Lies, Mistrust and Fairy Dust

by Xavier Neal

I give him a simple shrug and slide my hands into my back pockets. “Whenever you are.”

  Kendall tucks his shirt in, grabs the leather jacket that sheltered me in my time of pain, and slips it on covering up the most obvious part of his wardrobe. Suddenly he looks almost exactly like he did when we first met, except now I know behind those sunglasses he's not nearly as frightening as I originally thought. Well, at least I don't think he is.

  **

  The two of us arrive outside a coffee house where Kendall slips off his helmet and offers me his hand to take. Doing so, I allow him not only to hold my hand, but lead me into the coffee shop that somewhat reminds me of Starbucks. However instead of a green and white mermaid theme, it's purple and black with a fairy theme. Inside are long purple curtains draped to keep some of the morning sunlight out. There are several long black and purple velvet couches where creatures are lounging behind laptops, and books, really no different than back at home. Except I don't remember seeing anyone use their tail to hold their muffin while their hands hold their mug. Diverting my attention before I have another incident like I did yesterday, I raise my eyebrows at the projector size screen of choices that's continuously rolling with drink choices I don't completely comprehend. Seriously? I barely understand the choices back home! What am I supposed to do here? What if I end up drinking snail or something?

  On my tip toes, I declare in a soft whisper, not wanting to bother the customers we're behind, or offend them, “I don't know what the hell any of that is.”

  He pushes his sunglasses into his hair with a snicker. “You're cute.”

  “I'm serious!”

  He licks his lips. “It's coffee Lost Boy.”

  I prepare to glare when I notice the playful change in him. This is the Kendall I enjoy seeing. With the same playful tone I shake my head. “That is not coffee. Could you please explain?”

  Kendall's phone begins ringing. He shuts his mouth from answering my question as he checks the ID. My eyes study the look on his face hoping for some sort of indication of who's demanding his attention. However it remains blank.

  “Look, just tell her the usual for KH.” Afterward he excuses himself and answers the phone right before he's out of earshot. “Officer Hook.”

  Officer Hook. Seems like the story only got the names right. Well. Sort of. Another register opens up, allowing me to stroll over to the girl who is pale, pencil thin with short brown hair that appears to be on fire at the ends. Like actually on fire. Like roast a marshmallow on the ends of it on fire! Tempted to point it out, but sure she knows I merely listen to her deep bass voice instruct others around before speaking to me.

  “Can I take your order?”

  “The usual for KH,” I answer quickly.

  Looking me up and down she prepares to hit a button. “On his tab?”

  I glance over my shoulder, not seeing Kendall in sight. With a shrug I answer, “Sure.”

  “And for you?”

  Unsure of what to order I merely reply, “I'll have what he's having.”

  “You got it.” She types on her computer before a receipt quickly prints. The cashier quickly shoves it at me exposing a rather familiar mark on the inside of her wrist. “Have a nice day.”

  I take it using my opposite hand not sure I should flash my Lost Boy tattoo. I try not to stare at Alex's marked territory. Now nervous, I move away from the counter slowly and begin scanning around for Kendall, who I find outside still on the phone. Feeling a little safer knowing he hasn't deserted me, I slide into a purple chair at a table towards the back keeping one eye on Kendall and the other on the Dark Watcher.

  The Dark Watcher moves as if nothing is abnormal, which allows me to let my guard down for a moment. I rest my head on my palm with my eyes closed while the other rubs the side of my neck hoping to relieve some tension that's been building over the last few days. God, am I going to have to spend the rest of my life paranoid?

  “Alone? That hardly seems safe,” the voice whispers before his foot starts tapping the white tile floor. My eyes shoot open to see Alex leaning against the wall, sitting across from me, a victorious glow radiating around him. I prepare to scream when Alex opens up his dark green suit jacket revealing a gun I can only assume is loaded. “I wouldn't do that if I were you.”

  I glance past him at Kendall who still has his back to me. “How'd you find me?”

  “It's not like it's hard.” He shrugs. “That is if you're actually looking for you and not just going on with your day like normal. You know like the ones you call friends.”

  “I'm sure they're looking for me.”

  “And yet I found you before them, so how hard can they really be looking? After all you're all convinced we're second best when it comes to finding everything.” Alex's words start to sink in as he rounds them off with, “World Class criminals can't find a simple girl on a small island? Please. I know you don't even buy that line of bull.” Clearing his throat he stands, adjusts his dress pants where I see a dagger dangling close to his belt, and demands. “Let's move it. Quietly.”

  Not seeing a clear exit strategy yet hoping one pops up, I stand, and move the direction he's instructing. We take a path that leads us to a long hallway with three signs, two labeled bathrooms and one employees only. Alex's body is pressed directly against mine, his weapon bumping into me from inside his jacket, taunting me. Reminding me my life can end at any given moment. That I'll always be helpless. He guides us through the employee door, which exposes an empty staff room and a side door that exits to the street.

