Chapter 2: At the Mermaids' Lagoon
It is already getting late, Wendy notes as she comes above ground. The island is slowly being covered in shadows as the sun sets. The blue sky is a swirl of colors and clouds. But Wendy does not enjoy the beautiful sunset; instead, it reminds her of how late it is and that she should immediately go about finding Peter.
Wendy first goes to the Mermaids' Lagoon since it is the last place Peter was seen. She trudges through the underbrush, listening carefully for any pirates that may be about. The Indians are no longer a threat, for they are now friends with Peter and help him and the boys watch out for pirates. Wendy suddenly realizes that she has left her dagger in the house and has nothing to defend herself with should she run into trouble. And she cannot fly, for she has no pixie dust. Wendy picks up her pace, half walking and half running now, though still alert.
She bursts out from between some trees, and there is the lagoon before her. Wendy breaks out into a full run and sprints to a rock which is halfway on the land and halfway in the water. She jumps onto it and walks to the edge. As she goes, she trips on a loose stone and stumbles. Her eyes widen and she only has time to gasp, "Oh!" before falling, head first, into the water.
She thrashes about – which way is top and which way is bottom, she cannot tell. Water, not air, is in her mouth and nose, for she was taken completely by surprise. She tries to calm down a bit and starts swimming. She is uncertain if she is going towards the surface or the bottom. Just when she feels that her lack of air is too much, she bursts from the water. She coughs and sputters violently. She treads water and manages to hoist herself up onto the rock. She stays on her hands and knees for a while, still coughing up the water and trying to get air into her lungs. She rests her forehead against the wet, cool stone, letting her breath even out and her heart stop racing. She opens her eyes and shakily gets to her feet. She looks about her.
The lagoon is silent in the gathering dusk. The mermaids have finished their playing and retired to their chambers. (Wendy is secretly thankful that the mermaids are gone. Who knows what they might have done when she fell in? They are not the politest of ladies and would have likely caused for them fun, though for her it may have been trouble.) Marooners' Rock is deserted in the middle of the lagoon. A cool breeze sweeps across the dark water, and mist slowly creeps over the small waves and rock. Wendy shivers and hugs herself tightly, memories of Peter's battle with Hook and his rescuing Tiger Lily returning fresh in her mind even though it happened only a few days ago. And no Peter is in sight.
Wendy also suddenly becomes aware of her appearance. Her nightgown, which is still soaking wet, clings to her thin figure. Water runs down her neck and back from her hair and also makes her face wet. She shivers again, this time from cold. She sniffs. She should probably go back to the house before she catches something…
Wendy's eyes widen, and she freezes. She holds her breath. Silence hangs in the air. She tilts her head to the side and listens closely. Still, nothing comes to her ears. She listens harder. Nothing. Wait…. Wendy blinks. Yes! There it is again! The sound of proud crowing faintly reaches her ears. Peter!
