Hook's Pan Read Online Free PDF

forgotten as the thrill of the play began to wind through her blood. This was where Trisha shined, up on stage, lights in her face, able to be someone else for just a few hours. This was what she lived for.
     
    Scratching at an itch beneath her green tights, she tried not to squirm as several pairs of hands yanked and zipped her into the rigging, ready to hoist her up in the air.
     
    “You ready?” a gruff voice she didn’t recognize asked, and she nodded, then yelped as she was immediately but smoothly drawn up into the sky.
     
    “Now, listen to me, Trisha,” Julie’s strong voice carried to her as she cupped her hands around her mouth, “recite your lines, throw your hands out, and become the Pan.”
     
    The straps between her legs were tight and pinching. Ignoring the uncomfortable ache squeezing her crotch, she inhaled a lungful of air and planted her hands on her hips, ready to taunt Hook. Suddenly the lights started flashing and sirens blared through the cavernous auditorium.
     
    “Fire!” someone yelled and panic ensued.
     
    People ran like a salmon migration for the doors, tripping and shoving each other out of the way.
     
    “Hey,” Trisha screamed, “somebody help me, hey!” But it was like no one heard her. Not even Julie, who was moving faster than Trisha had ever seen her move. “Julie, heeeelllp.”
     
    And she continued to cry out for help, until the very last person ran through the door.
     
    A creeping white fog started to roll down the aisles, curling up the stage, through the seats, until finally all she could see was the white everywhere.
     
    Heart beating a terrible rhythm in her chest, panic making her mouth dry as a desert, Trisha jerked her legs, trying in vain to yank herself down. She’d much rather fall to her death than die of smoke inhalation at this point.
     
    Sparks flew behind the curtains and the scent of smoke filled her nose. Screaming and twirling like a drunken bat, Trisha didn’t initially see the figure standing below her.
     
    But eventually the voice cut through her blind terror.
     
    “Trisha, relax, it’s just us. It’s just us…”
     
    “Betty?”
     
    Betty was jerking her hand at Gerard who was running behind the stage prop to grab the rope attached to her harness.
     
    “They left me,” she stuttered, “I can’t believe…”
     
    “No, they were enchanted. Danika made them forget all about you.”
     
    “What?” She planted her fists on her hips. Again with the stupid fairy crap. Before she got a chance to swear about it though, Gerard had finally lowered her to the stage. Once her feet were firmly planted on the ground, Betty was on her, releasing her from the harness.
     
    “Listen to me, Trisha, everything, and I mean, everything, I’ve told you is absolutely true. Danika is here and she’ll be taking you on a little journey. I really wanted more time, but…”
     
    “There is no more to be had.” A woman, and Trisha used that word loosely, hopped up onto the stage.
     
    Actually hopped was the wrong word. She glided…on wings.
     
    Blinking, Trisha shook her head. The wings were moving—dragonfly looking things shining with a blue iridescence. They looked unbelievably real and her heart sank somewhere into the region of her knees.
     
    “Wha… What is—”
     
    The woman/fairy (oh God, had she died? Maybe she was dead. Or passed out…yeah, maybe passed out, was she really giving Betty’s words credence?) was looking at her. Fat, blondish-gray curls bounced around her cherubim-like face as she smiled broadly. “Well, hello Trishelle. Good to finally meet you, Betty’s told me so much.”
     
    Whipping her head back and forth between the three of them Trisha knew she’d get whiplash soon. “Wait. Hold on.” She took a step back as the little woman-thing came closer, wings flitting faster, buzzing loudly behind her. “What’s going on here?”
     
    Gerard had his arms wrapped around Betty’s middle as he leaned over.