The evening was young the stars were just coming out. The cool air was just biting down on the inhabitants of London. On the street one could find all manner of people from street vendors selling their wares all the way to people dressed in finery headed to a part celebrating the opening of a new exhibit at the British museum. The exhibit was called Ancient Mysteries of the World, and the people who were on their way to the party. Were the Darlings George and Mary and their 15 year-old daughter Wendy- Moira- Angela- Darling. The fourth person that was there was their fidgety Aunt Millicent. Who was fussing about Wendy's tomboyish ways. Wendy was so distracted by her Aunt's constant chatter that she didn't see the carriage in time to give a warning. The Carriage smashed into a mud puddle and drenched Millicent from head to toe.
Millicent gave a cry of horror and took off toward the house slinging muddy water everywhere as she went. Wendy snickered then checked herself. She looked back at her parents as her aunt disappeared from sight and was surprised to see them trying to stifle their own laughter. Regaining control of themselves they continued on to the party. When they arrived they were ushered in quickly and they began to mingle.
Meanwhile outside the museum a mysterious figure floats down to the ground on an empty side street toward the back of the museum. A glowing flittering point of light came down next to the shadow, which turned out to be a boy approximately 15 years old by appearance. He listened intently to the flittering light.
"I know it's a long-shot," he said, "but can you think of any better place to start looking?" the orb to appeared to have the shape of a girl with long transparent wings. She shook her head.
"Alright then," the boy said, "the important question is how do we get inside?"
Looking up the boy spotted a third story window that was open. Rising up off the ground he stepped through the open window as though it was a doorway. Walking over to the edge of the balcony he looked down in to the main atrium and saw the party that was in full swing. The boy opened his pocket and said.
"Tink," he said, "I need you to turn my clothes in to a suit like the men at the party are wearing." Tink saluted and shook some pixie dust on Peter's clothing. Instantly his clothes and hair were changed and arranged to look like an upstanding British youth. Slowly and with grace he walked down the staircase. Tink dove into his pocket before anyone saw her. He walked across the floor without tracking so much as a second glance except of course for a pair of boy crazy girls. As he headed toward the exhibit he saw something that made him stop dead in his tracks. There she was Wendy and more beautiful than he had remembered. Peter shook himself out of his revelry. As much as he would've liked to go over there and tell Wendy he was here he was on a mission and couldn't and wouldn't let himself put her in danger. Turning quickly he walked on toward the back of the exhibit before she turned and saw him. Peter walked slowly on through the gallery, when he reached the back he passed through a rather large pair of doors into the back room to an area where other artifacts were being prepared for exhibit. He was just about to start searching were he heard the door open behind him. Quick as a wink he shot up to the ceiling and hid in the rafters. Tink hid on one of the beams that supported the ceiling.
To people came through the door Wendy and another young man who had a peculiar wooziness in the way he walked. Peter edged closer hoping to hear what was being said. Suddenly the boy grabbed Wendy and started trying to kiss her.
"Let go of me," she said struggling to get away. All of a suddenly a shadow shot down from above and flattened Wendy's attacker. In the semi darkness Wendy saw two hands grab her attacker and pull him to his feet. In the next instant there was a sickening CRACK! As Wendy heard a fist connect with a jaw.
The people on the other side of the door were startled when the Curator's son came flying backwards through the double doors to land flat on his back. In the next instant there was another boy standing there with a sword poking the curator's son in the throat.
"Peter," Wendy gasped as she saw her rescuer in the light for the first time. Peter didn't take his eyes off of the terror stricken drunk.
"You just say the Word Wendy-lady," said Peter, "and I'll tear him into so many pieces even the vultures won't find them."
"Don't kill him Peter," said Wendy, "He's not worth it."
"Young impertinent fool," snapped the Curator, "How dare you threaten a man of twice your merit and breeding with a sword?!"
"Ha," retorted Peter, "at what school do they give merit for accosting women like a Saturday night drunk at the Pub?!"
The Curator looked down at his son again when Peter had finished and was mortified to see a silver flask laying next to him and equally mortified to see that the sleeve of Wendy's dress torn half way off. The look on his face changed from indignation to embarrassment.
"Sir," said Peter curtly, " I suggest you get this drunken excuse for a human being out of my sight before I change my mind about letting him live." With out another word the curator grabbed his son up from the floor and half carried, half dragged him from the room. Mr. Darling walked up and shook Peter's hand earnestly.
"Young man," he said, "I am forever in your debt." Peter smiled
"You owe me nothing," he said, " I to--," he paused before continuing, "I to care for Wendy." You could have lit an entire city block with brilliance of the smile that was on Wendy's face.
"Peter you do care," she said throwing her arms around him. An indignant Millicent who had arrived just in time to see the embrace moved intending to separate them, but just as she did she felt a restraining hand on her arm.
"Leave them be, Auntie," said Mary quietly; "I did the same thing when I found out that George loved me."
Peter gently broke the embrace,
"I must go," he said. And was quickly out the door.
"Peter, wait," said Wendy, "Why have you returned?"
Tink who was waiting outside gave a jealous snort and flew on ahead.
"Dire happenings in Neverland." Relied Peter
"What do you mean?" asked a wide-eyed Wendy. Peter looked grave as he replied.
"The Book of Dreams has been stolen and is somewhere in the outside world!"