A few days went by. Olivia was staying around the boys who had now for used to her strange behavior. They didn't feel like being around the Olivia they all knew, but they just lived with it. Not that they didn't care, no this was worse. They were scared of what she might do. She spent her days training and walking following the activities as if nothing happent, but her friends could see she kept zoning out. Pan could approach her but she only answered vaguely and it would seem the feelings she used to feel towards him had vanished. Felix kept his distance.
It was rather awkward, and there was always this kind of heavy tension on the island. She was not angry or hateful, she was just indifferent, but inside... she was mortified and shattered to the soul. The boys were defiant towards her, she had no one to talk to, her temper getting the better of her sometimes. Liam stayed with her though but he had no idea how to handle these types of problem. He still stuck to her though, because that's what big brothers do right? The week just then, Pan had brought back over five new lost boys. Olivia had eyed them indifferent at first but then she caught one of them staring at her with confusion and she sent him a smile which her returned, and then as he turned away, a smirk displayed her features.
One day she went to bed exhausted and frustrated before the boys ' attitude towards her. She fell asleep, angry and hateful towards herself and a little towards others.. she didn't really know who though.
"Olivia... I told you... trust me... we can do this... if you accept my help...
"Let's do it. "
_____________________
Olivia sat up on her bed and got dressed. She grabbed her weapons, and wrapped herself in a large cloak. She exited her tent, knowing camp was completely quiet and asleep. Her eyes flickered to the small tent Seb slept into, watching over her protectively and without further longing, she slowly walked deeper into the jungle, the cloak flying slightly behind her. Her steps were slow and large but precise and her path did not falter. She kept going, her face dead serious. There was no more hesitation in her eyes.
After a long walk she stopped and waited a moment. She then whirled around and her eyes narrowed at the figure before her.
"So you came... you wish to finish the procedure?
"What else would I be here for?
"Good. "The figure chuckled and approached her. She stared at it dead in the eye and let the person do what had to be done as his hand was pressed against her forehead. The magic took about an hour to perform and result into a success. Olivia had greeted her teeth the whole time, a few hasty tears raced down her cheeks and at the end she felt her breath caught in her throat and when she exhaled a large breath, the wince on her face transformed into an emotionless expression. Not a single emotion was written on her face.
"Now you can rise."the voice added and she glanced at the figure as a dark smirk made its way to her lips.
"Let the game begin."she said and the figure nodded, before whispering
"Beware of Pan though, he is not easily taken down. You need to become something worse than him to do so, something terrible...
"Why?"she said shrugging and then added
"You need a monster to destroy a monster. I can do this."
The figure chuckled and vanished leaving the girl alone, her eyes darkened. The jungle darkened, an ice cold breeze pierced through her but she didn't even shiver. Instead, she closed her eyes and a second later she opened them. There she stood in a small cave and there was a lost boy staring right at her with confusion. He looked around, a little afraid and back to her.
"You... you're Olivia right?"
The girl looked at him with a small flash of triumph in her eyes and nodded.
"That I am.
"How... how am I here?? I was in my tent last night and I find myself here suddenly how is that e-
"Andrew, I brought you here."
He furrowed his eyebrows and she smirked, pacing around him like a predator ready to eat its prey, circling him slowly and speaking in a low voice.
"You see, there is something I need to do. I could use some help. I picked you because I know I can... trust you. You don't like it here. You arrived last week, and Pan has been nothing but demanding and harsh with you. "
Andrew looked at her, wondering where all this was going.
"I thought you were in love with Pan??"he uttered surprised. A hand instantly circled his throat and a voice whispered in his ear.
"I ask the questions. Don't fall for every story that go on here you'll hear plenty. Nothing is but lie here. You'll see. But this is real, see? You feel the pain, you can't breathe."she tilted her head as she said so before releasing the grip on his neck letting him reach for it and suck in a huge breath, scared.
"Anyway,"she added lightly as if this was actually funny "I have a matter of great importance to attend to, and you, will work for me, won't you Andrew?"
He cleared his throat but spoke up.
"What's in it for me?"
She smiled and put a hand on his shoulder
"That's what I like about you Andrew. You're a survivor, you have interests. Well, there's a lot in it for you. You work for me, and when the job is done, you'll remain alive and... you will be able to see your beloved friend Amy by leaving this island.
Deal?"
Andrew swallowed but his eyes lit up at the offer.
"What's the job?"
Olivia let her eyes wander around the cave and smiled slightly. She wiggled her fingers and a flame popped out of nowhere. She smirked but let it disappear in a blink before lifting her eyes from her hand to meet his.
"Destroy Peter.
Bring Pan back. The island will be mine."she said enthusiastic. Andrew drew in a small breath and nodded, a smile appeared on his face before he locked arms with Olivia.
