Chapter Nineteen

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WARNING: This chapter includes mature content - mentions of blood and violence. I will include [*] at the start and end of the scene so you would know where it is to avoid it if you are sensitive to such content.


Metanoia was seething with annoyance, a potent aura reeking off her and putting everyone around her on edge as they all stood facing the Mighty Pan, who was standing over a boulder and looking down at them inferiorly. Timmothy and Gabriel constantly glanced at Metanoia warily, and Metanoia clenched her jaw as she angrily glared at Pan. She could not believe that she was wasting her precious time where she could be training for her trials, for a stupid game of Capture The Flag. With six days left, Metanoia was growing impossibly restless, and her anxiety was portrayed in the way she spoke to the Lost Boys and simply the way she existed.

"We are here today because Metanoia suggested playing Capture The Flag." Pan commenced, wringing his fingers together in front of him as he scoffed. "Though she could do with some extra training instead, but it comes to me as no surprise that she'd rather do something utterly useless instead."

The nasty group of Lost Boys howled laughing at Pan's insult, and Metanoia's scowl deepened. She definitely did not suggest this stupid game, but she couldn't deny that when Theodore came up with a swift lie to save her from being caught confessing that she'd stolen Peter's enchanted locket. She simply had to swallow her pride and allow this to roll out instead. Theodore subtly squeezed her forearm to comfort her, but it barely affected her when she was stressed enough as it is.

"The rules are simple - you'd have to be a complete moron if you don't understand them." Pan went on casually. "You will be split into a Red Team and a Blue Team, and each team has to steal the other's flag and bring it over to their own territory."

Pan waved a hand in the air slowly, crafting a large rectangular barrier in front of them, and he drew with his finger in the air, the borders of each team.

"The Red Team will have the west side of the Weeping Forest, while the Blue Team will possess the east side. First team to bring the other's flag to their territory and place it on the large mountain of rocks I've created, wins." Pan stopped sketching in the air, and turned his attention back at the Lost Boys.

"Clear?" He raised an eyebrow calmly.

"Clear!" There was a chorus of responses, some of which sounded rather dull, while others were enthralled.

Pan nodded, pleased with their confirmation, before drawling and pointing to the right, "Theodore, you're the Blue Team's captain - so stand over there."

Theodore nodded and moved forward to stand on Pan's right, and once he was in place, Pan continued, "Since you've suggested this game, it seems fitting that you own up to it, don't you agree Metanoia?"

His tone was dripping with menace, condescending her until she was nothing but a hollow, redundant vessel with no brain, and Metanoia wished she could backhand the arrogance out of him.

"Stand to my left. You're the Red Team's captain." He stated flatly, and Metanoia grudgingly moved over to him, and crossed her arms over her chest.

"Right then. Metanoia, take your first pick. Who do you want on your team?" Pan asked her, a little intrigued to see who she'd choose.

Theodore shot her a wink playfully, and Metanoia felt a little anger dissipate out of her, before surveying the boys in front of her.

"I'll pick Nate." She immediately replied, thinking it was no rocket science to choose him, and Pan had to grudgingly agree with her. Having Nate on your team, for whichever reason, was always a good thing.

"I bet you if Theodore wasn't a team captain, he would be her first choice." Denzel stated mockingly, causing David, Felix and James to laugh. David made kissing noises as James gave his back to them and hugged himself, acting as though he was making out with someone.

Theodore felt himself get red and hot, utterly embarrassed while Metanoia felt like ripping her boot off and whacking Denzel with it.

"Oh, piss off - you lot. You're just bitter that you haven't touched a person of the opposite sex in an eternity and now that there's finally a girl, she's not even into you." Sam clapped back, causing the boys to immediately stop their immature behaviour, and shoot him nasty sneers and glares.

"Ouff - I must've touched a nerve there." Sam smirked at them, causing Charlie, Idris, Finn and Liam to laugh.

Nate moved forward to stand beside Metanoia.

Pan sighed at their childishness; despite him enjoying the utter embarrassment Metanoia had to deal with, he didn't quite like that his second in command was being spoken of that way. He needed a strong right-hand boy, and Theodore being besotted with Metanoia made him undeniably furious. She was evidently softening him up, and it was repulsive.

