Chapter Five –

Having stayed silent through Peter and Wendy's entire conversation, Tinkerbell was becoming rather concerned with the way Peter was holding Wendy so tenderly. They had reached Neverland just before the portal back had closed and were now making their way through the sky and down to the large tree in the centre of the forest where the home under the ground was situated.

As she flew swiftly through the forest, Tinkerbell noticed that life was beginning to return to the limp, decaying foliage in the forest. This was a most peculiar occurrence in Neverland these days. Everything had been either dead or dying when she and Peter had left, so unless Peter's disposition had changed considerably since they departed for the real world, what Tinkerbell was seeing was quite literally impossible.

Ever since Peter had first arrived in Neverland, it became apparent that his mood was clearly reflected in the climate and environment of the island and nearby waters. Whenever he was sad, angry, jealous or malicious, the entire island and ocean surrounding it would become harsh and desolate. However, when he was feeling pleasant emotions such as happiness, benevolence, contentment or love, the land would be healthy and fertile and the water would appear calm and peaceful.

'This was not how things were supposed to happen!' Thought Tinkerbell angrily. In order for her malevolent plot to work, Neverland needed to be free from all living beings. This meant Peter needed to be feeling some kind of dark resentment towards something... or someone. Wendy was not supposed to have come back to Neverland with them. Tinkerbell had put a lot of time and effort into making sure that everything was properly arranged. She had intended for Peter to go back to the Darling house and ask Wendy to come back with him, when she refused he was supposed go back to Neverland alone and be heartbroken, thus Neverland would become a deserted wasteland forever and Tinkerbell's wicked plot could continue as planed.

Finally reaching the tree, Tinkerbell wondered if it was a good idea to let Peter get close to Wendy again. If things did not work out between them, as they hadn't done last time, then the end result would be too magnificent for her to even imagine. Peter would have his heart torn from his chest again, but this time there would be no recovery. On the other hand, if by some miracle Wendy forgave Peter and decided to stay in Neverland, the consequences could be dire.

Peter landed lightly on the leaf-covered ground at the entrance of his home. Wendy had fallen asleep while they were flying over somewhere over Europe, and he did not want to wake her. Wendy looked so peaceful when she was sleeping. He had always liked to watch Wendy sleep. Every time he was at the window, Peter would wait until after Wendy had finished telling stories to the boys, Peter would stay at the window for hours just to watch her.

After carrying her inside very carefully, Peter lay Wendy down gently on his bed and brushed the hair out of her face. "I didn't mean for thing to turn out like this," whispered Peter softly. He knew that Wendy couldn't hear him but he felt the words needed to be said, more for his sake than hers. Wendy needed to know that she had left him with no other option. He had to take her, something was wrong with Neverland. Something he couldn't explain...

The boys had completed their search of the house and had come up empty handed. John was becoming more and more troubled as each of his brothers came back with nothing. His only hope of finding his sister now lay with Peter Pan. The twins had informed him of where he could find the one person, other than Peter Pan himself, who could help them get back to Neverland. A plan was now formulating in John's mind, it was dangerous and if any of them were caught they would be in a lot of trouble. Despite all of that, John knew that it was the only lead he had on Wendy's whereabouts. If John wanted to find his sister, this was the only way.

"Right lads," said John calling for the boys' attention. "This is what's going to happen: we're going to split into two groups. Curley, Nibbs and Michael are going to come with me, the rest of you stay here just in case Peter returns. If he does come back, do not let him leave under any circumstances. I need to talk to him."

"Where are you lot going?" Tootles queried, rather disappointed that he was to be left behind.

"Out," replied John simply. Then the commotion began:

"What?!"

"Out?"

"Where?"

"But what about..."

"Mother and father will be home soon!"

"Out?!"

"Gentlemen please," said John raising his hands for silence. "There will be time for questions later. For now, we need to concentrate on finding our sister. You will all just have to trust me. Right, if Curley, Nibbs and Michael would be so kind as to follow me, we should push off."

Still feeling rather confused, the three allocated boys followed John out of Wendy's bedroom and down the stairs into the small entrance hall at the front of the house. As he opened the front door, John felt the cool nights air breeze through the dimly lit passageway and tousle his usually straight hair. Gritting his teeth, John walked out the door and was immediately swallowed by the darkness that lay beyond.

"John!" called Michael from behind him somewhere. "Where are we going?"

"Not far," replied John. "If we hurry we might be able to get back home without mother and father even knowing we were gone."

They walked briskly through the blackened streets of London, trying to stay out of view from the surrounding houses and their occupants. The last thing John needed was for one of the neighbours to spot them walking the streets in the dead of the night and informing their parents of the little outing. Their destination was only a few blocks away now and John could feel his heart beat quickening. What if the twins were wrong? What if Peter Pan was the only one who could travel freely in and out of Neverland? As he turned left at the intersection, John knew that his questions would be answered as soon as they reached the end of the street.

"John..." said Michael sounding rather confused, "why are we going to see Aunt Millicent?" Though it was pitch black, Michael could easily recognise his aunt's street. The number of times their parents had dragged him, John and Wendy down the dreaded pathway made it impossible for Michael to forget it.

"Well," John replied, "we need to talk to Peter, and the twins told me to come here to find out how to get back to Neverland."

"Surely Aunt Millicent doesn't know how to get to Neverland," retorted Michael.

"No, no, of course not," said John as he opened the creaking gate. "But you forget dear brother, we have a newly adopted cousin who just happens to be Peter Pan's ex-second-in-command man, or rather boy."