by R. V. Bowman
Rommy picked up the leaves and turned toward the ring of trees. Two had swung up their branches, and there was a narrow opening into the jungle outside. She ran toward it and her friends who were waiting outside the circle of trees, Unilisi’s silver leaves clenched in her hand.
Chapter 31:
Not Another Quest
When Rommy broke through the ring of trees, Alice nearly barreled her over.
“Are you all right? What happened? Was that tree person a right git?” Alice’s questions tumbled over each other.
Rommy let out a laugh. “Slow down, Alice, and I’ll tell you all about it, but let me get my breath first.”
Finn and Lobo had joined them and were looking at her with expectant faces. The fairies flickered around all of them. Rommy walked away from the Guardian trees. It seemed somehow rude to talk about Unilisi when they were standing so close to her grove.
When they had walked a short distance away, Rommy stopped and looked at them. “Unilisi wasn’t what I expected,” she said, “but she told me what we need to do to close the passage.”
Rommy explained about finding the key and the lock, and about the amount of time they’d have to get everyone out of Neverland who wanted to go.
“When I asked who the fairy was that opened the gate and how to find her, she never answered me,” Rommy finished. “Little Owl said a fairy named Tinkerbell was the one that pleaded for Pan to come here. Where would we find her?” she asked, looking at Finn.
Finn rubbed the back of his neck. “I’m not exactly sure,” he said. “I’ve heard that name, from Pan and some of the fairies, but I’ve never seen her.”
At the name, Balo muttered a word Rommy didn’t recognize but guessed it wasn’t very nice by Nissa’s reaction.
“Balo!” she scolded. Turning to Rommy, Nissa’s face looked solemn. “Nobody has seen Tinkerbell in a long, long time. She has exiled herself from the fairy colony.” She paused and then said, “Fairies do not do well on their own. If she is still alive, she will not be...well.”
“Do you mean, she’s...crazy?” Rommy asked. “Why would she exile herself if it would make her crazy?”
“Nobody knows. She was a close companion to Peter for many years,” said Nissa, “but then three humans came to the island, a girl and two boys. I never learned what happened, but it was shortly after they left that Tinkerbell disappeared. Nobody knows where she is, or even if she is still alive.”
“Unilisi showed me a picture in my head of the key in what looked like a very large, messy bird’s nest,” said Rommy. “I didn’t see a fairy, though.”
Balo harrumphed. “Sounds like a fairy nest to me,” he said. He threw up his hands and buzzed in a tight circle. “That’s just wonderful! Now we need to go looking for a crazy, feral fairy! Traveling through the jungle and almost getting killed half a dozen times was bad enough.”
Rommy could see Nissa rolling her eyes. Kalen and Talen, as usual, were not participating in the conversation. Instead, they faced outward, scanning the surroundings for signs of trouble.
“Even if we find this key, trying to get into somewhere that the mermaids are guarding won’t be easy,” said Finn. “Step one foot into that water, and Adela and Arista will try to drown you, never mind trying to swim down to some cave. How will we even find it?”
“The redheaded mermaid might help us,” said Rommy. “She’s the one that cut me loose when Pan tied me to that rock.”
Finn was already shaking his head. “She seems the nicest of the lot, but you can’t trust any of the mermaids, not really. I wouldn’t count on her helping you again.”
Rommy threw up her hands. “I didn’t come all this way and get answers from Unilisi just so that everyone can tell me what we can’t do,” she said. “As far as I can see it, there is no choice. If we don’t close the passageway, what are you going to do, Finn? You can’t go back to the Lost Boys now. Pan will be hunting you.”
Finn scowled. “You don’t have to tell me that I’ll be in Pan’s crosshairs, but you can leave. Take your father and go back to London.”
“Don’t you think I would if I could?” she shot back. “Even if my father would go—which he won’t—I can’t just waltz back to London like I’m unaware Pan is kidnapping children or that you’re in danger now.” Her voice wobbled, so she sucked in a deep breath. Then she said in a low voice, “I thought you knew me better than that.”
