Chapter Thirteen – Silent Gratitude
Wendy was anxious for Friday night. She was dying to get to Never-Neverland again, to get some answers, to get away from the town, and most of all, to see Peter again. Since Fred's confrontation, she hadn't spoken with him since, seeing him with his jock buddies most of the time. Asher hadn't come back since they went to Never-Neverland, and he seemed to want to keep it that way. As for Mandy, she finally got the message and stayed away from Wendy and Violet, casting angry, hateful glares to the girls. The most distressing and frightening thing about all this, though, was whenever Wendy had to go to her English class and face Mr. Fuller. She had no clue what he was thinking, but she could feel the disapproval and disdain in his eyes even when she wasn't looking at him. He didn't treat her any different from the other students, of course, but there was an unspoken objection and warning in his gaze and tone.
When Friday came at last, she and Violet split ways, Violet promising to be at her house as soon as possible after she gathered her belongings for the sleepover they intended to have.
"Hi, girls!" Mikey grinned, running out of the living room and to the girls. Nana wagged her tail, panting as she went to them and licked them as to say "hello."
"Hi, Mikey, Nana, Jon," Violet smiled.
"Is Dad gone already?" Wendy asked Jon.
"Left right after he dropped us off, not fifteen minutes ago," he shrugged. "Said he wouldn't be back until Saturday evening or so."
Wendy nodded sadly, doing her best to smile. "Well, then finish your homework, get cleaned up, and we'll have a snack before we leave with Peter tonight."
"Yay!" her younger brother exclaimed, running upstairs to take a bath. Nana followed, hot on his trail, huffing as she climbed up the steps.
"Your dog gives your baby brother a bath?" Violet asked, laughing. "That's awesome! If only all dogs could do that."
Shrugging with an impish smile, Wendy set off to the kitchen to prepare some sandwiches and fruit for the group.
The hours dragged on, and on, and on…Wendy found herself constantly checking her watch, or even the windows. Darkness could not come soon enough.
"Hey, you ok?" Violet asked as last as they were sitting in her room.
"Fine," Wendy responded, braiding her hair to no avail.
Rolling her eyes, Violet tapped her friend's shoulder and motioned for her to sit on the bed. Brushing her hair, she began to braid the wavy raven locks. "You're excited to see Peter, huh?"
"…yes," Wendy admitted, biting her lip. "I don't know why…I've been anxious for this whole week to go by just for this day."
"I think I know why," Violet smirked, tying off the end of the braid. When Wendy looked back at her with a questioning glance, Violet said, "Isn't it obvious? You're in love with Peter!"
"What? No! I mean, I wouldn't say 'love,' I barely know him!" she protested, her face covered with blush. "I…I just…I worry about him. And I do care for him…"
"You blush a lot when we talk about him, even when you think of him," Violet sighed, going to Wendy's mirror to apply more eyeliner. "And when you're around him – you become as red as a rose…in a good way, of course." In the mirror's reflection, she could see Wendy cover her face in embarrassment. Giggling, she spoke, "Listen, I can tell he likes you back. Just keep being yourself."
"It's just…I don't know if I'm ready for anything like this," Wendy murmured, lowering her hands. "…I've been the mother figure here since Mother got sick and died. I feel like if I see anyone, I'll be abandoning them…" Her voice became soft as she whispered, "The same way my father seems to be abandoning us."
Turning about, Violet went back and sat beside her friend, wrapping a supportive arm around her. "I get what you're saying, but you shouldn't let that stop you from getting to know Peter better. Remember, he's kinda got his own family, too." The faces of the Lost Boys filled their minds, especially little Gip. "And I don't think Jon would mind it too much. I mean, he's totally head-over-heels for Tiger Lily," Violet smirked, causing Wendy to laugh. "Seriously, Wendy, just be yourself. And if he says anything about…y'know, the two of you, just say what you feel, tell him you're not ready. I think he'll be ok with it."
Offering a grateful smile, she embraced her friend tightly. "Thank you…"
A 'plink' caught their attention, breaking them apart as they saw a pebble hit the French doors. Hopping to their feet, they went to open the doors when the boys came in with Nana. "Wendy, is he here yet?" Mikey asked, riding the large dog like a horse.
