It was pitch black outside at the old house in London, England. However, inside, was much creepier. At the top of the staircase, a creak could be heard in the floorboards. Then, from inside the far room a dim light could barely be seen. Suddenly, there was a sneeze. Hearing it, Aunt Edna headed towards the lit room. She held a crowbar in her hand as she jumped into the room.
"GET OUT OF MY HOUSE!" She bellowed through the hallways. Seeing the crazed aunt upside down, Juliet fell backwards out of her comfy chair, hitting the floor with a thud.
"Oh dear Lord! It's just you Julie! What are you doing in here? I thought I set you up in the nursery?" Her relieved aunt asked.
Picking herself off of the floor, Juliet got back into her chair and told her bluntly, "I didn't feel comfortable in there. It's too, weird. I just looked around the house for another place I could stay up."
"It's three o'clock in the morning; what could you possibly be up doing?"
"Writing." She answered as she picked up her pen and looked at the paper next to her candlelight.
"Writing? I didn't know you wrote!"
"I have since we came to this place a month ago. I don't know why really; I just can't sleep it seems. I only get a few hours in the night. But it doesn't matter, when I wake up, I'm fully awake! So I need to keep myself entertained somehow!"
"Oh, well, I guess that's alright. I was just getting some aspirin from downstairs when I saw the light coming back up."
"So your head still hurts, huh?"
"Yes. I've been so worried about her. I guess the kind of cancer she was diagnosed with causes a lot of pain, because she looks like she's in it! She won't say anything about it, but I know her. She is my mum of course!"
Julie nodded. Looking over her shoulder, Edna asked, "What are you writing?"
"Oh, just the dreams I've had ever since we came here. There becoming more vivid lately, though. But still, it doesn't make a whole lot of sense!"
"Can I read?"
Julie covered her paper, "Maybe when it's finished; if you're good enough!" She grinned at Edna who gave her an annoyed look. She kissed the girl on the head and groaned, "Fine! Goodnight then! Oh! I almost forgot! I'm leaving this Thursday for a conference and I won't be back until Friday afternoon. It's a few hours from here, and I don't want to drive it all in a day; it's too exhausting!"
"That's fine; I'll watch her. Don't worry about a thing." Julie comforted her as Edna shut the door.
Waiting until she heard Edna shut her own door down the hallway, Julie moved over to the phone.
Coated with purple blankets and pillows, Lynn slept soundly in her room. That was, until her phone rang. She moaned loudly then stuck her hand out from the purple blob and picked up her phone, pulling it back into the covers.
"What?" She groaned.
"It's me!"
"Julie?"
"No, Jack Skellington! Who do you think?"
"Julie! It's great to hear from you, but why so late?"
Julie glanced over at the clock on the wall, and sighed, "Lynn, London's time is eight hours faster than Seattle's. It's eight o'clock PM where you are!"
"Oh, really? Right, I forgot! My mom woke me up really early today cause I had tons of chores to do! So, I thought I'd go to sleep early! Plus, I had nothing better to do but sleep! Since you've been gone, there hasn't been much to do around here! I miss having you next door! We used to send paper airplanes to each other from our windows. Do you remember that?"
"Yeah Lynn, I only moved a month ago! Of course I remember! Listen, are you still planning on coming up this Thursday? Edna's going out of town till late Friday afternoon, we can go out or something! Go see the city! I'd love to show you everything!"
"That sounds awesome! But, don't you have to watch your grandmother?"
"She goes to sleep by seven, there's no problem! So, are you in?"
"Yep, my mom even arranged a cab to go straight to your place around 5ish!"
"Okay. Well, I've gotta go! I'll see you then! And hey, it'll be great to catch up!"
"It will, night!" Lynn yawned and hung up the purple phone and brought her hand back under the covers.
"Goodnight." Julie hung the phone up and looked back at her paper thinking out loud, "This is so weird! I don't understand! Ugh, I'll leave it for now!" And she dropped her pencil and hopped into the bed, thinking still of her bizarre vision.
Thursday came in no time at all. Edna left in the morning, and it wasn't until 5 o'clock that Julie grew impatient. She didn't know what to do. So, she went upstairs to wait. She slowly looked into one room, and stopped.
It was the nursery. She didn't know why, but it gave her a strange feeling just looking at it. Maybe it was because it was such a baby room. There were children's books, a crib in the corner, and stuffed animals. Also, there was a strange window that wasn't baby-like, but just, odd.
"Juliet? Is that you?" A weary voice came from the end of the hall. Julie gasped from the surprise voice, and then calmed herself, realizing it was only her grandmother.
"Yes." She walked over to the other room and gently opened the cracked door. She went inside and looked at the old woman lying in her bed. She was sitting up, with her white hair pulled back into a bun, soft blue sweater pulled over her, and an IV next to the bed.
"Come sit with me, dear. I want to talk to you."
"Sure." Julie kindly said, taking a chair and pulling it close to the bedside.