Finn kicked at the dirt. “You don’t belong here, Rommy, or you either, Alice. This isn’t even your problem. I should have never brought either of you here.”
“Well, you did,” Rommy said, her voice rising. “And I can’t just act like I never learned all this. I can’t understand why you’d expect, after all this that I’d just leave.”
Anger bubbled up, threatening to overflow. She whirled and walked away. Before she had gotten too far, Finn grabbed her arm.
“You sure have your old man’s temper,” he said when she was facing him again. Rommy opened her mouth, but he held up his hand. “I’m sorry,” he said. “I know you probably figure I’m always the one pointing out all the problems, but I guess I’ve gotten used to looking for trouble.”
He folded his arms and looked out into the wildness all around them. “The thing is, Rommy, I’ve lost count how many times you’ve about got yourself killed since I brought you here. Even though you have a knack for finding your way out of trouble, one of these days your luck will run out.” He blew out a breath. “I know we’ve gotta stop Pan, and we’re the ones to do it. But I wish...I wish...that is, I’m the one that brought you here. If it hadn’t been for me, you’d be tucked up safe in that boarding school of yours.”
Rommy sighed, her anger leaking away. “But I don’t want to be tucked up anywhere,” she said. “Do you think I want to do this impossible thing? I’m no more eager to swim with murderous mermaids than you are.” She paused, looking for the right words. “But, sometimes, it’s more important to recognize the truth and be able to do something about it than to just be comfortable and safe. I spent most of my life being comfortable and safe, but it was all really a lie. If I ran back to London now, it would be like I’m still living that lie. I can’t do that anymore.”
Finn gave a half smile. “I see you can’t.” He ran a hand through his hair, making it stand up on end. “I can’t promise I won’t point out trouble, but I will help you.”
Rommy looked up at him and felt a foolishly large grin spread across her face. He looked into her eyes and smiled back.
“If you two is finished jawin’ at each other, maybe we can get a move on?” Alice said, pushing her way between the two. “I don’t want to spend any more time in this here jungle than I have to. I’ve almost died way too many times already!”
Finn and Rommy both burst out laughing. She dropped her arm around the younger girl’s shoulders. “You’re right, Alice,” she said, wiping at her eyes, “the sooner we get out of here, the sooner we can try to find that key and close the passage.”
Chapter 32:
Out of the Jungle,
Into the Frying Pan
It took a whole day and much of the next for the group to make its way out of the jungle. Rommy made sure everyone stuffed their ears before lying down so they didn’t have any more run-ins with the nixies. Without Tiger Lily trying to kill them, the journey out of the jungle was far less eventful than their journey into it had been. Still, there was that one moment with a large spider that gave her the shivers.
Although Kalen and Talen kept watch, as they neared the edge of the jungle, Rommy felt herself relaxing. They had all made it. With all the narrow escapes they had had, it seemed like a small miracle and a good omen for the quest that awaited them.
As they reached the end of the path at the jungle’s edge and stepped out from beneath the vast canopy, the sun lay low on the horizon.
Everyone seemed relieved to have made it out of the jungle in one piece. Lobo stood at the edge of the cliff, looking out. She walked u
p beside him and put her hand on his massive shoulder.
“Thank you for leading us,” she said. “We’d never have made it without you.”
“You are a brave youngling,” said Lobo, turning his head to look at her. “I am proud to have helped you find your way.”
“Will you could come with us?” she asked, holding her breath.
Lobo shook his head and gave a soft whine. “No, I must go back to my pack. It’s a long time to be away from them,” he said. At Rommy’s expression, he nuzzled her cheek. “That doesn’t mean we won’t travel together again.”
Suddenly Lobo lifted his head, his ears pricking forward. He nudged Rommy back toward the jungle.
“What is it?” Rommy asked, tensing and looking past him.
“Someone is coming,” Lobo said. “We must get into the shelter of the trees.”
Rommy turned, waving her arms at the others. Suddenly, she was flat on her back, her head thumping onto the ground. All the air went out of her in a whoosh, and Lobo’s big head filled her vision. All she could see was his mouth drawn into a snarl as she tried to suck air into her lungs.
