"Which cabin is it?" Tink's eyes scanned the cabins and she bit her lip.
I think it's that one. There's a window you can peer into. Come on. Peter followed the fairy closer to the ship. Tink looked around to make sure the pirates didn't see them but Peter kept his eyes ahead, thinking only of Wendy. He still felt weak from the pain he had felt from her scream and wondered what they could have done to her. He hoped it was just fear. It had better be just fear!
Tink flew from window to window, peering in. When she reached the last one, she gasped and her hands flew to her mouth. Peter knew they had found the right one and he hesitantly peered into the room. His jaw dropped as did his heart.
"Wendy," he whispered before he flew into the room and landed by her side. Tink hissed at him to come back but Peter ignored her, kneeling next to the shivering girl. He couldn't believe what he saw in front of him. He knew the pirates were cruel but he had never expected this. Her lovely face was bruised and swollen, her body was frail and pallid, with lashes and lesions all over. She was shivering underneath a thin blanket and when she moved, it fell to reveal her bare breasts. Peter gasped as he realized she was naked underneath it and he hesitantly reached out to pull the blanket down, to see what else they had done. He swallowed, tears welling in his eyes as his hand froze on the edge of the blanket and Tink appeared over his head.
Peter, we need to go. The Indians will be here soon and we can—"
"Tink, look at her! I'm not leaving her like this," he hissed. His voice made Wendy squeeze her eyes shut, as if fighting off a nightmare.
"Peter, get out of here," she whispered faintly. "They'll kill you."
"I won't leave you," he whispered against her cheek before he gently kissed it. Her eyes slowly opened and Peter winced to see how clouded and sad they looked. He could barely see his beloved Wendy in this poor wretched soul. Tears leaked over the sides and Peter immediately wiped them away.
"You're really here," she whispered.
"I flew all day and all night to get to you. I'm so sorry, Wendy. I'm so sorry I couldn't keep you safe."
"Peter, I beg of you, leave me here. Get out of here while you can. Neverland NEEDS you, alive and healthy."
"And I need YOU. I've told you time and time again, Wendy, I can't live without you by my side."
She shifted in her chains and the blanket fell to the floor. She was so absorbed in Peter's eyes that she didn't even notice. Peter's face went red as he hurriedly pulled the blanket back over her, catching sight of the bruises and fingerprints around her thighs and pelvis. His eyes caught sight of something and he frowned.
"Wendy, what have they done to you?"
"It's nothing, Peter," she said weakly, closing her eyes and crossing her legs together, praying he wouldn't notice. Peter stared at her for a moment before he lifted the blanket just a bit higher and parted her legs ever so slightly. Her inner thigh was red and inflamed with the letters W-H-O-R-E, white and raw. Peter felt rage surge through his heart. He had heard that word around the streets of London. He had heard the pirates say it. He didn't completely understand what it meant (for Peter still did not understand everything about the grown up thing Wendy had tried to explain) but he knew Wendy was not one. The brand on her skin had done it. He straightened up and clenched his fists.
"I'll kill them all."
"Peter please," Wendy said in a soft voice, moving her arms up as if to reach for him. "You can't go after them. You'll be killed."
"Do you have so little faith in me?"
"I have so much love for you, Peter. I'll die if anything happens to you." Peter slowly lowered to his knees again and he stroked her cheek.
"And if they kill you, I might as well be dead. And I know that's what he wants. He wants to destroy my reason for living. He thinks he'll break me if he hurts you."
He bent low and softly kissed her on the lips. Wendy moaned at his gentleness, and he pulled away slightly. "I can't believe what he's done to you, Wendy. MY Wendy. I won't let them get away with this. They are going to pay."
"Oh I am looking forward to this," said a sly voice from the door. Peter whirled around but several hands grabbed him, forcing his hands behind his back. The pirates overpowered the boy, forcing him to his knees and Smee approached him, yanking his head by his golden curls. Peter grimaced and Smee brought his face dangerously close to the boy's.
"I knew you would come. I knew you would hear her cries and come flying to the rescue. She's not a mother after all, is she? She's much more than that, isn't she Pan?" Peter stayed silent, his eyes meeting Wendy's. There was understanding and something Wendy had never seen before. Her heart began to race as she gazed back at him. Smee chuckled.
"Yes, I know that look. You think you love her. But I'll tell you, Pan, love is for grown ups. Not filthy little boys. You will never be enough for her, you'll always just be a pathetic little boy. And she will grow up to be a beautiful woman who marries and has a family of her own. And she'll forget all about you. She'll lock the window and never speak your name again. And you'll be doomed to peer into her window, forever barred." He finished nastily and watched him for a reaction. The last time Peter had heard these words, he had fallen. He had lost all his happy thoughts.
But as he gazed down at Wendy, the words did not faze him anymore. Perhaps because he now knew they were untrue. He knew she would never forget him. She would never lock her window against him. Even if she did grow up and marry and have a family, she would never really leave him. That was his happy thought. And it was so strong that Peter started to drift into the air. The pirates all yelled out and made to grab him but he floated upward until he hit the ceiling, gasping as he realized what had happened. Smee withdrew his sword and held the blade to Wendy's throat. Peter's eyes narrowed.
