----
Mrs. Darling was exhausted.
She was older indeed, a few gray streaks in her hair but easily hidden. Mrs. Darling sat in a red cushion-chair as Aunt Millicent held up a pamphlet in her wrinkly hand, "I assure you that this will be a great oppurtunity for Wendy. This new private school will teach her to be a proper lady and how to become a respectable member of the community. They will know how to sort this Peter Pan nonsense from her fragile mind."
Mr. Darling scratched his thin cheek, "I'm not sure we should send her there so early."Aunt Millicent answered primly, "The sooner, the better. St. Georgina's is only a few hours away by train."
Mr. Darling still did not look convinced, he did not want his daughte rto leave in such an impressionable age.
His wife spoke up warily, with a slight edge to her soft womanly tone, "We all shall consider this Millicent."
Mr. Darling looked at his wife's pale face, "Are you feeling ill my dear?" She mumbled something jumbled and slumped out of the chair to her knees. The two other adults knelt beside her as Mrs. Darling muttered weakly, pressing the backs of her fingernails against her eyelids, "Wendy..."
Her eyes flew open as Nana burst in, barking warningly.
The three grown-ups got up and raced to the stairs, as quick as they could. Fearing the worst.
Their eyes set upon three empty beds and an open window. Mrs. Darling whispered frightfully as she clutched her husband's hand, "Oh no, not again."
Unknown to them was a dim shadow sneering gleefully behind them.
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