Lost Girl (The Lost Series Book 1)

by Lantz, Kristen

  Her mother’s hand kerchief was on the floor under her bed and Toodle’s marbles were spread throughout the room. She gathered all of the marbles up and wrapped them in the handkerchief and then sat down in the middle of the mess that used to be her bedroom and tried not to cry. She was alone and wanted to go home. To her real home. For the first time since she got here, all she wanted was to go back to her home in Boston.

  Lily heard a foot step behind her. She stiffened up, bracing herself for Burly to grab her again. Instead, two small arms came around her.

  “Peter!” she cried and leaned into his hug.

  “Are you ok?” he asked, searching her over for proof she was safe.

  “When I came home to this I was so afraid that you were gone. Then I tracked them down and you weren’t with them. I couldn’t figure out what had happened to you.” Lily could hear the panic his voice.

  “I’m fine,” she promised. “I was with them until we were halfway through the dark forest, then the Neverbird saved me. I slept last night in his nest. Then I ran back here this morning.”

  “I’m so glad you’re ok.” Peter said again. “I don’t know what I’d have done if something had happened to you. You’re the only family I’ve ever had. I don’t remember my life before here. You’re it. You are my family.”

  Lily hugged him even tighter.

  “I promise I’m ok,” she assured. “And you’re my family too.”

  Lily pulled out the feather that the Neverbird had given her and showed it to Peter.

  “Where did you get that?” He asked.

  “The Neverbird gave it to me.” She stated.

  “”That’s weird.” Was all he replied back.

  Chapter 20

  Peter decide they should head back to the Neverbird’s nest. It was the highest point on the island and would give them a better look than they could get anywhere else.

  “Peter can we stop and eat? I’m starving.” Lily asked.

  She had finally gotten used to just saying what she needed or wanted. Peter hardly ever got hungry or tired, so it was no use waiting for him to burn out.

  “Sure, but we need to be quiet and hide while we eat. We can’t risk James sneaking up on us, “ he replied.

  They walked a bit farther before coming up to a berry bush.

  “Perfect!” Lily loved berries, but had hardly seen any here.

  “Let’s hurry so we can get going. We can rest up at the nest.” Peter suggested.

  Lily crammed as many berries as she could in her mouth and then stood to indicate that she was ready to go. Peter joined her and they continued on their way. Lily noticed that he didn’t eat a thing. He was always worrying about and taking care of her, but who worried about and took care of him. She definitely worried but there wasn’t much she could do to take care of him. Perhaps all he needed was someone to care. He was pretty self-sufficient otherwise.

  They crunched through the branches and leaves, continuing on the long path to the Neverbird’s nest. The walk up the mountain felt a lot longer than the walk down and Lily was anxious to get up there and see if they could spot anything. After hours of walking, they made it to the base of the tree. It was a massive tree that she couldn’t imagine climbing right now. She had done it before, but never this tired and worn out.

  “Would you like me to fly up and see if the Neverbird will come get you?” Peter asked.

  It seemed almost disrespectful to ask the bird for a ride, but she also knew she could never make the climb right now.

  “Ok, I’ll wait right here.” she agreed.

  Lily sat against the trunk of the tree. She was so tired and it was so peaceful here, she thought she might fall asleep. But she was also terrified of falling asleep and having James sneak up on her again. She was sure he wouldn’t be so nice this time. She heard the leaves begin to rustle and knew Peter was probably on his way down.

  “Hey,” she called.

  He didn’t reply.

  “Peter?” she called out again.

  Still nothing. She started to get a little scared. What was coming down the tree?

  Lily got to her feet and went into full panic mode.

  Peter landed in front of her.

  “You didn’t respond when I called you,” she said to him.

  He said nothing, so she started to open her mouth again, to inquire after his silence. Then she saw the look on his face and stopped.

  “Peter, what is it? What’s wrong?” she asked.

  She was worried and confused. He looked stunned.

  “The Neverbirds. They’re both dead.” he stated.

  “What? That’s impossible!” Lily cried.

  “Unfortunately it’s true. All the eggs were smashed, as well.” he told her.

  Lily crumbled into a ball on the ground. This was her fault too. Just like everything else. That beautiful bird had saved her and then they followed it. She led them straight to the nest without even realizing it. She feared she would be the destruction of Neverland.

  “Peter you have to take me home.” She told him.

  “Why?” he asked with panic in his voice.

  “I’m ruining everything.” she explained.

  “Don’t be silly. None of this is your fault. James is a vicious murder. That isn’t your fault. Your dad gave you that watch. That isn’t your fault. The Neverbird was willing to risk his life for you before, when he helped you escape James. That isn’t your fault.” He told her.

  “All I ever wanted to do was help you discover what was happening to Neverland. But now I feel like I’m making Neverland worse. And I’ve haven’t helped you get any closer to discovering why the source is dying.” she stated.

