by Xavier Neal
“Now’s not really a good time for that kind of moral dilemma.” My voice screeches as she lands on top of me, her hands stretching around my neck.
Squirming underneath the Dark Watcher, doing my best to avoid its hands, I suddenly notice something. Justin slid me my high heel shoes. Thankful one of them landed close by, I grab the shoe and pop it across the face, the heel making a bloody indention on its left cheek. The Dark Watcher hits the wall beside me, and I crawl away as fast as I can. To my surprise, it grabs one of my legs and gives it a good yank. As if programmed all my life for this fight, I swing the other leg around, which smashes it across the face. My leg comes free. Before it has another chance to attack, I grab my heel, pull out the dagger I was hoping was there, and toss it. Astonishingly enough, it lands accurately in its heart, turning it into the same gray smoke as all the rest. With a limp, I grab both my shoes and finally reach the front seat of the truck. However, as I crawl in the front seat, so does another Dark Watcher, this time with a gun pointed at me. My eyes close, ready to encounter serious pain when I hear a familiar sound whiz by me. Relieved to see the smoke when I open my eyes, I smile sweetly at Justin, who is now in the driver’s seat with Jimmy in between us.
Just as predicted, they begin flooding through the side door, which is when Justin apologizes. “Sorry for this one, Jimmy.”
Removing the emergency break, he tosses the truck into drive and mauls numerous amounts of Dark Watchers. Without slowing down, Justin heads us straight off the dock and toward a main road.
I glance at the side mirror, surprised they aren’t following us, which prompts me to ask, “Aren’t they going to chase us?”
“No.” Jimmy pipes up as Justin slows down. “And why not?” I huff out.
Jimmy suddenly pulls off his left boot and hits a small, red button, causing an oversized explosion of the building. Cackling, he claps his hands together as Justin tosses the truck in park. “That’s why.”
My mouth slides open and sticks in alarm, which is when Justin gently touches my arm and shakes his head at me. “What about all your weapons? And those ships? You made so many of them!”
Jimmy proudly watches the warehouse burn. “It’s what I do.”
Justin slides the keys out of the ignition and hands them to him. “Hey, we have to get going.” Pulling a wad of those weird bills out of his pocket, he counts out what looks like half and hands it to Jimmy. “Hit up Eiden when it’s ready.”
“Will do.” Jimmy puts the cash in his shoe.
“Come on, Peyton. We have a party to get to.” He slips out of the driver’s seat as I do the passenger’s.
With my shoes dangling from my fingers, I shake my head. “Yeah, I’m not really in the mood to party. Something about being shot at, having possible broken ribs, and meeting a crazy leprechaun took me out of the mood.”
The two of us climb back in the sports car where Justin lets the top down. “You want your answers or not?”
My head bounces back and forth, and I feel a throbbing pain from my ribs. “Can I go to the hospital first?”
He emits a chuckle before pulling out the small vial of yellow dust once more. He leans over and slowly lifts my shirt, so it comes up to right underneath my bra. After dipping his finger in the dust, he runs one line down each side. Instantly, I feel the pain subside, which is when I lower my shirt back down.
“Better?”
“Yeah.” My eyes stay planted on him before I ask. “Is that temporary or permanent?”
“Permanent.”
Smirking, he places the vial back in his pocket and reverses quickly. Once out and onto a windy road that I’m fairly certain he doesn’t recognize, he pushes the eject button on his CD player. The faceplate lowers, and what appears to be a GPS system emerges. He types in our destination, and before I know it, we’re headed back to the city.
We arrive outside of a high rise apartment building where teens are in the parking lot admiring what’s under the hoods of each other’s cars. Justin pulls into a space beside someone who is sitting by the curbside as if waiting for someone.
Turning the engine off, he turns his head to me and smiles. “Ready?”
“For the party or my answers?” The question causes him to laugh.
After sliding my heels back on, giving my hair an extra brush (thanks to the spare in his car) and reapplying my lip gloss, which I remembered to place in my purse, I get out, and the waiting stranger approaches.
