Disclaimer: I don't own anything expect Sarah and other minor characters.
Chapter 14 – It's all coming together
Both Nibs and Curly had been on guard since their encounter with Pan and Hook. Curly had run from the underground which Nibs instinctively followed but Nibs couldn't help it all be in vain. Sarah had left; the outcome of her new situation unclear. Had Pan found her? Was she dead? Nibs didn't want to think about it but he had to. It was clear Curly wasn't thinking rationally. His mind was in the clouds, possibly in another world and he had hardly strung three words together. Nibs had to physically tackle Curly to the ground just to make him stop and listen to him. They had to decide what they were to do now. The underground wasn't a safe option anymore, actually nowhere was but still, they had to think of somewhere to go.
"Curly listen, you have to stop, there's nowhere we can go for Christ sake!"
"Don't give a patronizing speech Nibs; I'm not in the mood."
"I'm not tying to patronize you Curly I'm only stating the obvious."
Both boys looked at each other, their smiles disappeared.
"We have to think logically about this. We're homeless, we have nothing and we have a psychopath on our backs! What? Do you think running off to Ravens town: the pirates' town is going to help?" Nibs asked.
"Well it's better that going back to the underground or to the tribe!"
Nibs narrowed his eyes.
Curly thought it was at him but realised his friend was thinking.
"I'm sick of running Curly." Nibs stated.
"What else is there?"
Nibs took a glance to the sky as he stood in an open patch of trees, the dusky atmosphere looking peaceful and calming the worry on his face.
"There's facing your fears..." Nibs stated. ".... standing up to things. I'm sick of how things have turned out. I never thought being a lost boy would be like this – being scared, alone, confused! I'm not a loser and by God I'm not a coward."
"So what are you going to do? What do you want then?" Curly asked still heated.
Nibs took a side glance in the direction of Ravens town but then turned his gaze in the other direction.
Curly narrowed his eyes at Nibs, thought Nibs didn't see this.
"I knew it...."
Nibs turned his face to his friend. "What?"
"I knew it...." Curly replied. "...Sarah......"
Nibs frowned and waited for Curly to say something else.
"I thought something was up with you in the underground."
"Curly, I don't know what you're talking about." Nibs sighed folding his arms, shielding his chest but still standing proud.
"Do you like her?"
"Curly what are you on about?"
"Don't give me any bull shit Nibs you know what I mean!"
Nibs was taken back by Curly's out burst, his voice showing signs of on coming anger.
"Yes, yes I like her, who doesn't?" Nibs replied casually.
"No, I mean really like her?" Curly said getting more irritated.
Nibs didn't reply.
"WELL?" Curly asked getting impatient with his best friend and feeling a complete wave of jealously.
"Yes, yes I like her, there, you happy now that I've said it?" Nibs stated kicking some drink idly as he turned around, not wanting to face Curly.
Nibs only felt the smallest twinge of guilt for his friend. He knew Curly had liked Sarah for a long time but it was Peter who kept Curlys advances to himself. If Peter had prey you weren't one to ask him to share it. Not that Peter and Sarah had technically been an item but still, Peter had been very protective over her and not in a good way either. He didn't think Curly would have had the chance to confess his love for Sarah but he assumed that Sarah, being the type of girl she was had a good clue about the way Curly felt. Nibs' own affairs with her came to mind and the slightest smile crept onto his lips without him noticing. Over the past hours he was trying to figure out all aspects of his life. He confessed to Sarah that he wanted to grow up and it had seemed that Sarah had understood what he was talking about. It had also seemed fair to say that Sarah had returned, if not teased towards him, his feelings.
"I'm going to Ravens town!" Curly stated. "......and you are not coming with me!"
"What!?!" Nibs asked appalled at his friend now starting to feel angry.
"I'm not repeating myself." Curly stated stalking off.
"Curly, wait!" Nibs cried.
"No. Not for you, you bastard, how could you do this to me? You know I like her, I've always liked her!" Curly said coming to a halt not turning around.
