Peter's Lily (Sequel to Pan's Tiger)

Chapter 12: Consequences

No one terrified me as much as Peter Pan.

It was completely silent, as I put one foot slowly in front of the other, turning around slowly, petrified, terrified as to whom I knew I would see. My whole body quaked in fear, trying to appear confident and not reliant on his mercy.

Peter Pan's face was lit in the fiery light of both of his hands, his eyes blackened by rage, his lips pulled back into a snarl so violent and menacing, I was sure he would rip out my throat before he could ever come close to touching me with whatever fiery light he was wielding.

He breathed in hard and fast, his hands tensed into cruel claws, his fiery light expanding in size, his whole body trembling with fury.

And then he roared in fury, shaking the whole of the immediate forest and making the leaves and twigs shiver as his voice tore through my ears.

'I knew you wouldn't obey me, Tiger.' Peter Pan sneered, his voice cackling at the notion of a new game or challenge, his anger spurring him on and exciting him. My heart raced as my hands twirled, slashed and twisted through the air in terror and elation.

Peter Pan's smile faltered and became a hideous snarl.

Jets of hot, scorching fire sprung towards my right side. I screamed, jumping sideways out of the way, dodging the burning blow. I glared at him maliciously, repulsed by his nerve, by his arrogance that was almost as intense as the heat. But most of all, I loathed his egotistical smile. The floor around my feet was simmering with the burning ashes of the leaves and twigs.

He cackled the same exhilarated laugh he'd always produced when he was enthused by anger. I knew my opportunity was now or never. The curse of the fire soared between his outstretched arm and his gloating smile became frozen.

I dropped to the ground, another jet of fire arching past me in a wave of heat to explode onto the tree behind me. I turned to watch the fire crawl up the bark and along each branch, eventually reaching the leaves.

Then, it exploded, blasting my hair from my face, before it flickered out... leaving the forest in a dreamy dimness once more.

Panting, I whipped back around to face my attacker, whose hand was already glowing more orange from the fire he held. My eyes widened as the fire rolled and spun in my direction, jumping at his restraining hand as though wanting to scorch his flesh, but Pan was unable to be hurt by his own fire.

'Peter...' I panted desperately.

'YOU FOOLISH GIRL!' Peter bellowed, releasing the third wave of fire towards me, burning the forest behind me and smoking the plants.

My breath caught in my throat as I rolled out of the way. It exploded a few feet to my left, sending another curling wave of heat over me. Quickly, I scrambled to my feet, ducking behind the only not burning tree trunk to my left to catch my breath.

'You think that will hide you?' I heard him shout furiously, 'You can't hide from me! No one can! I am Peter Pan! You stupid, stupid, little Tiger.'

With each word, he sent another jet of fire exploding into the other side of the tree, causing me to curl up in an attempt to protect myself from the occasional flame that would wrap around the tree trunk and flicker dangerously close to my body. My heart pounding in my chest, I needed a way out.

I may not have very much magic left, but I could still fly.

Still ducking out of sight, I opened my final vile of pixie dust and sprinkled it on myself, knowing it would give me enough power and magic to fly.

Another jet of fire exploded in a rush of violent heat caused my legs to propel me across the floor. With a grunt, I jumped off the ground, shooting quickly, clumsily through the twisting maze of the trees and into the mist while Peter shouted obscene language and words behind me.