VICIOUS (II) : peter pan ouat

How to Hear

Chapter 21

I don't think Peter realised in his sleep he buried his face in my hair, and pulled me deep into his chest. I can't tell if he acts hard because it's his job to, if he genuinely means it, or if he doesn't know how else to act.

My instinct tells me it's a combination of everything, but here in his sleep he is vulnerable. I can feel his cool breath on my neck.

Sliding out of his grip, I make my way across the bed. The sun is probably going to be rising any minute now, but he's still asleep. I've kept Johnny and Alison waiting long enough.

Why I'm even bothering to meet them, I don't know. For some odd reason, I feel like it's what I'm supposed to do. My mother wanted me to bring girls, so I brought them, and someone claims to know something that I don't about my mother, and this whole island.

I owe this to my mom. Even if I'm not happy about it.

I quickly throw my hair up into a pony tail, tying a bow in the ribbon so it's not awkwardly long. Shrugging on my cloak, I feel the weight of my dagger in my pocket.

My hands could find their way around it, wrapping tightly, and it could stab Peter in the throat. The thought enters my mind, and even if I don't want it there I can't help but notice it's the truth. In his sleep, he didn't even notice I left the bed. He wouldn't notice if I killed him.

I wonder if he has thought that standing over top of me. Is this how normal people act when they get in a fight? The war is supposed to start today so I ought to make up with him. And I will, I shouldn't have killed Oliver. He shouldn't have acted like I was his property. Neither of us are right.

And if this war is anything like the last, I don't know if I'll end up living through it. After all, I am heading into the enemy's hands as a spy.

I lean over towards Peter, with the blade in hand. My lips find his forehead, and for some reason I choose to kiss him.

Turning quickly, I button up my cloak and leave the knife in the pocket inside. I move forward, until I drop down through the hole in the floor.

It's a short walk to where Johnny and Alison must be waiting. It's still dark out, and no one is up. It's odd how despite the lack of sun, we all manage to stay on the same sleeping schedule. I guess things tend to work out for the better on this island. This way, I can have secret rendezvous without anyone else knowing.

When I round the corner, I spot the two of them together. Johnny stands up when he sees me, moving closer to Alison.

He's afraid I'm going to kill her, with whatever news she's going to tell me. I almost laugh; if only they knew about the warning Peter gave me earlier. These two are getting off, for now.

"You both just going to stand there?" I ask. "Or is someone going to tell me why I have to meet you in the woods late at night?"

Alison gulps, pulling away from Johnny as she moves towards me. She shrinks down into her shoulders, choosing to stare at her nails rather than actually try to talk to me.

I turn around. "Listen, if you aren't going to talk-"

"No," she panics, rushing towards me, and wrapping her hand around mine.

She pulls me into her chest, wrapping her hands around my neck. I stay still, almost shocked for a minute, before pushing her back off of me.

"What the hell is that?" I demand.

She shakes her head. "Why are you talking like that?"

I cross my arms. "Like what?"

Alison doesn't continue, instead looking to Johnny for support. Shrugging, I realise what he means. It's not a casual shrug of confusion. It's one of indifference. As if he agrees with whatever Alison is talking about.