"I know!" Nibs replied guiltily.
Both friends were silent and if anyone happened to be there, they would have felt the tension between the two.
"I'm not sorry for liking her Curly."
"I thought we were friends?"
"God Curly, you're making it sound like I've married her or something. I only said I liked her ok, it's not as if she likes me!? Besides, she's in love with James.
"James?" Curly asked noticing Nibs use Hooks first name.
"Yeah. She's happy with him Curly."
Curly was quiet but then looked at his friend. "I know....." He stated jealous of the fact.
"I think its best if we both, for the moment, give her space."
Curly frowned.
"I do believe Hook won't let anything happen to her while he's around. Remember, we don't have anyone looking over our shoulder for us, we need to think about our own lives."
Curly took a longing glance towards Ravens town but his gaze was the averted to the snapping of a couple of branches. Curly glanced at Nibs but Nibs was turned to the noise, his breathing silent, his hand on the hilt of his weapon, ready.
"Wait." A new voice said very softly, obviously sensing the oncoming people standing in the jungle.
Curly missed the quiet voice but Nibs frowned ever so slightly registering the voice which he knew.
As if on cue, Slightly and the twins came into view, all of them in a stance for attack.
When every saw who was in front of their eyes, all the boys started to laugh.
"Hey, you guys said you were on HIS side?" Curly said a little jokingly.
The twins grinned at him.
"Changed our minds didn't we Curly!" One of the twins replied still smiling.
"And so?" Curly asked.
"We're here to join you, if you don't mind?" Slightly asked, directing the comment towards Nibs.
Nibs smiled at Slightly who smiled back at Nibs.
Both Curly and the twins came over to the pair and all lost boys smiled at each other.
"I'm so glad were all together." Curly stated.
"Yeah, so am I!" Slightly replied.
"You do know....." One of the twins stated towards Slightly. "...that Peter is going to be really pissed when he returns to the camp to find no one." The boy grinned.
"Your orders?" Nibs asked raising an eye brow, trying not to smile at this un foreseen stroke of luck.
"What can I say?" Slightly replied shrugging his shoulders, suppressing his own cheeky grin.
"Well, I'd drink to that IF we had any booze." Curly smiled rubbing his hands together in a jokingly fashion.
"So it's settled then Curly and Nibs now are joined forces with us!"
"Err, I think you'll find you have joined forces with us." Nibs replied in good humour at the younger boy.
" So how far is Ravens town from here Nibs? Is that where you tow were going?" Slightly asked.
"Were going but, not now."
"Do you have a plan then?"
"Not as such but." Nibs directed his gaze to Curly. "I was thinking we should all go back to the camp. One way or another Peter will try to find us, why don't we go and see him and give him a little hello?" Nibs' voice was low.
Curly slowly gave an eager nod in Nibs' direction.
Nibs looked at the other lost boys who all by now weren't smiling. A seriousness about the young men came into play as they all thought the same thing.
The twins took a side glance at each other, their eyes wild and dark.
Slightly took a deep breath and couldn't agree more with Nibs. Slightly's concern of the tribe was starting to take affect by the way Peter was behaving; he wasn't being a leader, he wasn't taking on his own responsibilities. Peter's behaviour was starting to not only scare the younger ones and himself but also Summer, who had confided to Slightly about Peters little flirting and flattery to her. This angered Slightly, he wasn't going to let Peter take her, not like how Sarah had been taken from Nav.
"You all know Peter is after Sarah and now, all of us."
"He's tried to kill me, twice now." Curly stated huddling further into the conversation.
"Are you all with me when I say, that if Peter isn't stopped now, things WILL get worse?" Nibs asked, looking at each member of the tribe.
All their faces were clear as glass; their looks unwavering.
