So Lorna meets Peter for the first time. Please review and tell me whether you think she should love the dashing Peter or explore her dangerous side and fall for Hook?
Chapter 7
Lorna
Screaming and screaming I hurtled through the air, my movements restricted by the sack. Then I was in the water, sinking...water filled the air around me let in by the porous material of the sack, I couldn't breathe, couldn't think. When I gasped for breath water filled my mouth and I gurgled helplessly, trying to scream, to do something when I felt myself being lifted out of the water. The water surrounding me drained and I heard the splash as it fell back in the ocean; spluttering and gulping deep breaths I tried to reassure myself that I was not dead.
All at once I felt a solid surface beneath me and welcome fresh air as the tie was cut and I was free. Coughing the remaining salt water from my throat I rolled over with my cheek pressed against the warm ground.
"Wake up," I muttered "Come on! Wake up, wake up, wake up." But when I sat up, my head spinning I was on a rock in the middle of what was undoubtedly Neverland. Sighing I stood up shakily and turned around to find a face startlingly close to my own. Scared, I lost my footing and fell backwards but the boy (it was a boy, by the way) caught my wrist and pulled me forwards. Smiling cheekily he didn't let go of my wrist but inquired
"Wake up from what?"
I regarded him suspiciously. He looked to be about my age, taller than me though and strong by the looks of it, his tanned skin made me feel positively gray in comparison and his startlingly blue eyes were fixed upon my own waiting, I realised, for an answer.
"This dream." I replied looking down, "As much fun as I've had, being kidnapped and near drowned and everything I really do want to go home now." The boy gave a crow of laughter and launched off the rock flying round me in circles as I followed him with wide eyes. So this was Peter Pan! Just as much of a show off as Mother had said.
"You're not dreaming!" He said crossing his arms "And you can't go home."
"What? Why not?" I demanded furrowing my brow.
"Because," He said, drawing closer, "You haven't seen anything yet!" and with that he caught me up in his arms and rocketed upwards, flying amazingly fast until we were in the clouds.
"LOST BOYS FALL IN!" he cried, landing on a cloud. I dangled an arm down to catch a handful of cloud in my palm and marveled at it, I giggled as I rolled it into a ball and it stayed put. Sensing his eyes on me I looked up to find Peter grinning impishly at my delight so I quickly raised my hand to his face and smeared my handful of cloud onto his chin, now my laughter was unrestrained and so was that of the boys as they saw 'the boy who never grows up' with a snowy white beard. Bemused he wiped it off with both hands and I felt myself dropping through the air at terrifying speed. Just as I was about to hit the water however Peter caught me and laughed as I clung to him trying to squeak out a protest but finding I didn't have the air.
"That'll teach you to try and make a man out of me!" He teased and I joined in his laughter somewhat shakily as he flew me back up to where the boys were rolling around the clouds with mirth.
"Boys I'd like you to meet – um..." He looked at me questioningly and I realised he did not know my name.
"Lorna." I told him, he smiled
"That's pretty" and I found myself blushing for no apparent reason.
"So let me introduce Lorna!" He said and the lost boys crowded in, tumbling over each other in their eagerness to tell me their names. There was something familiar about the chubby boy called Tootles which I couldn't quite identify, but definitely he reminded me of someone. I pushed the thought from my mind and shook numerous grubby hands.
I turned to Peter
"Aren't you going to introduce yourself?" I asked, raising one eyebrow (a trick I learned from Uncle John).
"You don't know who I am?" He said, looking annoyed. I looked him up and down,
"Well...judging from my Mothers description..." I began, Peter drew himself up to full height and puffed out his chest "You must be..." I continued as he smiled confidently. I let the pause hang in the air...
"Smee?" I concluded, giggling as he turned different shades of red and spluttered indignantly.
"I'm joking Peter!" I said laughing at his disgruntled expression.
"Oh," He said returning to his usual color.
Joking...i realised suddenly, when was the last time I'd joked? I was the serious one..the one who had managed the family after Father died and now suddenly I was joking? Peters voice pulled me out of my reverie,
"So, Wendy told you about me?" he asked in what was clearly meant to be an offhand voice.
"Yes, she used to tell me stories about you and Neverland every night when I was a child." I said.
"When you were a child?" Peter said incredulously "You still are, aren't you?" He backed away slightly "How old are you?" He said narrowing his eyes.
"17." I replied, still a child indeed! To my surprise Peter looked relieved
"Oh! Well you've still got a year to go then, good thing you came when you did – just in time really!" He smiled at me and I couldn't help but return it.
"Actually you look older than how Mother described you," I said then regretted it as his gaze darkened. He looked away and when he turned to face me again the darkness had gone but he didn't look me in the eyes as he said
"My body ages, slowly, but I will never grow up because inside I will always be a boy. Always." and as he leaned towards me his look was so intense that I believed him, believed that he could do anything he put his mind to, and I envied him.
As quickly as it had appeared the intensity vanished and he was once again all boyish charm as he took me up in his arms and flew towards what he told me was "my new home". Comfortable and safe in his arms I closed my eyes and enjoyed the cool breeze that stroked my face as it occurred to me that I was completely and utterly happy.
