Wendy Darling

by Colleen Oakes

  “How . . .” John was breathless.

  Peter grinned. “Fairy magic. It’s still around here and there. And Neverland is not a place that wants to be mapped.”

  Wendy was bursting with questions but instead chose to listen as the boys laid out their plan for the next night. She had to sit on her hands to keep from being fidgety. Peter circled around the table, leaning forward to put a tiny black ship into the wide crook that was the Bay of Treasures.

  “Here’s where Hook will be tomorrow night. My spies in town say that he comes into Port Duette once every two weeks or so for food, drink, and of course, the tarts that grace Harlots Grove. He normally comes in on a Sunday night, the holy man that he is, but . . .” Peter laughed. “My spies deposited some rats into his cheese supply before he left for his last voyage. His men will be bellyaching for food. Hook will agree to go back to port a day early. He will land in the morning and will quickly dispatch his crew to get more cheese. Which means . . .”

  Peter reached out and brought down another two tiny model ships onto the northern section of the map, far away from the first ship. “That the Coral Plunder and the Vicious Seas will be here, unguarded by the Sudden Night . . .” He turned to Wendy. “That’s Hook’s ship, an unholy black beast, built for the killing of Lost Boys.”

  He turned back to the table and brought the two ships down with the palm of his hand. “Unguarded by the Sudden Night, they are open to an attack. Now, we must remember to tell the troops that they are not looking for gold; no, rather, we are in need of replenishing our other treasure.”

  The other boys laughed as Peter raised his glass of red liquid. He turned to Kitoko. “You say this is the last of it?” The third General nodded. “Well, hell then, we better get some more.”

  Abbott was rocking back and forth on his toes. “What about the Undertow and Viper’s Strike? Do we know where they will be?”

  Peter nodded. “They should be out to sea on their usual rotation. Although who knows what Viper’s Strike is doing. Hook doesn’t even know.” Peter gestured to two small ships that sat on the side of the table. “Those ships should have at least a few months’ worth, wouldn’t you say?”

  Wendy saw John furrowing his brow, his forehead wrinkled.

  “What say you, John?” Peter turned to him, noticing his silence. “Out with it! We value your thoughts here.”

  John flushed with pride before running his fingers over the map and the two downed ships. Then he ran his fingers inland, to where the ocean met a river that snaked around Neverland. He planted his finger on a large drawing of a skull with an X over it. He turned to Abbott, obviously trying to win the grumpy boy over.

  “This is where Hook keeps his treasure, correct? The Vault? Isn’t that what you told me?”

  Abbott’s eyes narrowed. “Yes, not that it’s any of your business.”

  “Abbott. Answer him clearly,” Peter ordered.

  Abbott’s eyes lingered angrily on Peter before he sighed and turned back to John. “Fine. I’ll tell the whelp. Hook indeed keeps most of his treasure in the Vault, which is a huge cave at the mouth of this river. From there, the river leads out to the sea.” He paused, his eyes narrowing as he brought up a painful memory.

  “We tried to raid it before. A bunch of Lost Boys died.” He looked up at Peter. “You can’t be serious about trying again. They always have guards posted, which we can handle, but if we get trapped in the Vault, and then these two ships, plus the Sudden Night, come up the river like they did last time . . .” With two hands, he righted the downed ships and moved them to the X, following with the large model of the Sudden Night, painted black and three times the size of the other ships. “And they bear down on us with nowhere to go . . .” He shuddered. “It was a massacre. Eleven Lost Boys dead. Hook’s dream, our nightmare. It’s a trap. It’s always been a trap. You remember. They have heavy guards, especially at night.”

  His icy blue eyes rested on Peter. Peter tilted his head and rubbed a hand through his red hair, then over his impossibly smooth cheeks. Wendy could see the gears in his head turning, how his green eyes lit up at the X on the map, how his skin quivered with excitement at the prospect.

  “The problem is the ships. We could distract the ships, perhaps? Attack them while some others raid the Vault?” Peter thought out loud.

  John frowned and tapped his lower lip. “What if they never had to know?”

  “Who?”

