The Boy Next Door - Pan

My head throbbed. Not painfully, like when some evil queen terrorizes you in your dreams, but the type you get from oversleeping. It was more like a drum echoing in the back of the skull. I inhaled slow, shallow breaths. It smelled like herbs.

Is my alarm waking me up to study for an exam, or am I still in Meu?

There was warmth beside me. I reached out and inspected my surroundings in the dim light. I recognised the defined arm and long hair I was touching right away. One I have felt in the darkness a couple of times already.

‘Celphi!’ I exclaimed. The realisation made me sit right up to check on him.

I pressed my palm to his chest. Steady and strong heartbeats beneath my touch. Breathing normally. No wounds or missing limbs. I exhaled audibly, which didn’t go unnoticed by folks outside. I heard noises.

Voices. Hooves. Pawsteps. Wings beating in lazy rhythm overhead.

I had a brief recollection of being fed while I was half asleep. Or I was awake, safe enough to eat, but I was either zoned out by the poisoned stab or by Marik's “very” potent antidote. I looked at my right lower torso and saw that I was patched up. Or if a roll of leaves is what they call bandage here.

I don't know if that was a dream, but it feels weird being the patient and not the nurse for a change.

My legs felt weak as I shifted and crawled around inspecting what I could touch. I wasn’t in a room. Well, it was like a room, but it was moving.

The makeshift carriage!

Curious, I peeled back a corner of the blanket and peered through the slit in the canvas covering. Lots of guards. Lion warriors. Griffins. Some other winged creatures I can’t identify. Some walked, some glided, others paced the convoy. 

I was completely protected.

I ducked back inside. I was scared. Despite the security, something about all this made me uneasy.

I don’t know these people. I am not who they want me to be. I am just Ina. Good old orphan Ina.

I don't know if I could trust the safety they promised. I still didn’t know the full story of my arrival in this world. I looked to Celphi on my side and remembered that even though I could trust some folks, I still had to watch out for when they have some magical transformations. I could be collateral damage anytime.

A fabric rustling brought me back. A hand brushed the outer flap gently.

‘Princess?’ a soft voice asked. Light, clear, and upbeat.

Pan? No, he sounded very gentle but he was still a man by all means. This voice sounds girly. Definitely not Riye. 

Where is Mede by the way?

The soft voice spoke again. ‘Princess Ina. May I come in? I’m told you don’t bite.’

The flap rustled, and before I could answer, a small graceful hand tipped with faintly glowing nails slipped through.

A child?

No taller than my chest when standing, the figure stood with nine plush, silken tails swaying lazily behind her. Well a few of them swayed with ease, and a few looked mechanical.

Her hair was snow white and straight, falling over her shoulder in a loose braid. Bluish silver eyes blinked up at me.

She looks like an absolute doll! Is she wanting in?

She tilted her head. ‘Hello. You’re awake. That’s good. How are you feeling?’

What should I say? Do I just accept it? “Yeah yeah I am the princess… Do come in…”.

She bowed deeply. Overly theatrical.

‘I’m Elliot, magical engineer, spatial architect, master of three dimensions, and proud, well sorta, assistant of Captain Grumpy Lion himself.’

I stared so much I thought I was being rude already.

She gave a wry smirk, clearly referencing Riye. A smile started to form on my face.

‘Finally!’ Elliot said.

‘I thought you couldn’t understand me! Or worse! That you are going to ignore me!’ Elliot said with a dramatic frown on her cute little face.

Oh no! Such a sweetheart! I just didn’t know how to interact. Sorry!

‘You work with Riye?’ I finally managed to say something. Anything.

‘Regretfully, yes.’ Elliot wrinkled her nose. ‘He doesn’t like fun. Or shortcuts. He’s a scary man!’

Riye didn’t look very scary. I thought he was actually reliable. Well maybe for Marik or other men, he could look scary.

I replayed the moment he reached out to my face, only to pull back his hand. And then in the next second he took me from Pan.

If anything, the man is afraid to be vulnerable.

Elliot must’ve noticed my spacing out and she continued her tale.

‘I am the smart one around here.’ Elliot puffed.

‘Not only am I smart by theory, I am also smart by practice. You’re riding in one of my designs right now. Looks like wood, rides like a cloud.’

