Peter Pan © J. M. Barrie

Movie © Universal Studios

Story © me!

I'M WITH YOU

ISN'T ANYONE TRYING TO FIND ME?

"Hello?"

The tree house was quiet. Not hide nor hair of anyone could be seen, save for the one lone boy standing in the middle of the big room, turning slowly around. Nor could any whispering or snoring be heard, which would have been sure signs of hiding or sleeping Lost Boys. There was no one home.

Slightly looked anyway. He poked through the hammocks, hanging limply from the gnarled roots of the dead tree under which they had built their home. He searched through empty hiding places, the lonely eating area, the abandoned slide. He searched every nook and cranny he could think of plus more, then went outside.

The forest was quiet too. The usual noises of birds and animals, running water, and even of the wind in the trees was missing. Slightly circled the big tree stump, calling for his friends, asking them to come out. He couldn't find anyone, so he moved further into the forest, thinking that maybe the other inhabitants of Never Land had seen his mates.

But when he reached the Fairy Glade, it was as empty as the tree house had been. Even though sunset was falling and it would soon be dark, there were no bright twinkling fairy lights to be seen.

The Indian campground was deserted as well, no trace of cooking fires warming the dusk. The hide-covered homes flapped listlessly in the slight breeze, making a small noise that would have gone unnoticed had the camp been occupied. A cursory inspection of their hunting grounds revealed no other living beings.

He couldn't even find the mermaids. Usually if one went to their rocks and waited or perhaps whistled to them, they would come. But though he sat for minutes on end, dipping his toes in the cold water as the last light from the sun died over the horizon, they did not appear.

Fear was stealing over Slightly's heart and mind as he raced for the beach. The pirate ship was his last bet. He ran full tilt for the usual landing site of the Lost Boy's enemies, hoping for the first time to find them there. But as he cleared the last row of trees and stood gazing out over the empty water, a horrible truth breaking over him. He was completely, totally, desperately alone.

Slightly kept running, calling for the others, tears creeping into his throat. And then he was crying, the prickling warmth in his eyes making it even harder to see in the night wood. There were no stars, he realized with horror, only the creeping darkness around him, stealing light and heat along with all the familiar sights of the forest where he had spent his boyhood. Then it was completely black.

Unable to run any further, Slightly dropped to the ground, sobbing. Why had they all abandoned him here? I don't want to be alone. Please, don't leave me here! he cried into the blackness. Please!

"Slightly!"

Around him was still solid black. But someone was calling his name.

"Slightly, wake up!"

A hand on his shoulder was pulling him out of the darkness. He opened his eyes.

Nibs was sitting on the edge of the bed, shaking him. Slightly pushed the other boy's hand away as he opened his eyes, blinking in the light of a lantern. Faint sounds of pattering feet sounded above them through the wooden deck of the captured pirate ship.

"Did you have another nightmare?" Nibs asked.

Slightly nodded, rubbing his eyes as he tried to forget the fear of his dream.

Nibs waited until Slightly looked up at him, and smiled. "We're almost there. Wendy and her brothers have been telling us about their house during the flight. It sounds great. I can't wait to have a mother again."

"Me either," Slightly agreed. A mother – that was why they were leaving Never Land in the first place.

"Well, get up! You want to see it, don't you?"

"Yeah, I'm coming," he said, stifling a yawn.

Nibs watched him, concerned. "Why are you so tired?"

"I was up all night saying goodbye to Never Land."

"Oh." Nibs stood up, straightening his vest. "See you on deck."

---------------------TBC---------------------

Yes, the title and chapter title are from Avril Levine's "I'm With You". I was looking for a title and that song came, and it fit.

Please review! and I'll update