I want to curl into the fetal position, become small and hide. The thought of Peter makes my skin prickle, like a million spiders racing all over my body. My stomach churns and I rise to my feet on wobbly knees.
Hurrying to the back wall, I pull out a short sword I’d stowed behind one of the barrels. I don’t think Tiger Lily would’ve taken it from me, but I didn’t want to test that theory.
Pressing my back against the wall, I just try to breathe, to push down the rising terror. It doesn’t work, and my stomach lurches, threatening to spill its contents. I swallow hard and focus on the sounds outside. No more screams. Only silence. But I see shadows roaming outside in the dark.
I can’t move. Peter’s shadow could come for me at any second. My breath catches, and I can’t seem to think. I can only stare, dread rising inside me like the tide carrying a body ashore.
A yell pulls my attention to the left, and I see two shapes fighting. The ring of metal-on-metal cuts through the stillness as they duel. More figures appear, all of them fighting as the sound grows. Grunts and yells, the clang of weapons, the screams of the injured.
“Don’t give up!” Peter’s voice hits me like a slap across the face. “Find my boon!”
The moon finally breaks through the clouds, and I see Peter dueling with Tiger Lily, the two of them bloodied as they dance back and forth, their swords cutting through the air with wicked intent.
I’m drawn forward, my feet moving even though the rest of my body constricts. I want to help her, to save her, to do anything except watch her die.
With a vicious swipe, he slices her arm. She yelps, but she swings again, almost catching him at the throat. He dances back, jaunty as always. “Not quite as skilled as you used to be, princess.”
“Skilled enough to end you, boy.” She lunges for him, catching him in the leg.
He shoots backwards and looks down. “These were my favorite pants.” With renewed vigor, he comes for her, his blade falling again and again as Tiger Lily fights him off.
I lean one hand on the wall as the fighting rages all around me, but I can’t take my eyes off Peter. He’s the nightmare, the monster under my bed. He’s the one who haunts me, willalwayshaunt me.
Tiger Lily’s strength is failing, and he manages to stagger her with a hard blow that sends her sword flying to the ground.
“Too bad it had to end this way.” He grabs her by the hair and yanks her head back, baring her throat. “But you’ve always been a problem, haven’t you?” He presses his blade to her neck.
“Peter!” I scream.
His head whips around toward me. “There you are, darling.”
Tiger Lily punches him right in the crotch, and he howls and releases her. She scrambles for her blade, then backs toward me.
A few others line up with her, all of them standing between Peter and me. Shiner glances at me, one side of her face bloodied.
I brandish my sword. It may not do much good, not when I can barely hold it, but I’ll fight beside the Guardians.
“Just give her to me.” Peter, still gripping his crotch, hobbles up.
Dozens of Lost Boys swarm behind him. Bodies litter the ground here and there, and Peter steps over one of his own to face Tiger Lily.
“We don’t have to do this. No more of your people need to die. Just hand her over.”
“No.” Tiger Lily stands tall, her head high.
“She’smine.” Peter gnashes his teeth. “My boon!”
He speaks of me like I’m a toy, one he carved his name into even though I never belonged to him in the first place. The hate I have for him is unrivalled.
“You will not take her.” Tiger Lily points her sword at Peter.
He straightens and gives her that charming smile of his, all boyish good looks and dimples. “Are you certain, princess? This time, I’ll have your head.”
“Come and take it.” She turns to the side a little, adopting a defensive stance.
Peter rolls his eyes then waves his Lost Boys forward. “Kill them all.”
The melee begins anew, and Tiger Lily engages Peter once more. Bunk moves in front of me, his massive size a deterrent to the Lost Boys who converge on me.