"Theodore, your move." Pan spoke curtly.

Theodore nodded. "I'll have Elijah."

"Charlie." Metanoia spoke next.

"Liam." Theodore immediately chose.

"Idris." Metanoia was next.

"Finn." Theodore pointed at him.

"Sam." Metanoia nodded towards the boy.

"Gabriel." Theodore smiled.

"Jacob." Metanoia called out to him.

"Timmothy." Theodore spoke.

"Jeremy." Metanoia winked, knowing very well that Jeremy and Jacob were and always will be a package deal.

"Micah." Theodore uttered.

Metanoia shuffled uncomfortably as she set her eyes on the four remaining boys. She wished she didn't have to pick any of them, but the longer she stood underneath Pan's patronizing glare, the more she felt inclined to just choose someone, so resignedly, she said, "James" assuming he was the least nasty out of them all. James shot Metanoia a dazzling smile as he approached her, but she instantly looked away.

Theodore didn't need to think about his next choice. It really was a no brainer, for he wished for Metanoia to suffer less than she had to. Therefore, he stated, "Denzel."

Knowing she had to keep an eye on him, her hesitance towards trusting him becoming overpowering, Metanoia uttered the name "David."

Theodore shot her an incredulous look, expecting her to choose Felix, so he'd deal with David and his threats, but Metanoia avoided Theodore's gaze persistently.

Pan laughed, unashamed. "Last pick as always, Felix. It really is true that no one likes you."

Felix huffed angrily as he marched towards Theodore's team while everyone laughed demeaningly at him, including his so-called friends.

"Is everyone ready?" Pan called out to them, and when no one made a comment of objection, he smirked satisfactorily. "Then, let's play."


~•~


Metanoia ran as fast as her legs could take her, and she was running fast. The blue flag was clutched in her firm grip as she fought to bring it to the Red Team's territory, but as she heard the Blue Team's yelling draw closer to her, she began to panic. Metanoia whipped her head left and right, searching for her team members, until she finally spotted James in the distance, ahead of her and flailing his arms for her to notice him. For once in her life, she was happy to see him. Flinging her arm back, she propelled it forward and released the flag, watching it whizz past the distance between them, and James successfully captured it. She sighed in relief and slowed her pace as she watched Theodore groan in frustration, and chase after James with Elijah and Liam right on his sides.

They were so close to winning, had it not been for Denzel tripping James and having the flag fly out of his hand. Denzel caught it with ease, and passed it over to Elijah, who sprinted the opposite way. Elijah tossed it over to Liam, and he ran towards his territory. In the meantime, Metanoia's flag was stealthily snatched behind their backs by Finn and Felix and they ran away before Metanoia's team noticed their flag's absence. A fundamental mistake to not have had a patrol looking after their flag. And so, Metanoia's team had failed, and Theodore was victorious.

"I must say I'm not in the least bit surprised of the outcome." Pan drawled, his nostrils flaring as he shot Metanoia a condescending glance. "A poor leader yields poor team effort."

Metanoia's fists clenched at her sides as she glared long and hard at him, but Nate poked her back with his spear gently, mutely warning her to keep her mouth shut.

"The losing team will do the daily tasks today, while Theodore's team can relax and have the day off." Pan announced, and he watched as Theodore's team celebrated and cheered, while Metanoia's slumped their shoulders and hung their heads low.

"Right then - off you go." Pan instructed patronizingly.


~•~


Metanoia exhaled exhaustedly as she trudged through the forest with a crossbow clutched in her hands. David was walking beside her, a spear in his own hand, and an infuriatingly smug look on his face. Metanoia fantasized various ways of murdering Peter Pan for pairing her up with David.

"You're awfully quiet." David mused, casting her a sideways glance before focusing back on the trail.

"I'm concentrating." Metanoia replied simply.

David laughed. "I don't think that's it."

"No?" She asked dully.

"No." David grinned, before he sidestepped her to stand right in front of her, leaving her with no choice but to stop walking and look up at him.

She raised an eyebrow at him suspiciously.

"I think," He breathed, his hand latching onto a lock of her hair and twirling it around his finger. "You just don't like me very much."

Metanoia rolled her eyes, swatted his hand away, and sarcastically remarked, "I wonder what gave you that idea."

