Author's Note: Happy December Everybody! Thanks so much reviewers! And thanks readers! You all make me VERY happy! Enjoy this chapter!
Peter Pan was confused. A lot had happened to him and his beloved family in the last few hours. Not a lot of it made sense. At all.
Arabella, basically, had run off with Captain Hook for who knows how long. Jane was completely heartbroken and worried to death, while Elmer attempted to keep the family calm. Edmund was probably just as confused as Peter, but tried to be optimistic. After all, it wasn't like Arabella to run off with a guy. She wasn't the type.
The family decided to turn in for the night, although Peter was suspicious Jane and Elmer were still awake, perhaps constantly checking the window to see if Arabella would come back.
Peter woke up the next morning and walked into the kitchen. Tears stained Jane's face. Arabella hadn't returned.
"Good morning, son," said Elmer solemnly to Peter.
Edmund walked into the room and his hopeful look disappeared from his face.
"She hasn't come back?" he asked.
Jane shook her head no, but didn't say anything. Elmer put his hand on top of his wife's, trying to calm her.
"My move out day is tomorrow," announced Edmund.
His announcement was met with silence. Jane and Elmer looked at each other. Peter just cocked his head sideways. Edmund looked down. "I don't have to move out tomorrow. I could talk to Mr. Geoff and see if I could move in the provided apartment later. It's only an hour commute from here, I could wait a little bit."
"No, honey. You can go; you've been planning this a long time," said Mrs. Price weakly.
"I'll miss you," said Peter honestly. Edmund ruffled Peter's hair playfully.
"Peter…" said Jane slowly, "Do you trust Captain Hook?"
Peter had assumed this question was coming, but he realized he wasn't entirely sure what to say yet. He had thought about it, but hadn't arrived at an answer yet.
"I'm not sure," admitted Peter.
"It's alright," muttered Jane.
Peter went over and kissed her cheek, before leaving for school. He knew he could've easily skipped today, Jane wasn't worried about it, but he felt going to school was the right thing to do.
Peter walked to Gabe Yolk's home and knocked on the door. Gabe's mother, a tall woman, answered the door. She called Gabe, and he ran out, grabbing his backpack.
"Hey, Peter! How are you?" asked Gabe, cheerfully.
"Fine. You?" asked Peter.
"I'm great! My mom made the best breakfast this morning…"
Gabe rambled on, but Peter wasn't really listening. He was still thinking about Captain Hook, and Arabella.
"Gabe?" interrupted Peter.
"Yes?"
"Do you remember ever seeing a hooked man in this town?" asked Peter.
"Like Captain Hook? No," replied Gabe immediately. He then paused thoughtfully, "Actually, yes. I mean he looked nothing like the Captain Hook you described to me, but once there was a hooked man working at Mr. Green's Groceries."
"Really? How would you feel about skipping school, Gabe?" asked Peter.
"For what?" asked Gabe.
"You'll see. But I want to grab some friends, first. Today's going to be the first meeting of the Lost Boys..erm… Children," explained Peter.
"We're not exactly children anymore," said Gabe.
Peter waved his hand, dismissively. He didn't care. He rushed to the school and to his relief saw Greg walking Trish to school.
"Hey," said Peter running up to the two, "Come with me."
"Price…" said Greg.
Trish immediately went to follow Peter, and Greg muttered something under his breath before following. Gabe hurried to catch up with the other three.
"Where are we going, Peter?" asked Trish.
"To a grocery store," was the reply.
They arrived at the grocery, with grumbling from Greg, complaining about missing school, but otherwise little conversation. Peter ran through the door and looked around, half expecting to see Captain Hook himself.
Fortunately, Peter saw none of the sort. He did, however, see Mr. Green, the old grocer.
"Mr. Green!" exclaimed Peter.
Mr. Green looked around and stared thoughtfully at the students.
"Should you all be in school?" he asked.
"No," said Trish immediately, and then smiled pleasantly. Mr. Green shrugged.
"What do you want?"
"Do you have a man who goes by the name of Hook in your employment?" asked Peter.
"Why yes, I do. Mr. Smee as well. Those are the only two employees I have hired to this date," explained Mr. Green, puzzled, "Why do you ask?"
"Why does he work here?" asked Peter, avoiding Green's question.
"He's planning on buying his own house, I believe. I'm not sure on his background, but he basically just wants to make a better life for himself."
"Where does he live now?" Peter inquired.
"Why are you asking all these things?" asked Mr. Green, not willing to answer without knowing why they wanted to know.
"He's Peter's uncle," said Gabe Yolk immediately. Trish and Greg stared at the boy, surprised that he had not only been willing to speak up but willing to lie for his friends.
"My parents aren't on the best of terms… but I thought I had the right to know him," Peter lied.
Mr. Green smiled.
"James Hook is a wonderful man. I'm sorry about your parents, but I won't stop you from meeting him," said Mr. Green. He gave Peter Hook's address and smiled at the children.
"Thank you so much for your help!" exclaimed Trish as the group rushed off.
"What was that about?" asked Greg.
"I'm trying to locate Captain Hook," explained Peter.
"I thought so," said Trish, "My mother had told me what had happened last night. I'm very sorry Peter."
"Thanks," said Peter, looking into Trish's eyes for a moment.
"What happened?" interrupted Greg.
"Arabella ran off with Captain Hook, apparently," explained Trish.
"What?"
"It doesn't matter," said Peter, "I just want to make sure that the Captain is trustworthy. From what the grocer said, it seems so."
"So we're going to give Hook a visit?" asked Gabe.
"Exactly," affirmed Peter.
"Do you have the pixie dust?" whispered Peter to Gabe.
Gabe nodded. He carried it with him everywhere.
They walked in silence, as Peter thought about the upcoming confrontation. Peter had the exact people he wanted with him. Peter had chosen them all for a reason. If he were ever to go back to Neverland, these were the exact friends he wanted to take with him. Even Greg. Peter's thoughts turned to Hook.
It all made sense that Hook would get a job in this town. It made sense that Hook would try to change his ways and become a better man. It made sense Hook regretted his actions from Neverland. It made sense that Hook wanted to apologize to Peter. All of these made perfect sense to Peter, and he understood. The only problem was there was one thing that didn't make sense: How did Hook become involved with Arabella, Peter's sister?