Chapter Text
Over the last several years there were a great many things that Ariel wished that she could redo. She wished she hadn’t been so naive. She wished she had listened to her father. She wished she had told her sisters she loved them one more time.
Right now however she had a much less serious wish. All she wanted was a cage of her own.
Now this may seem ridiculous, and in a way it was, but a full grown woman trapped in a tiny cage along with a young girl was a snug fit. Not to mention the cage was made out of rough branches and had numerous bits that poked and prodded at them both causing their legs to be littered in small cuts and bruises. The cage was so small the young girl, who had introduced herself as Wendy, was in fact mostly on top of Ariel, digging her deeper into the wood.
Across from her she could see the other captive in his own space and was ashamed to say she was a tad jealous. He could move around and resettle himself. In fact he was so comfortable he was making small talk with Wendy about some boys named John and Michael. This new captive named Neal seemed way to confident that he would be saved, or at the very least that Pan wouldn’t kill him. A hope that Ariel did not have.
Over the last several days of captivity Ariel had in fact grown more and more sure that she was going to die in this cave, in this cage, while that no good pirate was out there and…
And….
Okay seriously can these two be quiet for even a moment so that she could think.
“And what else has changed?” Wendy asked, moving slightly and jamming her elbow right into Ariel’s ribs.
“Well photo’s are now in color and can be printed in seconds.”
“Really?!”
Neal laughed lightly, and Ariel noticed he rearranged his legs, the asshole. “Wendy of all the things I could lie to you about why would I lie about photographs?”
“I’ve known you since you were 14 Neal. I also know my brothers. I dare you to think of a thing I don’t believe you would joke about.”
“Touche.”
Ariel couldn’t even sulk in silence. Was that too much to ask for?!
Sighing silently Ariel sent a long suffering look towards Neal. If he would only look at her face, but instead he was so focused on Wendy he didn’t even spare her a glance. So a minute passed, and then another, but the two of them just… kept…. Talking.
After what felt like hours Ariel could take it no longer, sure that her ribs were bruised beyond repair from young Wendy’s constant jabs and movements. In a fit of anger she snapped her fingers loudly three times, finally receiving the other two’s attention. She pointed to her chest, then Wendy, and made a face that she hoped portrayed pain but was probably more in the vein of enraged.
Wendy thankfully got what she meant and quickly rearranged herself. She was not completely off Ariel but she moved enough that Ariel could breathe easier again. “Oh goodness! I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean to! Are you okay?”
Ariel wanted to tell her no, she wasn’t okay, she was tired and stiff and in pain. But she couldn’t say anything at all and it would do her no good to be mad at Wendy. Well madder than she was. So Ariel took a deep breath and chose the high road, nodding slowly.
“Wendy, who is this and why isn’t she talking?” Neal questioned, finally acknowledging her existence beyond introducing himself before being completely sidetracked by Wendy.
“I don’t know her name. She was brought here by Pan a little bit before you? I don’t know how long exactly but he said that she would be a ‘nice surprise’ for the pirate? I’m not sure what he meant but she was fighting the whole way into your cage. Originally she was in your cage but then all of a sudden she magically appeared in my cage under me and then Pan locked you up minutes later. It’s all really confusing.”
Ah, yes. This is exactly how Ariel wants to be talked about. Like a stranger in her own life. Then again she couldn’t make her own points so it was what it was.
“Pirate? Pan was talking about using her against a pirate?” Neal asked suddenly, seeming much more intrigued than he had been a moment before. This made a shiver run up Ariels back and she had a bad feeling in the pit of her stomach. Please, please, please let Neal be thinking of another pirate.
But she had seen him on the island….
And she had run to hide from him….
And that was when Pan had captured her….
Shit.
They probably were thinking of the same pirate weren't they? Ariel could only hang her head in silence and pray for the sweet release of sleep. If only her leg wasn’t asleep keeping her awake and in pain.
This just was not her day.
“Hello?!” Wendy called out, causing Ariel's attention to swivel to the front of the cave.
Through the darkness a few figures could be made out. They were of varying shapes and sizes but they all seemed a bit tall to be a party of The Lost Boys. Or at least it seemed so from this distance. Ariel hoped they weren’t The Lost Boys, because four of them coming here together was NOT a good sign.