  The two of us land on a deserted side street, not giving me hope that I can make a great escape. Proud of himself, Alex allows a little more space between us, giving me a false sense of hope. I pick up the speed towards the end of the block, when a long black limo pulls up and the window rolls down exposing Lola, who's got a red tint to her hair and skin proving once more to me, she really belongs in the depths of Hell. She gives me a pleased wave. Have I mentioned how much I hate her?

  Seeing my defeat in front of me, my shoulders slouch, as I step towards the limo. Before my hand touches the handle, I hear the sound of a gun cock. Slowly, I turn around to see Kendall with his weapon drawn and pointed at Alex's temple. At once, he raises his hands in the air.

  “Come on Alex. You didn't really think I would leave Pan's latest addition unattended did you?” he speaks slowly, deliberately, and authoritatively.

  “We all make mistakes Hook.”

  “I don't.”

  “There's a first for everything.”

  Kendall grabs my hand and pulls me behind him. “I'm highly offended you think I'm that stupid.”

  “And I'm highly offended you're choosing the Lost Boys’ side by protecting her,” Alex counters as he slides his hands in his pockets. So it's good to see smarting off to everyone runs in their bloodline.

  “Not choosing sides. In fact, as far as I'm concerned they're just a bigger pain in my ass than you are. Now, get in the car and have a nice day, Alex.”

  Not turning his head to speak to me, Alex merely says, “See you soon Peyton.” He slides in the vehicle, which quickly speeds off.

  Kendall lowers his gun back to its holster before he turns around to face me. Filled with relief, I throw my arms around him and hold tight. “How'd you find me?”

  “I'm good at my job,” His hands hold me tightly in return almost like he doesn't believe he found me. The two of us linger in the tight embrace longer than we probably should. Kendall casually pulls his body away from mine and slides his sunglasses back on. “Remember that.”

  Saddened that he made the transition back from warm knight to ice prince so quickly, I nod and allow him to lead me back towards his motorcycle. Upon arrival he hands me a beverage in a purple cup with a black lid. My hands wrap around the warm cup and try to stomach the overwhelming aroma escaping.

  Paranoid I ask, “What is this?”

  “A beverage. So drink it,” Kendall insists having a sip of his own.

&nb
sp; “While not knowing what it is? That doesn't sound safe.”

  “Need I remind you I just saved you?” He points with a cocky grin. “Again. I think I've earned a little trust.”

  Uneasy, I slowly raise it and have a small sip that's smooth yet sweet like hot chocolate. Humming out a pleased sound, I nod. “It's good.”

  He has another sip of his. “I know.”

  “So what is it?”

  “Can't just accept it for what it is can you, Lost Boy?”

  I grind my teeth. I really wish he would call me by my name. “Nope.”

  My mouth moves to take another sip, which is when he answers, “It's croc's breath.” The drink gets caught in my throat causing me to cough uncomfortably. Chuckling he tosses his head back. When his laughter finally dies down he asks, “Feel better now that you know?”

  Too appalled to answer, I merely continue to make faces at the thought of what my drink is made from.

  Kendall points in a general direction to the right. “Come on. Courthouse is just around the corner.”

  The two of start walking together, the beginning of our walk filled with sounds of me smacking my mouth at the taste. Uncomfortable with what it's made from, but thankful it tastes so delicious, I have another sip hoping to wash away the new information.

  “What's with everything made out of croc'?”

  “Easy commodity,” Kendall answers. “I take it by your constant response with croc' it's not in your world?”

  “Not where I've lived,” I hum out walking side by side with him. “And the croc' there, I have a feeling is nothing like the kind you have.”

  “Different worlds.”

  “Definitely.” As we prepare to cross the street, gravity fights against me causing my foot to slip off the curb.

  With perfect reflexes Kendall rescues me by the waist. He lightly chuckles, his body now closer to me than it was before. Oddly enough being in his arms feels right, even though I know it shouldn't. “You've got to learn to stay on your feet, Lost Boy.”

  “I would say I'm usually not this clumsy, but that would be a lie,” my voice sighs. Innocently I adjust my hat as I slip out of his grip.

  “And you hate to lie?”

  My lips press together knowing I hate liars, but am turning into one. A big one. I mean I hate being lied to by people I care about or people who care about me, but if I turn that little fact around I'm turning into that very person. How is it so often we become the things we hate? I feel this is when one of Justin's quotes would come in handy...and had he not left me to take the heat like he did, or the fact he sells women for a side job, I would definitely miss him a little more.

  “It's something I'm not fond of.”

  “Then you're in the wrong business.”

  “I'm starting to pick up on that.” I look ahead at the giant gray stone building that looks like an old roman Colosseum. “Is that the Courthouse?”

  “It is,” Kendall observes his surroundings as we approach, reminding me of someone who clearly knows what it’s like to be followed. But who would be following him? Or maybe it's not him he's worried about but me. After all Alex did find me once already. His green eyes fall back into mine, a sweet look in them. “It's best to finish our drinks before heading inside. After all they aren't open just yet.”