"I'll make this simple for you, Pan. Surrender, and I'll let her live. Trade your life for hers. Refuse and you can watch her die right here."
"You've lost, old man," Peter called from the air. "Your words didn't make me fall. And I don't need a kiss to know I'm loved this time. I see it in her eyes. I see it in her smile. I feel it in my heart. You won't win because…because true love conquers all," he finished, his hands going to his hips triumphantly. The pirates all looked at Smee, rather taken aback. Smee looked like he was going to laugh but he also looked immensely uncertain.
"Unchain the girl," he finally spoke. "Let's see how much of her screams the boy can take before he gives in." Peter looked worried for a moment but Wendy tossed her head.
"Peter, ignore him! Just leave me," she said quietly.
"Quiet wench," Starkey backhanded her and she cried out as her head was forced in the opposite direction, a trickle of blood coming from her lip. Peter's fists were clenched as tightly as his heart. He started to descend toward the ground but the door burst open and there were yells out around the ship. The pirate who had burst in had an arrow sticking out of his back.
"Savages attacking," he gasped before he fell to the floor. The cabin was in an immediate uproar and the pirates all rushed outside to help their fellows. But Smee grabbed Wendy and yanked her to her feet. Her blanket fell around her feet and her long curls barely hid her curves from the world. Peter went red with rage. Smee and Peter stared at one another for a moment before the old pirate thrust his small dagger into her stomach. She screamed and nearly collapsed to her knees but Smee held her up by her hair while the other hand yanked his weapon out. He held the blade up toward Peter, Wendy's blood dripping down the handle and onto the floor.
"You see this, boy? You have her blood on your hands. Can you really just fly around and not do anything to help her?" Before Peter could answer or even move, Smee had stabbed her again. Wendy's cries of pain brought tears to the boy's eyes and he landed on the floor, holding out his hands.
"Stop. Just stop it. You have me. Let her go, right now." Smee tossed the girl aside and dove towards him, flinging his blade across Peter's cheek. The old pirate's weight overpowered him and both of them were knocked to the ground. The two of them scuffled around, struggling to dominate the other, while Wendy struggled to her feet and watched the fight with wide eyes. Tink appeared at her side and gasped.
Get the sword. Wendy dove toward the sword the pirates had thrown aside and cautiously approached the pirate and his intended victim. Peter saw Wendy over Smee's shoulder and his eyes widened. He tried to tell her to back off with his eyes but Wendy ignored him and held the sword in front of her.
"Move aside, Peter," she said in a strong voice. Peter dove out of the way and jumped to his feet while Smee turned on his side and noticed the blade in front of his nose. He laughed.
"Oh please, little girl, you don't have the heart to hurt anyone. Even though you are now a woman, you still have the heart of a child." Wendy stared down at him, her hands shaking with anger. Peter stood and draped the blanket around her shoulders, then stood by her side, his hands on his hips, a bit of blood trickling down his cheek and from his busted lip. Tink flew over the two of them, watching and waiting.
"You know you are stuck like that, don't you Miss Darling? You'll never be a child again. Your innocence is now gone, you're forever tainted, and no man will want you. And that BOY by your side will never be able to give you his heart, for he can't understand love."
"Don't listen to him, Wendy," Peter whispered, his hand going around her waist. "Just do it."
"You'll be doomed to live without love. To die an old woman, all alone. No children. No husband. No Peter Pan."
"Wendy," Peter said a bit more urgently. The sword shook in Wendy's hands and she blinked back tears. She wanted to kill him. She wanted to end this man's life, the man who had inflicted so much upon her. He spoke true; she was a grown up and could never be with Peter, nor stay in Neverland. She had been ruined by his crew and would never be able to lead a respectable life in London. He had essentially killed her. She found herself wishing that he had. Finally succumbing to her sobs, her hands shook as she lowered the sword. Smee's smile grew and Peter stared at her with wide eyes.
"Wendy! Don't listen to a word he says! He doesn't know what he's talking about it!"
"But he does," she sobbed. "Every word he says is true. There is nothing left, Peter. No life left for me." Wendy pulled herself out of his grip and moved the blade so that it was positioned at her own heart.
Wendy, no!
"WENDY!" Peter dove toward her, knocking her to the floor and throwing the sword aside. He easily overpowered her, holding her hands beside her head and staring down at her.
"Are you CRAZY?!"
"He's right, Peter! I can't be with you, I won't be able to find a husband, I won't ever live happily ever after! There is NOTHING left!"
"There is SO MUCH for you to look forward to," Peter cried, his tears dripping from his cheeks to hers. "I found the cure to save you. I'll never let you go, Wendy, not in a million years. You're stuck with me, until the end of time." Giving her a watery smile, he licked his lips as he stared down at her. It was as if someone had rewound time, to the day that Peter had received his first kiss. With their positions reversed, being that he was the savior this time, he lowered his lips to hers and kissed her passionately. His hands clasped with hers as their tongues danced alongside one another. Their hearts beat in unison and their heads spun with dizzying passion. He pulled away and pulled her to her feet, adjusting the blanket around her shoulders and holding her hands in his. Their eyes blazed with passion and love for one another. Tink hovered over them and smiled, until out of the corner of her eye, she saw Smee draw something from his vest and approach the couple.