Page 31 of Beneath the Starlight and Storms

A dark figure stands at the door, momentarily shocking me, but I blink, and it disappears.

Grabbing my chest, I look around, hoping the other shadows have disappeared too. But they’re still there. They grow, making the walls seem closer while the ceiling slowly presses down on me as tightness claws at my chest.

Air. I need air.

I quickly move to the large window and try to open it, but I can’t find the latch.

My eyes burn as dread fills me.I needed out. I needed out,now.

Open! Please open…

My hands shake as I fumble along the frame for the lock. My fingers hit something metal, and a click sounds out, finally freeing me from my suffocating prison.

Pushing the window open, I fall forward as the entire window opens outward, just like a door.

I catch myself on the small balcony hidden outside and swallow down a large gulp of the cool night air.

Needing more freedom from the enclosed space, my eyes spot a small spiral staircase that swirls down the wall and is only hidden by the large tree that sits in front of it. It leads straight out into the garden and forest.

Without a second thought, I move down the steps and quickly make my way to the garden. My feet hit the cool grass, each step like a salve that settles my soul until the chaos and pain within me becomes silent and numb.

I walk with no direction in mind. With no hope for anything other than the calm it brings my mind, body, and soul.

Cool air slowly fills my lungs and I finally feel like I can take a deep breath.

I pause, closing my eyes and tilt my head up towards the vast sky.

Sounds slowly filter in around me. The chirping of small birds. The rustle of trees as the wind brushes past it.

Slowly opening my eyes, I look up at the dark sky and its twinkling starlight. The longer I stand there, the more serene I feel until the last of my panic slowly ebbs away.

With my gaze set above, I lay down and let the stars slowly soothe me back to sleep.

* * *

Light surrounds me, encasing me in its warmth. A pleasant breeze whispers across my cheeks and my eyes flutter open.

I glance around the room in confusion when the faded memory of last night hits me, making me freeze.

I was outside. I was sure of it. But then…How did I end up back here?

The window is still ajar, bringing a warm breeze in. I narrow my eyes on it, trying to figure out how I could have got back here.

Did I walk in my sleep?It would be a first if I did.

Too tired to wrap my head around the mystery, I get up and move to the door on my left, hoping it has a tub I can use.

But I open the door only to find a closet with lines of shelves all filled with clothing, shoes and jewelry.

Stepping inside, I glance around at the large space, its size at least half that of my room, and wonder who owns all these clothes.

My fingers trail along the dresses hanging off to one side as I eye the shelf of sparkling jewelry.

Hook was right about one thing. I didn’t care about expensive things or pretty dresses, but even I could appreciate the subtle beauty of some of the gems laid out before me.

My eye catches on a small set of shell earrings that reminded me of the beautiful shell Hook once found for me in Neverland. But when he left, I couldn’t find it again. And once Peter took off the mask he wore, the last thing I could think about was pretty shells.

Why did Hook leave all these clothes and expensive looking items here? Was it a mistake?

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