"I think so," she smiled, opening the window and looking down to the lawn. There stood Peter, tossing another pebble in the air and catching it as he waited, a wide grin on his face.
"Hey, Juliet," he called up cheerfully. "You n' the others ready to go?" Tinker Bell sat on his shoulder, rolling her eyes and tinkling something cynical.
With a nod and a wave, she replied, "Yes, we're ready."
~NEVER-NEVERLAND~
Gazing out across the dark waters, Hook placed his chin upon his metal appendage. Standing at the bow, he breathed in the salty air, the soft evening breeze teasing his midnight curls. His ears were alert, waiting to hear any ticking that may be nearby, but for now, all was still as the men navigated the boat back to the island.
Unlike his men, Hook preferred to stay close to the island, only taking occasional visits out to the docks to check on things. He missed being on his ship, but with Shade about, he couldn't afford to be caught away from the island. The mere thought of the villain – the monster – was enough to set his blood boiling, his eyes flashing red. He could still remember their first encounter, like it was yesterday…
~*~*~
Darkness had settled over the island for what felt like eons, and things were not going well for the inhabitants. Since Peter had vanished, things were still, quiet, and dull. The island itself seemed to have fallen asleep. With no Lost Boys to chase after, the Indians constantly on alert, the mermaids in their secluded corner and the fairies off in the deep woods, (not to mention the Crocodile lurking in the creeks and oftentimes around the ship) things were not the same. Hook sorely wanted to claw the boy for disappearing without a word as to why. Not only that, but he felt as though his being was incomplete without the child taunting and teasing him, plunging down from the skies to battle the older man. For days, he would scan the horizon, but Pan didn't show. He was beginning to contemplate searching the island for the boy's carcass and if he wasn't there, he'd search the world. That's when Shade came.
Hook have never felt such fear and angry, not even with the Crocodile. The day that monstrosity came, a black cloud rumbled throughout the sky, blocking out the sun. The waters turned dark, churning with an intensity Hook hadn't seen in ages. And then, the thick black column twirled down, like a tornado, only when it settled on the ground, it was the towering figure of a man. His face showed nothing but slit-pupil eyes glowing white, a large gaping mouth with dagger-like teeth.
The days drew on, terror encasing the island. The mermaids were driven into caves; the fairies hid in trees and burrows with any animals they could find; the Indians showed the most resistance, fighting back against the monster's wrath. It came to a point when Hook saw the Indians, led by Tiger Lily, through the brush and onto the beach, hoping to make it to their canoes. Sending Smee out, he encouraged them to come aboard the ship. It was a risk to them all, but in this situation, it was better to befriend the enemy and fight to the death than remained trapped and succumb to the power of this beast.
At last, one day Shade attacked the ship, his being as huge as a mountain. He made theJolly Rogerrock violently in the waves, slashing out his claws at the pirates and Injuns alike. Hook raced to slice off a claw-like nail, only to be stunned as the claw swerved around like snake, pinning him to the deck. Tiger Lily and Smee hurried to aid him, but the monster knocked them down without a second glance. Shrinking to the height and stature of the struggling captain, the creature hissed at him.
"YOU are the cause of Peter's grief, aren't you?" Hook gawked at him, stunned at his words. Was he Peter's doing? Somehow, he couldn't believe the boy would send thisthingto harm them all. "Well, you shall seek to destroy him no more!" Opening his mouth, the horrid thing began to suck the air before him. Hook felt his throat dry, his jaw dropping as he gasped for breath. He couldn't breathe! The monster was sucking the life out of him…quite literally. He could feel the warm within him fade, something drifting out of his chest and up to his throat. His soul, perhaps? He feared that he would lose it as he gaped into Shade's terrifying mouth. As his life began to roll its way to his lips, he felt his lids droop, when a blade cut through the creature's chest. Shade howled so horribly that everyone covered their ears, the sound resonating in the air.
Immediately, he felt his life-force gently slither back into his being, becoming a little light-headed as he weakly collapsed to the deck. Struggling, he opened his eyes, only to feel them widen at the sight.
