Chapter Two.
He awoke with a gasp, the warm blankets that had previously comforted him now felt like a prison, trapping and suffocating him. With blankets clenched in his fists, his eyes opened as he sat bolt upright. Jack flung the blankets off of him as terrors from the night still danced in his memory, haunting him. But his heavy breathing slowed as the darkness retreated to the farthest recesses of his mind and the horrible laughter faded into silence. It was then he began to take in this unfamiliar place. The bed and sheets were old and faded but held a lingering scent of freshness that his nose was not accustomed to. The walls were pale and somehow warm despite the chipping paint. On top of the dresser rested a folded pair of pants and a shirt that had not been there the night before. With no one around, his natural instinct was to take them, but something deep in his chest stopped him. Jack told himself it was because he was simply used to the ones already on his back. Sliding out of bed, the holes in his socks allowed his feet to feel the cold wood floor beneath him. The floor creaked softly under his feet and he froze, still unsure of his purpose here. After a moment he made his way to the door, opening it just wide enough to poke his head out. The hallway that had looked so menacing the night before now looked bright and inviting. The pictures hung on the walls that had previously frightened him now gave a happiness to the space, the smiling faces shone out from graduation pictures and award ceremonies. It occurred to Jack that no one person was in more than one picture, apart from the smiling face of the woman who had shown him kindness the night before.
Sudden laughter from downstairs graced him with fresh curiosity and he made his way to the banister. Beneath him he could see three children and the kind woman sitting around a table. He guessed it was some kind of game, though he'd never seen it played before. Everyone around the table seemed to hold their breath as the smallest boy removed a block and placed it on the top of the tower. Jack's eyebrows creased as they all cheered; he wasn't sure what the great accomplishment was. The next boy went, but this time the tower swayed and crashed to the ground. Jack's confusion continued as everyone howled with laughter instead of yelling and cursing the boy for ruining their game.
It was then that she saw him. Her smile was bright as she excused herself from the boys. "Good morning, Jack." She said as she reached the bottom of the stairs. In the light of day it was easy to see what a pretty woman she had once been. And even now her smile lines and slightly graying hair surrounded her with a gentle beauty. He watched her cautiously, still a little unsure and taken aback by the use of his name. Jack. It sounded so welcoming and friendly when she said it. But why? She was a stranger to him. Why would anyone show such kindness to someone who'd been tossed at them in the middle of the night like used up, unwanted scraps of garbage. "Why don't you come down and join us? I'm about to make breakfast."
"Breakfast." He whispered to himself. The idea of eating again so soon was foreign to him, but the grumbling in his stomach was enough to pull him down the stairs.
"I hope you were able to get some sleep, honey. Tonight we'll get you a room with some of the other boys and maybe you'll feel a bit more at home."
Jack stared at her bewilderingly. Home? Home to him was somewhere dark and dreary, usually ripe with the smell of garbage, and if he was lucky, dry. Not this warm place, full of smiles and laughter. He wondered for a moment if he'd fallen into someone else's dream. Not one of his own of course. His dreams were always full of terrors and screams. Jack didn't think his own mind could come up with such a happy place. She must have sensed his skepticism. Briefly glancing over each shoulder, she began digging into her pocket. Jack watched her lips form a playful smirk and whisper, "Shh," as she pulled out a piece of candy and handed it to him.
Tentatively taking the candy from her, he responded, "Th-thank you."
Her smile simply widened. "Connor," she called to a boy in the corner. "Come here a moment, won't you?"
A boy roughly his age with shaggy black hair trotted over to them. "What's up Mamma Kate?" He questioned, his eyes flicking over to Jack then back up to her.
"Connor, this is Jack. It's his first day and I'd like you to show him around."
The boy stretched his shoulders back, making himself taller. "Sure thing, Mamma Kate." He spoke with a new air of importance coating his words.
Smiling, she ruffled Connor's hair. "I'll see you boys at breakfast." She spared each of them a glance, her eyes lingering on Jack a moment longer before turning and heading to the kitchen.
"So, what do you think of our little Never, Neverland?" Connor spoke with an air of ownership.
Jack shrugged in response.
"Well stick with me, kid," the dark haired boy chimed. "I'll show you the 'what's what' o' this place." He gestured for Jack to follow him. As he was led through the living room, it became obvious to Jack that the house he had thought to be so menacing last night was actually quite quaint. Like Momma Kate, it gave the impression of having been quite beautiful in its day. Connor led him outside and what he saw astounded him. Dozens of children ran around what looked like a makeshift playground. There was a grassy area where a few children kicked around a ball, a sandpit next to a lightly rusted swing set, and even a hoop nailed to the wall of the house where a few young boys played basketball. It was enough to make even the likes of the Narrows look like a happy place.
