Salt hurls the oars down to the sand, sulking.

"One down," I say, excited, climbing from the rowboat. My boots stumble up the sand dunes.

"I suppose it's on to set up the next domino," Salt exhales.

"Suppose it is," I agree.

"Let's go and find the Archer," Salt sighs.

We retrace our steps from all those days ago –from the last time we escaped the pirate-infested cove on foot. Mermaid Lagoon creeps up on us and Salt guides us inland to meet the marshy channel of Shell Sound.

Tinker Bell left us for a clandestine meeting with Pan. Or so he thinks. She's been back and forth ever since we left the hollow. She's convinced that Pan believes her –that he has no clue what we are planning. We have no choice but to hope she is correct.

"Hello, girl." A misty voice floats towards us.

I spot Calysa in the center of the sound; the water is only waist-deep on her.

"Hi, Calysa!"

Oh this is perfect. Calysa and Luna and perhaps the other mermaids can help stall Pan, if they're willing of course.

"You are off to the forest to find the Archer," Calysa states casually.

"I –Yes we are." I nod.

"The faeries are abuzz with the news," she explains.

Salt and I wade into the strait; Calysa tosses her hair back as we draw nearer.

"The mermaids want to help," Calysa says.

"But why?" Salt's accusatory tone catches me off guard. "The mermaids adore Pan."

"We did," Calysa snaps, frowning. "Before the faeries told us what really goes on in Skull Rock."

"Listen, you can help," I say hastily. "Everyone can help. Everyone at Skull Rock is a distraction. The more the better!"

"Fine," Salt agrees, shaking his head.

"Swim up to the black jetty on the south side and wait there until nightfall. That's when the drumming starts." I think back to the time I was taken to Skull Rock. "The Jolly Roger will be lying in wait on the backside of the island."

"Pan will have the Lost Boys at Star Point. That's where we'll be waiting," Salt says, waving his hand between us.

I picture it now –Salt and I hiding in the tree line. We will have to be much more vigilant than last time. This entire operation's outcome depends on it.

"We will swim out now," Calysa says, her eyes wide. Her tailfin slaps against the surface as she dives into the water.

Salt makes a huffing noise and I turn to see him rolling his eyes.

"What?"

"Nothing," he shrugs. Pieces of hair fall loose from the ribbon tying it at the nape of his neck.

"You think I shouldn't have told Calysa?" I accuse, folding my arms.

We reach the other side of the channel and step ashore at almost the exact spot as before. I recognize the gap in the trees as the entrance to Time Trap Forest.

"With every person who knows the plan it is more likely so will Pan," he says like it's obvious.

"Salt–"

"The faeries are already abuzz. How long until Pan and his spies hear our brilliant plan?" Salt spits.

I chase after him down the clay beach, making long strides to keep up.

"You're still angry about the plan," I point out. My cheeks turn red when he spins to face me.

"Wrong," he says flatly. "I'm mad about the bait for the plan."

"Not again!" I throw my hands up.

"Yes, again."

"We've been over this, Salt. Everything will work out just fine. Now let's go in the forest, get the Archer, and stay on course!"

There's a rustle in the bushes as birds fly up in all directions. A tall and angular body emerges onto the beach.

"Back again," the Archer says. His tone is soothing. "I believe you have come to find me, Darling."

I stare at this mysterious figure and spot the bow in his hand. My greedy eyes move over his face and rest on the golden-tipped arrows on his back.

"We've come to ask for help," I respond.

"I know what you will ask." The Archer blinks.

"So... Will you help us do it?" I ask, hopeful and desperate.

The Archer merely nods and retreats to the forest's edge.

"Wait!" I shout after the Archer.

Salt and I stumble after him, entering between the same two trees. I'm instantly plunged into the vicious loop again. All sense of time is lost.

The golden aura radiating off the Archer acts as a beacon. I follow him through the forest, prudent to follow his exact steps.