One of the most wonderful things about James was the fact you could rely on him and let 'a real man' deal with problems and affairs. His whole persona oozed security and wellbeing and this is what made him different from a young man or shall we say a lost boy. His role of being a man was engraved in his age and face and when ever Sarah looked at him, she felt a primal urge to be protected by him and also to try and repay him as best she could as well. Not only did James incorporate safety but he also managed to mingle luxury in with it as well, something that Sarah had begun to understand and crave. She didn't want hand outs or charity but what other choice did she have? He didn't seem to mind and so neither did she.
After their brief encounter in the rat pub, James had left her there while he had gone to make some arrangements in the town and deal in his own matters. What they were, Sarah didn't know, but that was James for you. You didn't need to ask what he was up to nor did he like to be pressured to tell you something either so Sarah left it.
Now that Peter briefly knew her location, James thought it wise to move her. Sarah's instinct was that he'd finally take her to his ship but yet again she was wrong. What was it about the ship!?
It was a big shock to learn James had his own property in the town. It was close to Banbury's property on the other side of Ravens town. Far smaller and a little bit vacant to say the least. Betty explained that with James' attention else where the need for an over sized house was not needed since he was hardly there. The property hadn't had any visitors for some time now and dust carpeted the floor like a blanket.
Large sheets were spread over the very minimal furniture and objects that lay scattered about.
By the time the evening came Sarah, along with the help of Betty and Gloria had cleaned up the small property and were staring to relax. Glorai had obviously told Betty what had happened to Sarah and so now Sarah was off bounds to any tiring work in James' house.
"But surely if the house was left on it's own it would have been looted?" Sarah asked making the large bed the stood in the middle of the quaint bedroom, now spotless along with Betty.
"How do you think I know about the property? I try and keep an eye on it here and there when I don't have my other chores but it's pretty much locked up good. Many of the beggars and thieves don't come up this way anyway, too far for them. They have far more luck by the port. That way they can pick pocket and stuff. Plus this property is near some of the grander house in the area. Stupid people do not just stroll up here, not if they know what's good for them and can you imagine what they'd think if they found out the house belonged to a pirate. I think they'd be more than a bit frightened!" Betty laughed.
Sarah smiled at the bubbly old woman, thankful for her company now that the moon was out in the black sky.
"Betty?" Sarah asked.
Betty looked up to the younger woman in front of her and smiled. "Yes dear?"
"I don't suppose you want to stay the night. James isn't about. I didn't ask where he was going; actually he didn't bother to tell me but." Sarah down cast her look for a second. "I just don't feel like being by myself at the moment." She added giving Betty a worried look.
"Of course I will, don't worry. Beside, if I know James and I do quite well, you be surprised, he'll be back soon. He's just trying to take care of your safety."
"Why? I mean why is he going to all this trouble for me?"
Betty didn't say anything. Instead she shrugged her shoulders slowly and gave Sarah a closed heart warming, also a little mischievous, smile.
"You're not like the others." Betty whispered, giving Sarah another motherly gaze.
Sarah returned the smile and finished the bed making.
The pair retreated downstairs to Gloria who was watching Betty's cooking pot simmering; making sure it wasn't to over boiling. A pleasant aroma floated between the walls of the small kitchen area and Gloria stood when she saw the two women.
"Finished?" She asked.
"It's clean, it's liveable." Betty replied taking a seat on a wooden stool near the cooking pot.
"I can't thank you enough for your help and for just being around. Thank you so much." Sarah spoke.
Gloria and Betty gave her a smile, more so Betty.
"The Captains a rich man, if there is a job that he pays, I don't mind doing it." Gloria stated."
Betty gave an unapproved look in Gloria's direction but then turned to Sarah.
"It's just a pleasure to know you, darling." Betty spoke softly.
Sarah smiled again. "If there's anything I can do for you both, please just let me know, I feel obliged."
