Chapter Three –
Wendy looked taken aback by this sudden revelation. "To come," Peter added quickly. "I only want you to come with me to Neverland."
"Oh, right.... of course. I knew what you meant," said Wendy looking crestfallen. 'Why couldn't he just say it properly? God knew he wanted to tell her, he was bursting to tell her. Maybe it just wasn't the right time. Yes, that was it, it wasn't the right time. He would tell her when they got to Neverland. The only obstacle now was convincing her to go to Neverland.'
"But Peter," said Wendy sounding puzzled, "if you need help fighting pirates then won't you need as many men as you can find?"
"'One girl is worth twenty boys.'" Replied Peter grinning. Wendy however, did not smile back. She refused to let herself be drawn in by Peter's persuasive charms and charismatic smile. "I'm not falling for that one again Peter Pan," she said fiercely. "If you want to fight pirates then you will do it alone and you will not come flying in nursery windows and stealing anymore children from their beds in the middle of the night. Now I want you to leave me and my brothers alone and go home, you will no receive what it is you wish to acquire tonight."
"If you wish it," said Peter softly, tears welling in his eyes.
"I do," she said glaring at him coldly. This was not the Wendy he remembered. The Wendy he knew was kind, compassionate and caring, qualities the girl standing before him did not appear to possess.
Peter turned to open the door but Wendy seized his arm in protest. "You can leave through my window," she said pulling him back. "The boys will probably be asleep by now and I don't want you waking them on your way out."
"Wendy please," Peter implored, taking a step towards her. But Wendy shut out his pleas and stepped away from him. "Peter just leave," she choked. She was exhausted and wanted nothing more than to fall into his arms and cry. She cared for him so much but he could not return her feelings. "Wendy," Peter tried again, "I don't think you understand..."
"No Peter, I think it is you who does not understand," Wendy snapped angrily. "You come back here and asked me to just drop everything so that I can go back to Neverland with you and fight pirates! I tell you exactly how I feel about you and you... you don't even have the decency to tell me how you feel about... well, how you feel about anything!"
Wendy broke off from her temper driven rant to take a breath. Her breathing was heavy and laboured and when she looked up at Peter she couldn't suppress all the emotions churning inside her. Breaking down, Wendy collapsed against the wall behind her, buried her face in her hands and began to cry. Peter was stunned. He had no idea Wendy held such malice towards him, or how much pain he had caused her.
Crouching down beside her, Peter attempted to comfort her but he didn't know what to say. He'd lived with boys his whole life and had no idea how to react to a crying girl. Nevertheless, it broke Peter's heart to see Wendy like this so he took his best shot.
"Wendy," Peter whispered, "I am sorry for the grief I have caused you. If it is your wish for me to return to Neverland then it will be done."
Wendy was shocked at his suggestion to never return. What he was offering her was a normal life with out any unusual complications. It also meant that she would never find absolution. If Peter left forever she'd never know what could have been. As much as Wendy didn't want to do it, she had a decision to make.
"Listen to me Peter and listen very carefully. You live in a world without rules, regulations or guidelines. I do not think you fully understand the implications of your request. My life is here now and I cannot afford to be infatuated with a boy who does not really exist," as much as it pained her to speak these words, Wendy knew they must be said. "In three days time I shall grow up..."
"Grow up!" Peter gasped looking horrified. If Wendy grew up she could never return to Neverland. Even though he had offered never to return to her again, Peter did not mean it. He knew that Wendy would never ask him to go away forever... at least he didn't think she would...
"Yes Peter," said Wendy, taking his hand. "For all children grow up, eventually." Peter withdrew his hand from Wendy's. What was going on with her? A few seconds ago she was distressed and crying, and before that she was angry and spiteful. Now she was back to being caring and sympathetic. He was so very confused.
"But Wendy," said Peter desperately, "if you grow up you can never return to Neverland."
"I have no intention to return to Neverland, Peter. Now if you don't mind, I think it's time for you to go. I have to check on the boys, goodnight Peter."
There was a mad scramble outside the door involving a lot of pushing and shoving. The boys were all shocked to hear that they would never be returning to Neverland but were equally frightened over what Wendy might do to them if she found them out of bed and listening to her private conversation.
Sprinting down the hall as fast as their small legs could carry them, each of the boys flung himself under the covers and began to snore loudly. Unfortunately for them, they had just made the hundred-yard dash for nothing. For Wendy was blocked before she could reach the door.
Peter stood adamantly in front of the bedroom door, refusing to let Wendy to pass. "Peter," said Wendy warningly, "get out of my way."
"No," he said defiantly. "Not until you agree to come back with me."
"Peter I don't have time for your childish games now let me pass!"
"No," Peter repeated bearing down on her. Wendy looked up to meet is gaze and jumped back. Peter's eyes were flashing dangerously at her and Wendy could see something was wrong. Peter's eyes had always been full of laughter and adventure, but the boy standing before her looked fearsome and unforgiving.
"Peter..." said Wendy, backing away from him slowly. But Peter took three large strides towards her, backing her against the wall.
"I really am terribly sorry about this Wendy," he said. And with that he lent down, lifted her into his arms and flew out the open window.