of his blood, and yet, not a single crime rose to the surface. Everything was distinctly hidden away under an opaque veil.

The Chief laughed deeply, but there was no humor within his chuckles. His eyes glared at the red-haired man before him. "No?" He asked, his words mockingly bitter. "Then how do you explain where all those children go?" His fingers curled into two tight fists. The mock left his words in the next second, anger swiftly replacing it. The man advanced towards Pan swiftly. "Where Narcissus went?"

Tiger Lily, the bright bubble of independence and courage, slid into the space between the two men. She shoved the Chief backwards, her hands lingering as she followed his retreat. "Do not bring him up, Kunal. The boy saved our daughter. We should be thankful for that."

The Chief scoffed harshly, the sound recalling Calla's behavior towards Tinkerbell to mind. "Thankful? He's the reason our son is gone!" He turned an accusing finger in Pan's direction, his expression once more blurring into anger.

The woman once more shoved him back. "That child made his own decision!" Her words turned shrill, a high-pitched squeal of discomfort and anguish. She was a mother mourning her lost young, one step away from losing her composure.

Her posture changed within the next minute. "They're coming back with us." Her tone warranted no questioning from anyone. She was an unyielding brick wall that demanded they follow her orders.

***

Later that day, with the sun slowly creeping its way towards the horizon, I turned from my position against a tree trunk. My eyes darted over dirt paths and around huts.

I took a few hesitant steps forward before I began calling out names. I carefully looked for any sign of movement between the rushing adults. There was not a sign of the village children.

Then, out of the corner of my eye, I spotted a flitting trail of burnt copper.

I rushed after it, intent on finding the source of that color.

Instead, I caught a flash of umber, ebony, and gold. They whispered past as I whirled in a circle, desperately trying to hunt down their owners.

Rushing around a corner, I nearly slammed head on into the Chief.

I whispered an apology, skirted around him, and tried to pick back up on the trail. With a sigh of frustration, I circled the man once more, but my path was long gone, picked up by the wind and scattered.

He sent me a blistering glare, which the woman at his side did not mirror.

Tiger Lily merely stifled a few giggles with her hand, her joyous nature rearing its childish head. She wordless pointed in the direction of a few huts further down the path.

I nodded a thank you before I was off. The wind beat at my heels as I raced towards my only clue.

I turned the bend, excitement coursing through my veins, only to be surprised by a group of children.

They gathered in the shadows of the house, their backs pressed into the wood as a way of hiding.

When they caught sight of me, they scattered in a series of squeals and giggles.

A dazzling smile broke out across my face. I ran towards them and caught a small boy by the arm.

It was Ben, the bright eyed Lost Boy who was always giddy with energy.

He whirled to stop me, his brown hair whipping around his face, but he was too late. His hazel eyes shone in fright.

My fingers closed around his arm as his shoulders slumped in defeat.

With a victorious yelp, I jumped away from him, signalling the end of a long drawn out game.

The rest of the children gathered around me and the pouting Lost Boy.

Cheers were thrown my way. I couldn't keep the smile from my face.

Together, we made a kaleidoscope of colors, the Lost Boys' different coloring adding into the mix of dark browns and blacks.

Many of the village children had joined in the game, including Calla and most of the Lost Boys.

Only Fin had neglected to join since he had volunteered to stay back home with my brother, who was still far under the weather.

As we all split off and returned to our separate activities, I joined Pan as he headed towards the village center. Calla jogged after me, her hair whipping behind her like a sail.

"Why are there no boys my brother's age?" I questioned Pan curiously as we transversed the village trail, weaving around other children and adults.

He opened his mouth to answer me, but hesitated, a flash of guilt washing its way across his face.

Calla seized the opportunity and cut over him. "You have a brother?" She asked with a great deal of alarm plaguing her words.

"Yes." I hesitantly replied, unsure of the concern such a notion would cause.

Calla's face turned pale and her dark eyes widened. "How old is he?" She asked in a shrill voice.

I stared at her for a moment, concern growing for my new found friend. "Fourteen."

And then she screamed, anguish and concern radiated from that single, endless syllable.

Author's Note:

Hey guys!! Thanks so much for reading!! I know this is really late, but I've had a very crazy day. :D And the craziness continues on into the night!!

But what's up with Daniel?? And why would Calla freak out over Wyn having a brother in the first place??

Thank you all for reading, and I shall see you all back here again next week!!

-Anna