[Word count: 3,300]

| chapter - three |

\ the sound of silence /

"Psst."

...

"Pssssst."

Mallory flutters her eyes as the world comes clearly into view from her sleepy vision, she had slept outside with the boys as Peter had been in his tent all night long. Now that he thought she worked for Captain Hook, she no longer had the opportunity to have her own little tent.

And so, here she was. Sleeping with the boys in a group, like a whole pack of wolves. The boys were lucky, they had cloaks to use as blankets. That seemed to be their attire, cloaks with hoods. Peter was the only one that didn't wear said attire, but she guessed it was because he was the leader.

It was freezing all night, if Mallory still had her wings she could've kept herself warm. But, she had to just cuddle herself into a tight fetal position and deal with it.

"Pssst." The sound came again.

Mallory rubbed her eyes as she lifted herself with her elbows and looked towards the sound. Only to see that girl again. The one with the light blonde hair in a bun, and grimy green clothing. The girl motioned her over.

Mallory pushed herself to sit up and looked over her surroundings, making sure nobody was awake and also seeing Peter's tent was still zipped up tightly. She pushed herself to her feet, wiping the dirt from her clothes and skin. Smelling the everlasting gust of smoke from the burned out bonfire that was lit up last night, and she tried to navigate her way towards this girl in the forest around the camp.

Stepping over multiple boys ever so quietly. Bear. Fenn. Bishop. Even the two other boys Peter had called out yesterday, Felix and Perseus. She paused and held her breath as Perseus shifted underneath her and flipped himself onto his other side. Pursing her lips she clenched her eyes shut and cursed in her head. She let her breath go quietly and kept going once knowing she was in the clear.

She did the same with Felix. Having space to finally walk along normally, she began to carefully make her way over to the mystery girl in the forest.

Instead of having a calming stride towards the girl. Mallory ends up jumping at the sudden feeling of a hand grabbing her ankle. She looked down at who locked his hand onto her, acting like chains, only to see Felix.

"Where do you think you're going?" He mumbled in a groggy tone.

"I-" Mallory shook her head not having any words to spill. She pointed up towards the tree lining. "There's a girl, and..."

But when she looked up, the girl was gone. Like she never existed in the first place, without a trace. And by the time she looked back at Felix she noticed the others were waking from their slumber. First it was Fenn, then Bishop, then Bear and Perseus, and the rest. But neither of them stayed long to even greet her to a lovely 'morning', or even a simple 'hello'.

The moment Peter unzipped his tent and stepped out into the wild along with all of them, every single boy, including Felix, went to a post. Or what normal people would consider a job.

Bishop held a large sickle in which resembled an oversized hook, which she had no idea why he would need such a weapon. She didn't know if she wanted to find out.

Bear held a bow with a quiver of arrows, which told Mallory that he was a hunter of some type despite his limp and staff.

Fenn yawned as he held an axe over his shoulder, as if this was an everyday occurrence and it was something he was fully accustomed to.

Perseus seemed to hold a sword. Which caused her to really think on what was on this island, where you needed a full on sword.

She watched as every boy had their own stations, some even in small groups for the ones who probably couldn't handle it on their own. Mallory was confused on why this was. She never knew much about Neverland, but, she knew it was supposed to be a place full of games and fun. Not work and stations of different kinds.

This was quite the strange sight, and could help but want to learn more.

"This all may seem very confusing to you, Mal-" Peter raised a brow. "May I call you, Mal?"

She opened her mouth to give him the okay, but it was like he read her mind once again. And he continued on. "But I'm sure you'll grow used to it in no time. So for now, I'll be sending you off with one of my lost boys to show you the ropes, each day. To make your first real week easier on you, until the next. Since, you were out for two weeks in a row, it only seemed fair."

Mallory furrowed her brows at all of this new information.

Lost boys? Is that what he calls them? She thinks to herself. I was out-cold for two weeks?!