"Deal.
She smiled and said.
"Wise choice Andrew, welcome to the party!"
The deal was set.
Now first rule, do not talk to me openly or stare at me while these telepathic conversations.
Okay
And second, we meet here. Take this. It may look like a small rock, but it's more powerful than you think. Swallow it.
What??
I said, swallow it. It's small . Now. Swallow it.
...
Good, now whenever you wish to contact me, close your eyes and wish to be here. You will be.
Are we clear?
Yes.
Good. Now act normal, don't get yourself killed it would ruin the plan. I want you to watch Felix and the lost boys and get information. You'll know how to do. Influence. I want you to be reckless. Get it?
Yeah. I can do this.
Good.
Andrew suddenly felt something in his eye and shut them quick with a wince rubbing them. When he opened them he was sitting on his bed in the tent he shared with the boys. He inhaled deeply and lay back down to get some sleep.
"I'm coming back to you Amy."he whispered before sleep welcomed him again.
____/___________/_________________/
Felix walked out of camp with his club on his shoulder and his hood over his face. He suddenly felt an icy breeze blow and shivered. He knew Olivia was out there and it was time to mend things. Explain.
He saw her suddenly, standing there, still, her back facing him. Felix took a hesitant step forward, internally preparing his apology speech, rambling it over and over in his head.
"Why you're up early, Felix."a cold metallic voice cut through the silence and the blonde boy jumped, his head snapped up to look at the girl who slowly turned around with a stern look. He gulped and she simply eyed him carefully and he froze before jumping in.
"Olivia, I need to talk to you.
"You NEED, to talk to me? I don't. "She retorted and he sighed.
"Please, just... listen to me okay? I-... I am so sorry, for not telling you about it, but what could I do? Pan would not change his mind about it, there was nothing I could do about all of it. I am so sorry. I would never want to hurt you, truly, you're my best friend, and-
"So what you expect me to accept the apology as if nothing happent?? So it wasn't your fault?!"
Felix stepped forward.
"No, Livy, this is all my fault. I should have warned you. I should have stood up to you, and I didn't. I know I hurt you, badly. I'm the reason you turned away from us. You have been through so much... With Arthur and Alexa.."
Olivia's eyes welled up with tears, as she listened carefully, her eyes not leaving his.
"Your parents...your leg... your friends... your brother and now all this.. you deserve much better,... you deserve to be happy, and I could never stand in the way of it again."
A tear ran down her cheek and she closed her eyes a second, and inhaled deeply.
"Please. Forgive me?"he pleaded and she looked away, torn. He could see she was reluctant to accept the apology. He got closer to her and grabbed her hands.
"Olivia, you mean so much to me, please, I wouldn't ever want us to be on bad terms... I'm begging you. You always see the good in people, please understand.."
Her eyes snapped to his, she sniffled and her eyes watered again.
"Oh Felix!"she whispered and wrapped her arms around him, hugging him tight. Felix blinked a few time and instantly returned the embrace, moved.
"...I'm so so so sorry Liv. Truly.
"I forgive you..."she said after long moment of hesitation. They pulled away and she chuckled through her tears.
"Well, that's settled, right?"
He chuckled as well and hugged her once more.
"You have no idea how amazing I feel right now."he said genuinely happy.
"I can tell.. you're grinning from one ear to the other. "
"Come on, we should head back to camp."
She nodded and they walked back to the boys, feeling much lighter. The boys looked at the them expectantly, surprised to see them talking to each other after all this strange tension but they soon shrugged it off and welcomed them happily. Liam was glaring at Felix. He strode angrily towards his sister and gripped her arm, dragging her aside. She frowned, surprised and confused at her brother's sudden action.
"Liam what is it??
"You're seriously trusting that guy after what he did??
"Liam, it's more complicated than you think I-
"No! It's not complicated!! He was the reason you almost died!! He participated in the 'killing you' plan Pan set up for you! And you're okay with it??!"
"Felix didn't want to do this he apologised!
"So you accept it two days after but you wait a year to forgive me?!
"Liam-
"No! Don't 'Liam' me! You don't think, sister! You are ready to forgive this guy out of nowhere??! What's wrong with you??!
"Stop it!
"And what when Pan comes along you're going to pretend like nothing happent??
"Hey Liam stop! I said STOP!!!! "
She clenched her jaw and shouted
"I'M THE ONE WHO GOT HURT, ALL RIGHT?! I'M THE ONE WHO WAS SUPPOSED TO DIE! I'M THE ONE WHO GOT HER HEART BROKEN, ALL RIGHT?! Now you think you can just come here and shout at me about trust issues! Well screw you Liam! Felix is my best friend and I know he didn't mean to do it!
"I can't believe you'd do that.