"There's something I need to tell you, since these are my final days."
"Grammy, don't talk like that. You're fine!"
"No, no! I know when my day is coming. And there are a few things I want you to know. First and foremost, you are a lovely grand daughter. I couldn't have asked Mora for a more beautiful child."
"Umhmm." Julie mumbled. She didn't like to talk about her parents. Mora and Wesley Annesley. They lived in that house with Julie and her grandmother. Until, the airplane accident. That was when she was three. After that happened, Edna, Mora's sister, took Julie as her guardian. She lived in Seattle, so, Julie moved there, and that's where they've lived until now. Because she was in America, Julie never got her parent's British accent.
"Oh, don't 'umhmm' me! I know good and well that you don't like talking about them, but you need to hear this. I know you don't remember them much, but they were the kindest, most loving people that I have ever known. They both had jobs and were able to take care of you as well. You should be very proud of them."
Sighing, Julie told her, "I am. I just wish that I could've changed it somehow. So they'd still be here with us."
"Don't live a life of regret Julie; in that life, there is never any happiness. You have to learn that no matter how bad things are that there's always going to be something better waiting for you. Just let your heart guide you to that."
Looking out the bedside window, Julie muttered, "Yeah, look where that got me!"
Her grandmother watched her closely, seeing the pain and disappointment in her eyes. She let Julie have a moment of silence, then leaned over to her bedside table and said, "Would you hand be my book please?"
Looking at the table, Julie gave the book to her grandmother and watched her turn the pages. Then, she stopped on one page and asked Julie, "Do you know anything about your great grandmother?"
With a confused look, Julie replied, "Not really. Just that she was a writer. A good one. But, she led a quiet life. That's pretty much it."
"Do you remember her name?"
"Her name? Wow, I wasn't ready for a quiz! Um, is it, Stacy? Wait, no, that's not it! Oh, it's Mary isn't it?"
"Her name was Wendy."
"Ah, so it is! Sorry, I've been kind of out of it lately!"
"It's alright! Now, I want to tell you something that I've never told anyone before! Not your parents, not your Aunt, no one! It's about Wendy."
"Grammy J, it's nice that we're really close. Don't get me wrong, I love it! But, why are you telling me this secret and you never even told your two daughters?"
"That's a very complicated story Julie. But I'll just tell you this; your mother and aunt were very mature as children. They grew up so fast. It seemed they had a logical explanations for everything; they didn't pretend. For instance, by the age of five, they didn't believe in Chris Cringle!"
"Wow, now that's weird!"
"Yes, but you; you were different. You are different in a very good way. Even though you're sixteen, you still believe in hope, dreams, and fantasies. You remind me so much of my mother Wendy."
"So, that's the secret?" Julie asked her, somewhat disappointed.
"No, no sweetheart! That's not it at all! I want to ask you one last question, have you heard the story of Peter Pan?"
Julie grinned a little bit, "Yeah, of course I have. I mean, they've made it into so many movies! Like that Hook movie with Robin Williams, that was-"
"Julie, please."
"Sorry, I get carried away!"
"Well, you may not believe me when I tell you this, but look here." She opened the book and pointed to a picture. It was of a girl sitting by an open window, gazing into the stars. She was very pretty, and looked a lot like Julie, only Julie's hair wasn't as curly, just wavy. But still, the girl in the picture had the same eyes as Julie.
"That is my mother. That's Wendy Mora Angela Darling."
Julie's eyes froze. She couldn't move an inch. She didn't know what to say, or to even think. All she could come up with, was, "Oh no! That cancer must've affected your brain somehow! I think I should call Edna!" She got up and began walking out of the room.
"Julie! Julie! Please, come sit down! I'm not crazy, I'm not. You know that I'm sharp as a tack; you know I don't have all timers! Just sit and listen to what I have to say!"
Julie sat down, her mind on overload. She didn't know what she was going to do, she couldn't believe this, could she?
"Listen, as hard as it is to grasp, it's true. That girl in the picture is your great grandmother. The story of her, and her brothers John and Michael going off to Neverland with Peter is true. You've heard of Great grandpa John and Michael. Also, we're in London, and we have the nursery too!"
"Yes, but that's just a coincidence!"
"And it's also a coincidence that in this book Wendy has a child named Jane; who goes off the Neverland with Peter on her own adventure? It's all true Julie, it is. You know I love you and that I would never lie to you; I have to tell you the truth before I die! I have something to give to you."
Holding her head in her hands, she sighed and said, "What?"
"Look here." Grandmother Jane told her. Julie looked up and saw her take a necklace off of her neck, concealed by her sweater. It was a long black ribbon with a silver heart shaped locket dangling on it. She leaned over and tied it onto Julie. Then, finishing, she awed, "It looks beautiful on you Julie."