Shade was bleeding from his chest, the gaping hole slowly healing itself though a scar was visible. Shade's gleaming eyes were large in shock and disbelief at the group that stood defiantly behind him.
There was a group of boys, nine in all, not counting the baby one of them was holding. A fierce woman with pixie-cut hair of a fiery hue stood close by, her green eyes glaring at the creature.
"Tinker Bell…?" Hook tried to speak, but all that came out was a cough. Was this the same fairy that flitted after Peter like his own shadow? That couldn't so – she wasn't any larger than the size of a fist. Beside her stood another figure, his skin so pale it shimmered a light blue color. He, too, was obviously a fairy. But the most striking person of all in this collection of strange, rag-tag boys, was the leader, holding the bloodied blade of the sword that had pierced Shade. He wore the oddest clothing, and his hair was a wild mess, but his eyes shone with such intensity, that there was no mistaking it.
"Pan…?" Hook whispered, his eyes as big as saucers now. It couldn't be Pan – he was a teenager, a young man! The very thing that Peter hated and never wanted to be…how was it possible?!
"Peter…?!" Shade gasped at the boy. "How-?"
"It doesn't matter how I escaped," Peter snarled, showing his pearl-like teeth. "This is MY home, and that's MY enemy! If you touch a single hair on anyone here, I'll kill you myself!"
"But Hook…he's-!" protested the monster.
"Hook may have been my enemy, but YOU…you are the biggest threat to me and this place. You thought that if you came here and destroyed the island, the people, you could keep me locked away in that room forever?!" He gnashed his little pearls at the creature, his eyes on fire. "Never again, Shade…I won't be locked away. I WON'T grow up! You can't make me! Furthermore, you can never set foot here again, and if you try to, it'll cost you."
"You can't banish me," snapped the black person, crouching as so to lunge at Peter.
"Can't he?" Tinker Bell interrupted, stepping forth and stretching out her arm at him, having her palm face him. From behind, the other fairy joined her, placing his hand upon her shoulder as he pulled out a book from a sack that hung on his shoulder. The monster's eyes widened in terror when he saw, opening his mouth to scream. The fairy, known to the others as Blue Falls, began to read from the book, both he and Tinker Bell glowing, a beam of light hitting the monster square in the chest, just where Peter had stabbed him. With the light filling the creature, Hook could make out the words, "I'LL GET YOU, PETER, JUST YOU WAIT! YOU'LL BE MINE ONCE AGAIN AND NEVERLAND WILL DIE!"
An explosion went off, a screech of pain filling the air. When the light faded, a black smoke settling and dying, the sun broke through the clouds, and all was still once more.
Hook had fainted when the explosion of light and warmth went off on the ship and was stirring awake when he heard Smee's frantic voice.
"Cap'n? Are you all right? Please answer me!" he could hear the bosun say.
"Stow that gab," Hook grumbled, shaking off the darkness and squinting his eyes open, struggling to sit up.
"Don't die on us now, Captain Codfish. I just got back."
The voice made him freeze, his eyes huge once more as he looked up to see the boy with Peter's eyes and smile kneeling down before him. "…Pan? Is that…really you?" he gasped.
Offering an impish grin in reply, Hook could see the child-like resemblance in this teenager's face. He become supremely stunned when the boy offered his hand in assistance. Cautiously, Hook accepted, feeling everyone's eyes upon them. With a mighty tug, Peter pulled the man to his feet, steadying him before backing off. The grin which he had given vanished into a serious look on his face. "We need to talk."
~*~*~
"Cap'n!" Smee cried, yanking Hook out of his reminiscence. Pointing to the night sky, he identified a group of children flying overhead, a dog trailing after them, an orb of light leading the way. "Shall we shoot 'em down, Cap'n?" Smee inquired, awaiting orders.
Watching them in silence, the boy in the red coat laughing as he led the children, Hook shook his head. "No, Smee. Not now. Perhaps we'll give 'em a good scare on the island, though."
"Aye, Cap'n," Smee saluted, also taking a moment to glance up at the children before he smiled at Hook's back. As much as he knew Hook would never admit it, he knew the captain was grateful to Pan, and he would never forget how the boy had saved him.