Neverland
Ch. 10
The Truth That Would Ruin It All
They waited.
That's all they could do. Nothing else would have mattered. And even if it did, it wasn't done.
Nothing was said. No one moved. It even seemed, maybe even comically if they weren't so worried, that the iron rung chairs with their comfortable but not regarded plush cushions, moved more than they did.
Horrific silence.
A fear crept among them, uncommon from the other, and swept into their hearts and lungs like a turbulent wind on a gusty day. A day full of gloom and depression.
A day for the mourning.
Mrs. du Maurier thought of the symptoms in which was definitely inflicted upon the once jolly man who had once defied and graced her presence.
George thought of the many man to man conversations that they had together and the many he hoped they would have again.
Jack thought of the many games that had unfolded from their creative minds, lusting for adventure. And even those that were unintentionally inappropriate, but effective just the same.
Michael thought of all the secrets he had told him. The ones he should never have told, and he hadn't meant to, but had done it anyway.
Peter.
He didn't think of James Matthew Barrie as a man who he had conversations with, had piratical escapades with, had cried on when suffering overwhelmed him. No. He thought of him as the man who had been his inspiration, his sole purpose for living.
No.
The boy who was his inspiration, for James could never take on the actions of man. He was too kind, too compassionate. Too like the image of a boy as his gayness and innocence shines like that all too familiar second star to the right, which leads onto a glorious paradise that brought him the relief and joy that he thought he'd never experience again.
The boy who taught him to write.
The boy who taught him to live.
The boy who taught him to fly.
"Mrs. du Maurier?" a tall man in his late forties, or perhaps his early forties if his hair hadn't receded so much. He was a doctor. His profession was apparent by the long lab coat that draped on his lanky form.
"Yes doctor?" she answered, trying to sound nonchalant, but failing miserably, when her voice, laced with emotion, squeaked slightly.
"Mr. Barrie is resting now."
"Have you found what is ailing him?"
"We have indeed."
"Well?"
"Do you think it best that the little ones are present?"
She stared at them, and remembering a recent quarrel, she smiled slightly and she quipped, " I am far from adequate to decide what is best for them. If they want to know what its happening to their father, who am I to say no?"
"I-I guess you are in the right madam." He said, slightly taken aback by her response.
"Mr. Barrie's lungs and naval passage ways are severely inflamed. His chest rises rapidly due to his strenuous and vicious coughing which erupts numerous of mucus and lung lining. This further inflicts more pain his system. He is a young lad, but the disease is so far in progress and so advanced, that it is not taking well to his system."
"What does all mean doctors?" she asked, her voice shaking in anxiety.
"Mr. Barrie had contracted consumption."
"What is that?"
"It is a disease that consumes a person's body, until they die or there is nothing left.
"So that means James is..."
"He's going to die of it Mrs. du Maurier." And as she wept into his shoulder he murmured his apologies.
Death.
The truth that ruined it all.
The one that would be the greatest adventure of all...
And he could not partake in it.
Somewhere in the midst of this, time stopped for Peter...
And he felt himself falling.
A/N Please don't hit me.
Consumption is modern-day tuberculosis.
Thankyous to all who reviewed for the last chapter, especially: H.M. Chandler, Meredith A. Jones and Dawnie-7. You guys have been with me from the beginnning and I hope til the end. Thanks