Chapter Five – The Lost and the Pirates
He was gone…just like that.
Wendy didn't know if she was in a dream or a nightmare. He was so real, if she had reached out, she could've touched him…but the moment the lights died and came back on, it was as if he'd never been there…at least, that's what she thought until she saw the sparkling dust and leaves left in his place.
"Geez, what a creeper," Fred frowned as they all exited the carousel. "At least he's gone now. What's next on the agenda?"
"Canoes!" Mouse exclaimed as he sat comfortably on Nana's back.
"What canoes?" Wendy asked, stuffing the sparkling leaves into her jean pocket.
"I think I know," Asher spoke up. "There's a part here called 'Indian Village,' with a ride full of canoes. I think I know how to get there."
"Lead the way," Jon nodded, dutifully following the young man.
"Canoes?! You mean, like, with water?!" Mandy squealed. "I can't like do that! I'll ruin my hair! And my clothes!"
"Why exactly did you come, Mandy?" Violet glared. "To have fun or to whine? If this keeps up, I'll ask one of those nice pirates to take you home."
Mandy returned the glare to Violet but kept her mouth shut. Wendy secretly smiled at her friend when her eyes drifted over to a little open boutique. An Indian woman sat behind the counter, her grey hair over her shoulder in a braid. Before her was a display of all sorts of baubles.
"Listen, I'll catch up," Wendy told them.
"Huh?" Fred asked, stopping in his tracks. "Where're you going?"
"I just want a quick peek is all," Wendy promised. "I'll catch up with you all in a moment."
"Sure," Violet nodded, taking one of Fred's arms. Mandy latched herself to the other, the two females dragging the boy off after the others.
Silently sending her thanks to Violet, Wendy took off and paused in front of the booth.
The woman lifted her head upon her arrival, a smile growing on her face. "Can I help you, child?"
"Just looking actually, but thanks," Wendy responded politely, returning the friendly smile.
The collection of items varied from shell bracelets to feathery headbands, leather and deerskin pouches with embroidered patterns and the tiniest flowers and vines for earrings and rings. However, none of these managed to snag her attention – save for one item.
A single acorn button on a silvery chain lay forlorn to the very end of the shelf. Her hand reached out to touch it but she stopped herself.
This did not go unnoticed, and the woman picked it up for her. "Interesting choice," she mused. "But I believe it suits you. Take it, child."
"Oh, I can't!" Wendy insisted. "I just couldn't…I don't know if I have enough for it…"
"Save your money. It's taken care of."
The new voice startled her so much that she spun around, slamming into the newcomer's chest. Frightened and embarrassed, she drew back, tipping on her heel haphazardly. A gasp of fear escaped her lips as she felt her body falling until a pair of arms wrapped themselves around her and pulled her back to the source of her startled distress.
"Easy there," he chuckled. "Don't want you flying off."
His voice seemed so familiar…it was strong but gentle, flowing like melted chocolate from his lips. His grasp was firm but cautious, the warmth radiating from his body made her feel euphoric. She closed her eyes for the briefest moment, not realizing how immersed she was with this being. Her eyelids fluttering open, she raised her head slowly, her eyes coming in contact with a set of shining emeralds.
"OH!" gasped Wendy, her body rigid, her face burning scarlet. Her heart thumping, she whispered, "…you are real, then."
The young man cocked his head, a lopsided grin on his lips. "As real as a fairy," he chuckled. "Are you ok?"
Pulling away from him, she nodded, her hair falling into her face as she dipped her head away, staring at the floor. Tonight was not her night.
Casting a glance her way, the boy placed a pouch on the counter of the giggling woman's booth, nodding his thanks as he took the necklace from her. The Indian lady took the pouch and withdrew a root with a poignant, spicy scent. Smiling satisfactorily, she headed to another part of her booth, rummaging around and allowing the two people privacy.
"Here," he said, stepping towards Wendy. "May I…?"
Catching sight of the necklace, she covered her mouth in bewilderment. "You didn't…?!"
