James

  James stared at the boy and waited for an answer.

  While admittedly, he may have lost himself for a moment when the boy turned out not to be his brother. James had always been quick to gather himself back together into working parts after shattering. Though he wouldn’t call his momentary lapse in judgment shattering, more like a glass gaining a single crack.

  Focusing and rebuilding himself after hardships had always been a skill of his, but Peter had never learned it. He was more likely to pretend nothing had happened, James often had to do the fixing for his brother.

  James examined the boy in front of him carefully. Sam was right, he kept glancing into his eyes, flinching and looking away confused.

  “Well?” He asked again after receiving no reply.

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  “I-I, it’s. I mean - Peter? But- but, I mean,” He stammered. While in the back of his mind, James noticed the fear in the way he said his brother’s name, he couldn’t help but be swept up in excitement.

  “Peter? You know him, where is he?” James looked around as if expecting him to jump out of the bushes and declare he had lost the game of hide-n-seek.

  “I-I-I mean, he’s the leader of the Lost Boys?” The boy answered, his face was twisted in confusion but at least he didn’t seem as tightly wound anymore.

  “Where is he?” James pushed. “Is he at the hangman’s tree? He always loved that spot.”

  “You, you know about the hideout?” The boy —he really needed to get his name, asked.

  “Of course I do, I was there when it was named. I still think he cheated somehow.” James grumbled and avoided the sudden downpour of tree leaves with a huff.

  “Yes yes, I know you don’t pick sides.” He waved his hand dismissively. “I suppose if we’re playing hide-n-seek it only makes sense that you can’t tell me where he is. That would be against the rules.”

  James nodded and made his decision. “Very well. Then we will play, I hope he’s prepared to lose, I’ve got some new skills from all those years growing up after all.”