With that Betty started to serve the food and for a brief moment Sarah was reminded about the lost tribe and how everyone would rush to the prepared food every night when everyone gathered together. She remembered how the older ones would always be first to get served, it was a pecking order thing – Peter obviously first. How the younger ones would pout and pretend they weren't hungry when their stomachs were growling madly. It was a shame to think that in the midst of beautiful surrounds and what seemed like a luxury natural living, you felt like you were starving to death and always wanting to eat. It was possibly boredom, that's what Sarah had thought it down to. Sarah enjoyed her food but it got to a point where she'd only pick at it like a mother does when she prepares something for her child. The younger ones again came first in her mind and she accepted the remains of the food that the tribe had prepared to not worry about the lack of food for the others. Peter had taken to hunt less even though he was very much skilled in hunting things down and killing them. Sarah took a deep breath at thinking this and both Betty and Gloria looked over to her.
"Want some?" Gloria asked.
Sarah swallowed nervously and brought her mind back to the present. "Sure." She smiled.
The three females chatted casually while they ate. One thing that Sarah had fought hard to learn was the correct manner to eat in front of James which she found difficult to try and remember, not that she ate in a nasty way but she had never picked up a glass goblet or a brandy glass in all her life, let alone go through different pieces of cutlery. It was a welcome relief to just eating with your food on your lap, sitting by the open fire.
The warm meal was pleasant and Sarah sighed not realising how tired she felt.
Gloria had taken the dishes and started to wash them.
Sarah stood up and walked to a long window in the reception hall of the house. There were no candles about but the moonlight flooded the area of the window. Sarah noticed Betty follow her and they both looked out into the night.
"Why is James always away Betty?" Sarah asked the moonlight illuminating her tired face.
Betty sighed. "Work, I guess."
"I know, he had business – I mean the pirates and things, that's why he was away right?"
Betty nodded, a light smile on her face.
"But, surely there is more, he can't be devoting all his time to the pirates he was after, especially since they're not even in Ravens town." Sarah turned to Betty and realised something she had said must have been true because Betty wasn't looking at her, instead she was looking out the window.
The silent space of the camp in Neverland was never the less eerie in the absence of the tribe members and when Peter arrived back he took one glance over the area and narrowed his eyes before screaming loud in fury into the Neverland night.
Chapter 14 – It's all coming together
Both Nibs and Curly had been on guard since their encounter with Pan and Hook. Curly had run from the underground which Nibs instinctively followed but Nibs couldn't help it all be in vain. Sarah had left; the outcome of her new situation unclear. Had Pan found her? Was she dead? Nibs didn't want to think about it but he had to. It was clear Curly wasn't thinking rationally. His mind was in the clouds, possibly in another world and he had hardly strung three words together. Nibs had to physically tackle Curly to the ground just to make him stop and listen to him. They had to decide what they were to do now. The underground wasn't a safe option anymore, actually nowhere was but still, they had to think of somewhere to go.
"Curly listen, you have to stop, there's nowhere we can go for Christ sake!"
"Don't give a patronizing speech Nibs; I'm not in the mood."
"I'm not tying to patronize you Curly I'm only stating the obvious."
Both boys looked at each other, their smiles disappeared.
"We have to think logically about this. We're homeless, we have nothing and we have a psychopath on our backs! What? Do you think running off to Ravens town: the pirates' town is going to help?" Nibs asked.
"Well it's better that going back to the underground or to the tribe!"
Nibs narrowed his eyes.
Curly thought it was at him but realised his friend was thinking.
"I'm sick of running Curly." Nibs stated.
"What else is there?"
Nibs took a glance to the sky as he stood in an open patch of trees, the dusky atmosphere looking peaceful and calming the worry on his face.
"There's facing your fears..." Nibs stated. ".... standing up to things. I'm sick of how things have turned out. I never thought being a lost boy would be like this – being scared, alone, confused! I'm not a loser and by God I'm not a coward."
"So what are you going to do? What do you want then?" Curly asked still heated.
Nibs took a side glance in the direction of Ravens town but then turned his gaze in the other direction.
Curly narrowed his eyes at Nibs, thought Nibs didn't see this.
"I knew it...."
Nibs turned his face to his friend. "What?"