He shuddered, pointed his nose toward the sky, and gave a long howl that made all the hair on Rommy’s neck stand up.
Finn’s shout and Alice’s wail had her twisting her head to see what was happening, but the big black wolf wouldn’t move. He simply stood over her, his front paws pinning her to the earth.
“Lobo,” she gasped out, “let me up.” The wolf didn’t move or make a sound. In fact, he didn’t seem to hear her at all. His eyes were staring and glassy.
A high crowing sound made her blood ran cold.
Pan had found them.
Then Lobo’s back legs gave way, and he sank toward the ground. His front legs were quivering, and then she saw it. Two darts protruded from his side. He shook all over, but he kept his big body over hers, blocking her from the sky beyond the cliffs.
“No! Oh, Lobo, no!” she said, trying to push the wolf off so that she could help him.
He gave his head a shake, and his eyes focused on her. “You must stay safe,” he said, panting. “You must stop the boy who never grows up but never grows wise.”
There was the sound of branches cracking and twigs snapping, and then Lobo’s pack was surrounding them, snarling, hackles raised.
Lobo sank onto his side, and Rommy pulled herself out from beneath the wolf. She lifted his big head into her lap as tears ran down her face. “You can’t die, Lobo,” she whispered. “I need you. We all need you. How will we find our way without you?”
The wolf’s one visible blue eye met hers and then flickered shut. He licked her hand. “You...are...strong...youngling,” he paused, his breathing labored. “You...already...know the...way.”
The big wolf let out a long sigh and then was still.
“No!” Rommy cried, bending her head as her tears fell thick and fast.
Pan’s mocking voice brought her head up, and she wiped at the tears on her face before gently laying Lobo’s head on the ground. She stood to her feet and moved closer to the edge of the cliff.
“‘Stay back,’” said Finn. He had dragged Alice back into the cover of the jungle and was struggling to hold onto her.
“Stay back,” Pan mimicked Finn, looking into the jungle. “Oh, so concerned about our little Rommy, aren’t you? You’ll be sorry you left, traitor.” He swiveled toward Rommy and pointed his finger at her. “You stole away one of my Lost Boys. Finn was loyal to me before you got here. You’ve ruined everything, and now I hear you want to seal me away on this island forever.”
“I didn’t steal anyone, Pan,” Rommy said. “You’re the one who’s been stealing children. If you’d just stop...”
“They’re better off with me,” he said, both his hands curling into fists. “Adults are all worthless. The boys are happier here than stuck with a bunch of liars.” He tilted his head, staring at her. “You’d be better off with me, too. What has your father done for you, anyway?”
“I’ve told you before, I’m not joining you,” said Rommy, shaking her head. “I belong with my father, just like those boys belong with their parents.”
“Ha! You don’t know anything, but I’ll make you see. You all see eventually,” said Pan, frowning.
He stuck two fingers into his mouth and gave a piercing whistle. Two of the older Lost Boys—Rommy thought one of them was Oscar—came flying up with a struggling figure between them. Pan stuck a thumb out in the trio’s direction and smiled again, all his teeth showing. “I thought she could help persuade you.”
“You’re nothing but a git full of tosh,” a familiar voice shouted.
“Francie?” Rommy gasped.
Pan let out a maniacal laugh. “You took one of my Lost Boys, so turnabout is only fair play. After all, persuading children to come to Neverland is my specialty. You said so yourself.”
“Rommy?” Francie shook back the black curls tangled around her face. “Who is this idiot boy, and what is going on?”
Pan flew in a lazy circle around Francie and the two Lost Boys. She tried to kick him, but he only laughed. “I like her! She’ll make almost as good of a Lost Boy as Finn.” He put his hand on his chin, his eyes sparkling with mischief. “Of course, she has to get used to the idea first.”
“You are balmy on the crumpet, mister!” shouted Francie, still twisting and trying to pull away from the two Lost Boys. “If you think I’m going to stay with you, you’ve got mash for brains.”
