Forgetting Neverland

 

Wendy heard the door open slightly and she grasped Peter’s hand lest it be someone to take them away from each other. She didn’t want to open her eyes to find out who it was and figured they would shake her awake soon anyway. She and Peter were still tangled up in each other’s arms, naked. Peter was hugging her tightly to his chest and she didn’t want to move from that place.

“Wendy,” she heard someone whisper. She sat up quickly and her eyes widened. Her brother quickly cast his glance down, as his sister was stark naked.

“My god Wendy, did he…?”

“No John. We love each other. This was all my choice.” John didn’t say anything but threw Wendy a blanket to cover up with. Peter stirred, still trying to hold onto her.

“John what’s going on?”

“We have to be quick. The Boys took care of some of the guards but we don’t know where Hook is. Are either of you chained?”

“No,” Wendy answered, now rising to her feet. “Peter, wake up. We have to get out of here. Now.” She ran to the closet and brought him another pair of breeches.

“What’s happening?” he asked sleepily, rubbing his eyes. John looked back at the door, then at his sister.

“Hurry Wendy!” Wendy helped Peter up and the three of them snuck out of the cabin and met up with some of the Lost Boys on the deck. The ship was eerily quiet.

“I’d feel so much better if I knew Hook was locked up somewhere,” Peter whispered uneasily. There was a flash of light and something landed in Peter’s hands.

“Tink!” Tinkerbell looked up at the boy she loved and hugged his finger.

“I’m glad to see you too, Tink!”

“Maybe we should see about getting them some clothes,” Tootles said, eyeing them both. Wendy pulled the blanket around her even tighter and Peter blushed at his scant clothing.

“We haven’t the time! We have to get off this ship now before someone catches us.” John hissed, climbing up onto the stern of the ship. “Come on Tink, give us all you’ve got.” Tinkerbell started to fly around them all, covering them with pixie dust. Wendy squeezed Peter’s hand and whispered, “think happy thoughts!”

“Growing up with you,” he said, squeezing back. Wendy smiled and closed her eyes, waiting to ascend. Tink paused, panting, and started flying around them again.

“What’s the matter with her?” Michael asked worriedly. Peter held out his hands for Tinkerbell to rest in and frowned.

“She hasn’t got a lot of dust. It seems like her capture has made her pretty weak. She barely has enough to make her fly.” The twins started to rise into the air and Peter ordered them to fly to the Indian Village.

“Tiger Lily and her people will keep us safe until we can figure out what to do next.” The twins flew off in that direction and were soon followed by Tootles and Slightly and Cubby. Michael started to rise into the air and he held out his hand to his sister.

“Come on Wendy!” Tinkerbell flew out of Peter’s hand and started circling them again, causing John and Wendy to fly into the air. Peter remained grounded.

“Peter! You don’t need the dust to fly.” Peter looked up at her sadly.

“I think I’m growing up…I can’t fly anymore.”

“Then I’m staying with you!”

“No! Get out of here, Wendy.” Wendy flew down and grasped his hand and tried to pull him up.

“You flew me all the way here to Neverland. Now let me take you away.” Peter started to rise into the air (Tink even tried to lift him, though of course she failed) but ropes flew out of nowhere and wound around Peter’s neck. Another rope snaked its way around Wendy’s waist. John made to grab them both but a rope barely missed him and he soared out of reach.

“Wendy!”

“John, get out of here! Quick!” Tears welling up in his eyes, John turned and followed the others. Tink cast a terrified look at Peter and Wendy and followed John. The two of them were pulled back down and held down by the pirates. Smee clung to Wendy as she fought and struggled to fly. Hook stalked toward them, polishing his hook while he walked.

“You tired of our hospitality and decided to leave, hm? And after your last little run in with my crew, Pan, I didn’t think you’d be so stupid to try something again. I suppose another lesson is in order.” Peter fought with the hands that held him and Wendy’s scream broke the silence.

“NO! Captain Hook, please, take me instead. Beat me to death if you wish but leave Peter alone. Please. I’ll do anything.”

“Anything?” Hook’s eyes glittered.

“Wendy, no! I told you I’m not worth it. Hook, don’t listen to her. Your battle is with me, it always has been! Do what you like with me—kill me if you have to but do not touch her again.” Hook lifted Peter’s chin with his hook and stared at him for the longest time, not saying a word.

“Pan…you love her?” Peter looked over at Wendy and his eyes clouded.

“I do,” he finally said. Hook looked at Wendy, then back at Peter.

“Love is a grown up thing, Peter Pan, you do realize that. A little boy can’t feel love, you know.”

“Except that the little boy has grown up a lot these past few days in your captivity.” And now that Peter had said it, Hook realized it was true. Peter had grown taller; his face fuller and more handsome, his chest more defined. His voice was deeper and his actions…his foolish actions, for love, had not been the actions of some cocky little boy. They had been the actions of a man in love. Hook looked to Wendy again and started to speak, but stopped.

“Take her to the cabin and chain her. Pan and I have some things to discuss.” Smee dragged Wendy into the cabin as she screamed at Hook to leave him alone. The pirates started to disperse, disappointed there was no show this time. The pirate who held Peter back threw him onto the ground and stepped on his back.

“That will be all, Braken,” Hook snapped. The pirate kicked Peter and went back to his duties. Hook pulled on the rope, still around the boy’s neck, and made him look up at him.

“I have to say boy, I am surprised. And impressed. You’ve survived much more than I would have thought possible. I am sure we have your Wendy to thank for that but still, I take my hat off to you.” He swept off his plumed hat and bowed low. Peter was baffled; WHAT was going on? Hook put his hat back on and continued.

“I have one more, ahem, test for you. And if you survive and if your Wendy still loves you, you are both free to go.”

“Test? TEST? This whole time you have been testing us? I wouldn’t call this hell a test, Hook, I call it a fucking nightmare!” Hook smiled slightly.

“That temper of yours will get you into trouble when you grow up, Pan. Do you accept or not?”

“What choice do I have,” Peter mumbled, shaking his head. He looked up at Hook, frowning.

“What do you mean if Wendy still loves me?” Hook’s smile grew.