Escaping Neverland

Planning Parties and a Prison Break

After the weekend drew to a close, I had a frank conversation with Greg about the need for personal space. I requested an hour of solitude each day before curfew, which he agreed to respect. I expressed my gratitude to him and proceeded to inform him of my morning routine, which involved taking a shower and attending to personal matters. With our understanding established, Greg took the initiative to gather everyone from their rooms, displaying a newfound sense of responsibility.

As I reached Trina's room, I was greeted by her beaming face, her hair perfectly brushed and curled. A gasp of delight escaped my lips as I playfully ran my fingers through her hair. "Trina, who did your hair? It looks absolutely lovely!"

Giggling, she twirled around, proudly proclaiming, "I did it myself, big sis! I heard you weren't feeling well, so I practiced all week to surprise you and give you more time to rest."I felt an overwhelming sense of pride for her independence and thoughtfulness. However, I reassured her, "You don't need to worry about me, silly girl. I'm not sick; I was just feeling a little down because I was thinking about how much I would miss you when you're not with me. I had to take a short break from the boys' antics." Greg chuckled from behind me, prompting Trina to peek out and whisper in my ear, "I don't like him. He's mean to the others, so you better not choose him."

Laughing softly, I hushed her, saying, "You don't have to worry, Trina. It was Uncle Damien who insisted I spend time with that guy. I don't like him either. Besides, boys have cooties, remember?" Her laughter filled the room, and I patted her affectionately before gesturing for her to join the others in the line.

As Greg held my hand, he remarked, "What was that about, Janice? You're hurting my feelings now," squeezing my hand gently.I responded firmly, "Oh, come on, Greg. We're not even friends, let alone dating. I don't care about your feelings." I glanced back at him, concerned that my words might have upset him. I wanted to maintain a level of trust and kindness between us. However, when I turned, I noticed his wide grin as his gaze fell upon Carson, who seemed to be observing our hand-holding. As I tried to withdraw my hand, Greg tightened his grip and motioned for everyone to proceed toward the dining room.

In the dining room, we patiently waited at our designated spots until instructed to sit down. The food was served, and a sense of normalcy resumed until Damien stood up and cleared his throat, capturing everyone's attention."Okay, everyone, I have some good and bad news for you today. Let's start with the bad news first. Janice, Greg, and James will be staying in the adult sleeping quarters from now on. This means they won't be involved in your regular activities, like helping you get ready. However, Carson will be taking over most of Janice's duties, so she can focus on different responsibilities. Don't worry; she'll still be teaching you at school and spending free time with you until curfew." Sighs and disappointed murmurs echoed through the room, but Damien's smile grew warmer. "Now, for the good news! Janice has planned a special event for all of you, with treats, games, and fun activities. Let's all show our gratitude and finish up our meal."

As soon as Damien finished speaking, the atmosphere lightened, and expressions of gratitude filled the room. Despite my feelings, I smiled at them, determined to bring joy to their lives. Once the meal was over, Carson led the children to their next activities, and I waited until they were out of sight before joining Greg and James to gather my belongings and move into the separate building—an unattached dormitory designated for those not currently engaged in work.

I was taken aback by the unusual silence of the shadow brothers, but when they eventually spoke up, their words surprised me further. James addressed Greg and me, saying, "I'll head out and sort out our schedule for the next few days, Greg. You two have fun and relax. Damien mentioned that you could stay in the room while planning the party." I nodded, expressing my gratitude, as James left to carry out his task.

Sitting at the large table in the center of the room, I pulled out my notebook and began jotting down everything needed for the party. I emphasized the importance of keeping decorations minimal, focusing instead on items that could serve dual purposes in our escape plan. Mapping out the area, I identified the gazebo's proximity to the wall that encircled the yard. However, I noted that the only available exit, a hole in the wall, was considerably distant from the gazebo. To ensure a successful escape, we would need to obstruct the guards' line of sight and guide the children safely along the perimeter, crawling between the wall and shrubs. It would be a challenging journey, as we would be responsible for the well-being of teenagers, younger children, and ourselves. Calming and caring for everyone would be crucial during this perilous endeavor.

With a sigh, I closed the notebook and handed the list to Greg. "This is everything we need for the party. The sooner you can gather the supplies, the sooner I can start setting up. Now, what else do we need to do? I can't bear the thought of sitting idle all day, waiting for school to begin."Greg reassured me, "Don't worry. I'll have the supplies here by the end of the week, allowing you to start setting up over the weekend. As for today, it's moving day. Tomorrow, you'll have a meeting with Damien, where he'll go over your responsibilities. So, for now, I see no harm in observing the kids alongside Carson. Let's see how he manages without you."

I eagerly agreed, appreciating the idea of being near the children while brainstorming ways to encourage them to leave without causing panic. We headed back to the group, standing on the sidelines as they went about their activities. It brought a smile to my face seeing their carefree engagement, unperturbed by our presence. Hours passed, and when the school bell rang, I walked with them to the classroom, where I had prepared a lesson during my "room arrest." We discussed outdoor survival, including the identification of hazardous plants and animals,basic first aid skills, and constructing a shelter. The children thoroughly enjoyed the lesson, and even the guards listened in with curious expressions.

After school, we proceeded to dinner, followed by our designated hour of free time. I utilized this time to meet with Carson, knowing that our conversation needed to be serious and focused. I knocked on his door, and as it swung open, his face lit up with joy at the sight of me. "Janice! It's just you? They haven't harmed you, have they?" he exclaimed with concern evident in his voice.

I gently patted his head and entered the room, closing the door behind me. Taking a seat on his bed, I motioned for him to join me. "Relax, Carson. They haven't done anything to me. I managed to secure this hour for us to talk alone. But we have limited time, and we need to discuss some important matters."His skeptical expression slowly transformed into one of earnest attention as he nodded in agreement.

Taking a deep breath, I began, "I know you've questioned what happens to us after we leave this place, and I won't lie to you any longer. They sell us to people who want to harm us, not to families who want to care for us. No one has ever made it out alive. That's why we need to escape before they start sending everyone away before their seventeenth birthday. And that's why I'm planning this party—to provide a cover for our escape."Carson remained silent for a long moment, absorbing the weight of my words. Finally, he hugged me tightly, expressing his gratitude for being honest with him. We delved into a discussion, addressing his questions and concerns while outlining our next steps and contingency plans. Time seemed to slip away swiftly, and before we knew it, a knock sounded at the door. We exchanged glances and rose from the bed, realizing that our hour had come to an end. Greg and James, the shadow brothers, entered the room and abruptly separated our hands. It surprised both of us, as we hadn't even realized we had been holding hands. Greg then firmly guided me back to the shared living space, leaving Carson behind.