"Well too bad for you. I just did."she spat and began walking away. Liam rolled his eyes and grabbed her arm again. She snapped her eyes to meet his.
"Liam. Let go.
"Look, O. I just... I'm just trying to protect you-
"I don't need protecting." She fired back and walked away from him back to the boys. Felix had been watching them anxiously and walked to Olivia.
"Hey everything okay? Your brother looks quite upset.
"Don't mind him. He's just being... overprotective. Don't worry."
Suddenly their attention was drawn by cheers and cries of indignation and excitement. They spotted the boys gathered around some random jarring. Olivia squinted her eyes and noticed Andrew shouting at some boy, his back facing another boy on the ground with a hand on his bleeding nose. He was defending him, thus gaining attention and influence as the other boys cheered him on and the others backed from him, afraid to share the same fate as the previous attacker who happent to have a bad bruise on the face and a broken nose. The girl rose an eyebrow and muttered
"Kid's not so bad after all.'
Felix looked at her strangely
"What was that?"
"Oh, nothing, just... thinking of something. "
He shrugged and turned to Dodger. Olivia looked at Andrew and smirked, the plan was going well...
Soon after, Pan appeared and gathered the boys for a talk about the next day's training. Olivia refused to listen nor look at him. She remained sat on a log, sharpening her sword.
A few minutes passed before a heavy silence broke into the clearing once more as all the boys had gone off to sleep.
She gritted her teeth.
"What do you want, Pan?"she muttered.
"Stop calling me that, Olivia."he snapped irritated.
"It's your name.
"You used to call me something else."he went on angrily.
She swiftly passed the sharpening rock along the blade and hissed.
"I asked you what was it you wanted?
"You know exactly what I want.
"Then you know the answer. No. Y-
"I'm not going to beg for it Olivia. But you'll have to forgive me one of these days. I changed my mind, I saved you! I refused power, I chose you!
"You're right. I'm lucky.
"You don't get it. I know what I did was wrong and horrible, but I changed my decision afterwards. For you.
"Why do we have the same bargain every single day Pan?! You screwed up and you keep apologizing. I thought that was something Pan would never do.
"Olivia stop toying with me.
"...whatever. It's been almost two weeks. You should get over it.
"You know why I can't. You know it!"he shouted angrily, standing up suddenly. Her eyes remained glued to the blade and she muttered.
"Then there's nothing that can be done for you. I told you, you should have killed me. You didn't. Now you understand why. " Her eyes darted up to meet his and she hissed.
"Because life is hell now, for the both of us. And it will remain that way."
She dropped the rock and scruted the blade closely, her eye a ffew inched from the surface and she brought it back down before sheathing it back. Pan passed a hand on his face, angry and frustrated before storming back into his tent. Olivia lifted her eyes from the weapon and smirked.
Another week flew by. Andrew had become one of the popular lost boys, bullying the weaker ones, but no one dared going against him because he was strong and tough and he had some influence. Felix refused to loose his time on these quarrels and let him be . Olivia went on with her life, she had another talk with Pan, and this time he hoped. She might listen to him. The young girl followed the training sessions like everyone else, but she poured more passion into the fights. She toughened up and became reckless. When quarrels would rise between the lost boys, she never interfered, instead she just stood there and watched with a smirk on her face as Andrew always kept the upper hand. She would soon have control over the island. After all, she had very powerful allies.
Dodger was staring at her at that moment, frowning. He knew something was off with her. He continued to watch her, but he attitude seemed fine somehow, except in certain cases.
He needed to find out exactly what was wrong. And he would.
For the moment he had no idea how and it frustrated him.
______________________________________
That night, Olivia stayed awake, and when no noise was heard over camp, she got up and left, walking deeper into the jungle. For a long time she strode like that, until she reached a specific place. The forcefield.
A figure was standing there.
"Are they ready?"she said.
"Not yet. They know you are to lead them. Some are reluctant, but most of them are ready to fight.
"Good. They've been rotting in there for too long.
"Yoy know there will be casualties, don't you?"
"I know that."she said gravely. "But I can't let him destroy everyone else I care about.
"You mean your brother?
"Dodger too. And Ben.
"I told you the danger of emotions and feelings. Love is dangerous. It is weakness."
She eyed him for a moment and then muttered.
"Well then you should be happy, because I am free of them.
"Not all of them."
She leant closer to him
"I'm free of enough of them. Do not fret however. All will go as planned.
"Let us hope it will. Pan still cares very much about you. You know this will be harder than you think.
"It won't. Pan doesn't care as much as you think. It's all a disguise. Or even if he did,that would only serve the cause. In fact, I'm ready to test that theory soon."
A wicked smile lingered on her lips and she added.
"Very soon indeed..."