eight

                                    

                                          
A demon. 
You had no other words to describe Pan. That's all he truly could be: a demon. 
You sat amongst the Lost Boys, rigid and silent as Pan sauntered up and down the long line. His eyes, dark and hooded, scanning the fresh faces. 
The night was cruel and cold, a strange contrast to the usual humidity that clung to Neverland's jungle. It would have been a welcome respite if not for the evil gleam in Pans eye. 
"Fresh faces," Pan exclaimed, a smile breaking out across his face. He spread his arms wide, gesturing widely to the Lost Boys. "It's always a welcomed sight here. Isn't it, boys?" 
"Yes, Pan," came the monotone, rehearsed agreement from the Lost Boys. 
The newer arrivals seemed to flinch in fright from the response. 
You sat quietly, your hands folded neatly in your lap. You had been allowed a slither of freedom from that awful cage, but this was no better than confinement. Here you were able to see the way Pan truly invoked fear into his followers, and it only served to deeper your own growing fear for him. 
Pan continued to stalk up and down the row, ensuring to stare intently at each new, round face. "When new boys arrive, we like to induct them properly by playing a few games..." 
You shuddered as Pan licked his lips. 
"Let's play a game of hide and seek."
You didn't like the sound of that. 
In fact, as soon as the words came from Pan's mouth, he looked over to you with a malicious grin. It chilled you to the bone, freezing you to the spot. 
"There's a twist, however," Pan continued, now walking towards you with hidden intention. You braced yourself as he seized your upper arm, yanking you to your feet and dragging you to the front so everyone could see. "Only one will hide, and the rest of you will be seeking. Think of it as a hunting game, to test your survival instincts." 
You fought back a whimper as Pan bore his eyes into your own. "Please..." you whispered, already knowing that he intended to have you run and hide for your life. 
Pan smirked. "Our Lost Girl is going to pick someone to be our prey." 
Wait, what? 
You blinked owlishly. That wasn't at all what you had expected from him. You thought he was going to humiliate you and force you to hide somewhere on the island, to keep running until you couldn't any more. 
But this was entirely different. 
It was cruel, still, but unexpected. 
"You want me to choose someone?" You reiterated, slow and cautious in case he decided to change his mind. 
Pan nodded firmly. "Make a choice," he muttered, releasing your arm and stepping away. His arms folded over his chest, and he waited patiently for you to pick someone from the line of boys. "And choose wisely." 
You looked to the helpless Lost Boys, your heart skipping a beat. You were relieved to have not been chosen as the hider, but now you faced the guilt of having to pick someone else to suffer the cruelty of Pan's games. 
The only faces you recognised were Felix and Baelfire. Felix wasn't stood amongst the Lost Boys, but instead off to the side. As Pan's right-hand man, from what you had observed, you guessed that Pan would nullify your choice to make Felix be the one to hide. 
And there was no way you could choose poor Baelfire. He had extended a hand of camaraderie towards you when he didn't have to, and just like you he had the desire to return home and escape Neverland. You could never tie him to the outlandish fate from Pans games.