"It's nothing. I know the lady," he reassured her. "Besides…it belongs to you." His arms stretched out, either side of the chain in his hands as he moved to place it around her neck. She remained perfectly still, holding her breath as she waited for him to finish. Sensing the button against her collarbone, she reached for it, running her finger over the smooth surface. Pulling back, the boy placed his hands upon his hips and flashed her a smile with his little pearls. "There. Perfect."
Blush remained on her face as she looked back at him. "…thank you. That's sweet of you…"
"I amsweet, aren't I?" he said smartly, raising an eyebrow and grinning as he looked to the night sky.
Wendy gave him a look but couldn't help herself as she smiled at his response. Her smile faded, however, and she bit her lip. "…were you…I mean, did you…I saw you on the carousel earlier…but you vanished…that was you…wasn't it?"
"Sure it was," he answered, blowing a strand of hair away from his eyes, pouting as it fell back in the same place.
"Then how did you disappear?" she asked.
He waggled a finger at her, chuckling. "Ah-ah-ah. A magician never revels his secrets…even to pretty ladies."
He was doing nothing to get rid of her blushing cheeks, her neck now warm and red, too. "…who are you?" she asked, grasping her gift.
"Oh!" he grimaced, smacking his forehead. "Well, that was stupid. How could I forget to introduce myself?" Giving a low bow, he stated, "It's a pleasure to meet you, fair lady. What's you name?"
Despite herself, a giggle escaped her mouth. She couldn't tell if this was some sort of joke, but he seemed so innocent at that moment that she answered him with a curtsy. "Wendy…Wendy Darling," she said. "What's yours?"
Standing straight, his arms crossed over his chest, he smirked. "Peter…Peter Pan."
She blinked at this, staring. One eyebrow raised, she opened her mouth to ask "are you kidding?" but ended up saying, "That's…interesting. Like the character?"
"Not like, I am the character," he told her, his brows furrowing. He looked exactly like a frustrated child who insisted the impossible. It was an irresistible look.
"Oh…sorry," she said, looking away.
"Don't be," he waved it off. "It doesn't make sense now, but it will soon. You'll see."
She wasn't entirely sure what he meant by that, but she didn't bother to think anything of it at the moment. "Well, it's nice meeting you…but I better be going."
"Where to?" Peter asked, keeping in time with her as she began to walk away. He clasped his hands behind his back, looking over at her as she hurried along.
"Uh…the Indian Village, I think…that's what Asher said," Wendy said, remembering his words.
"Ok, let's go," Peter said, moving to her left.
"Wait!" she called out. "Where're you going?"
"Indian Village," he responded, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. "It's this way."
She frowned, her brain turning gears. "But…they went that way," she said, pointing to her right.
Peter twisted his lips into a pucker, shaking his head. "They obviously haven't been here before," he sighed. "If you go down that way it's just some old, abandoned rides and buildings that need reconstructing. We call it Broken Road. Pirates are known to wander in that area sometimes."
"Pirates?" she repeated, fear gripping her stomach. Swallowing, she glanced in the darkened direction through which they had gone and had not returned. "…but they're not real pirates…"
A laugh filled her ears. Peter clutched his stomach, shaking his head. "Oh, no. They're not 'real'. And I suppose you think that the Tooth Fairy is just a myth?"
Frowning, she felt anger fill her veins as she became worried for her brothers. "How can you just stand there laughing like that?!" she snapped, his eyes widening at her sudden aggressiveness. "My little brothers are in there! They could be in danger!" Turning on her heel, she ran off, her mind focused one two tasks: find Jon and Mikey, and get out.
Peter watched her storm off, pushing on into the dimly lit area. Crossing his arms over his chest, his head tilted just so, a smile played on his lips. "Still as protective as ever…"
"You disgust me."
Rolling his eyes, he smirked as a girl stepped up behind him. "Don't be jealous, Tink. I thought we'd already discussed this."
"Hmph!" she sniffed, her arms over her chest, her nose tilted into the air. Her jade eyes narrowed at Wendy's disappearing back, her spiked red hair still perfectly in place. "I don't see why you want her, Peter. She's not that pretty! And she's rude!"