“You’re late,” he croaks, shoving his hands in his jeans pockets.
“Tell me about it.” The annoyance in Justin’s voice rises.
Suddenly, I remember where I have seen his face. “You’re the skateboarder!”
“Name’s Aiden.” He extends his hand out for me to shake.
I politely do so and smile. “My name’s,”
“Peyton," he interrupts with a slow nod, “Justin’s mentioned you a few times.” Justin smiles sweetly at me until Aiden continues. “Forgot to mention he’d be bringing you tonight.”
“Yeah, there’s been a change of plans.” Justin reaches out for my hand before the three of us head toward the glass doors.
“You know, Peter hates changes he doesn’t make.” Aiden sighs, giving his jet black, gel tipped hair a rub. “And I hate being shot at.” Justin flings the door open.
“How…”
“I’m either being set up or stalked. And for his sake, he better hope it’s the latter.” The words coldly escape him as we slide onto the elevator that goes to the penthouse.
After a quiet elevator ride up, the three of us stroll into what has to be the biggest thing happening downtown tonight. The apartment is packed with half-dressed girls and overdressed guys doing their best to make moves on them. Never really seeing my classmates outside of school, I stare unconsciously, unaware so many of them are capable of acting like this.
“Hey Justin,” a girl with long, black hair down to her butt slides in front of him; swaying her body back and forth, she bites her red painted bottom lip. “I was hoping you’d be here.”
His hand slides away from mine, and he tilts his hat down, licking his lips. “Oh yeah? Why’s that?”
She lifts her lips up to his ear while popping her backside out, allowing him a better view of what’s underneath her red mini dress.
Trying to remain as calm as I can, I allow Aiden to lean over and whisper in my ear. “Don’t worry. This happens all the time.”
This happens all the time? Is that supposed to make me feel better? My head slowly turns to Aiden who gives me a wink. I nod slightly and turn back around as she pulls away and giggles.
Cockily, Justin licks his lips once more and sighs. “While that is a mighty hard offer to turn down— and believe me when I say mighty—I’m going to have to pass.”
With a pout, she crosses her arms, hoping to bulge her A-cup boobs out. “Why?”
His fingertips grab mine. “Got something else in mind.”
Leading us away from her, he heads toward a door in the back, slides my hand into Aiden’s, and says over the obnoxiously loud music. “Meet you up there in a sec.”
“Where are you going?” My concern is that he’s going back to get the other girl’s number, which would in fact make me jealous, especially since he just made a scene in front of me like it wasn’t going to happen.
“To find Peter.” He gives Aiden a nod, which is when he picks the lock open, allowing us to slide through.
The two of us begin climbing up the stairs in the enclosed hallway. “Where are we going?”
“The rooftop.” He opens a final door which reveals a miraculous view of the city. My breath escapes me as I admire the city lights the way I’ve always dreamed of sketching them.
Aiden adjusts his black polo before plopping himself on the edge of the roof to have a seat.
Nervous for him, I ask, “Um, aren’t you afraid you’ll fall?”
“Fear of falling isn’t the actual fear. Most people are afraid that grav
ity only works the way they believe, which for the most part is true.” The door opens behind me.
“Does everyone who hangs out with Justin speak like him?” I mumble under my breath as what appears to be Aiden opens the door. My mouth slips open in confusion, “What the—”
“Twins,” the other one answers, wearing a similar attire except for a brown polo and backward baseball cap. “I’m Eiden.”
“Peyton.” I wave as he joins his brother.
“Nice to meet you.” He glances around. “Where’s—”
“You drunken, punk bitch fairy boy!” Justin tosses Peter through the doorway onto the rooftop. “I swear that, if you ever get me ambushed again, I’ll kill you myself!”
Giggling, I assume from whatever’s in his cup, Peter laughs. “Right, and give up being a Lost Boy? I don’t think so.”
“A what?” My voice tries to interject.
“You think being a Lost Boy is worth risking my life every time I turn the corner?” Justin yells furiously.
