Caged • Robbie Kay/Peter Pan •

Chapter Eighteen

Once again, I found myself staring at Peter absentmindedly. Peter hardly ever involved himself with normal conversation as we sat around the fire pit, but he listened intently to the words that came from the mouths of his boys.

As I watched his eyes dart from each of the boys, the glowing flames flickering shadows cast upon his face and the way he'd grin when the others would laugh, occasionally pulling his bottom lip between his teeth, I determined that Peter Pan was, in a way, beautiful.

I had noticed that he was quite attractive from the beginning but in the dimly lit tent in the dark of the night before, his chest rising and falling and his green eyes like stained glass as they focused on only me, I discovered the entirety of his alluring qualities.

"Peter, play your pipe." I requested, awakening him from his daze and averting his eyes to me.

The rest of the boys silenced, waiting for Peter to respond. He hesitated before reaching beneath his belt and grasping the wooden instrument.

He put it to his lips and the hauntingly beautiful music erupted into the starry sky, the crackling fire even seemed to silence for the eerie sound.

The song he played was one I've never heard; it's steady notes sending chills fleeting down my back as he played, his gaze holding steady to my eyes. Somehow, I felt that this song was for me. Though the tune sounded ominous and melancholy, it was breath-takingly enchanting.

Owen seemingly noticing Peter's stare, turned his head in my direction with brows furrowed in confusion and trying to decipher my reaction. My eyes fell to the flames, ignoring Owen's gaze burning through me.

When I glanced at Peter again, he had returned his gaze to the glowing embers.

No one dared to speak until Peter had finished, and even then a sore of calm had fallen over everyone and there was no need to speak.

Caspar put out the fire and we all retired to our tents, except for Peter. He made sure everyone had gone to bed before wandering off into the woods. I didn't dare follow him, knowing that he'd sense that I was behind him.

As I unlaced my boots and kicked them off, I thought of the uneventful day. I was given the job to help Nolan put meals together and clean up after everyone, and Nolan had asked questions about what had happened with Owen in the woods.

"Did he hurt you at all?" he had asked, his question laced with concern as we cleared the table and stacked the wooden plates from lunch.

"Nothing serious. I know he didn't mean to hurt me." I had admitted, shaking my head.

"It surprises me that he'd do something like that. I guess being here long enough does things to your head. I mean look at Peter." he said chuckling, then glancing at the brandy bottle. "I didn't think we drank that much last night. Hm." he added.

I didn't respond, slightly embarrassed and with no intention of telling him that I had been drinking with Peter.

I slid my pants down my legs and climbed into bed, sighing and feeling the slight tinge of pain between my shoulder blades from where I had been pushed roughly against the tree.

Tonight, I wouldn't be sneaking out with Owen or coming to him with a bad dream. Nor would I be drinking with Peter. Tonight, I would rest.

•••

A noise.

Half way between asleep and awake, I heard something on the other side of my door.

I sat up quickly, listening intently to make sure that I hadn't been dreaming. The sounds of someone's boots thudding against the ground continued as I pulled my pants back on before unlatching the door.