David pouted mockingly. "Come on, Noia. I am still keeping your little secret, am I not?"

Metanoia's nostrils flared, and she crossed her arms over her chest.

"So I really don't see why you'd hate me." He whispered softly. "I haven't ratted you out to Pan."

"For now, though." Her eyes narrowed as she scowled. "You're blackmailing me with a conspicuous favour."

[*]

David smirked down at her and stepped even closer to her so their chests touched, and when Metanoia attempted to step back, David placed a large, rough hand against her back to keep her close.

"Is that what's worrying you? My favour?" He teased her amusedly.

Metanoia shoved his chest and finally ripped herself out of his grasp. "You have some nerve thinking I would just be nice to you when you're just like your disgusting friends."

David raised his eyebrows, intrigued. "I don't think it's earning you any Lost Girl points for calling your brothers disgusting."

Metanoia rolled her eyes. "The four of you are so full of shit."

David's eyes darkened as he shot her a malicious grin. "Choose your next words wisely, Noia. You are one insult away from me confiding in Pan about what you stole from his treehouse."

Metanoia gulped harshly, still glaring at him, but remained silent. In one swift movement, he had her shoved against a sturdy tree, and point his spear at the delicate flesh of her neck. Metanoia hissed in pain when she felt the blade prick her skin and her blood dropped down to her collarbone.

"I've always been a little jealous of Theodore for managing to worm his way to your heart." David spoke at an alarmingly calm tone as his eyes watched Metanoia's blood trail and soak her beige shirt. Metanoia's breath quickened in fear as she clenched her jaw and fixated her hard glare on David's psychotic face.

"But I see now that there really isn't anything special about you besides the fact that you're a girl, and we're all boys." David carried on, before clutching her waist aggressively, his nails digging into her flesh, and he lowered the spear. "And a boy has needs that can only be fulfilled by a girl."

"Get off me." Metanoia spat as she tried to push him off her, but David was undeniably stronger and taller, and he was keen on not letting go just yet.

Instead, he poked the spear against her neck again, and slowly dragged it down, slashing her flesh enough for to leave a mark, but not wound her. Metanoia whimpered against his touch, and it only pleased David further.

"Not so tough now, are you?" He whispered, his thirst for her growing gradually as she squirmed against him.

[*]

David slowly pulled away from her, a crazed grin upon his face and laughing darkly. "Speak a word of this to anyone, and your dirty little secret will go out to Pan. That is how I blackmail, you filthy scum."

Metanoia was too petrified to speak, her eyes horrifically gazing at him in disbelief.

His smile was then wiped clean of his face, and was replaced with the most terrifying glare, before he growled, "now get off that tree and let's get our tasks done."



~•~


"Pan? You wanted to see me?" Theodore asked quietly as he approached Pan at the outskirts of their camp. Pan was gazing up thoughtfully at a bird nestled in its nest in a tree, protecting its eggs.

"Yes." He replied softly, not taking his eyes off the bird. "It takes a lot for me to trust someone, don't you agree?"

Theodore was a little puzzled, unsure why Pan would ask him such a question, however, he responded, "Yes, I agree."

Pan finally shifted his vision towards Theodore, his expression unreadable no matter how much Theodore tried to decipher it.

"Then you know how much it took for me to trust you." Pan stated at an eerie tone, and Theodore felt his palms begin to sweat.

He gulped nervously. "Yes. I rightfully earned your trust."

Pan nodded. "Indeed you have. You must know, Theodore, that there is no one I trust more in this world than yourself. You are my second in command."

Theodore stood straight and replied, "And it is a true honour, Pan."

Pan nodded. "Of course it is."

He glanced up at the bird then back at his second in command. "Which is why I am relying on you to answer what I'm about to ask you truthfully."

"Of course!" Theodore immediately exclaimed, ready to serve him.

"Someone stole from me." The King of Demons deadpanned, and Theodore stiffened in anxiety. He knew where this was going.

"The Locket of Hidden Truths has been stolen from my treehouse. So, not only has someone stolen from me, but they've trespassed into my private space." Pan slowly circled Theodore, assessing him curiously.

"Do you have any idea who might have done such a thing?" Pan asked intimidatingly, raising a single eyebrow at Theodore.

