She had a friend once long before when she was merely twelve. A friend she barely knew like Captain Hook but Nym was a much better friend than Hook. It was a typical day for both girls, they helped each other out like Mara would distract a seller while Nym takes much food as she could until things turn quite unfortunate. They were chased by guards, it was a long chase until Mara got stuck on a fence they climbed over, her ragged tunic got caught by the fence where she called out Nym to help. Her friend looked at Mara while the guards were close, Nym was very hesitant at that moment then continually ran off and left Mara to get caught.

It was the first time in Mara's life felt betrayal. Betrayal is a horrible feeling and one of the worst feelings in the world. She never seen Nym since that day. Still, she sometimes wondered where her old friend might be. It would be too treacherous of her to hope that Nym got eaten by trolls under a bridge but she mostly hopes Nym was okay and yet, does not desire to see her again.

That feeling she felt years ago came back to her, but it wasn't worse. Maybe because she only barely knew Hook.

"You're selling me out?" Mara was stunned.

"No" The pirate sighed with slight infuriation on his expression, "We'll speak about this in Jolly Roger. Come on" he nudged her to get on the boat.

The boat ride to the Jolly Roger was quiet, Mara never looked back at the shores of Neverland, she kept her gaze toward front and was relieved that she wasn't on the land of that strange cold place.

But the news of Killian's deal with Pan worried her. She was near as afraid of what happens next, not a huge or a shred of desire felt within her of staying in Neverland. The land of where no one and nothing grows, a home of the Lost Boys and home of a treacherous looking boy.

If it happens, if Captain Hook decides to pay the price, the price is herself, how would she able to live in that place? She would never grow, and who knows how long she would be there.

If it does not happen, she would most likely never come back there again.

Would Captain Hook give her up for a little magical bean? If he doesn't, then they won't able to go home. Would they be stuck here in Neverland and never grow old like me? Mara thought.

"Pan won't give me the Magic Bean unless I agree to trade you for it" Killian stated as he and Mara stood in the back of the ship as they gaze at the large island.

"I got that part pretty clear, Killian" Mara said peevishly, she leaned forward with her arms rested on the railing.

"I'll figure out another way to pay him" He opened his flask and drank.

"I wouldn't be shocked or surprised if you're willing to give me up to those savages"

"I won't," he didn't sound promising at all.

"I know you enough" She glanced at him, "I know you enough that you would give up some peasant girl you met at some random pub just to go home. But you know what? Decide whatever you want, I don't really care. I'm gonna go rest for a bit, it was a long day"

No sign of guilt or pity sighted on his expression before Mara turned and walked away. Her slight concern grew, thinking Hook had considered of giving her away, they only knew each other for a month and the duration of that month, they grew being as friends. Seems like every friend she made, they end up betraying her in the end.

Of course she would be mad, and she was mad at that moment. Actually she would be enraged. But still, can living in Neverland be worse? Worse than the night she spent with the ogres? That was only a night, but in Neverland could be days, weeks, months or years. Maybe she'd survive. Who knows.

Mara slept in below deck, she was awoken by loud arguments from above deck. She was surprised that none of the Pirates had taken their rests for the night and since it must've been midnight by then.

The ceiling wasn't that thick because she could hear the Pirates arguing.

"Well, what're you waiting for, Captain?!" One of them exclaimed, "give her up then!"

"Why can't we just take the bean from him?" Another implied, "You said that the inhabitants are only children, and the leader is merely a boy. Shouldn't be a problem at all"

"You want to go fight him and the Lost Boys?" Mara recognized the voice which was Hook's, "Be my guest, take many men as you like and see what they're capable of, especially the leader, I won't stop you. But it'll be the last thing you'll ever do!"

Mara got up slowly, and approached toward the stairs as the Pirates continued.

"We continue to sail but we won't last nor make it back or to the nearest land, so our only way back is that bloody bean" A different man said, "but we can't get it unless you give up the girl. Give her up then! She's only a girl and she's no use to us! Unless you want us all to stay here!"

"We can't stay, you idiot! You heard the Captain; we stay, we die"

"You mean that boy and his mates will kill us all? Psh!"

"Those boys have been here and had lived longer than all of you had!" The Captain argued, "Hell, they've lived around here long before you were even born. Imagine how long they've been wielding a bow, spear, knife and a sword, longer than any of us had. They're vile, treacherous, dangerous but their leader is far worse than that! So yes, they will kill us all and none of us would last here for a week!"

They'll die if he doesn't pay? Mara fell in daze. She halted by the stairs and sat down on a step.

"So what's it going to be, Captain?" Another pirate asked. "Give up the girl while the rest of us can go home? Or you don't and we all die"

That question suddenly changed everything. To Mara anyway. Would they get killed? Are the Lost Boys and Peter Pan really that unethical? If Hook refuses, would a girl be really worth to die for? To the Pirates on the ship, no, she wouldn't be and they would die for nothing and they would die because their Captain refused to pay the price.

That's something Mara wouldn't allow to happen.

Why her anyway? Why was she the price? Why that boy wanted her instead of gold, jewels or anything else that is more valuable? She was just a girl, a piss-poor peasant girl who spent most of her life serving and looking for an adventure.

So much for an adventure, she thought bitterly.

She could not go back to sleep but everyone else did. She was the only one awake on the ship. First traces of dawn were sighted in the night sky, the blue and purple colors sighted where the sun rises. Early mornings like at this moment were always slight chilly but Mara was warm enough. She could not walk around because everyone were sleeping below deck and she might wake them with her steps.

Killian mentioned that he had until morning to decide but Mara had made her choice and she was going to announce her decision to Killian once he wakes up.

She had laid on the floor in front of the ship within few hours, staring at nothing but the sky. Just as she were about to shut her eyes to attempt to sleep again, she heard a voice nearby, "Cozy down there?"

Mara darted her eyes before glancing left to right then lift her head up and looked forward. Seeing Peter Pan standing on the railing with hand grasping a rope that was connected to one of the sails. Bewildered, she stood up quickly and took a step back. She could scream or yell for help or to alert everyone. But she didn't. "How'd you get here?" She was baffled.

"Do I really have to answer that?" His brows raised while looking sullen.

Mara said nothing for several seconds. Taking those seconds to think of a better question to ask. "What are you doing here?"

"We didn't formally introduced back there, didn't we?"

Her brows dropped in confusion. "I don't think that's necessary but what the hell are you doing here?" She demanded.

The boy sighed, jump off the railing then leaned his lower back against the railing. "So you're aware of the deal that your pal and I made"

Mara breathed deeply, looking down the ship toward the entry to the below deck and no one was around but the two of them. "He told me" she said quietly, she looked at the boy, "But why? Why me?"

He didn't say anything for a moment, his smile crooked into a smirk and said "because you're lost"

***