"This is the yard." Connor said flatly. "Most the younger kids spend time here. The older boys usually go out with Richard for 'on the job training' or so he calls it. That's Momma Kate's husband. He works down on the docks, moving heavy equipment or whatever. I'll be fifteen soon," Connor bragged. "Which means I'll get to go along with them."
Jack's interest was quickly fading as the other boy continued to ramble on. As they came back inside, Jack's nose was greeted with the pleasant yet unfamiliar smell of home.
Jack couldn't sleep. His mind was too restless from the events of the day. He couldn't stay here. He just couldn't. It was all too perfect, too cheerful. He didn't fit in here and he never would. These children were all bright and hopeful. They still had a future. Jack had come from nothing and was going nowhere. His presence here would only taint the others and bring a dark cloud to hover over their beautiful paradise. They had given him shoes, fresh, clean clothes and a bed; and they had asked for nothing in return. It made his stomach churn. Jack looked around the new room and his eyes fell on one of the other boys he now shared the space with. The boy was fast asleep now, but earlier he had given Jack an old pair of socks. It was the first present Jack had ever been given.
He had to get out of here.
As soon as he was sure the other boys were asleep, Jack made his move. He decided he would take the fresh pair of clothes he'd been given, the shoes, and of course the old socks. The thought of sneaking into the kitchen and grabbing some food had crossed his mind, but he couldn't bring himself to do it. Not after all they had already done. Jack cursed the squeaky floor boards as he made his way down the hall and stairwell. The smiling pictures on the wall all seemed to watch him as he passed. Taunting and reminding him that he would never be one of them. By the time he reached the front door, the cool air that snuck in under the crack in the door felt like a welcoming caress. His body almost ached for the familiar bite of the cold on his skin.
A sudden cough from the corner of the room nearly made him jump out of his skin.
"Why are you leaving?" Momma Kate's low voice spoke. Her tired eyes watched him while one finger traced the rim of the cup in her hands. Jack wondered if she'd stayed up like this last night, too. Did all the other orphans try this or was he just particularly transparent? Jack opened his mouth to speak but no words fell out. His eyes fell to the floor, suddenly ashamed. He didn't belong here. Couldn't she see that?
"I thought as much." Her voice was quiet and understanding. "Jack." His name fell from her lips in a soft sigh. Hesitating, she waited for him to look back up to her. When he didn't, she walked over to kneel in front of him and place a hand on each of his shoulders. "It doesn't matter where you've been or what you've done. You don't have to run anymore. We could be your family... if you'll let us."
He didn't respond, though he did allow her to wrap her arms around him in a gentle embrace.
The next morning was a dreary one. But that didn't stop most of the children from playing outside. Jack couldn't help but notice that Momma Kate had been distant all morning. In the back of his mind, he wondered if she was ashamed of him for trying to leave. He took his frustration out on the grass, absentmindedly plucking at the delicate blades as the other boy jabbered on about nothing.
It was then that he saw her, the most beautiful thing he had ever seen. She looked slightly younger than him. The slight chubbiness accompanied with childhood still clung to her cheeks, making her appear especially pure. She was dressed well, far better than anyone in the Narrows dressed, at least. Her lips were pressed in a tight line that told of some unknown sadness. Something about it looked wrong against backdrop of her otherwise perfect visage. Beside her stood a boy with similar features, except for his much fairer hair. He looked like he had once been a very happy and carefree child. One that held the kind of cuteness that made older women want to pinch his cheeks. But no longer. Now his eyes were vacant, speaking tribute to the horrors he must have seen. It was an expression Jack could identify with. The boy's empty eyes were nothing like hers, which seemed to illuminate the world around her like a beacon of hope, alerting all of the Narrows of her presence.
From across the yard, their eyes met. All air suddenly caught in his chest, rendering him unable to breathe. Her gaze seemed to bore through him, simultaneously making him flush with heat and shiver as cold tingles crept down his spine.
"That's Elise and Tyler," Connors voice broke him from his trance. "Momma Kate's niece and nephew. They come visit here sometimes with their parents."
Jack tore his eyes away from her, clearing his throat. ""Where are their parents now?" He kept his eyes focused on Connor, not quite trusting himself to look at her again so soon.
"Dunno." Connor shrugged. "But I heard Momma Kate and Richard talking last night. Apparently somethin' real bad happened."
Jack pursed his lips before daring to look back at her once more. He was just in time to catch her seemingly glide through the doorway. Jack was overwhelmed by her. She was porcelain, beautiful and delicate. His mind was void of all thoughts except for her purity and beauty and how misplaced it seemed amid the dark and desolate backdrop of the Narrows. "But she looks so perfect." He hadn't meant to voice his thought out loud.