"I knew it...." Curly replied. "...Sarah......"
Nibs frowned and waited for Curly to say something else.
"I thought something was up with you in the underground."
"Curly, I don't know what you're talking about." Nibs sighed folding his arms, shielding his chest but still standing proud.
"Do you like her?"
"Curly what are you on about?"
"Don't give me any bull shit Nibs you know what I mean!"
Nibs was taken back by Curly's out burst, his voice showing signs of on coming anger.
"Yes, yes I like her, who doesn't?" Nibs replied casually.
"No, I mean really like her?" Curly said getting more irritated.
Nibs didn't reply.
"WELL?" Curly asked getting impatient with his best friend and feeling a complete wave of jealously.
"Yes, yes I like her, there, you happy now that I've said it?" Nibs stated kicking some drink idly as he turned around, not wanting to face Curly.
Nibs only felt the smallest twinge of guilt for his friend. He knew Curly had liked Sarah for a long time but it was Peter who kept Curlys advances to himself. If Peter had prey you weren't one to ask him to share it. Not that Peter and Sarah had technically been an item but still, Peter had been very protective over her and not in a good way either. He didn't think Curly would have had the chance to confess his love for Sarah but he assumed that Sarah, being the type of girl she was had a good clue about the way Curly felt. Nibs' own affairs with her came to mind and the slightest smile crept onto his lips without him noticing. Over the past hours he was trying to figure out all aspects of his life. He confessed to Sarah that he wanted to grow up and it had seemed that Sarah had understood what he was talking about. It had also seemed fair to say that Sarah had returned, if not teased towards him, his feelings.
"I'm going to Ravens town!" Curly stated. "......and you are not coming with me!"
"What!?!" Nibs asked appalled at his friend now starting to feel angry.
"I'm not repeating myself." Curly stated stalking off.
"Curly, wait!" Nibs cried.
"No. Not for you, you bastard, how could you do this to me? You know I like her, I've always liked her!" Curly said coming to a halt not turning around.
"I know!" Nibs replied guiltily.
Both friends were silent and if anyone happened to be there, they would have felt the tension between the two.
"I'm not sorry for liking her Curly."
"I thought we were friends?"
"God Curly, you're making it sound like I've married her or something. I only said I liked her ok, it's not as if she likes me!? Besides, she's in love with James.
"James?" Curly asked noticing Nibs use Hooks first name.
"Yeah. She's happy with him Curly."
Curly was quiet but then looked at his friend. "I know....." He stated jealous of the fact.
"I think its best if we both, for the moment, give her space."
Curly frowned.
"I do believe Hook won't let anything happen to her while he's around. Remember, we don't have anyone looking over our shoulder for us, we need to think about our own lives."
Curly took a longing glance towards Ravens town but his gaze was the averted to the snapping of a couple of branches. Curly glanced at Nibs but Nibs was turned to the noise, his breathing silent, his hand on the hilt of his weapon, ready.
"Wait." A new voice said very softly, obviously sensing the oncoming people standing in the jungle.
Curly missed the quiet voice but Nibs frowned ever so slightly registering the voice which he knew.
As if on cue, Slightly and the twins came into view, all of them in a stance for attack.
When every saw who was in front of their eyes, all the boys started to laugh.
"Hey, you guys said you were on HIS side?" Curly said a little jokingly.
The twins grinned at him.
"Changed our minds didn't we Curly!" One of the twins replied still smiling.
"And so?" Curly asked.
"We're here to join you, if you don't mind?" Slightly asked, directing the comment towards Nibs.
Nibs smiled at Slightly who smiled back at Nibs.
Both Curly and the twins came over to the pair and all lost boys smiled at each other.
"I'm so glad were all together." Curly stated.
"Yeah, so am I!" Slightly replied.
"You do know....." One of the twins stated towards Slightly. "...that Peter is going to be really pissed when he returns to the camp to find no one." The boy grinned.