“Did you forget you don’t have a life outside of being a Lost Boy?” Peter growls, popping the collar of his green, fitted T-shirt. After a long stare off, he smirks. “That’s right. You work for me. You do what I say. I make the rules. Without me, there is no you. Don’t you forget it.”
“That’s not…” Justin’s voice pauses and trails off. “That’s not even—”
“What are you two talking about?” I flag them down from the opposite side of the roof.
“You brought her here for what? Sympathy points?”
Peter points at me with his cup hand.
“I brought her here because I’m keeping up my end of the job!” Justin yells, shoving his hands in his pockets. “I brought her here because, if you want a shot at this stupid plan of yours working, she’s going to need a little more than what you’ve allowed me to tell her.”
Peter slowly strolls toward me and takes another drink. Through the cup, he mutters, “You look sexy.”
“Thanks.” I hear myself say.
“I really like the cut.” His hand caresses the split, while his tongue caresses his lips.
Justin clears his throat loudly. “Peter.”
“Don’t get your panties in a twist,” he grunts at him. Peter sits down on a lounge chair, insisting I sit in the one beside him, while Justin leans between the twins. “You have some questions for me?”
“Kind of,” I chirp out nervously. “Are they dirty questions?”
“I…um…well…uh…”
“You’re easy.” Peter laughs under his breath. “You must be to be interested in a guy like—”
“Watch it.” Justin snaps. “Answer her.”
“Well?” Peter takes another drink. “Ask.”
“Um,” I mumble and twirl my hair around my finger a few times. “Uh, well…”
Peter croaks out, annoyed, “Geez, Justin, I didn’t realize the kind of girl you were working with.”
“You’re such a jerk.” He points a stern finger at him. “Maybe if she didn’t have to ask an inconsiderate moron like you.”
“Oh, I’m a moron.”
“If the forest leaves fit.”
“You know what—”
“They’re not in season?”
“You know—”
“I know I’m tired of the two of you and your fighting.” A soft, feminine voice chimes in.
My head immediately turns to look behind me where a gorgeous girl is floating over the edge onto the rooftop. I admire her long, thin, tall figure, which is cloaked in a pair of short leather shorts and a pink T-shirt with the words “Think Tink” on it.
“Are those wings?” I croak out, falling back in my seat.
With a touch of her blond bob, they disappear. “It’s not polite to stare.”
“Sorry.” I sheepishly hang my face, which is when I see the cup that was in Peter’s hand lower and get scooted back by the heel of his foot.
“Who’s the girl?” she asks, immediately looking at Peter.
“Hey, don’t give me that look.” He innocently tosses his hands up. “This time she’s not my doing. Blame the loser who got our painting stolen.”
“You got the painting stolen?” the girl croaks loudly. “I didn’t get anything stolen!” Justin snaps back.
“I merely went to retrieve it when, once more, I was ‘magically’ attacked by the Dark Watchers. Funny how, every time Peyton’s with me, they attack, Peter.”
“What are you implying?” He leans forward. “What! You think I called the Dark Watchers up and said, ‘Hey, why don’t you run interference for us? Justin could use the practice.’ Even though you could.”
With annoyed breath, Justin responds, “Oh, I could use the practice? When’s the last time you picked up a sword, pretty boy?”
Doing his best not to slur, he points. “Hey, hey, I can pick up a sword.”
“But can you use it?” The attitude causes Peter to open his mouth to retort when the girl cuts them both off.
“Give it a rest already.” She stomps her pink stiletto covered feet. “Seriously, you fight like an old married couple, and you’re not even the ones dating!”
“Thank goodness for small favors, Belle. I don’t know how you date such a pompous jack…”
“Hey,” she points to Justin, “calm down.”
A silence settles on the rooftop, which I believe is a perfect time for me to chime in. “Um, excuse me?”
“What is it, Art Queen?” Peter mumbles, slamming his back against the chair, annoyed most likely from his girlfriend putting her foot down.
I let his attitude go, assuming it’s the result of too much Trashcan Punch. I scoot to the edge of my chair. “What exactly do you mean, you’re Lost Boys?”