  “Then why are we here so early?”

  “I was planning on us having a bit of breakfast, remember?”

  The thought pops back in my head, but the fact I'm no longer remotely hungry shouldn't come as a shock.

  “You know, before the attempted kidnapping. But as usual Alex put a dent in my days' plan. Ah well. There's just a few minutes left.” Kendall leans his back against one of the columns, lifts his sunglasses up, and takes another long sip of his drink. “So tell me about your world.”

  My bottom lip briefly leaks into my mouth as I try to contain my excitement. “What do you wanna know?”

  A charming smile I'm not sure I can resist slips on his face. “Anything.” Before I can respond he glides a hand on my hip and pulls me so my body is as close as it was when he caught me from falling off the curb. In what feels like a whisper he adds, “Everything.”

  Lord help me, I'm in trouble. Instantly, I begin spewing information about traveling from city to city growing up, being somewhat of a loner, my sketching, my ability to paint, a little bit about my parents making sure of course, to avoid the fact I skipped away without them to join what I'm guessing is a side against everything they believe.

  Kendall laughs through my embarrassments and awes through my pain, showing more emotion than I would've given him the credit to be able to show. The entire time his attention is pasted on me. I don't feel like he asked to hear about it because he thinks he can find a way to get me to give up information about Peter. I don't feel like he asked so that I would slip up with information for him to use against me. Honestly, it feels like he only asked because he really wants to get to know me. Kind of the way I imagined Justin would talk to me if we ever went on a real date.

  After 'story time', we wait in the line to receive my papers, which goes off hitch free with the help of the ‘all powerful’ Officer Hook. I guess it does pay to have people in the right places.

  On our way out the big glass front doors, he offers, “What do you say I show you around the big city?”

  Flirtatiously I ask, “Don't you have to work today?”

  Stopping at the bottom step he shrugs. “Work can wait.”

  “I don't think that would make your brother very happy.”

  “Well the Captain can deal.” Didn't realize he was captain. That further explains why he was so paranoid about what Kendall shared with me. “I haven't taken a sick day since I started on the force.” Before I can object, he waves his hand the direction he intends on taking. “Shall we?”

  The two of us head towards the road with me giggling at the thought of him calling in sick. “And what exactly are you gonna say you're sick with?”

  Kendall shrugs, obviously not thinking too hard about it. “I don't know. In your world what do you call in for?”

  I absentmindedly keep walking, not registering that he stopped. “The flu?”

  To no surprise the horn of a vehicle blares as it presses severely on it's brakes to stop. Freezing in fear, I'm whisked out of the way by Kendall who cradles me with one arm and uses his free hand to apologize to the car on my behalf with a gesture.

  My heart tries to slide down my throat, back to my chest where it belongs. This is insane! One minute I'm nearly kidnapped, the next I'm almost hit by a car, albeit the last was more of my fault, but it just feels like I can't make the right decision. How do I expect to stop playing the victim if I can't even cross the street unsupervised like a child in Kindergarten?

  Slowly I lift my head off his chest to meet his stare.

  “You've got to be more careful, Peyton.”

  In a soft whisper I say, “You said my name.”

  “I know.” He licks his lips, leans down, and roughly presses them against mine. Although the rest of his body is hard and solid, strong and unmovable like a rock, like a rock everyone needs in their lives, his lips are supple, hopeful. Lost against them I part mine and invite his tongue into my mouth, thankful when he quickly takes the invitation. The first push causes me to rise to my toes, the second push drops me back down to my heels, and the third is followed by him ending the kiss. Ending his moment of weakness.

  When our eyes meet again I sigh, “Thanks for saving me. Again.”

  “I'm getting used to it,” he playfully responds as his hands run down my back to fall off me.

  The corner of my mouth starts to curl when the sound of someone clearing their throat cuts it short. Our attention turns to the Lost Boys who are gawking at us from the corner I was just attempting to cross from. My eyes scan over the beaming Peter, the twins who look relieved yet confused, and Justin who looks betrayed.

  Peter chuckles sliding his hands into jean pockets. “Well
look what Hook picked up...”

  Kendall immediately puts his wall back up. “Just cleaning up your messes as usual Pan.” He takes his defensive stance at the same time the distant look returns to his eyes. Why do I always start to fall for guys who seem to have two different personalities? The one that I fall for and the one they want the world to see.

  “Was it sticky?” the sexual implication is enough for me to roll my eyes.

  Ignoring the comment he grunts, “Home for less than a day and already creating more work for me.”

  Assuming he's just trying to hold his own, I try not to take anything personal. But I'd be lying if I said it was easy. I know there was a spark between us. I knew it when he brought me home last night. When he took care of me while I had nightmares. When he lied to his brother for me this morning. Not that it really matters in the end though. Even if there was, it's gone now. Stomped out once more by the reality Peter brings whenever he shows up. Not that I had thought too far ahead about it.