"Your orders?" Nibs asked raising an eye brow, trying not to smile at this un foreseen stroke of luck.
"What can I say?" Slightly replied shrugging his shoulders, suppressing his own cheeky grin.
"Well, I'd drink to that IF we had any booze." Curly smiled rubbing his hands together in a jokingly fashion.
"So it's settled then Curly and Nibs now are joined forces with us!"
"Err, I think you'll find you have joined forces with us." Nibs replied in good humour at the younger boy.
" So how far is Ravens town from here Nibs? Is that where you tow were going?" Slightly asked.
"Were going but, not now."
"Do you have a plan then?"
"Not as such but." Nibs directed his gaze to Curly. "I was thinking we should all go back to the camp. One way or another Peter will try to find us, why don't we go and see him and give him a little hello?" Nibs' voice was low.
Curly slowly gave an eager nod in Nibs' direction.
Nibs looked at the other lost boys who all by now weren't smiling. A seriousness about the young men came into play as they all thought the same thing.
The twins took a side glance at each other, their eyes wild and dark.
Slightly took a deep breath and couldn't agree more with Nibs. Slightly's concern of the tribe was starting to take affect by the way Peter was behaving; he wasn't being a leader, he wasn't taking on his own responsibilities. Peter's behaviour was starting to not only scare the younger ones and himself but also Summer, who had confided to Slightly about Peters little flirting and flattery to her. This angered Slightly, he wasn't going to let Peter take her, not like how Sarah had been taken from Nav.
"You all know Peter is after Sarah and now, all of us."
"He's tried to kill me, twice now." Curly stated huddling further into the conversation.
"Are you all with me when I say, that if Peter isn't stopped now, things WILL get worse?" Nibs asked, looking at each member of the tribe.
All their faces were clear as glass; their looks unwavering.
One of the most wonderful things about James was the fact you could rely on him and let 'a real man' deal with problems and affairs. His whole persona oozed security and wellbeing and this is what made him different from a young man or shall we say a lost boy. His role of being a man was engraved in his age and face and when ever Sarah looked at him, she felt a primal urge to be protected by him and also to try and repay him as best she could as well. Not only did James incorporate safety but he also managed to mingle luxury in with it as well, something that Sarah had begun to understand and crave. She didn't want hand outs or charity but what other choice did she have? He didn't seem to mind and so neither did she.
After their brief encounter in the rat pub, James had left her there while he had gone to make some arrangements in the town and deal in his own matters. What they were, Sarah didn't know, but that was James for you. You didn't need to ask what he was up to nor did he like to be pressured to tell you something either so Sarah left it.
Now that Peter briefly knew her location, James thought it wise to move her. Sarah's instinct was that he'd finally take her to his ship but yet again she was wrong. What was it about the ship!?
It was a big shock to learn James had his own property in the town. It was close to Banbury's property on the other side of Ravens town. Far smaller and a little bit vacant to say the least. Betty explained that with James' attention else where the need for an over sized house was not needed since he was hardly there. The property hadn't had any visitors for some time now and dust carpeted the floor like a blanket.
Large sheets were spread over the very minimal furniture and objects that lay scattered about.
By the time the evening came Sarah, along with the help of Betty and Gloria had cleaned up the small property and were staring to relax. Glorai had obviously told Betty what had happened to Sarah and so now Sarah was off bounds to any tiring work in James' house.
"But surely if the house was left on it's own it would have been looted?" Sarah asked making the large bed the stood in the middle of the quaint bedroom, now spotless along with Betty.
"How do you think I know about the property? I try and keep an eye on it here and there when I don't have my other chores but it's pretty much locked up good. Many of the beggars and thieves don't come up this way anyway, too far for them. They have far more luck by the port. That way they can pick pocket and stuff. Plus this property is near some of the grander house in the area. Stupid people do not just stroll up here, not if they know what's good for them and can you imagine what they'd think if they found out the house belonged to a pirate. I think they'd be more than a bit frightened!" Betty laughed.
