OUaT - 'Snowfall' - Chapter 5

Author Notes:
1: I DO NOT own Once Upon a Time, it's characters, or storyline. Once Upon a Time, story and characters, is owned by both Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz. I DO own Eiry Meagher, her story, and the art for this story - be it commissioned or my own.
2: Bold-italic phrases will indicate Eiry's thoughts or the thoughts of others while in their point of view. Italic-underlined phrases will indicate when the Spirits of Neverland are making contact with someone. Anytime you see "()" it will indicate when Eiry is reliving a memory. When you see "..." it means the point-of-view has shifted to another character.
3: The song for this chapter is "I Will Survive" by Stephanie Bentley, the OST (Original Soundtrack) for the movie Holes.
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I groaned as my head began throbbing with pain. Ugh... What the hell happened? I slowly blinked my eyes, adjusting to my surroundings. I looked around the area and found it was like any other bedroom, until my eyes came across an all-too-familiar dagger. My body began to shake as I looked down upon where I was laying. I... I'm in Pan's bed?! I began to hyperventilate. H... He didn't do anything to me, did he? My chest grew tight at the thought of Pan taking advantage of me while I was unconscious. I screamed at the very thought. Almost immediately, the door flung open. Felix was standing in the door frame, he seemed worried about me. "Sorry, Felix. It was a false alarm. I just had a rather nasty image play in my head." I stated honestly. Pan pushed past Felix and came to my side. Poor Felix...

"Are you alright?" Pan asked. I just rolled my eyes at him.

"Yeah, I just had a nightmare." I uttered. I wasn't lying, it was a nightmare, it just happened while I was awake. As the thought resurfaced, I grabbed hold of Pan's shirt and pulled him close to me. My blood was starting to boil. I feel like it has to be asked. "Did you do anything while I was unconscious?" I whispered in a harsh tone, tugging on his shirt once more. He glared at me.

"No." Was all he said. I searched his eyes and sighed. He's telling the truth. I let go of his collar and leaned back against the headboard.

"Thank the stars." I whispered with a sigh of relief.

"Not that that's a bad idea..." I growled, disturbed at the thought. Felix decided to leave, leaving Pan and I alone. Thanks for caring about me, Felix...

"I guess I won, huh?" I wondered as I glanced over to Pan. His scowl became a smirk.

"No. You didn't make it to the count of ten." He informed. My body became stiff. But neither did he... So what does that mean? "But neither did I." He admitted with a shrug of his shoulders. "Which makes it a tie."

"And what happens in a tie?" I questioned cautiously. Pan's smirk intensified.

"Things remain as it was. You still get to choose when you marry me and your family remains pawns in my game." I growled at this statement.

"Whatever." I slid out from under the covers and walked past him.

"Don't push yourself too hard now, Rie." Pan warned, his smirk never wavering. Like you care! I just huffed at him, going back outside. I found Henry sitting on a log by himself.

"Hey buddy." I announced as I took a seat beside him. "What's the news?" Henry hugged me, nuzzling into my neck.

"I'm glad you're alright, Rie." He muttered, which caused me to giggle from the ticklish feeling I got.

"Why wouldn't I be? It takes more than Pan treating me like a rag doll to be thrown off my game." I acknowledged in confidence, a grin playing on my lips. Henry pulled away, a look of curiosity dancing in his eyes.

"Don't you remember?" He pondered, his tone now matching his gaze.

"Remember what?" I felt uneasy asking, but I felt lost in confusion.

"You were poisoned." I snapped my head towards Pan's direction. You cheating asshole!

"You poisoned me?!" I hollered in agitation. Pan frowned at my assumption.

"No. Our friend Devin did. While you were on your walk, after our little game, Devin decided to follow you. He confronted you because he didn't respect you, nor did he think you were a match for me. Ultimately, his intention was to kill you." By telling me this, Pan seemed to be losing more and more of his temper, as he sent a glare to the loyal youth. This, admittedly, baffled me. Why would he care? I mean, I know he wants that kiss, but once that happens, who's to say Devin won't finish what he started? "Felix managed to find you in time, interrupting Devin from letting loose another arrow." Pan informed, acting unusually calm after being so expressive. Well, I feel like an idiot... I thought as my eyes avoided his. My eyes widened suddenly as a thought crossed my mind: Wait, if I was poisoned, then why do I feel healthy? Unless...

"Was the poison Dreamshade?" I questioned. Please say no, please say no...

"It was." Damn it all to the bloody bowels of Hell!

"Pan took you to drink the antidote." Henry mentioned with a faint smile of appreciation sent towards Pan.

"You took me to the falls at Dead Man's Peak? And I drank from the spring?!" I lost control of my emotions.

"You were facing imminent death because of where you were hit." Pan acknowledged. I feel both grateful and spiteful... I balled my fists. Add depressed to that mix. Tears gathered in my eyes.

"Rie, why are you so sad? He saved your life." Henry's voice gently assured. I blinked the tears away and sent him a small smile.

"Because, unfortunately, like magic, that antidote has a price." This peaked Henry's curiosity.

"Do you think it wise to tell him, Rie?" Pan questioned. I sent him an intense glare.

"It's better he hears it from me than you." I muttered harshly. I took a breath to calm myself and I looked back to Henry. "I can't leave Neverland, Henry. That's the price."

"Yes you can." Henry chuckled. Henry... "When our family comes to get me, we will all go home."

"No, I mean I can't leave, like ever." Henry tilted his head. The joy that was in his eyes was fading. "If I leave Neverland's atmosphere, the antidote will disperse and the poison will start spreading once more." He still seemed confused. "Simply put: if I leave, I will die." Henry's eyes widened.

"No..." He whispered. My eyes narrowed in sorrow. "You can't die." I locked eyes with him. "If I save Neverland - "

"That won't change anything..." Henry's eyes were rimmed with tears. "I'm sorry Henry." I hugged him close to my body. He's trying to be strong... I thought as Henry just hugged me back tightly. He wasn't crying, but I know he wanted to. I did too. After a few moments passed, I placed my hand on Henry's back. "Henry..." He pulled from me and looked up at me. "I need to do something and afterwards I will be going for a walk." I looked over to Pan. "Besides, considering how pathetically predictable Pan is, I'm sure there's something he wants to show you." Whatever that may be. My tone held annoyance but a gentleness, as well, for Henry's sake. Henry looked back at Pan and he nodded to him, indicating that I was right.

"OK." Henry stated as he turned back to me and smiled. I patted his head, returning his smile. I got up and walked over to Pan.

"You have no idea how much I want to hurt you, but I won't. You're not worth it." I drew in a breath. "You have ruined my life in more than one way." I stated darkly, glaring at him.

"May I remind you - " I cut him off.

"Shut up!" I took in another sigh, calming myself. "But you also saved it." I lifted my eyes to make eye contact. He seemed thrown off by my switch in emotions. "I have no words to express how much it means to me to be able to be around my brother. To be able to hug him and be here for him." My tone has now become gentle. Our eyes continued to dance together. "But I do need to thank you." I sighed as Pan's gaze held anticipation for my words. My chest grew tight at the thought of what was to happen next. I leaned up on my tip toes and placed my lips upon his as tears threatened to fall. I will never let him see me cry. I pulled away from the kiss. "Congratulations Pan, you win." I bit my tongue to prevent tears from gathering. I knew my tears were about to fall so I pushed past him and ran. I let my tears fall when I gained enough distance. No matter what happens, I will make it through this.