Peter then finished with, "I'll be sending you off with Bishop today, tomorrow will be Bear. I will determine the next in the coming day after."

"Wh-" Mallory was cut off the moment she even breathed.

"No questions." Peter demanded with a harsh stare. "Go." Snapping his fingers, all of the lost boys parted ways and did as told.

Mallory sighed with a harsh heave of her chest, rolled her eyes and followed Bishop into the forest. It's not like she was against it, she just wanted to get more details. She didn't even have time for a full introduction to the rules or the place, it was just thrown into her face right away.

She guessed that's how Peter runs things around there. It's something she would have to get used to, as with everything else on Neverland thus far.

***

"Where are we even going?" Mallory asked, as she kept swatting leafs and branches out of her face that the lost boy left behind in front of her.

Bishop hummed, "Fishing... kinda." He sounded suspicious. "I need something from the sea. You'll see what I mean in a moment. Do you like water?"

Mallory cringed, "No. Not really..."

"Well, you better change your mind quick if you're going to be staying here." Bishop chuckled.

"What if I say no?" Mallory scoffed in almost pity.

"Consequences."

"Of what kind?"

Bishop turned to face her as he began to walk backwards, and he pretended to slice his sickle across his throat making a fake face of death. Raising his eyebrows and shrugging, he swiveled around and walked forwards once again.

Mallory rolled her eyes, and continued to follow in silence. Crossing her arms and wondered how long it took to arrive at the beach. She wanted to get this over with, she didn't like the idea of staying near water for too long.

As she watched her surroundings and took in the scenery, realizing how pretty it actually was despite it being such a dark forest. Day time was alright, but it was still gloomy all around the none-existent clock.

She noticed a rather ravishing looking bush with beautiful black flowers and sharp thorns. She paused and stared at it for awhile.

She brought her finger out to go and touch one of the thorns, wanting to suddenly test how sharp it really was. The jokes were all on her now. It was like her mind switched to start thinking like Aurora.

But just as the thoughts came, they left right away when a hand clasped around her wrist in an instant. Causing Mallory to jolt with a light gasp.

Looking up to see the familiar face. Bishop shook his head, "Don't touch these thorns, ever."

Tilting her head she raised a brow, trying to understand why he says this. It's just thorns and flowers.

Bishop explains. "It's Dreamshade. Which is the deadliest poison on Neverland, you will die within a week with agonizing pain."

Mallory's face softened and she nodded, understanding. He seemed so genuine, there was no way this was a fib.

"I know from experience, take my word for it. Don't ruin yourself." Bishop walked along the trail as Mallory followed. "I remember when I was curious too, but no-one was around to stop me like I did with you just now."

"How are you still alive then?" Mallory questioned. "You just said you'll die within a week."

"Perseus found me laying in the forest in the fetal position, suffering." Bishop detailed. "He called over Bear and Fenn, and they all brought me back to camp. The last thing I remember was drinking magical water from the spring, and well, here I am. It was a very long and painful journey to the spring, as it is not easy to reach. It's a very high peek of a mountain form. But, I made it in the end nonetheless."

"What does the spring water do?" Mallory had so many questions, she found this interesting as she followed along close behind him.

"It heals you completely, gives you a second chance." Bishop breathed. "But with a price. Magic always has a price here, remember that."

"What's the price?"

Bishop didn't hesitate, "I can never leave. If I try to leave, I will die within seconds."

Mallory tried to take it all in, and thought back on his words "Don't ruin yourself".

"Bishop."

"Hm?"

Mallory wasn't sure if this right for her to ask, but she was too curious. "Do you want to go home? Do you miss your family?"

But Bishop didn't seem to answer, instantly she could see him grip the sickle tighter. But he sighed and unclenched his fist from the weapon, "We're almost there. Just another mile or two, the water is freezing cold by the way, hope you don't mind."

She didn't ask again, she didn't wanna push him too far since they were alone and he was the only one with a weapon.

