Wendy lay in her bed, freshly 18 years of age. Her birthday had been a few days back.
She laid in her bed, as she slipped into a state between sleep and consciousness she began thinking about that alluring, enchanted place from her childhood.
She could still hear the waterfalls and the laughter.
She could smell the freshwater and flowers.
She could still feel the smooth bark of the safehouse, the grass beneath her bare feet.
Yet when she opened her eyes, she could feel the coarse, plain, fabric of the bed.
She could feel her uncomfortable hairdo she was to keep perfect until the morning.
But most of all she could feel the years of pain, nostalgia, and regret brought down on her, in one single night. The night before her wedding.
She felt the tears stream down her cheeks.
Oh how she had suppressed this feeling.
For 6 years she had tried in vain to convince herself that growing up was the right thing to do, she was tired of having to go over the reasons of why staying in London had been the right choice.
And now she was to be wed. She was to wed William Cunningham. He wasn't the most interesting or brightest man, but he was wealthy and quite handsome. Her mother was quite proud of herself for choosing him for her daughter.
Any woman would be thrilled to have such a great groom, her mother gushed.
But Wendy did not want just a groom. She wanted someone to talk to, someone she could love, someone she could know and share her life with.
The harsh reality of life had made her grow up and act as a woman years older, would. She was quiet and refined. She was the epitome of a boring adult. If only Peter could see her now.
At the tender age of 18, she was already looking back on life and feeling unfulfilled.
So she closed her eyes one more time.
Tears streaming and she whispered, "I wish...I wish to come away to Neverland."
The windows burst open and she bolted upright in bed.
An ominous shadow crossed the room.
And suddenly she could make out the figure that would forever be ingrained in her memory.
His long, curly, black hair and big, feathered hat stood in stark contrast with the rest of the bluish gray room.
"What are you doing here?" she said.
"You called?" he said amusedly.
"I just- I thought..." she stammered.
"You thought it would be Pan instead of me? Pan has not been in Neverland for quite some time now. He's been off on adventures, I'm sure. And he doesn't really make house calls anymore."
She looked at him still not fully comprehending.
"He's forgotten you." he stated bluntly. Wendy stared at him still in shock.
"Now I'm sure your plead was not accidental," he went on, "I am sure you would like to come away to Neverland."
"I-I am getting married tomorrow."
He made a scowl, "Ugh all the more reason to leave this land of mediocrity," he glanced about her bedroom, examining the empty beds flanking Wendy.
"I- I can't do this again, to my parents. To my family."
"Life is too short to spend pleasing others, Wendy Darling," he whispered.
She remained silent. Mulling over his words.
He took the silence as a response. "Very well, I see I have wasted my time." he turned to leave.
"Wait," she whispered, "I want to go with you."
"Too late." he said, "Goodbye."
"No. Please!,"she shrieked, "Take me. Take me with you. I-I can't stay here any longer," she struggled to keep her voice even.
"If I take you back to Neverland...you will have to stay and be a pirate with me. No running off to Peter Pan. If you do, I will come after you and bring you back here and you will have to go through with your marriage."
She thought about it. She didn't want to go back with Hook of all people. She really wanted to go back with Peter. And right on cue as if he'd read her mind. "He's forgotten all about you, you know. He never looks back. Ever. He probably doesn't even remember your name. So do not fool yourself into believing he will come save you. I even hear he has another girl," he said with a smirk.
She felt a pang of jealousy and anger.
"I accept your…conditions."
"Aaand?" he prodded.
"And…thank you for the generous offer," she replied reluctantly.
"That's more like it," he smiled. He offered her his hook. She placed her hand in the curve of it and balanced herself on the windowsill. The plank waited for them to step across. She walked across and onto the deck of the Jolly Roger.
Hook turned to his crew , "To Neverland!" he yelled.
"Aye, Captain," Smee called back.
She felt the rush of wind as the ship sailed through the London fog. Then came the familiar burst of lights and color and then in the distance she saw the mountain with the perpetual rainbow. However, she saw the mountain was snowcapped and the surrounding water was mostly frozen.
It seemed Pan had been away for quite some time.