Caged • Robbie Kay/Peter Pan •

Chapter Ten

"What?" Peter fumed. Fury pierced his eyes and he glared at Owen as if he had been the one found with Shadowleaf in his pocket.

"How did you find them? Has he said anything?" I questioned, leaving Peter's side and drawing closer to Owen for answers.

"He claims he was framed."

Peter's fingers clenched the mattress, trying to pull himself up. "That bloody son of a-"

"Peter, don't!" I rushed to him again, my hands gripping his bare shoulders, trying to keep him from hurting himself and Chase. "You have to stay here."

"Don't tell me what I can and cannot do." Peter huffed breathlessly.

"Watch him." I told Owen quickly before dashing out of the room, his expression changing to one of fear.

I could hear Peter's bantering cries, swearing and yelling behind me as I left the tent.

"Chase, stop this!" Caspar's voice came from the center of the camp, my head darting toward the sound.

Chase stood surrounded by the boys, arms up in defense. "I haven't done anything! You have no proof that I poisoned Peter."

I walked briskly, joining them.

"Chase, calm down." Nolan spoke.

Liam rushed to my side. "Chase dropped his cloak. Roux was behind him and saw Shadowleaf berries fall out of the inside pocket." he whispered to me.

"I don't know how they got in there, I swear." he argued.

"Chase, when we were in the boat you didn't seem troubled at all that Peter was ill. You hardly cared that he could die." I spoke up.

His eyes darted to me and he scoffed. "You're so sure of yourself, aren't you? How would you know what I was thinking?"

"You talked about Hope. You said that he had driven her to kill herself. Poisoning him would be the perfect way to get revenge." I stated. He swallowed, his brows furrowing.

"He took something from you that you treasure, Chase. So you tried to take something precious from him."

Silence swept through the camp like a strong breeze, everyone either afraid or unsure of what to say.

"I didn't just treasure her. I loved her. Peter saw that and he decided that if he couldn't have her, I couldn't either. He ripped her away from me and then has the nerve to say that she did it to herself without reason." Chase's eyes filled with tears and his voice raged.

"Hope didn't deserve to die. If anyone deserved to die, it was Peter." he spat, tears clinging to his cheeks. "I poisoned Peter. But at least I'll admit it.

There were no other words to say. No one knew just what to do next or what the right thing to do was. Guilt struck me again and again, each time I glanced into Chase's weary eyes. I finally understood why Chase had hated me. In his eyes, I was a replacement.

"So what are you going to do? You've already told Peter and all that's left is for me to die. Once he's well enough to get out of that bed, he'll kill me." Chase's expression was not angered or one of anguish as expected. The thought of death did not concern him.

One by one, each boy left Chase, returning to their tents until it was only myself standing with Chase.

He breathed a sigh and set off toward the cold and empty fire ring.

"Chase." I called, running to him.

"What do you want? To ridicule me? You've already done that." he snapped, turning around.

"I'm sorry."

His expression mellowed and he looked down, not a single word falling from his lips as he continued to start a fire.

Hesitantly, I left him alone and returned to Peter's tent, hoping that he hadn't somehow killed Owen during my absence.

As I entered the tent, I realized that Peter's outbursts had silenced.

Owen sat in the chair next to Peter, who was passed out completely, looking around the room that was unfamiliar to him.

His eyes met mine when he noticed my reappearance and he grinned. "He gave up trying and just.. went out like a light."

"He's still pretty weak." I stated obviously, sitting on the edge of Peter's bed, in front of Owen.

"What happened?" he inquired, presumably about Chase.

"He admitted to it. He knows Peter's going to kill him. No one knows what to do with him." I sighed, leaning back on my hand.

This was the first time that we had been alone since the beach and I feared the kiss would pry it's way into the conversation.

"Meadow, I've been meaning to talk to you about-" Owen coughed awkwardly and scratched the back of his head. "Well, I mean. I really didn't mean to-" Owen babbled.

I giggled at his nervousness and he smiled. "What's so funny?"

"You're so nervous." I stated.

"Well I thought maybe you might be upset with me or.. something. It was so stupid of me to ask to kiss you and I know you hardly know me, so I really should apologize."

"You have no reason to." I said, shaking my head.

"What?" he questioned confusedly.

"You have no reason to apologize."

His brow raised and nervous expression turned to one of surprise. "I don't?"

Suddenly, I leant forward and pressed my lips against his. Owen's muscles tensed, unsure of how to react, but then released the apprehensive breath that he had been holding, through his nose.

Owen's mouth pulled away from mine and he placed a small kiss on my forehead, a grin spreading across his face when my eyes met his.

But Owen's smile quickly disappeared when he glanced at Peter, who's eyes darted between us.

He had seen what happened.

•••

Wow so I think I like this chapter.

I cried because Chase. Ugh I feel so bad for him like I just want to hug him even though he tried to kill Peter.

I really liked the little Meadowen (I like that because it has their both of their whole names in it but it's one word) moment that happened. I just imagine Thomas Sangster really awkward and nervous and I kind of die a lil bit because Thomas is Owen for those of you who don't know.

So tell me what you guys think and THANKS FOR ALL THE COMMENTS!

LOVE YOU GUYS K BYE

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