  “But the source is flowing again. And that gives us more time to figure it out. Together. You make so much about Neverland better. I’ve never seen the mermaids or animals or tribe take so quickly to another person. They all want you here.” He explained. “Please stay.”

  She nodded.

  “I’d like to see the Neverbirds before we go. I have to thank them and say goodbye.” she insisted.

  Peter agreed. She started climbing and Peter helped push here up here and there where she started to slip.

  It took her over an hour, but she finally made it to the nest. The scene up here was worse than she had expected. The sight of the birds’ lifeless bodies was more than she could bare. She cried and whispered thanks to them for giving their lives for hers. Then she looked around at the shattered eggs. All of the brilliance they had been before was lost. The color no longer seemed to light up. Except for the top of one of them. Lily started digging where the egg was shining through. It was intact! There was still one Neverbird left.

  “Peter look!” she called out. It was so big and heavy that she had trouble lifting it up. Peter rushed over to her side.

  “It’s still alive in there. We have to get it out of here.” He insisted.

  “How? It’s too heavy for me. Can you fly with it?” Lily asked.

  “I can lift it enough to ease it down. It will be a controlled fall.” he explained.

  “That is the best we can do, so let’s do it.” she agreed.

  She was feeling a new sense of purpose, getting this bird to safety.

  Lily rolled the egg to the edge of the nest and plopped it into Peter’s arms, as he hovered just below it. As he predicted, he began to slowly descend. He gently landed on the ground and placed the egg next to the tree. He decided the same would probably work with Lily. Peter flew back up, wrapped his arms around Lily and jumped off the edge of the nest, before she could protest. They went down a bit faster than he had with the egg, but still landed gently.

  “You scared me!” Lily scolded, once she was safe.

  “It seemed easier and it was perfectly safe.” Peter defended.

  She glared at him and then started working on making a sling to pull the egg. She tore the trap off the bottom of her dress. Peter handed her his hat and she tied it with the strap. Then she put the eg
g in the hat and was able to drag it behind her.

  “Where to?” she asked.

  “The village.” Peter replied.

  “Are you sure that’s safe? I don’t want to lead James to them.” she worried.

  “The village is big enough to find if he wants to, but he is also very outnumbered. I don’t think he’s dumb enough to risk it.” He explained.

  Lily saw his point, but worried because they weren’t allowed to stay there. Then where would they go? She decided not to ask. Peter had enough he was dealing with. They’d worry about it tonight.

  Peter and Lily took turns pulling the egg. Luckily it was mostly downhill, so it was easy to pull. Also, the tree was fairly close to the village, so it wouldn’t take very long to get there. As the village came into sight, Lily got nervous. She was terrified the village would hate her for bringing James to the island and for being here now, putting them in immediate danger.

  Chapter 21

  As they got closer to the village, Lily could see people up n the trees. They were the village warriors. The tribe was clearly on alert for James. That put her mind at ease a bit. Even if she had to stay the night just outside the village, they were surrounding it and she’d be safe. They made it into the village and Heather and Dahlia came running u to meet her.

  “Lily! We’ve been so worried about you.” Heather called.

  “We are so glad you’re safe.” Dahlia agreed.

  They all fell into a hug.

  “We’re supposed to take you to father.” Dahlia informed Lily.

  “Why?” Lily asked.

  Dahlia and Heather just shrugged. Lily looked up at Peter but his face was stone. He would give her no indication of what was going. She ran along with the girls and Peter followed slowly and quietly behind.

  Lily, Dahlia and Heather entered Tiger Claw’s tent. Lily felt at uneasy. She had never been in here before. It was bigger than anyone else’s. In the corner, Sage sat crying. That added to Lily’s unease. She couldn’t figure out what in the world was going on. She bowed at Tiger Claw, because she didn’t know what else to do. He laughed.

  “I’m glad you’re here. There’s something I want to discuss with you. But let’s wait for Peter.”

  Peter entered the tent and nodded to Tiger Claw.

  “Ok, let’s begin.” Tiger Claw stated.

  Lily’s mind was reeling. Tiger Claw must be ready to reprimand her for bring her troubles here. He was going to ban her from the village. Eventually James was going to get her without the protection of the tribe.

  “We would like you to join the tribe.” He stated.

  Lily stared at him, dumbfounded. That was the last thing in the world she had expected to hear.

  “You what?” she asked.

  He laughed again and repeated himself.

  “Why? I have brought nothing but trouble. It’s better if I just leave.” She said.

  “We all love having you here. But there is one problem.” He told her.

  Lily’s face dropped. This was too good to be true and now he was telling her that it was all impossible.

  “You can only be in the tribe if you are born into the tribe.” he explained. “You can’t just join.”

  “Oh… well that’s ok. I understand” she whispered.

  “No you don’t.” he smiled. “We want to adopt you. We want you to be our 8th daughter. You can be the Lily we lost.”