The girl looks at Justin, who nods slightly, which is when she looks back down at Peter, who does the same motion. “Don’t you know who the Lost Boys are?”
Immediately, I ask, “Like from fairy tales?”
“Exactly.”
The answer doesn’t really yield what I need it to.
“Didn’t the Lost Boys follow Peter Pan around?” The question receives nods from everyone.
“Unfortunately,” Justin mumbles, making the twins laugh.
“But that’s all make believe.”
“Is it?” Peter coldly asks. “What! You can believe people can poof into smoke, but you can’t believe I exist?”
“You exist?” The query forces me to scratch my head. “You, like, as in you’re Peter Pan?”
Proudly, he extends his legs out on the chair and places his hands behind his head. “The one and only, baby.”
“But I thought Peter Pan was an awful, rotten, little boy who refused to ever grow. He was like twelve, not seventeen, whiny, and just downright awful.”
“Sounds like she hit the nail on the head.” Justin chuckles again as Aiden and Eiden join him.
Annoyed, he glares at them. “Do you mind?” Once their giggles run out, he sighs. “At some point in time, someone decided that my life story would make more sense if I were younger and worried about not being able to play with toys, blah, blah, blah. Truth be told, there’s more to it than that.”
“Like what?” I instantly interrupt.
“Another time and place.” His hand waves me off. “Anyway, the part about the Lost Boys is somewhat true. Aiden, Eiden, and my all time favorite, Justin.”
“You’re a Lost Boy!” My mind can barely fathom the words, let alone form them.
“Guilty.” He smirks sweetly at me.
“Oh a lot.” Peter’s mutter causes Justin to shoot him a look.
Slowly, I turn my head to the girl who had wings on her back upon arrival. “Does that make you Tinkerbell?”
“Belle.” They all recite in unison.
“Belle.” I correct myself.
With a small finger wave, she winks at me, and Peter continues, “Those things that have been chasing you and your knight, the shining dingle brain over there, are calle
d the Dark Watchers.”
“I don’t remember that part in the stories.” I innocently scratch my arm.
“It’s because that part didn’t quite make it into the cookie cutter fairy tale. Dark Watchers are a rival group from Neverland. Their mission is to take over this dreadful world. Yet, in order to do that they need, well, specific items. One of those items is a map on the back of a very famous painting that you have an incredible amount of knowledge about—a very famous painting that they stole the replica of.”
“Sous Clef?”
With a nod, Peter continues, “Now, if they get the map, this whole world is at risk from a threat bigger than you could wrap your mind around, but if we have the map, we can continue to protect this planet the way we have for years.”
“So, that’s why they’re chasing me?” I ask. Quickly, Peter answers, “Yes.”
My eyes wander over to Justin, who’s leaning against the edge now in a more protective way. His hat is lowered, so his eyes are harder to see and his body language is no longer angry but rather difficult to read.
I open my mouth to ask something else when Belle sighs. “Think you could help us?”
Baffled not only at the amount of information but the content, I stutter. “Um, I’m not really sure how. I mean, I can’t fight. I’m not really that clever or—”
“But you are the one person we’ve met who knows enough about Sous Clef to help us. That’s why the Dark Watchers were trying to kidnap you. They want you on their side, but we need you on ours,” Belle interrupts. “Look, there’s a plan in motion, but this is not time to reveal the details—not before we know we can trust you and that you’re willing to help protect your world and all the people you care about.”
“I want to save the world I care about.” I inform her slowly.
“Good. We’ll start putting the first part of the plan in motion. From this moment on, Justin and you are dating.” Belle, pleased, claps her hands together.
My head slowly turns in Justin’s direction, and he shrugs innocently in an attempt to respond but is once more interrupted by the queen bee.
“But..”
“It’s important that you two appear to be inseparable.”
“But I…”
“Justin, I expect you to teach her some tricks of the trade and how to survive with us. As for the rest of you…” She looks around and points to Aiden, Eiden, and Peter.