Chapter Two

Peter was sure that he had awoken and gathered every single lost boy that was apart of his clan- so to speak. He paced around the roaring fire, his green orbs fixated on the growing flames. Where to even begin was his thought. Was what he had witnessed prior to this meeting a warning? Or perhaps was it a sign of things to come? He had to be sure.

Peter's head snapped up at the loud clearing of a throat. It was a blond haired boy named Felix- perhaps the only boy Peter actually cared for and considered a friend. Therefor, one to be forgiven. He straightened his posture and looked around as sets of tired and confused eyes looked back at him. Taking a deep breath, he placed his hands behind his back in a folded matter and took a step forward.

"Does anyone here sense anything," he paused for a moment, looking every single boy in the eye one by one. "-different on the island tonight?"

Not daring to speak, they all slowly shook their heads no. Pan cocked an eyebrow and nodded, not believing for a second that it was just him who sensed the indifference, and not even just because of the incident with the flowers. Something felt off, and it wasn't the same sort of feeling he would get before another lost boy would join their group. It was something much different. Something much... bigger.

Without warning, Peter grabbed one of the boys and mercilessly ripped his shadow from his body, grinning evilly as his small body slumped to the ground lifelessly before him. Easily, he crushed the shadow into nothing and watched as it's particles slowly floated over top of the dead boy's body. "Now, now boys," he said looking up at them, still grinning. "If we are going to lie, then how can I ever trust you to truly be one of mine?"

The look of fear that spread across each boy's face was enough to give Pan the sense of power and control that he longed for every day for a very long time. The only one who did not look scared and feared for their life was Felix. In fact, he was smirking right along side his leader. He was a completely different story and everyone knew it. There was nothing better than being reminded that everything, and everyone belonged to him.

"Now let me try again, maybe you misunderstood me the first time," Pan smirked again. He took an eager step over the body. "Has anyone noticed anything strange tonight?"

"Daisies." A boy from the back of the crowded group softly spoke. The boys broke apart and everyone stared at him. He was no older than ten or eleven. "I saw a bunch of daisies sprout on some of the spruce trees down by my tent earlier." His platinum blond hair glistened slightly from the fire. "They just came out of nowhere."

A bunch of the boys nodded in agreement.

"I saw them too." Another spoke.

Funny what fear can do, Pan thought smugly. He watched contently as the boys began to discuss this strange sight between them and listened closely for another that could spark a clue as to why it was happening.

"Someone's coming." He suddenly said out loud, feeling a prickly sensation rise up against his skin. Pan looked up in the blackened sky and watched as the mysterious shadow that refused to be named or say who it belonged to wiped past them, a body hanging loosely from it's grasp. And just as fast as he had seen it, the shadow was gone.

Rocketing himself upwards, Pan let out a sigh of satisfaction as the wind ravished his young face. Another great thing about being the King of Neverland, came the power to fly. He stopped just above all of trees that scattered about, claiming their territory over the beautiful island. His eyes scanned over certain parts, searching for where the shadow may have dropped the newest addition. It was almost as if it got a cheap thrill from making him practically scavenge search for the new comer. He floated in the same spot for a moment, eyes slowly closing and he listened- almost desperately if he had to be completely honest.

Not a single thing echoed back in response, however. With a concerned frown, he was quick to fly his way to Skull Rock- a huge rocky cavern that looked exactly like the skull that belonged on the inside of a human's head. And you guessed it, the three entrances were where it looked to have an opened, toothless mouth and both eye sockets. He chose the left eye socket this time.

Landing swiftly on his feet, he looked around the darkness, on high alert like a hunter waiting for it's prey. Pan bit the inside of his cheek and tapped his foot patiently. He didn't understand where the shadow would go and why he hadn't seen it yet. Usually by now, he'd have some sort of idea. This was after all his island, why was he waiting around to play a stupid little hide and seek game anyhow? It would not exist without the creativity that was held youthfully inside of his twisted little mind. Everyone knew that, even people he didn't know existed himself. It wasn't exactly like things happened in Neverland that he wasn't aware of within seconds of it happening. Nothing got passed him- ever. So honestly, he wasn't even sure why he was worried. His thoughts pondered back to the exploding and bleeding daisies and he couldn't help but shrug a little. That was exactly why.

Rubbish. It's all rubbish. He thought bitterly, still looking around, almost as if expecting the shadow to be there. He peered up at the gigantic hour glass that sat in the middle of the cavern, rooted deeply into the ground. He couldn't help but feel bitter about the reason why it was there to begin with as well. Peter ran his hand frustratedly through his wavy brown locks but he didn't dare move otherwise. He knew better.

"Looking for something, are we?"

Pan's eyes widened in startle but he didn't dare express it any other way. Taking a deep breath, Pan turned harshly on his heel and met the silhouette of the darkness without a name. "Usually, I like to play a game or two. You know me." Pan finally said. "But right now is not the time as I'm sure you're already well aware. So where did you drop him this time, hm?"

Pan knew that if the shadow had a face, it's mouth would be turned up into a devious smirk. It floated aimlessly in front of him for a moment, almost tauntingly. "Poor Peter Pan." It mocked. "Can't even figure out the simplest of things on his own island."

Peter's top lip twitched in annoyance. He wanted to swing and knock the cocky thing out and off of his island. He had always been in control, of everything, except that and it boiled his blood. Despite his many attempts- no matter what he did, the shadow was there to stay. He was not the kind of boy that just learned to accept that sort of thing and get over it. Pan lived for power and control and that was how he planned to keep it. Sooner or later, he'd conquer the shadow as well. It was bound to happen eventually. He just wished he possessed a little bit of patience to be able to reach that point without going internally crazy.

"If you're so clever," the shadow shot up suddenly. "Be the king you're supposed to be and find this lost soul without anyone's direction for once." It let out a dark laugh and before he knew it, it was gone.

Pan let out a frustrated yell, his slim figure glowing viciously in a fluorescent green. It didn't take him long to follow suit and within seconds, he was out of Skull Rock and rocketing through the sky. He didn't care how long it took. He was going to find this lost boy with or without anyone's help. The shadow wanted to play a game? Fine. Pan was good at twisting and bending the rules of a game, no matter who created it or started it. And that wasn't about to change.

Time to play.