Picking it up and admiring it, Julie agreed, "It is." However, the locket was very old, and there was an inscription on the locket that she couldn't read. Plus, she was looking at it upside down, so she gave up. They sat for a few minutes in complete silence
"Umm, Grammy J?" Julie had been thinking, and came to a question that she had always wondered.
"Yes Julie?" Her grandmother smiled and looked at her earnestly.
"If all of this is true, which would be crazy, but if it is; did you really fly?" Julie felt gullible and stupid for asking the question.
Grammy J laughed aloud and replied, "Yes, I sure did. And let me tell you something; that was the day I came over my fear of heights! Also, I don't remember a happier day than that one in my entire life!"
Julie smiled; she didn't know if she could believe this, but, she knew that her grandmother wasn't crazy. She just knew it.
Then, the old woman placed her finger on Julie's new locket, "Julie, I want you to remember something about this locket. Don't open it until the opportune moment."
"And when will I know when that is?"
Julie looked at her intensely, and her grandmother simply said, "You'll know Julie, you'll know." She held Julie's hand tightly, and then the young girl leaned over and kissed her on the forehead.
"I love you Grandma Jane."
"And I love you Juliet Wendy Annesley." Slowly, their hands parted, and Julie left her grandmother's room quietly, letting Jane get some sleep. Smiling to herself, Jane looked at her mother's picture.
"I know she'll make us proud. I know she's the one."
Just as Julie began to walk away from her grandmother's room, the doorbell rang and a continuous knock began. A smile brightening up Julie's face, she ran down the stairwell and jumped over the last several steps opening the door. There, carrying a mountain of luggage, was Lynn.
"Julie!" She screamed and hugged her friend. Julie gladly hugged her back. Then suddenly, Julie felt the weight of Lynn and her bags that they both fell to the ground. They laughed, and then they left the luggage at the door so they could catch up.
A couple of hours later, the girls put on their jackets and left the house. They walked by Big Ben, and down the cobblestone streets. The cool summer night was spectacular. Never had the two girls had so much fun in their life. Resting as they watched the water from a small bridge above, Julie asked Lynn, "So, was the rest of school bad?"
"Oh Julie! I'm so lonely! I miss you there! Your pranks and everything! I don't even have anyone to watch Disney movies with!"
Still thinking about her grandmother, Julie asked, "So, you know Peter Pan, did you ever really believe in him?"
"Believe in him? I went to bed early every night as a kid just waiting for him to come and take me off to Neverland! But, it never happened."
"Yeah," Julie thought, "So, you don't believe in it now, do you?"
"Julie you know me!" Lynn told her persuasively, "Of course I still do!"
"You do?"
"Yes! I just know that he only comes to the Darling house! To their nursery!"
"Oh!" Julie laughed uncomfortably, "Well, I think there's something back at my place you'd like then, come on!" And they went off through the dim lighted streets.
Opening the door to the nursery, Julie let Lynn come in and gaze at the room. Lynn dropped her suitcases at her feet as she walked the room, looking at everything.
"It's just like it! It's just like the Darling's nursery! Do you think it's the actual one?"
"At this point, anything could surprise me!" Julie said, holding her locket.
"What's that?" Lynn asked looking at her necklace.
"Oh, my grandmother gave it to me." Julie's smile went away.
Immediately, Lynn came to her side, "Hey, don't be sad, okay? I just met her a few minutes ago, and I know a good person when I see one. She'll be taken care of Julie, God will watch over her, I know it. When it happens, you'll have me and Aunt Edna right there beside you!"
Julie looked over at Lynn, who was trying to hard to make her smile. It worked. She hugged Lynn and softly said, "Thanks. I need to go check on her. Goodnight, if you need anything, just come get me; I'm down the hall."
"Thanks Jules! And don't worry, I'm exhausted! I'll I need is a bed! Night."
Julie smiled as she left the room, shutting the door behind her. She realized just then how lucky she was to have Lynn.
About an hour later, Lynn was in a deep sleep. She was lying in the bed across from the window, Wendy's bed. She slept soundly, dreaming of her favorite thing; Disney. Down the hall, Julie was just blowing out her candle, snuggling down into her bed.
Outside of the back of the old house, something stirred. Clocked by the night sky, it came. From inside the nursery, no sound was made. Until suddenly, there was a tap on the window, and the glass was struggling to be opened. Lynn still slept deeply, being a hard sleeper. Then suddenly, the window flew open and all that could be seen was a bright light. Wind rushing into the room, and Lynn woke up, sitting up terrified, and screamed.
In the other room, Julie jumped out of her bed and ran down the hallway to the nursery. The door was wide open and all she could see was bright light. But as she came close to the door, it disappeared. She ran into the room, finding it empty. She checked Lynn's bed, there was no sign of her. She looked over and saw the window wide open. She ran to it and looked straight up into the sky.
"LYNN!" She screamed into the night, finding nothing. Then, looking straight in front of her, she gasped. It was so astonishing, she couldn't believe her eyes. All she could see, all she could comprehend, was it.