  “The pirates. What if they never even knew we were there?”

  Peter’s eyebrows arched. Wendy shot John a dirty look. He shouldn’t even be involved in this.

  “Aye, John, what are you thinking?” Peter asked.

  John reached out, his eyes twinkling mischievously, and moved the two ships back to the ocean. “I’ve read in nautical journals that seasickness, even for seasoned sailors, is caused when a ship isn’t in natural harmony with the waves.” He rubbed his mouth, thinking. “What if a few flying Lost Boys quietly and silently pushed the ships sideward to the waves and held them there? Without alerting the pirates?”

  Peter’s eyes lit up. “I’m listening.”

  “They wouldn’t even know we were there. While a few of us held the ships there, the rest of the Lost Boys could raid the Vault. If Hook’s ship is in port, he would never make it back in time to the cave to stop us, especially if no one had any clue what was happening.”

  “And why wouldn’t he?” Abbott asked, his voice tinged with resentment.

  “Because, if everyone on these ships is seasick, then they will be very, very slow on the return. And if you do your job taking out the guards, they may not even have to return at all.” A huge grin stretched across his face. “Think of it—we can be in and out without them even noticing! And even if they do find out, then they will have to vomit their way all the way up the river.” He knocked over the model of the Sudden Night. “Whatever is in the Vault will be the main prize. Bottles are heavy—they would keep most of them there, rather than on a ship, wouldn’t you say? And as for the attack—they’ll expect us to come at night. Well, who says we have to go at night? I can’t imagine they would think we would be so foolish as to attack during the day. But we just might have to be. We do the unexpected.” John puffed out his chest.

  Peter leapt into the air and spun around before lifting John up off the ground with a hearty shake. “Bravo!” he crowed. “This certainly sounds like a risky—but worthwhile—adventure!” He put John down. “This time we’ll succeed, because we have you, my intellectual friend! Let’s remind those pirates that they don’t own the island, as they believe.”

  Abbott stepped forward and grabbed Peter’s arm. “Peter! We’ve talked about this! The Vault is too dangerous. Do you want those ships bearing down on all the boys with no escape? Do you remember what we lost the first time? Eleven boys, eleven friends! Each of them now dangling from the Vault with a hook around their neck. This is reckless and foolish! We don’t even know the layout of the inside of the Vault. You’ve heard of the fourteen doors. We could get lost, we could get trapped by the ships like last time.”

  Peter reached out and clasped both of his hands on Abbott’s face with a smile. “Ah, my dear friend, my General. When did you lose your sense of adventure? When did you become such a nag? I have been so bored as of late, haven’t you? We need a good adventure for our tales . . . for our souls. We will use John’s plan. Aren’t you that brave boy who once threw himself out a window in Port Duette with nothing below him, only hoping I might catch him? Be brave!”

  Abbott’s face grew red, and Wendy could see him trying to contain his anger, which seemed to deflate at Peter’s funny memory, but which rose quickly when his eyes rested on Wendy.

  “The cost is too high. Who exactly are you trying to impress?”

  Peter’s eyes flared navy, and suddenly Abbott was facedown on the ground, Peter’s hand on the back of his neck, the boy floating parallel above his body, all his weight pressing Abbott’s face into the floor. With hi
s face inches above Abbott’s head, contorted in anger, his voice hissed in his ear.

  “You are my General, and at any time, I can take that away from you. In case you didn’t remember, I saved your life, and what do I get? Disloyalty. This mission might be risky, but if you have a sudden phobia of adventure and danger, then maybe you shouldn’t be here. Do you understand?”

  Abbott nodded.

  “Don’t. Question. Me. Again.”

  “Sorry! Sorry, Peter.”

  Peter slowly floated away from Abbott as he pushed himself off the floor.

  “Sorry, Peter,” he mumbled again before sneering at John and stomping out of the Battle Room, his hands clenched tightly at his waist. Everyone was silent for a moment, John looking at the ceiling, Peter staring hard at the spot where Abbott had stood. Finally, Kitoko quietly raised his voice.