Wendy’s cry was quickly echoed by one from Neal as the four figures stepped into the dim light, “Emma!”
Ariel however felt none of the relief and joy heard in Neal’s voice, instead she froze in shock and fear. He was there, less than a hundred feet away from her, and she had no way to escape.
He looked almost the same as the day he had tossed her aside and left her to wallow in her grief. His eyes scanned the cave as quickly as he always seemed to, “a mariner's eyes” he had told her once “always need to be aware not only of the waves before you but the lines of the horizon. Otherwise you're sure to sink.” Of course he had a cocky grin on at the time, but now his lips were set in a hard line and he was all stern lines and cold countenance.
At first he looked past her, his eyes simply seeing her as another body mostly covered by another in a cage. But almost immediately after they left her they flashed back and stared at her intensely. He was too far away for Ariel to make out the exact look in his eyes but she could imagine it all too easily. It would no doubt be the same as the last look he ever gave her. Full of hate, and derision, and rage, devoid of the love that once was there.
Time seemed to slow down as well as speed up. Ariel was lost for several moments in memories she didn’t want to remember and trying desperately to stay in the present. She didn’t need to break now, he wasn’t worth her breaking. Not when there were people here that Neal knew. People who might be able to get her out of this cell and off this hellscape of an island.
But then he turned around and started talking to the others he came here with, giving Ariel a much needed reprieve from his harsh stare. She took this moment to steel herself, willing to do or agree to just about anything this group said to get out of here, no matter who was a part of it.
Eric then turned back around, looked at her for just a second, and then turned back to his group. Once he did so the earth rumbled underneath the cages and Ariel stayed as still as possible, not knowing what was going on, until rocks sprouted and started building a bridge across the gaping chasm.
“A bridge! They’re making a bridge!” Wendy cheered, looking down at Ariel with a wide grin on her face. “Did you see that! We’re going to be out of here!”
The girl's optimism ground against something in Ariel she couldn’t name, but she smiled up at her anyway. Wendy may be rescued easily but she had some doubts about herself.
A fight seemed to break out amongst the others on the other side of the Chasm. The women with short hair seemed to be in a very intense discussion with the other man. Ariel had no idea what the two were saying but she was hoping that it had nothing to do with her. Maybe Eric had kept his mouth shut so far?
Maybe?
Please? For her?
Then the earth rumbled the same as before and the bridge of stone connected to the other side. The woman with blonde hair ran across the bridge with no concern for her safety despite how thin the pathway was. She immediately began to attempt to open Neals cage with a passion and fervor normally reserved for those you loved.
Ah, so this must be Emma. And she wawa Neals girlfriend? Lover? Wife? Whatever she was, she was clearly the reason that Neals was so sure he would be rescued.
“Emma. Emma. Emma. You know that’s not how this works.” Neal says, completely blindsiding Ariel. He knows how this works? How does he know that? Did Pan tell him?
“It’s okay. You can tell me anything.” He continues, once again oblivious to the outside world, but instead of Wendy having all his attention it was this newcomer, who Ariel is still assuming is Emma.
What she said next however shook Ariel to her core. She had heard a lot of things in her lifetime, been told a lot of things in her lifetime, but never something like this. Never had she heard someone confess to someone that they loved them but also wish that they were dead in the same breath. It was cruel and callous and heartbreaking, and it wasn’t even Ariel's heart. Hell, she had only known Neal for a few short hours but hearing this woman say this out loud, barely feet away from her, sparked a feeling of connection with Neal for her.
She knew what it was like to love someone who responds to you with casual cruelty.
But apparently being cruel is how you break whatever spell was placed on the cages and the cavern, because as soon as she finished speaking the doors to the cages shimmered out of existence and Neal embraced Emma in a hug. If Ariel was in his position she would have thrown a fist in the other person's face, but to each their own. Especially since Wendy was now leaving the cage and Ariel could move again.
Quickly the younger girl made her way out and Ariel stretched her legs for the first time in days, preparing to leave out of the small opening. Just as her hand touched the edge of the opening a black clad arm blocked her escape.
“I don’t think so. We didn’t come here for you.”