Pan's Game || OUAT Fanfic || EDITED VERSION

Chapter 53; Switching Bodies

"What a terrible feeling to love someone and not be able to help them."

~ Jennifer Niven, All The Bright Places

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Peter's P.O.V

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I quickly pull my shirt over my head before teleporting myself into Henry's room. I spot Henry lying on a bed, not facing me. Henry looks up in surprise as he notices me standing behind him. I unshealth my dagger, causing him to flinch.
I give him a look of remorse. "I'm sorry it had to come to this, Henry."
"Wha- What are you doing?" he sutters, trying to distance himself from me.

"I wanted your heart, Henry," I say. "But your mother took it away from me. Left me for dead. What a mistake."
I bring my free hand to Henry's chest, attempting to rip his heart out, but something stings my hand and I cry out in pain, recoiling back. I look down at my hand, still in pain from trying to rip Henry's heart out.

Regina cast an enchantment spell.
"Oh, how clever," I snarl, glaring at the boy in front of me. Rage and frustration overpowers me as I proceed to rip his shadow out.
Henry cries out in pain. "What are you doing?!"
I grab ahold of his shadow with my other hand, managing to pull it out halfway. The action uses up most of my magic and I can feel the spell I left on Alice's door wear out.

"Blood magic works both ways, son," Rumpelstiltskin says, startling me.
I jerk my head back at the sound of my father's voice, not letting go of Henry's shadow. The sound of Pandora's Box opening fills me with dread. This is it. I'll never get to see Alice again. I'll be ripped away from her forever. Unless... I turn back to face Henry.

I don't let go of my hold on Henry's shadow as the red fog slowly engulfs me. I close my eyes, focusing all my magic on one spell then casting it on myself and Henry. My body tingles as my Henry and I switch bodies. I turn around just in time to see Henry regaining his composure in my body.
"No!" he cries out as the red fog absorbs him completely, trapping him inside.

I collapse onto the bed, exhaling loudy. Exhaustion washes over me as I close my eyes. Damn, I strained myself too much. The sound of people rushing down the stairs brings me back to reality. But one specific sound stands out. The sound of Alice's voice calling my name.
"Henry?" Regina calls out. "Henry?"
She places her hand on my chest. "Henry."

I gasp, pretending that I'd just woken up. "It's okay. I'm okay."
"Are you sure?" The Evil Queen asks, checking me for any signs of injury.
"He's a strong boy, Regina," my father tells her. "You raised him well."

My eyes dart to Alice as she eyes Pandora's Box. "Wha- What happened to Peter?"
Rumpelstiltskin and Regina turn around at sound of her voice. Regina looks at Alice in surprise. Her hair is still disheveled and her dress is crumpled up from earlier. A small blush makes its way to Alice's cheeks as she notices that she isn't in a presentable state.

My father looks from Pandora's Box to Alice in surprise. "He's-"
"He's fine," Regina cuts him off, taking Alice's hands in hers. "He's in Pandora's Box. Don't worry, we didn't hurt him."
"I just-" Alice pauses, taking a deep breath. "I thought he changed. I thought he gave up on his quest for Henry's heart."

The distressed look etched on her face and disappointment in her voice pains me.
"I think you know him well enough to know that he's never going to change," Regina states. "Not for anyone."
Alice sniffs. "Yeah. I- I guess that I thought that he loved me enough to change."