  Lily was in shock. Again, that was not what she had expected to hear. She looked around the tent at everyone’s faces. Dahlia and Heather had huge grins on their faces. They were so excited and she would love to have them and the other girls, as sisters. She looked at Sage and the tears were still flowing, only harder now. She realized now, that these weren’t tears of sadness, they were tears of joy. Sage was getting her Lily. Then she turned around to look at Peter. His face was still stone. She had expected him to be pleased, but he wasn’t. She looked at him, concerned. He walked over and put his arms around her.

  “This is for the best.” He whispered in her ear. “They can keep you safer than I can.”

  Then he hugged her tighter.

  “What do you say?” Tiger Claw asked.

  Lily turned back around and leapt into the chief’s arms.

  “Yes!” she cried.

  Then they all came together for a group hug. All except Peter, who she watched silently slip out the door.

  The tribe gathered around in the middle of the village. It was pitch dark, except for the fire crackling in the middle. Just in front of the fire stood Chief Tiger Claw and his family, all 7 daughters and his new son in law. He called Lily out in front of the village and they cheered. Several words were spoken that Lily didn’t understand. She would need to start working on learning their language, if she was going to fit in with her new family. Then he had her make vows to the family and the tribe. They discussed the importance of a spirit animal and asked her to choose hers there in front of the crowd. She was told it needed to be an animal she felt connected to. She knew exactly what animal that was. She reached into her belt and pulled out the golden feather. Several people gasped. Tiger Claw smiled.

  “It’s perfect.” He said.

  Tiger Claw helped her place the feather in her band on her head. The Neverbird would always be a part of her, guiding her. And she would raise his baby for him. She owed him that. Tiger Claw took her hand and presented her to the tribe.

  “The newest member of the Tiger family.” he stated. “Tiger Lily.”

  The crowd cheered. They had welcomed her and loved her since she had shown up.

  Lily had always wanted a sister, now she had 7. And a mother and father. These were the main desires of her heart since she was 4. She felt bad, like she was abandoning Peter, but he had told her it was the only way. They would still have their adventures together. But that didn’t help ease her heart break a little as she watched him walk out of the village, always doomed to be an outsider looking in.

  Chapter 22

  Peter stood at the top of the tree just outside the village. He could see the celebration going on, in honor of their newest member. He was happy for Lily. He remembered that sad little girl, just wishing for a mom and dad. Not even a mom or dad, just someone to love her. A family. He had tried to be that for her, but right now he just wasn’t enough. She needed protection that he couldn’t give her. He just wished it didn’t have to be this way.

  Peter shook himself out of his trance. He could see James’ ship parked in the cove. There was light coming from it, so James must be there now. It was a good reminder for him, her being here in the tribe was for the best. Someone needed to take care of her while he was gone. He had promised that he would always do whatever it took. Now he needed to prove it.

  Epilogue

  Thomas laid in bed, feeling sorry for himself. It was his birthday. He was a teenager now. But he barely had a “Happy Birthday” from his cousins, Benny and Teddy. He hated it here. Aunt Emma had turned into a cold hearted woman. All she did was yell at everybody all the time. He wondered if anything made her happy. His cousin Tim had joined the war and they hadn’t heard from him in months. That just added to her typically unkind demeanor. He could barely remember the loving, kind woman she used to be. The musty smell from the attic he lived in was giving him a headache. Summer needed to end. He couldn’t handle this humidity and heat much longer.

  While going through all of the things in his head that made him angry, he came to the root of it all. Lily. She abandoned him, the same way everyone else did. Everyone who loved him had either died or left him. When he was little, Lily had been his rock. She had loved him the way he imagined the mother he never met, would have. She sang to him at night and took care of him. They had each other. Then she left him. She never even said goodbye. She just left. Then he knew the truth, she was as hateful and cowardice as their father had been. He couldn’t believe he had ever loved her so much.

  He flopped to the other side of his bed, hoping it would alleviate
some of the heat. It was fueling his anger. The hotter he got, the madder he got at his life. He wished he was old enough to join the war like Tim. He could travel around and never worry about anyone but himself. Just like everyone else did.

  The hot breeze came in through the window. He could feel it on his face, but shutting the window would make it stuffy. Better to have a hot breeze than no breeze at all. He shut his eyes so he could go to sleep. It was the only thing that could calm his anger down.

  Tom’s eyes flew open. He could have sworn he heard footsteps. But no one ever came up here. He must have been dreaming. He closed his eyes again. But he couldn’t shake the strange feeling that something was near him. He opened his eyes again. Standing over him was a boy, his age. He considered yelling or swinging to hit him, but he couldn’t. He just laid there frozen.

  “Hi,” the boy said to him. “I’m Peter.”

  “Um, hi. I’m Tom.” he replied, while sitting up to get a better look.

  “I know. I came to ask for your help. Your sister needs you.”