Everlasting

Part 3

-Aspens POV-

My eyes opened slowly, leaving me start at the tent ceiling. The events from the previous day came rushing into my mind like a river, the lies Pan fed me, the crying, passing out from exhaustion. I sat up in the cot like a mess, my brown hair falling into my eyes. I could tell by the lack of light in the tent that the sun had fallen, though the forest always had a dark threatening gloom.

The tent flaps opened, the sound of magic granting passage to the only one who could get through any magic. Pan.

My eyes shifted to him, instantly spotting the smirk glued to his lips, which only grew when he saw my red, puffy eyes. I stared longingly back at the tent opening, thinking desperately for an escape plan.

Maybe, I thought. If I could get out of this tent, I could book it into the woods and find my family.

"Pan." I mumbled. When I looked up at him, his eyes were already glued to me, his forest green orbs glimmering with curiosity.

"I haven't eaten in two days. I'm starving." I stood up from the cot, crossing my arms over my chest. Pans eyes changed slightly darker, proving he was annoyed.

"Why didn't you eat before?"

"You locked me inside a tent." He shrugged his shoulders, flinging his hand so the force filed was removed. I nodded my head slightly, whispering a quiet, yet sassy, 'thank you', though before I could walk out, a iron grip attached itself to my arm, yanking me back inside. I spun around, planting my feet against the ground so wouldn't stumble into the demon. As my eyes met his, his grip tightened.

"2 minutes. You understand?" He snapped. I slowly nodded my head, pulling my arm away. He glared at me harder than I thought was possible. I turned my back, slowly walking out of the tent. A breath of relief fell from my lips when I heard him sit back down in his chair.

I'll never understand how one boy can make me feel so much hate, yet so much fear all at once. He is a monster, the most black hearted creature I've ever had the displeasure of meeting. But he is also a mystery, one I was more than determined to solve. I could worry about solving Pan once I knew my brother was safe. The only way for me to save him from the lost boys was for me to find my mom.

"Rule one, do not run away from me." Pan's clear warning rang in my ears like a church bell. But he is a demon...

Without thinking, I ran into the abyss of the night. Tears stinging my eyes as I fled from the prison of a monster.

***

Thunder boomed over the entire island as I ran through the jungle. Lightning would strike here and there. It seemed the more afraid I would become, the worse the the storm get. Howls from not only animals, but also howls from the wind rang noisily in my ears. Rain had started to drizzle down on my already freezing skin, leaving goosebumps covering my body.

I had no clue how long I had been running, but I was exhausted. I just couldn't stop now, not when Henry's safety is on the line. Pan knows I'm gone by now so there is no use in stopping.

Rain dripped into my eyes, causing my vision to blur for a moment. I was quick to wipe away the water, my feet naturally slowing down. When I opened my eyes again, my heart stop, my eyes widening.

It was my mom.

She, Snow, and Emma ducked under a nearby bush, trying to avoid the storm. I was frozen still, unsure if they were real, or merely a figment of my subconscious.

"Mom." I said, taking a small step closer. Regina's head perked up at the sound, her eyes scouring the forest.

"Mom!" I yelled, realizing it was my mother. The woman who raised me, the one whom taught me to be brave, she was here. Her eyes landed on me, Emma and Snow freezing as they saw my filthy face and tattered clothes.

"Aspen." She gasped. "Aspen!" She deserted the bush she hid under, running to me with her arms open.

"Mom!" I cried, running towards her. Emma and Snow smiled at the sight, but instantaneously, they started to yell. My moms eyes widened, but she ran to me still. Yet before I had time to react, I was grabbed from behind, a hand slapping over my rain coated lips.

I screamed for my mother, bringing my hands up to my aggressors wrist and tugging on it, but he was to strong. I kicked, squirmed, and pleaded, though no progress was made. I felt hot breath slap the side of my wet neck, the arm around my waist tightening.

"I told you not to run." The voice came out as a growl, an animalistic roar in my ear.

Pan. Surely he'll kill me now.

"Get your hands off her!" My mother screamed, tears stinging her eyes as she came within ten feet of us. My body reacted before I deciphered whether or not is was a good idea. Without a second thought, I bit down on Pans hand. He screamed out in pain as I spit out blood.

"Get Henry home! Don't worry about me!" I yelled, struggling against Pans iron grip on the waist, despite he wound I gave him.

"I'm not leaving this island without you, Aspen!" Pan waved his bloody hand, a cloud of green smoke began to surround us.

"No matter what Pan tells you, I love you!" She yelled, a smiling lining my lips. I never got the chance to respond, I may never get the chance. When the smoke cleared, we were in the middle of the camp site. The wind was blowing from every direction, lightning striking above my head.

Pan shoved me to the ground, kicking me onto my back. I fell with a cry, my head pounding against the dirt. A crushing weight landed on my chest causing me to gasp. I forced myself to look up, to identify the weight.

It was Pans boot.

My eyes trailed up to his face. His lips were curled into a snarl, his eyes were as black as the night. He bent down, his boot suffocating me even more. He leaned over me, his hot breath slapping my face with every exhale.

"You are in so much trouble." He growled, waving his hand in front of my eyes. He removed his boot from my chest, but my eyes drooped. I began to loose consciousness, my body loosing any ability to move.

'You've sealed your own fate." He said, lost boys surrounding me as I fell limp and vulnerable to Pan.