"We haven't told you exactly–" I start.

"You wish me to strike the Dark Faery with an arrow," the Archer articulates every word.

"Yes –Well, not exactly the Dark Faery. Its magic." I explain.

"Since no one really knows what the Dark Faery looks like," Salt elaborates.

"Or which form it's taken tonight," the Archer says.

"Which form?" Oh no.

"You cannot expect the Dark Faery to maintain one body, one shape." The Archer steps sideways through a shoulder-height bush. "Only one of its many secrets."

"I..." I bite my lip. "Hadn't thought about it."

"Splendid! A shape shifter is just what we need," Salt growls.

"If I shoot the gilded arrow into the Dark Faery's magic dust it will not be able to change form. It will be, momentarily, suspended," the Archer says.

"Momentarily is all we need," I breathe. "The faeries will do the rest."

The Archer's amber eyes pierce mine and he nods.

"It is decided," he murmurs.

We walk for a few more miles and the gray sky does not change. My heart races all the while, as I know with each step we are that much closer to the endgame.

Finally the Archer pulls back a bundle of branches to reveal a gap in the trees.

"The exit," he says.

I concentrate hard on the forest by Star Point and step through the invisible barrier that encircles Time Trap Forest.

My feet crunch down on fallen leaves that were not on the ground moments ago. Much time has passed for the sky is dark above us now. The air smells like fire and a distant drumming already haunts the night.

It is time.

The forest empties onto the cliffs. Tinker Bell is already waiting for us there.

"There you are! It has begun," Tink says excitedly

The three of us stand on the salt-stained edge of Star Point.

Skull Rock glows eerily green against the black sea. I can make out three separate pirate ships on the dark horizon. Faint piercing screams and canon fire blasts are carried by the wind and muffled by the waves.

"Let's go." I pull Salt's hand forward.

"After you."

I race down the stone steps, taking two at a time. Tinker Bell's green glimmer lights the way.

Salt pushes our boat headfirst into the waves. My legs shake anxiously and my arms grow goose pimples. It could be a winter's night. I grip my knees with my hands and focus on the Archer's golden bow.

This is it.

Our boat bumps into the rocky beach. The noise inside is deafening and I worry what I will find. I hope none of the Lost Boys are hurt. How could I have sent pirates to stall them?

I leap from the rowboat and land firmly on the black sand. My boots sink a few inches in the wet mud. With Salt at my side and the Archer in tow, I charge forward. Tink circles my head like an undeserved halo. We round the last brine-soaked stalagmite and disappear from the night, swallowed by Skull Rock's mouth.

Pure chaos awaits us inside: Pirates and Lost Boys united in combat, mermaids and crocodiles thrashing in the water, and brightly glowing faeries zooming across the cavern like rainbow fireworks.

Rumble after rumble shakes the rocky island as chunks of stone and dirt spew from the ceilings. The Jolly Roger's canons are aimed at the obsidian altar.

Salt stops in his tracks beside me, panting, and reaches for his sword. He is eager to join the fight.

My eyes search the scene desperately seeking honeyed green ones. I spot him hovering over the platform just inches from where the last canon ball blasted a hole in the stone ground.

He wears no cap and plays no flute, instead his hair is unkempt and his mouth twisting into a snarl directed at Hook.

I see the energy in the cracked lantern behind him. Still, there is no trace of the Dark Faery itself.

"PAN!" My voice carries. It fills the entire cavern, ringing all around.

The moment of truth.

He looks up, his eyes wild.

"Wendy?" Pan's voice falters. I can tell he wasn't expecting me.

I pray, eyes blazing and cheeks burning red as I stare across the dark pool. Pan is more tantalizing than ever.

"I've come to be culled!" My voice bounces off the walls.

Take the bait I think over and over.

Pan glides across the black lake, stopping in the air above me.

He's the boy from my window again. Perched calmly upon the sill, he calls to me. And I am ready to fly.