***

At the lining of the trees, they looked out among the beach. Chills ran down Mallory's spine at the thought of being so close to water, but she would admit, the view was ever so stunning. And as she continued to stare upon the horizon, she spotted that ship once again. The one she had seen when on top of that cliff before being introduced to the camp and the other lost boys.

"Ignore it," Bishop noticed her staring at the ship. "It's just the Jolly Roger, it's been there since you arrived."

"Will it ever leave?" Mallory asked.

Bishop shrugged, "I suppose not. Since you're working for Hook, I don't think he'll want to leave without you."

Mallory rolled her own set of blue eyes with a sigh, "First of all, I'm not working for Hook. And secondly, how did you know that?"

"You two were speaking with your outdoor voices, everyone heard it." Bishop laughs as he moves along down the beach.

Scouting around the shore line, Mallory spots a large shell of sorts. It reminded her of those sea shells that you put up to your ear and listen to the ocean speaking. She grabbed it, wiggling water off of her hands in distaste of the sea. She examined the sea shell, it was almost horned shaped. She found it to be interesting and pretty.

But she also had the sudden urge to blow on it, as it really was a horn. But as she was about to do so, she wasn't surprised to be stop within seconds.

"Don't blow on it, whatever you do. That's a bad idea." Bishop warned. "You won't be happy with what you're greeted with."

Mallory scoffed and looked up to him, "Why? What's the big deal?"

Bishop was careful with his words, "It's shaped like a horn for a reason. It summons the giant squid, and he's not exactly friendly."

Her eyes widened slightly as she set the shell onto the sand again, "What's the purpose of a giant squid on Neverland?"

"Join one of our weekly games and you'll find out," He chuckled, and she silently gulped.

She followed him along the line of the ocean, cringing whenever water touched her feet. Getting her boots soaked once again. And it was like a flash of color, the moment her eyes blinked a boat was waiting among the shore.

Mallory practically stuttered, "That definitely wasn't there before..."

Bishop grinned as he grabbed at the boat and pulled it further up the shore, "Another thing about Neverland that you need to know. The magic system works in a way where, you can conjure up just about anything as long as you believe and think about it hard enough."

He then said, "I thought about a boat, and here we are."

He motioned her towards the boat, "Come on, then. Hop on in."

Mallory felt uneasy, uncomfortably fiddling with her fingers. Bishop shook his head, "You're fine, I've done this multiple times."

Reluctantly, she entered the boat. When she saw two paddles, she knew it was a row boat. Bishop pushed it back into the ocean and quickly hopped in afterward, and off they went. He say down, and began to carefully row further away from shore.

Mallory watched painfully as the land began to get smaller and smaller, as she watched the water with sorrow and slight worry.

"Row, row, row your boat," Mallory hummed in tune. "gently down the steam. Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily. Life is-" She let out a careful sigh and turned back to face Bishop, "-but a dream..."

"That's an old lullaby." Bishop grinned softly with a raised brow. "Haven't heard that one in quite the century."

Mallory nodded, "An old friend used to sing it to me all the time, but, that's none of your concern right now."

Bishop understood, "Right. That's not what we're here for, old memories."

"Good." She was glad he let it go.

He soon stopped rowing and the boat was still among the water. "Now what?"

"Now? We wait." He brought the paddles into the boat and hid them under the wooden seats.

"For what exactly?" Mallory wasn't following.

He smirked tightly, "The catch for the day, I guess you could say."

She noticed him tap the side of the boat with his fingers in a certain rhythm, and this caused her to squint her eyes in suspicion. As she tried to hold her guard the best she could, wondering if this was some sort of trap or something similar.

 After long moments of waiting, Bishop was watching the horizon and waiting. Meanwhile, Mallory stared at a figure in the water.

A head carefully broke the oceans surface, as the figure grabbed onto Mallory's side of the row boat and pulled themselves closer.

