VICIOUS (II) : peter pan ouat

How to Feel Guilty

Chapter 19

I don't manage to find Pan. I left the book back in his house, keeping the names in mind.

The Francesca from Canada. The Elizabeth who is a medic. The 17 year old Alison from the U.S. And the only Blaize.

So many girls, with so many names. I've found my own little army with all its special abilities.

Except for Alison. Her ability is going to be crushing Johnny's heart; a noble cause if ever there was one.

I make my way back to the camp. Since I was last gone, it's settled down. Only a few boys mill about, the rest are probably sleeping. I have no idea what time it could possibly be, but I don't feel tired all that much. Even if I did, I doubt I'd want to go to sleep in a tent out here.

I don't trust these boys. I'm gone for about a week and they automatically assume I'm dead and buried, and begin waging a war.

Boys.

I spot Harry sitting by the fire. Robert has a hand on his shoulder, staring straight off into the distance. Not consoling him, more so letting him know he's there.

"Hey," I say, sitting down.

Harry gets up and storms off. Is he mad at me?

Robert looks up at me, before his eyes find his hands. He stares at them harshly, not daring to look back up at me.

"What's got you all up in a twist?" I chuckle. "It's like you'd rather I be dead."

Robert doesn't look up, and instead gets up and walks away. He doesn't walk towards Harry. He doesn't really walk towards anything for that matter. I'm not sure exactly where he's going, and I don't think he knows either. It seems thinks may have changed but Robert's still his sulky self. I don't think he'll ever go back to normal. Not after James's death anyway.

"I thought you'd have figured it out." Devin begins, sitting down next to me. "There's a war coming."

I roll my eyes. "That was only because the Natives killed me. And they didn't, mind you. I'm here and well."

"There's been one coming for a while." He scratches the back of his neck. "Did anyone tell you what happened while you were gone?"

Obviously something big, otherwise Devin wouldn't be civil with me.

"Why are you being kind?" I ask.

I don't trust this version of Devin. The sunshine and roses. Something is up.

He shrugs. "You know how much I love shitting on Alex's parade."

I sigh. "What happened this time?"

He raises his hands in defense. "It wasn't me."

"Devin, piss off." Jared shouts from across the camp, jogging over to us.

Devin rolls his eyes, but gets up from next to me. He puts his elbow up in the air, resting it up on Jared's shoulder. Devin's quite a bit shorter than Jared; most people are. Jared's only a few inches taller than me, but he's got half a foot on Devin. The two together is a bit of a funny sight.

"Whatever." Devin yawns. "You weren't going to tell her."

"Why are you always so cryptic?" I demand. "You know, sometimes I think I'd have better luck getting answers from a brick wall then getting them from you."

Jared shakes his head at me. He steps aside, making sure to de so carefully, trying not to knock Devin over. Jared sits across from me, looking at me over the fire.