  “Peter, this might actually be quite a good idea, but may I remind you that it’s coming from a boy who until last night slept in a nursery. What does this boy know of pirates? Tell me, John, have you ever held a sword? A real sword, not a stick or one made of rubber?”

  His voice was not unkind, and yet John’s face flushed with embarrassment. “Well, I . . .”

  “No,” Kitoko answered. “Peter, if you insist, we can use his plan, since we can always adjust it at the last minute, but it will be too dangerous to take an amateur with us.” Kitoko’s voice, soft and yet assertive, spoke of experience. Wendy was hoping that Peter would agree with him. Her heart pained at the thought of either of her brothers being in real danger. Peter seemed to consider his thoughts for a moment and turned to Wendy.

  “What do you think, Wendy? What say you to all this?” Wendy stood and looked at the three boys, each wanting something different from her. Her eyes focused on John, who looked at her pleadingly. She wanted him to feel included, and yet . . . his life was more important. What would her mother say if she were here? She tried to be magnanimous, but as soon as her words fell out, she knew John would hate her forever.

  “I don’t think John should go on the raid. It’s too risky. Perhaps he can go over with the boys who are turning the ships? He has no experience with something like this. He’s never held a sword or even been on a ship. Perhaps it’s ultimately best if he stays behind. Please, Peter.” She turned to John, who looked as if she had stabbed him. “I’m sorry. But it’s true. Our parents aren’t here, but if they were . . .”

  “SHUT UP, WENDY!” he screamed, his face flushed and tears blurring his eyes behind his glasses. “Our parents aren’t here, and in case you have forgotten, you aren’t our mother. I’m going to go with Peter and have an adventure, and who are you to stop me?” He took a bold step toward her, his face contorted in anger. “Why are you so awful? Perhaps if you looked up from staring at him”—he gestured to Peter—“you would notice that we aren’t in London anymore. So stop acting like the proper girl I know you aren’t and let Michael and me do what we please, you stupid, silly girl!”

  John stomped out of the hut, pushing over a box of gold coins as he went. Wendy was mortified, and she rushed after him. “John, wait!”

  Peter caught her arm roughly. “Let him go. He’ll calm down soon. I’ll go talk to him.”

  Wendy peeked over his shoulder, but John was gone. She shook her head. “I didn’t mean to make him upset, but he’s my brother . . .”

  Peter’s eyes met hers. “But here in Neverland, he’s not just your brother. He’s a Lost Boy, and he’s older than most of our boys. He’s ready to be a General.”

  “But we just got here! You don’t know anything about him!”

  “I have already seen that John is smarter than the rest of the boys. His intellect is way above both Abbott’s and Oxley’s. They are loyal, and yes, with John that has yet to be proven, but he’s smart.” Peter tucked a piece of Wendy’s hair back behind her ear, and she found herself breathless at his boldness. “All the Darling children, it seems, are very smart.”

  She smiled, in spite of her stomach churning at the look of betrayal she had just seen on John’s face. “Michael?”

  “Well,” he laughed, “Michael is very funny.”

  Peter led her back to the table, and together they looked at the map. “What if John helps push the ships and comes nowhere near the Vault? He would be relatively safe from danger there.”

  Wendy’s gaze lingered on Peter’s hand that rested next to the small model of the Sudden Night, docked up against Port Duette.

  Wendy sighed, abandoning her principles one tiny surrender at a time. “I guess it is a good plan.”

  “It is. And John seems very brave.”

  “John seems to have lost himself a little.”

  Peter leaned forward so that his mouth brushed her hair, his lips against her ear. “Everyone loses themselves a little in Neverland.”

  Wendy leapt up from the table, alarmed at the feelings coursing through her body. She looked up at Kitoko, who was still standing silently in the room, watching them, his face totally void of emotion. She straightened up her spine as a strange thought slithered up it. She wanted an adventure too.

  “However, I have one condition: If one of my brothers is going, then I go as well. That is the compromise I am willing to make.”

  Peter grinned. “So you want a little adventure yourself? I like that. But you won’t be going with John. You’ll be staying with me. Only I can keep you safe here, remember?”

