I cringed as my step dad kissed me on the top of my head. I was sixteen years old and for some reason he still felt the need to tuck me in bed every night. As he turned out the light and closed the door, I wiped the unwanted kiss from my forehead. I turned on my side, grumbling to myself when something caught my eye outside the window. It was… a face?
The face was staring, its eyes boring right into mine. I couldn't move. I couldn't scream. The face was terrifying and beautiful all at the same time. Arched eyebrows rested above twinkling green eyes, a crooked nose and a smirk the boy could not seem to hide. My mother had read me stories about something like this when I was younger. What was his name? Paul or Peter or something…
He chuckled and replied, "Peter Pan." I was so confused. Had I asked that question aloud? No, I hadn't. I was sure I had thought it. Nobody had ever told me Peter Pan could read minds.
"Well, get used to it. There's a lot they don't tell you much about me in stories," he smirked. They especially hadn't mentioned how arrogant he was. Despite that, I felt burning curiosity. Suddenly, an uncontrollable string of questions spewed out of my mouth. I was utterly powerless to stop them.
"Where do you live? Is Peter Pan your real name? My name isn't Wendy, so why are you here? Are you going after girl named Alex now?" I jabbered. He laughed until his face turned red and I stuck my tongue out at him. I'm sure he gets asked questions all the time from girls he abducts.
"Actually, Alex, you would be the first girl I'm planning on 'abducting,' as you put it. Wendy was alright, but I stopped to ask for directions! When she grew… overly excited, I left," he explained. Overly excited? What did he mean by that? The meaning of his words dawned on me and I was overcome with amusement.
"She was a stalker!" I screamed, giggling like a grade school girl. Peter blushed and stammered a response, but I was laughing too hard to hear him. Soon, I was gasping for breath. I couldn't believe it. How could she even follow him? He flied!
"Alright, you've had your laugh. I came here tonight for a reason, Alex. I know this is all new to you and cliché, but you're Neverland's chosen one. You're the mighty hero we need!" Peter Pan looked embarrassed to say it and I didn't have to be a mind reader to know why. He wasn't the chosen one.
"Why do you need my help?" I asked. Was Tinkerbell sick? Did she even exist? Was I going to become the first lost girl? I was not going to be the boys' mother!
"Captain Nerezza has taken over the island and we need someone pure of heart and intention to take him down," He must have read my mind because he continued to answer my question, "I have fallen from grace. The boys won't talk to me, Tinkerbell is ticked and I need you to save us. I don't know you but… please, Alex?"
I sighed. I was going to say yes, anything was better than staying here in Florida. At least, that was the reason I gave Peter.