Everything was silent, peaceful. I was in-between sleeping and awake, in the distance I could hear the birds singing to each other and the roar of cars and other automobiles rushing past. Yet I could still feel my dream hanging on, it didn't want to end and I didn't want to let go of it. Until the sudden memories of last night rushed forward in my mind, bulldozing its way through to become my first priority. I awoke with a start, jumping up I felt myself call out his name. But there was no reply.
I looked around my flat, nothing was out of place apart from the object I had broken with the baseball bat. A small glass box I used to keep money and keys in. That was only proof of my insanity, Peter and the faerie had left nothing behind to confirm that last night was real. I stood up, I had been resting my head on the window sill pillow and my neck was in agony. I closed the window firmly, although I could not bring myself to lock it. My small alarm clock read that it was just past 11am. I groaned and groggily made my way to my bed, letting out a sigh as my body slipped between the crisp cool sheets. I quickly made it back into my dream, the events of last night being pushed back into my mind.
It was around late afternoon when I eventually woke up; I laid in bed for what felt like hours. I kept running everything over in my mind, the way he looked, everything he told me. If I concentrated I could still hear the wind chimes that Tinkerbell brought with her whenever she flew or tried to speak. I sat up, trying desperately not to cry. It had been so wonderful, so magical. I hadn't felt like that in a long time.
With all the thoughts of Peter running through my mind I ran over to my desk, it was busy and crammed with as many art supplies I could afford. I pushed everything off and grabbed my sketchbook; I was like a woman possessed. I began filling page after page with drawings and paintings of the two trespassers. I had to get them out of my mind and onto the paper, pleading with my pencil to cooperate with my imagination.
After a few hours I fell back against my chair, nursing my tired wrist. There were so many pictures of them strewn over the desk, most looking identical. It was almost right, just a few details that I couldn't get, like the twinkle in his eyes and the delicate curve of the faerie. But I was ready to call it quits. I stood up and began rummaging through my piles of books until I eventually found the one I was looking for. I took it back to my desk and began reading, scoring out the wrong parts and writing what peter had told me really happened instead. It was only until I was halfway through the book that I realised what I was doing. I stopped and threw the pen down in horror. I couldn't believe I had just written all over a book, filling it with ideas and thoughts from a dream. I closed my eyes and put my head in my hands, I was going insane. This obsession had to stop.
I made my way to the bathroom, shutting the door behind me; I switched on the shower and let the steam surround the room. I peeled off my clothes from last night and stepped in, sighing as the hot water lashed on top of me. I washed my hair, closing my eyes as I massaged my scalp, taking extra care to condition. I slowly cleansed my body, letting the scent of mango fill the room. After I had done all the necessities I found myself just standing under the water. Staring absently at a chipped tile on the wall, I forced myself not to think about Peter and instead I ended up thinking about everything else.
I had left the orphanage in Edinburgh on my 16th birthday, vowing never to return. I had always dreamed of adventure and a happy family and neither ever came so I promised myself I would go out and seek them on my own. And here I was, almost two years later, working a dead end job with little wage and reward. I was stuck on my own, worrying more and more over bills, food and the cost of living, no real friends to spend time with, no family. I was stuck in a rut, digging myself into a hole that with every passing day was getting deeper and harder to climb out of. Without realizing I had started to cry. I tried to wipe my face, drown myself under the shower, letting everything wash away down the drain with the water but it was pointless. If I didn't think of my life I thought of last night and both made me want to just curl up and cry.
When I eventually got out of the shower I padded to my room, taking extra care to dry myself properly and change into pyjamas. I fastened my hair into a pleat down the back and hung my wet towel over the warm radiator. I sighed as I looked around my room, I could tidy it but I really didn't want to. It was dark out; looking at my clock it read 7pm. My stomach grumbled and I made my way to the kitchen, I needed comfort food.
A hearty bowl of pasta, garlic bread and a movie later it wore onto almost 10pm and I was still hungry. Staring longingly into the fridge, trying to conjure up food from nowhere I remembered the half tub of ice cream in the freezer. Excitedly I bent down; shivering at the sudden wind the freezer gave out. I grabbed the tub and flung the door shut, turning around I made my way towards my bedroom, letting out a scream and dropping my ice cream at the intruder, sitting on my window sill.
"Hello" He breathed out, smiling. The bright glowing light of Tinkerbell popped out from behind him, the tinkling of wind chimes greeting me.
"Peter!" I gasped, picking up the ice cream. I moved so quickly towards him, I was unsure of what to do, a hug? No, too forward. A handshake? No, he wouldn't appreciate it.
"You…you're real!" I gasped out, "I…I thought it was all a dream" I muttered at the end, plonking myself onto my bed, diving right into the ice cream. Tinkerbelle was over in a shot, helping herself and flying off on top of my pillow, gorging herself.
"Of course I'm real" He laughed. I grinned up at him, blushing at how foolish I sounded. He looked at me sympathetically.
"You were falling asleep so quickly last night, could barely keep your eyes open. Don't suppose you remember me telling you we'd be back tonight?"
I shook my head, not even trying to wipe the goofy smile that had spread on my face. I wasn't going crazy, it wasn't just a dream. This was happening, this wonderful moment was happening and last night's wonderful moment was real. Too caught up in my own thoughts I didn't notice Peter gliding over to my desk, staring intently at the drawings of Tinkerbell and he until it was too late. He turned to look at me and I felt my face turn a violent shade of red.