Wait a second.

‘You’re not a child?’

‘I’m almost 40,’ Elliot said proudly, placing her hand to her chest. ‘And that’s not the only surprising thing about me! But I’ll keep you guessing for now!’

Woah! This doll looking creature is almost double my age? What even is the difference in years from Meu and Earth? Counting from Raiona’s journal, the days don't seem far off, with Meu having extra days.

My speechless face was enough to satisfy Elliot. I couldn’t help but smile back at her wide grin. She looked so proud that she’s able to elicit different kinds of reactions from me. Elliot boarded the carriage, carefully checking Celphi with a glance.

‘Still out, huh? That dragon never knows how to stop mid fight. But he’s healing fine.’

Elliot must’ve noticed the bittersweet smile on my face.

‘Do you feel safe?’

The question was simple.

‘I don’t know.’

Elliot nodded like she expected that. ‘It’s alright. You will. Give us time to prove ourselves to you.’

That is the most mature thing I have heard anyone say on my arrival in this world.

One of her tails reached into the side pouch of the makeshift carriage and fluffed the blanket over her legs with casual ease. Another tail poked Celphi’s cheek gently.

‘Wake up, snake.’

I wasn't able to suppress a giggle.

’We’re going home. But until we get there, you’ll stay right here. Between healing potions and soft things. I made it that way just for you.’

While I was having a laugh with Elliot, the outside world seemed to have picked up as well.

‘She’s awake?’

‘Did she laugh?’

‘Is the princess laughing?’

Someone started crying. One winged creature launched into the air. Another sounded a bell as if announcing “a here ye here ye” moment.

’Oh no Elliot. Did we break them?’ I asked with a concerned face.

Elliot in all her cuteness giggled in her cozy fox form now. She looked like a plush. Most expensive real life looking one. With her sparkly eyes and spotless white fur. She only had 5 tails. The other 4 earlier must’ve been an illusion or props of sorts.

A resounding ‘SHOO!’ put a pause on the celebration. Gently said, but still serious.

Pan ducked through the fold of fabric and hopped inside. He looked back out and waved a hand like a grumpy teacher. The gathered cluster around the carriage scattered, some with complaints, some with giggles.

Fox Elliot was curled at the foot, with her blanket pile. Her fluffy tails formed a perfect ring around her like a sleeping cat. She pretended to have been woken up by Pan’s arrival.

‘I was guarding. Spiritually.’

Pan arched a brow. ‘Out, please.’

Elliot grumbled. ‘No one respects fox engineers anymore.’

‘Riye asked for you.’

‘That’s a lie!’

’You can find out after he’s already deducted your days off.’

‘Ina help!’ Elliot grumbled and sighed for a few seconds before zipping out too quickly for my eyes to catch.

As she opened the flap, I caught a glance of Riye who looked like he was coming from the back of the convoy to the front. He looked majestic and serious. Not someone you would make fun of.

Pan turned back. His quiet, comforting presence filled the space. He sat on the other side of the carriage. Celphi in between us.

Okay, now what?

Pan started to sort some items which I assumed were medication or first aid or sorts.

He couldn’t have just thrown Elliot away only to turn his back at me.

‘Where is Mede?’ I initiated.

’Somewhere. Maybe out there.’

Why is he being curt? Out there as in out of the carriage or out there in the vast world?

‘You scared them all away,’ I said.

‘It was getting noisy.’ He said in his sweet calming voice, but there was a hint of complaint there.

‘I liked the noise.’

‘You were sick.’

‘I’m better now.’

Pan finally glanced at me. ‘You laughed.’

‘I guess I did.’ I nodded to myself. ‘Elliot was funny.’

He nodded extensively. As if taking that information very seriously. ‘First time.’

‘What?’ I tilted my head.

Pan reached into what appeared to be a hidden contraption on the medical compartment. He pulled out a crumpled cloth. Inside was a red gem.

Marik’s!

Pan put a finger on his lips as he passed me the cloth.

Got you! We are being listened to at the moment!

He also gently offered me water laced with healing herbs. He handed it over wordlessly before continuing.

So does that make Pan a spy of the scorpion kingdom? Or just the prince?