Pan wagged his finger at Francie, but he stayed well away from her flailing legs. Then he spun back toward Rommy. The smile was gone, and his face screwed up in a scowl. “If you’d just listen, nobody would have had to get hurt.” He pointed a finger at her. “You killed the wolf.”
Rommy leaped toward Pan, but a sharp tug stopped her. Artemis had clamped her teeth on the back of Rommy’s shirt.
Bardolf paced toward the cliff’s edge, his mouth pulling back in a growl. “Don’t waste Lobo’s sacrifice,” he said to Rommy. He turned his great head toward Pan, and his lips pulled back into a snarl. His voice sounded low and rumbling. “You are the one who blew the poison darts, Pan. We will not forget this. Remember that the next time you enter this jungle.”
Pan shrugged his shoulders and ignored the wolf leader, turning his attention back to Rommy. “You won’t always have this wolf pack to protect you, Rommy, or your precious father. He’s back, you know. Should I tell him where to find you? I’m not sure he wants to see you, though. He looked awfully angry, and you know how adults are when they’re angry. He’ll probably wipe his hands of you. Then you won’t have a choice. You’ll have to join me.”
“My father won’t abandon me, and I’m never joining you,” said Rommy. A thought popped into her head. “Is that what happened to you? Did your father abandon you, Pan?”
Pan zipped to only yards from where Rommy stood on the cliff’s edge, Artemis still holding onto her shirt. His eyes were wild, and when he spoke, spit flew from his mouth. “Shut up! You don’t know anything about me!” He gestured at the two Lost Boys, who flew away with the struggling Francie.
“We’ll come for you,” yelled Rommy at her friend’s retreating back.
“Don’t count on it,” said Pan, now smiling again. “You know where to find me. I’ll be waiting for you, but don’t take too long.”
With a last crowing laugh, Pan whirled and was gone.
Rommy stared after him, disbelieving, and slowly sank to her knees.
Chapter 33:
Leader of the Pack
Wolves surrounded Rommy when Finn and Alice pushed their way to where she knelt, her hands over her face. She was too shocked even to cry. The enormity of what had happened crashed over her like a wave.
One part of her mind heard Alice sobbing, and she realized she should comfort the little girl. But a numbness kept her rooted in place.
Despite her body’s paralysis, her mind whirred. How had Pan gotten Francie? More importantly, what
was he going to do with her? She felt Alice nestle into her side. Her tears soaked through Rommy’s shirt, and her arms automatically closed around the small girl.
They stayed that way for a long moment. When Rommy looked up, her eyes found Finn’s. “Oh, Finn, what am I going to do? How will we save Francie and find the key and get to the door and...what about my father?” She put a hand back over her face. “And Lobo, poor Lobo. I can’t believe he’s dead.” This time the tears pushed their way out. “He died...saving....me,” she said, a sob breaking free.
An arm came around her shoulders, someone holding onto her. “It’ll be all right,” said Finn. “We’ll figure it out.” He gave a short laugh. “You always figure out a way, and you’ll do it again.”
Rommy shook her head and leaned into his strength. “Not this time,” she said, her voice muffled in his shoulder.
She could feel Alice’s arms hugging her back and the soft humming of the fairies. Eventually, her tears slowed. She sniffed and wiped at her eyes. She couldn’t just fall apart. Francie needed her and so did Alice. And perhaps even Finn, too.
And the wolves. They had lost their pack member. Because of her.
Rommy gently set Alice away from her and let Finn help her to her feet. She wiped at her face again, squaring her shoulders.
She turned toward Bardolf and bowed her head in his direction. “I am sorry for the loss of your pack member,” she said. “He was brave, and it was only because of him that we could complete our journey.”
The big wolf stepped closer to her and acknowledged her words by touching his muzzle to the center of her chest. “Lobo was much fonder of humans than any of the rest of us, but he would not have volunteered if he did not see a bit of the wolf in you. Your sorrow over his passing does you credit.” Artemis had stepped next to her mate and nuzzled his neck. “Pan will be sorry if he comes into our jungle, but you will always have safe passage here. We will honor Lobo’s loyalty to you.”
