Chapter Five

Peter didn't come back the next night. Nor did he the night after that. Wendy had tried to stay up and wait for him. Sadly, the morning sun would rise, signaling that another night had passed without a visit from the boy she loved.

As Wendy helped to clean the house, her mother noticed her try to hide another yawn.

"You've been up late again," Mrs. Darling remarked. "Haven't you?"

Wendy looked up at her in surprise. "Is it that obvious?"

Mrs. Darling smiled. "You aren't doing a very good job at hiding it."

Wendy sighed and sat down in a chair. "Two nights have gone by. I didn't think it would be this difficult to wait."

"He did say that he would come back?"

"Yes, but…I wish it were sooner."

"Oh, I know you must miss him terribly, but he did say that he would come back. You must have faith and trust."

Just then, the house erupted into a whirlwind of noise as the boys returned home from school.

"They're home," Wendy said.

"Apparently so," Mrs. Darling said. "Could you keep them entertained while I finish up?"

"Entertain them how?"

"Why don't you tell them a story?"

Wendy smiled and went to collect the boys. She gathered them in the parlor to tell them a story. Each boy shouted out ideas for the story they wanted to hear. Wendy finally silenced them, and told the story that she wanted to tell. Her story. The story of the first time she met Peter Pan.

She told of the night that Peter came to their nursery, seeking his shadow. After she had helped him sew it back on, he had dazzled her with stories of Neverland. Then he whisked her and her brothers to the magical paradise for a fantastical adventure. They'd fought with pirates and feasted with Indians. When the adventure was over, they had sailed home in a flying ship, and that was the end.

Wendy looked at the boys and saw that their expressions were a bit sad. This made her sad as well. She wondered if she should tell them about Peter's return. She decided not to, for their meetings were meant to be private.

"Wendy," Michael said. "What do you suppose happened to Peter Pan?"

The others looked at her expectantly.

"I suppose," Wendy said. "That he's carrying on as he did before. And maybe, just maybe, he'll come back some day to visit us."

"You really think so?"

"Not at all impossible."

Just then, Mrs. Darling came into the parlor. "Go and wash up. Dinner is almost ready."

The boys got up and headed for the bathroom. Wendy didn't move.

"Aren't you going to wash up for dinner, dear?" Mrs. Darling asked her daughter.

"I'm not hungry," she said.

"Are you feeling alright?"

"Just tired."

"Wendy, dear. Please try not to worry so much. You'll go mad."

Wendy nodded. "I'm going upstairs for a while."

"Would you like me to bring you some tea?"

"Alright."

Mrs. Darling hugged her daughter and went to serve dinner to the boys. Wendy went upstairs to her bedroom. She froze in the doorway. The window was open. On the window sill was a small package with a note attached.

Wendy crossed to the window and picked up the package. It was a small pouch made of animal skin. Then she took the note and read it to herself.

Dear Wendy,

There is only one thing that is keeping you from coming here. So follow the second star to the right. Remember, a little bit goes a long way.

Love, Peter

Wendy set the note aside and opened the pouch. She gasped when she saw what was inside. The way it sparkled and glistened, she knew that it could only be one thing.

"Pixie dust," she breathed.

She looked out the window. Dusk had fallen and the stars had just started to come out. Now was the perfect time.

After writing a quick note to her mother, she affixed the pouch to the sash of her dress. She took a small pinch of pixie dust and sprinkled it onto herself. Almost immediately, her body began to rise off of the ground. She giggled at the sensation she had not felt in nearly five years. Then she took off out the window, towards Neverland and the boy she loved.