"Did you do these?" He asked, holding out one drawing. I nodded feebly and he seemed to look impressed. I looked back down at my ice cream, watching him from the corner of my eye as he folded up one of the drawings and slip it into his pocket before moving back to the window.
"I thought I was going crazy" I muttered, looking up at him. He looked at me, giving a sympathetic smile.
"I'm sure a few people have thought that the next day when they wake up after we've come for a visit. We haven't come to the same window more than once in a long time, but…Tink liked it here" He said, trailing off at the end. I looked over at the faerie that had finished her ice cream and was now lying on the pillow, sugared up and dozing.
"I'm flattered" I smiled at him.
"So," I began, unsure of what to talk about, "What did you do today?"
He jumped up, excited, "First, we hunted the Indians. Lost boys won of course" He said, smirking, "Then during the feast Tink and I snuck off to spy on hook for a while, he thinks he's found our hideout but he's in the completely wrong area of Neverland. Then we decided to come back here."
I stared at him in awe before replying, "Well, that certainly beats anything I could have done here"
"You would love Neverland, Faryn. There's always adventures waiting to be found, Mermaids to swim with and horizons to catch" He grinned, his arms moving dramatically as if his words weren't painting enough of a picture.
"It sounds perfect!" I sighed, falling backwards onto my bed.
Only a couple of seconds and I had opened my eyes to be met with his. Lagoon blue orbs that I could dive into, flecks of grey and green surrounded them and he stared as if he was looking at my soul.
"Why don't you come with us?" He whispered so faintly, I wondered whether I had imagined it.
"What?" I replied,
He nodded, firmly as if deciding within himself that this was indeed the right decision,
"You should come with us" he said more loudly, "To Neverland, come and stay!"
I couldn't think of what to say. Come with him to Neverland? It was a dream come true, the very thing I needed in my life, what I had craving ever since I could dream, what I had been wishing for. Which made it all the more unbelievable, was this really happening? I, Faryn Wolfe, was being invited to Neverland by Peter Pan.
"You're sure?" I breathed out, trying to keep calm. He grinned and nodded, "You really mean it? I can come with you? We can fly there tonight?"
"We can leave right now" He flew back, circling around the room, landing at the window and holding his hands out.
I jumped up, running over to him before I suddenly stopped. I gasped and rushed to my wardrobe.
"Turn around please, Peter" I asked him.
"What are you doing?" He looked confused, scratching his head.
"Im not going to Neverland in pyjamas, I need to change and pack a bag"
He let out a sigh and turned his back towards me, I quickly changed into a pair of shorts, a pale pink blouse and some canvas trainers, slipping on a hoody and a necklace. I grabbed my rucksack and packed other clothes, my toothbrush and toothpaste, shampoo, my sketchbook and other art supplies until it was full to the brim. I had some trouble closing it but once the zip was done I heaved it on my back and called to Peter, letting him know I was ready. He turned back around, smiling.
"Tink!" He cried.
The faerie slowly lifted herself off the pillow and hovered above me. All of a sudden bright gold dust was falling on me, gently, like snowflakes. Once it landed on my skin it dissolved, leaving me with a healthy glow. I couldn't help the burst of laughter that erupted from me or the smile that was stretched from ear to ear. This was happening. Peter flew towards me, taking my hands in his.
"You know what's next?"
"Think happy thoughts?"
He leaned in slowly, his lips touching my ear and I repressed a shudder as he whispered, his breath tickling me.
"The most wonderful and loveliest of thoughts"
I squeezed my eyes, memories and thoughts and moments began flashing through in my mind, none of which were good enough to help me fly. I began to panic, what if I couldn't think of anything? What if nothing could make me fly? Then I would be stuck here, I wouldn't see Neverland, I wouldn't see Peter.
As if he was reading my mind, I felt him give my hands a gentle squeeze and I relaxed, concentrating. I began to think of music and songs, I thought of books and every happy emotion each one made me feel. I thought of art, the way a brush felt in my hand and the smell of a new sketchbook and lastly, I thought of Peter. How a mere two nights with him could make me feel like the happiest person on earth.
"You're doing it!" He cried out, I opened an eye and gasped, I was flying! I let out a squeal as I dropped slightly, Peter holding me up as I focused more on my happy thoughts.
"Don't worry, it gets easier with practise, you won't have to focus so much on your thoughts" He said, giving a shrug and a grin.
"Ready?" He asked and I nodded vigorously, he smiled and soared off, around my room and out my window, up into the night sky. I followed slowly, a bit wobbly and hesitant. I avoided flying around my room but I did give it once last glance before following Peter and Tinkerbelle. They waited for me, the moonlight making them just mere shadows in the sky. He grabbed my hand and we were off. The wind hut my face in a pleasing way, as if welcoming me to its domain. The stars shone brighter than ever and the moon sat proudly, its silver glow casting over us, protecting us from the dark.
"Can you see it? Second to the right"
"And straight on til morning?" I finished for him as I stared at the two stars. I let out a breath I didn't realise I was holding in. The star on the right stood out prominently, twinkling vigorously compared to its partner, seducing me, calling to me, a grand invite that I had no intention of ignoring.
"Neverland" I whispered.