  Kitoko leaned forward, balancing himself on his sword. “Peter . . . a girl?”

  Peter looked up at him with a naughty grin. “Wait until Abbott hears about this! He’ll have a fit! Oh, I hope I’m there to see it.”

  Kitoko simply shook his head, trying to restrain a small smile. Peter turned back to Wendy. “I’ll need a few minutes with Kitoko alone. You, my darling, should probably rest up before the feast tonight.”

  Wendy could indeed feel the exhaustion pulling at the back of her eyelids, the tiredness that was seeping through her limbs. Between almost being drowned by mermaids or fighting with her brother . . . Wendy wasn’t sure which was worse.

  “Yes, that would be good. Perhaps just a short nap.”

  There was a rustling outside, and suddenly Oxley poked his head into the hut with a big grin.

  “HELLO, ALL!”

  If only he had been there the entire time, Wendy thought, things might have gone much better.

  “Oxley, could you fly Wendy up to her hut for me?”

  Wendy looked over at Peter with a surprised gasp. “Oxley can fly?”

  Oxley looked over at Peter. “You didn’t tell her?”

  Peter shook his head. “I only have so many exciting things about myself that I have to dole them out slowly.” He shrugged with an irresistibly naughty grin. “What can I say? I wanted to surprise her.” Wendy blinked in confusion.

  Peter’s eyes twinkled as he looked over her face. “In Neverland, I can give flight to whom I choose, but only temporarily. It usually only lasts a few hours, which can make it very difficult—and dangerous. Only the Generals have really mastered how to use it best, and how to sense when their power is waning. It’s unpredictable, which is why I only give it to them, and every once in a while, the Lost Boys. It’s like a special treat.”

  An entire new world opened up before Wendy’s eyes. Peter could give flight. How?

  He laughed at her face. “Watch.”

  Her eyes widened as she watched Peter reach out to Oxley, putting both hands on his shoulders. Peter closed his eyes as his arms began to glow with a white light that snaked up his forearms, tracing his veins with forked tongues. Finally, the lights met each other, and a whirling sleeve of light encased his arms, flowing down into Oxley’s shoulders, where it disappeared with a small sigh into his onyx muscles. Oxley leapt into the air, where he stayed suspended. With a hoot of delight, he swam backward, tipping his feet over his head before righting himself.

  “Ah, now that’s more like it!” He reached out to Wendy. “Ready?”

&n
bsp; She nodded and put her hand in his large one. Peter tipped his head at Wendy. “I’ll see you tonight at the feast. And afterward, stick around—there is someone very special I’d like you meet.”

  “You’re introducing Wendy to her tonight?” Oxley asked with a surprised look. “Well, that will be something to see indeed.”

  Wendy’s eyes widened. Peter winked at her. “Don’t worry. I’ll see you tonight. Wear your pretty dress for me?”

  She had started to ask who she would be meeting, but then Oxley was whisking her up through the tree branches. There was a rush of warm air on her face, the vibrant green leaves swayed as they hummed past, and then she was in her hut. Oxley gently set her down inside her room before his normally joyful face clouded over with seriousness. He turned her to face him, her eyes lingering on his striking tribal markings.

  “Wendy, listen to me. Peter thinks she’s harmless, but if I were you, I would be very careful of what you say and do around her.” Oxley looked around quickly to make sure no one was listening before leaning in close to Wendy’s face. “She’s very jealous of Peter, and you would be wise to stay away from him when she’s around. Do you understand?”

  Wendy nodded. “But . . . why? Who?”

  Oxley shook his head. “None of the Lost Boys understand it, and Peter does not like talking about it. I wouldn’t ask him.”

  The longer she was here, the more Wendy understood that Peter Pan seemed to be his own island of secrets.

  “Ox, thank you for telling me.” The General crouched on the edge of her hut.

  “Remember what I said, Wendy. Stay away from Peter in her presence, as much as you can.” He looked forward again. “It will be hard considering he’s quite smitten with you. I’ve heard that fairies were once very powerful creatures. And Tink is, well, she isn’t well. They have a very intense relationship.”