It was a woman, and she seemed to own a fish tail. Mallory concluded that she was a mermaid. She's heard of them, but never encountered one until now.

The mermaid gently smiled and seemed to hum a specific tune. And it was like Mallory's mind lulled at such a sound, this caused her to smile back and tilt her head at the woman who was half fish.

"Hello, Beastie." The mermaid whispered, but Mallory was confused.

The mermaids mouth never moved and it sounded to be inside her head, but it was so soothing and sounded so loving and caring. It reminded her of family, of someone she knew and loved. Her mind buzzed in relaxation, as she put all of her unwelcomed trust in this little mermaid.

Mallory didn't even notice the mermaid grab onto her hand and pull her into the water slowly, she felt the water envelope her fingers and wrist but it was like she wasn't phased.

It was like Mallory was in a trance.

The mermaid began to grow horns, sharper fangs and her eyes turned a blazing green. The image was very familiar to Mallory, and it was a sense of comfort.

"Follow, Beastie." The voice spoke. "Follow me home into the deep blue sea, and I will show you endless mysteries."

Mallory leaned closer and closer, until she felt all go silent and water flourish around her face. Unable to breath, but the trance was so strong, she did not care.

But the moment the water filled itself with blood around them, the trance fuzzed in and out. And Mallory was able to see the true state of the mermaid. It was not a mermaid, no, it was in fact a Siren. A filthy disgusting Siren. A monster.

The Siren seemed to struggle and hiss, as Mallory watched a blade pierce it's neck from the back. Causing the ocean around them to fill with thick black blood. It was a horrid sight.

And she felt a hand grab her shoulder and pull. The moment her head came out of the water she coughed and sucked in fresh oxygen. As she was pushed fully into the boat again, and she sat back and steadied herself.

It was Bishop who pulled her back and stopped the madness, "That was a close call, you good? I probably should've mentioned the Sirens before anything happened, but too late for that now, I guess..."

Mallory looked at his hand. He held the large sickle, in which the curved blade was impaled deep through the Siren's neck from the back. And the Siren now draped inside the boat, having bled to death.

"Heads up, there are Sirens who live here too. They put you into a trance and drown you." Bishop gave a late warning. "Oops."

Mallory attempted to calm her breathing, "You don't say." Trying to ring her hair out from the access water the best she could.

"What did you see?" Bishop asked. "They say the Sirens show you who you miss or who you care for the most, or even who you love. Or something like that, that's just what I've heard, at least."

Mallory thought for a moment, "I think it was my mother."

Bishop nodded, understanding. As he pulled the sickle out of the now dead Siren's throat, he then grabbed a trinket that was dangling from the Siren's neck and pulled it off. As he then grabbed the body and pushed her into the ocean, to forever sink to the bottom.

"What's that?" Mallory wondered.

Bishop explained, "It's something every Siren carries around their neck in a tiny vial, it's supposed to heal just about anything. Anything that is not Dreamshade, only the spring can cure Dreamshade. Either you kill a Siren, or you're very swift to get it off of their necks."

He then added, "I was never able to get one until now, thanks to you distracting it I finally have one."

"Why do you need it so bad?"

Bishop held it like it was a precious thing, "Bear." He swallowed. "For so long I've tried everything to help Bear heal his bad leg. That's why he uses that staff to walk, it was all caused by a horrible accident." His eyes were filled with so much hope as he stared at it with almost a genuine smile.

"Well," Mallory didn't know what else to say. "I hope it works on him."

Bishop nodded, "Me too. It's time to head back before night falls, Neverland at night is never a place to be all alone."

Mallory couldn't agree more to leaving the ocean and going back onto land. In fact, she was ecstatic about it, and didn't want to wait any longer.

-*-

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Here's chapter three! :)

What was your favorite part of this chapter?

Also, how is my take on the Neverland Sirens/Evil Mermaids? I wanted to be a little creative and make them a little bit more creepy. You'll see that a lot in this fic, lol.

Xoxo <3