Theodore forced himself to look as dubious as possible and remarked, "Not at all. I can't think of anyone who would be dumb enough to steal from you, let alone enter your treehouse."

Pan stared at him for a few seconds, unblinking, and the tension around them palpably thickened.

"If I find out that you are ... protecting someone, the consequences will be dire for the both of you, Theodore." Pan threatened Theodore calmly, and Theodore knew not to take his threats lightly.

"I assure you, Pan - I'm not hiding the culprit from you. I know nothing of this theft." Theodore stubbornly stood his ground, feigning honesty and confidence.

Pan smiled at him. "Good. Because if you're lying to me, then allow me to demonstrate what would happen to you and whoever stole from me."

Pan slowly raised his hand in the air, and clenched his fist suddenly. At that precise moment, Theodore heard a shrill chirp, before the bird that was laying in the tree abruptly fell to the ground, lifeless. A few seconds later, its eggs crashed to the ground and cracked, deeming them no longer possible to hatch. Theodore was mortified, but dared not say a word as Pan watched him satisfactorily.

"It's a good thing you aren't lying then, hmm?" Pan smirked, knowing very well that Theodore might actually be hiding the truth from him, but he liked terrorizing him before ripping the truth out of him.

Theodore gulped. "Yeah, definitely."

"Come, let's go back and enjoy our dinner." Pan guided him back to camp, his voice pleasant.


~•~


Metanoia wept as quietly as she could within the comfort of her treehouse. She could distinctly hear the Lost Boys' lively chatter and laughs downstairs during dinner time, but she hadn't the appetite to eat, nor the social capacity to speak to anyone after what David had done a few hours ago. How could she ever show her face after being violated so horrifically like that? She sniffled and turned her back to the door, hidden under her duvet as she allowed the tears to fall freely and soak her pillow.

It could have been much worse. She thought dreadfully. Would she have been able to stop him if he'd tried anything worse? She hated herself for feeling too weak and helpless in that moment. Was the intensive training she got from Nate and Theodore not enough for her to be able to defend herself in such situations?

Suddenly, there was a soft knock against her door, and Metanoia stiffened, subconsciously holding her breath. She feared it would be David, and so she didn't utter a sound and laid immaculately still. There was no light in her treehouse; anyone would assume she was fast asleep.

Another knock was heard, followed by a soft voice calling for her, "Em? Are you in there? It's me, Theodore."

Metanoia's heart welled with warmth for him, her body craving his comforting embrace, but she was too scared of him seeing her tears, and so she furiously wiped them away.

"Come in." She called out hoarsely as she slowly sat up in her bed.

Theodore slowly opened her door, and was taken aback by the darkness within her treehouse.

"Were you asleep?" He asked, dumbfounded.

"Yes." She replied quietly as she watched him reach for a match stick to light her candles.

"This early?" He pressed.

"Not feeling well." She mumbled tiredly.

When there was sufficient light in her little home, Theodore finally regarded her, and his face fell.

"What's wrong?" He demanded, immediately walking over to her bed and sitting on its edge, his hand instinctively clutching hers gently.

His eyes then widened. "Metanoia, your neck."

Metanoia's own eyes widened as she retracted her hand from his to hide the scar on her neck with it.

"Who did this to you?" He spluttered, an angry spark igniting within him and causing his blood to boil.

"Theodore, let it go." She murmured, but Theodore wasn't having it.

"Who did this to you, Metanoia?" He snapped, needing an answer so he could throw a punch at the accused person.

When Metanoia refused to answer, he clenched his jaw irritably. "It's David, isn't it? You two were paired together to finish the tasks."

Metanoia sighed. "Theo, please don't make a big dea -"

"I'm going to kill him." He seethed, standing up from the bed and approaching the door.

"Theo, no - wait!" She cried, scrambling out of her bed and grabbing him by the forearm, pulling him back to her.

"Please don't. I beg you." She sobbed, and all it took for Theodore was to look at her bloodshot eyes and her red nose, before he sighed in resignation and wrapped his arms around her and pulled her against his chest as she cried once again, in his arms.





A/N: ☹️ poor Metanoia. Who else wants to see David suffer? 🙋🏻‍♀️

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