A week past, with no sign of Peter Pan. Lauri didn't leave her window open, but she left it unlocked and kicked the screen out. Her room was on the second story anyway. It was almost noon when she finally rolled out of bed that Friday after they got home. Her summer life had pretty much returned to normal. She pulled on some pants and a T-shirt before quickly braiding her hair and heading downstairs. Her mother and father were sitting in the living room, talking in hushed voices and her father held her mother gently. She glanced at them, concern flashing over her features as she noted her mother's tear-stained cheeks.

A sudden fear swept over her, but she stepped onto the plush carpet and approached her parents. "Mom? Dad? What's wrong?"

Her mother promptly burst into tears, causing Lauri's eyes to water. She hated seeing her mom cry. Her dad looked up at her with tears in his eyes, making her fear grow stronger. She wanted to run. "Darling, we just got a call from the hospital…"

Lauri's lip quivered as she cut in, knowing the reply to her question, "Is Aunty Wendy alright? Please tell me she's fine."

Her father shook his head; "She died last night in her sleep. The nurse said that she knew she wouldn't make it through the night, because she gave the nurse something to give to you."

"I'm so sorry, Lauri. I know how much you loved her…" Her mother's voice trembled.

Lauri shook her head, not believing. How could it be? Wendy couldn't be dead! She just couldn't! Pivoting on her heel, Lauri ran out the front door, tears streaming her cheeks as she ran to Tara's house. It wasn't far, only a little over a block. She pounded on the door for awhile, but no one answered. They must have gone out someplace. She leaned her head against the door before sliding to her knees and sobbing into her hands. She didn't know how long she'd been there, but after awhile she heard a car pull up. Doors slammed and she faintly heard feet running across the yard.

Soon she felt arms around her, and opened her eyes to see Tara hugging her gently, "Your mother just called us. I'm so sorry, Lauri…so sorry…"

They cried together for awhile, Tara's parents leaving them in peace. Finally Lauri pulled herself up to go back home. Without a word to Tara, she started home at a lope. The sky was gloomy, as if morning along with her. Her heart was so full of anger and sadness that she had temporarily forgot of Peter Pan for a few hours.

When she arrived home, her parents had gone. She headed straight to her room and locked the door behind her. Her room felt hot and stifled, so she turned on the fan and opened both windows. Upon her pillow lay a box, which she approached tentatively. After studying it, she pried open its flaps and dumped out its contents. Inside was merely a thimble, and she caught it before it rolled off the bed. She twirled it between her fingers before slipping it on her thumb and searching the box for anything else. Inside she found a note, scribed in her Aunt's lacey handwriting.

My Dearest Lauri,

You were always such a strong believer. I know you'll keep Peter Pan alive. I'm sure you remember the stories, and after you think long enough, you'll know why I've given this thimble to you. If you're reading this, it means that I've passed on. Remember that I love you, and tell Peter I'm sorry that I grew up. Lauri, don't forget that he is older then one would think by his innocence, I hope you might learn something from him someday.

Love Always,

Aunty Wendy

Lauri clutched the note carefully in one hand, fighting back tears as she threw it across the room in a rage. "Peter Pan doesn't care, Wendy! He'll never come back! Never! He doesn't care…" She threw her face into her pillow and sobbed fretfully for a few minutes before falling into a peaceful sleep, dreaming of the hours she had spent with her loving aunt and the stories she'd tell.

When he came upon her, she was sleeping peacefully on her stomach. Her hand was drawn up to her mouth, thimble resting gently against her soft lips. Her dark hair lay over her face, so he could not see her clearly. He approached cautiously; the note she had left him was clutched in one hand as he slipped through the window near her bed. Carefully he reached out to push her hair from her face, when Tinkerbell finally arrived, having caught up to him. She glared at him and chattered so much that her chimes filled the room. He quickly silenced her by raising a hand to smack her, though she knew he would never do so, she quieted anyway.

The girl stirred, rolling onto her back. Her hair sprawled over the pillow and her hands lay palms up tangled in the dark tendrils. He moved closer to better look at her, hovering over her. He lay on his stomach in the air, chin in hands, "Wow, Tink, she looks a bit like Wendy, don't she?"

Tinkerbell huffed and kicked the air, infuriated at being left behind. The girl's eyes fluttered open and dark eyes met his. Sleepy gaze turned to that of fear as she scrambled up with a yelp, knocking foreheads with him. She fell back to her pillow and he somersaulted out of the way. For a moment things were quiet as he rubbed his head ruefully and she lay panting on the pillow, afraid to look up. Her mutterings reached him as barely audible, "Oh lord, I must be dreaming. There isn't any possible way. I'm…yes, I'm dreaming."

She noticed the fallen letter on her chest then, and picked it up carefully. She read over her own words before laying the letter back down, "Nope. I'm dead. That British rapist Tara was talking about finally got to me. Yeap. That's it."

The boy warily stepped to the ground, walking to her bedside and peering down, "You're not dead, are you?"

"I don't know, you tell me."

"I'm not dead, so you can't be dead."

"Oh really? And who might you be, ye who comes into my home so late at night."

"Me? Oh, my name's Peter. What's yours?"

"Pe-Pe-Peter? As in Peter Pan?"

"Yeah…and that's Tinkerbell."

Lauri's breathing grew rapid again as she felt tears welling in her eyes, "No, no, no! I'm dead, or I'm dreaming. This can't be happening." She sat up, swallowing back tears, "Wendy always said you'd come when I least expected, but why now? This is insane. Its not fair, yes, that's what it is."

"Wendy? You know Wendy?"

She sniffled, tears falling down her cheeks involuntarily. "I knew Wendy."

Peter's eyebrows knitted in concern, "Hey, what's wrong? Don't cry, girl."

"She died last night." She blurted out, keeping her gaze from him, "She wrote me a letter, told me to tell you she was sorry that she grew up. And…and she gave me the 'kiss'…as her good-bye gift."

The boy stumbled backwards, taking flight and hitting his head on the ceiling. He didn't believe what he had just heard. "Wendy? Wendy…Wendy can't be dead!"

Lauri clenched her fists, "She is, Peter. I didn't want to believe it either. She died in her sleep, before I could even say good-bye."

Peter shook his head, not believing her. "You're lying."

"Peter, I can't give you any proof."

"I don't believe you." He started for the window, "Come on, Tink. I don't want to hang about any liars. Especially when they lie about Wendy."

"Peter, wait! Don't leave! I…. I need you." She called out after him, unconsciously clutching the thimble to her heart.

Peter paused at the window, before leaving entirely, leaving her to cry herself to sleep once more.