"I'mrude," Peter concurred. "And I never hear you complain about me." Giving her a cheeky grin, he nudged her arm with his elbow. "C'mon, Tink. We've gotta keep an eye on them." Starting off after the girl, he called back to Tink, "Rally the boys, Tink! Meet me on Broken Road!"
"Oooooh!" she whined, spinning around irritably. "Peter Pan, you are the most infuriating boy on this earth and Neverland!" Swirling about until she became a blur of lime green sparkling light, she shrank to the size of a fist and darted off into the park.
~NEVER-NEVERLAND~
"Mikey! Jon!" Wendy cried out, panting as she ran down the street. She looked behind each display and building but there was no one to be seen or heard. "Vi? Nana?" There were little to no lights in some of the corners in this area, making her shiver unconsciously. "Asher? Mandy? Fred?!" Still no response. Just the sound of her breathing, her heart racing, her shoes slapping the pavement. "Where are you?!" she called out in vain.
Coming to a clearing, she stopped, heaving a breath, panic bubbling within her. What was she going to do?! What would her father say? Did the park possibly have an intercom system? Did they have their cellphones on?
"Lost, little lady?" a scratchy, sneering voice broke into her thoughts, making her jump. Looking over her shoulder, she saw several men emerge from the shadows, all dressed as though they were real pirates. They certainly smelled like real pirates. Her nose wrinkled at the scent of alcohol, perspiration, and heavy smoke. Their clothing was threadbare, soiled and poorly patched and mended. Some of these men were even barefoot.
"What's the matter?" the same pirate called out to her. "Cat got yer tongue?"
She kept her lips pressed together, not daring to say a word. Her eyes scanned the walls, her mind racing to figure out a way to escape when they noticed movement to her right. A pudgy man with spectacle and a tattered coat made his way out, his pipe in his mouth.
"G'evenin', Missy," Mr. Smee said, tipping his hat to her. "I'm terribly sorry 'bout this." His eyes seemed sincere as he motioned towards the men around him. "But it's the Cap'n's orders." When Wendy's brows began to knit together in confusion, he nodded at some of the men. Immediately, several others came out to join them, each one holding a hostage.
A gasp of horror escaped Wendy as she saw her brothers, schoolmates, and even Nana tied and gagged, at the hands of these marauders. "No…" she whispered, shaking her head slowly.
"Yes," the first pirate hissed, eyeing her lustfully. "'Ow 'bout you 'n me give it a go-?"
There was a sharp whistle from behind him, a sudden movement that was so quick it was blurred. The man cried out in despair and pain as the item buried itself deep within his shoulder. Wendy's blue eyes grew large at the sight of it: a silver hook, with a crimson arm attached from behind the man, lace dripping at the cuff of the sleeve surrounding the weapon.
"Now, now, Keller…is that anyway to treat our visitor?" a crisp baritone asked from the darkness, a menacing purr hinted in the message.
"N-No," the man gasped, gripping at the bloodied hook embedded in his arm. "No, Cap'n!"
"I didn't think so…" He, too, was British – Wendy could tell that now from his voice, but he was far from a friend. Wendy felt the blood drain from her face as she saw the man step out of hiding. Her siblings and friends also paled, becoming deathly still at the sight of this man.
His thin, pale face was shadowed by the large feathered hat he wore, matching his blood red coat. His boots gleamed in the moonlight, his sword's tip tapping lightly against his leg. The ink black curls framed his face, his mustache perfectly in place, his forget-me-not eyes haunting…
"You're extremely fortunate tonight, you dog," he sneered, pulling his hook out harshly, revealing his handicap to the girl in full view now. "I don't care for needless bloodshed in front of a lady."
The pirate collapsed, whimpering as he continued to spill blood. Wendy kept still as the man stepped towards the center of the open semi-circle his men had created.
"Do forgive the fool, my dear," he said sweetly, his thin lips stretching into a charming smile. "He doesn't have a clue about how a gentleman should act." With his one hand, he swept the hat off of his head and bowed to her. "Allow me to introduce myself." Standing once more, he took a few steps forward. Arriving before her, he gently slipped his fingers around her trembling hand and placed his lips upon it. "I am James Hook, captain of the Jolly Roger. I am your most humble servant, Wendy lady."