Meeting Old Friends
Wendy grew up in the throws of high society, yet remained quite the adventuresome girl that had first visited Neverland with her brothers nearly ten years ago. She herself had stopped once she turned fifteen, her parents sending her abroad to make a lady out of her and to prepare her for society.
Still, while her brothers continued to have grand adventures in Neverland, Wendy always found her own adventures in the many lands she visited. She would still greet Peter as he came for her brothers, and he would continue to beg her to go with. She couldn't. Or wouldn't? Something had bothered her during her last trip, something she wasn't quite ready to admit to herself as she was afraid she might be growing up.
Wendy sighed as she sipped her tea along the coastal town of Wayside. She was at a small restaurant near the harbor and was enjoying reading a book full of pirates and maidens along the northern coast of France and Spain, hoping that one day she could travel there and see some action for herself.
At this time Wendy, now twenty years old, is with a small chaperoned group of young men and women. Three young women and two gentlemen, one who had been trying to gain Wendy's affection for some time now. Oh, the twenty-three year old was nice enough and good looking, but Wendy knew she wasn't in love. She had allowed the hand holding enough times, even a stolen kiss or two. She had even been hopeful that she might be able to return Steven's feelings once they kissed, but alas, she had felt nothing and only looked forward to saying goodnight.
As she drank the last of her tea she set her book down and looked out into the harbor. She saw mighty ships, some coming and some going. As she stood to leave, one already in harbor caught her eye. As she took a second look at the magnificent black ship painted with red and gold leaf she wondered if she had seen it somewhere before. Shrugging, she dismissed the thought as she gathered her things and headed back to her hotel.
That evening…
As the group settled into the hotel's restaurant for dinner, Wendy waited for Steven to pull her chair out before taking his usual place next to her at their group's favorite table. Jeffrey, the other gentleman, waited to help the other ladies, Elizabeth and Claire, from their party. They indulged in their first glass of wine as they waited for the house meal, which was roasted lams with potatoes and cabbage.
As Wendy politely sipped from her wine glass something in the background caught her eye. In the corner of the restaurant where the light seemed to fade she could just make out the silhouettes of about two men. A shiver crept down her spine. Why did she suddenly feel they were watching her?