Sarah smiled at the bubbly old woman, thankful for her company now that the moon was out in the black sky.
"Betty?" Sarah asked.
Betty looked up to the younger woman in front of her and smiled. "Yes dear?"
"I don't suppose you want to stay the night. James isn't about. I didn't ask where he was going; actually he didn't bother to tell me but." Sarah down cast her look for a second. "I just don't feel like being by myself at the moment." She added giving Betty a worried look.
"Of course I will, don't worry. Beside, if I know James and I do quite well, you be surprised, he'll be back soon. He's just trying to take care of your safety."
"Why? I mean why is he going to all this trouble for me?"
Betty didn't say anything. Instead she shrugged her shoulders slowly and gave Sarah a closed heart warming, also a little mischievous, smile.
"You're not like the others." Betty whispered, giving Sarah another motherly gaze.
Sarah returned the smile and finished the bed making.
The pair retreated downstairs to Gloria who was watching Betty's cooking pot simmering; making sure it wasn't to over boiling. A pleasant aroma floated between the walls of the small kitchen area and Gloria stood when she saw the two women.
"Finished?" She asked.
"It's clean, it's liveable." Betty replied taking a seat on a wooden stool near the cooking pot.
"I can't thank you enough for your help and for just being around. Thank you so much." Sarah spoke.
Gloria and Betty gave her a smile, more so Betty.
"The Captains a rich man, if there is a job that he pays, I don't mind doing it." Gloria stated."
Betty gave an unapproved look in Gloria's direction but then turned to Sarah.
"It's just a pleasure to know you, darling." Betty spoke softly.
Sarah smiled again. "If there's anything I can do for you both, please just let me know, I feel obliged."
With that Betty started to serve the food and for a brief moment Sarah was reminded about the lost tribe and how everyone would rush to the prepared food every night when everyone gathered together. She remembered how the older ones would always be first to get served, it was a pecking order thing – Peter obviously first. How the younger ones would pout and pretend they weren't hungry when their stomachs were growling madly. It was a shame to think that in the midst of beautiful surrounds and what seemed like a luxury natural living, you felt like you were starving to death and always wanting to eat. It was possibly boredom, that's what Sarah had thought it down to. Sarah enjoyed her food but it got to a point where she'd only pick at it like a mother does when she prepares something for her child. The younger ones again came first in her mind and she accepted the remains of the food that the tribe had prepared to not worry about the lack of food for the others. Peter had taken to hunt less even though he was very much skilled in hunting things down and killing them. Sarah took a deep breath at thinking this and both Betty and Gloria looked over to her.
"Want some?" Gloria asked.
Sarah swallowed nervously and brought her mind back to the present. "Sure." She smiled.
The three females chatted casually while they ate. One thing that Sarah had fought hard to learn was the correct manner to eat in front of James which she found difficult to try and remember, not that she ate in a nasty way but she had never picked up a glass goblet or a brandy glass in all her life, let alone go through different pieces of cutlery. It was a welcome relief to just eating with your food on your lap, sitting by the open fire.
The warm meal was pleasant and Sarah sighed not realising how tired she felt.
Gloria had taken the dishes and started to wash them.
Sarah stood up and walked to a long window in the reception hall of the house. There were no candles about but the moonlight flooded the area of the window. Sarah noticed Betty follow her and they both looked out into the night.
"Why is James always away Betty?" Sarah asked the moonlight illuminating her tired face.
Betty sighed. "Work, I guess."
"I know, he had business – I mean the pirates and things, that's why he was away right?"
Betty nodded, a light smile on her face.
"But, surely there is more, he can't be devoting all his time to the pirates he was after, especially since they're not even in Ravens town." Sarah turned to Betty and realised something she had said must have been true because Betty wasn't looking at her, instead she was looking out the window.
The silent space of the camp in Neverland was never the less eerie in the absence of the tribe members and when Peter arrived back he took one glance over the area and narrowed his eyes before screaming loud in fury into the Neverland night.