Chapter Eight - Impending Doom
She would just not shut up!
Peter was extremely tempted to lead them through a bog and leave Mandy stranded there with Fred to sink into quicksand, squawking like the goose she was. But time and time again, Wendy would touch his arm or shoulder, or grab his hand and give him a thankful look, and he would push the idea aside for the next five minutes. He would've much preferred to fly to the lagoon, but he figured that he'd spend another while trying to teach them how to fly all over again (besides, they had been half-carried to Indian Village by the boys). "Next time," Peter thought with a grin. "Next time it'll be me and Wendy alone."
Passing though an archway of trees, Wendy admired the moss that hung majestically from the branches. "It's beautiful here, so peaceful…"
"The fairies like to play and hide here when it's raining," Peter said softly, his eyes drifting down towards her face.
"Hey, are we there yet?" Fred asked, causing Peter to bite his tongue in agitation.
"Ho-migod, we've, like, been walking for-ever!" Mandy gasped dramatically, heaving a breath as she trudged on after them. "Like how much further are they?!"
"Like, just beyond the forest," Peter mimicked her, his voice sounding exactly like her own. The three teenagers gawked at him, Mandy fuming, Fred stunned, and Wendy in awe and amusement. Rolling his eyes at Mandy, Peter stalked off, grabbing Wendy's hand as he left. "You're friends with them?" he hissed, raising an un-amused eyebrow at the raven-haired girl.
"Well…they're very welcoming, and they sort of took me in when I first got here," Wendy whispered. "Though Violet and I are very close. She's the closest friend I have." She smiled at the thought of the gothic girl, hoping that all was well with her.
Peter caught her smile and returned the gesture. "She's different, that's for sure," he chuckled. "But Ruff seemed to like her."
"Funny, she seemed to reciprocate the feeling," she giggled. Peter raised an eyebrow at the long word but said nothing, shrugging it off. "So, Peter…you're…the real Peter Pan, then?" she asked quietly, still stunned by the whole ordeal.
He grinned, winking at her.
"But…how is that possible?" she asked, her brows furrowing in confusion. "I always thought the stories were just that – stories. And…no offense, but I thought you'd be more…childlike? I mean, height wise. Around the years of ten to twelve or so."
His grin thinned, his eyes losing their glimmer. "Well, there's a reason to me being like…this." He motioned his hand at frame, almost seeming disgusted or angry with himself. As she opened her mouth to apologize, she was silenced by his fingertips. "Ah-ah. We'll talk about this another time, promise." He winked once more, gripping her hand gently before shoving a curtain of leaves and moss aside. Gazing out over the land, he said, "Ah, about time!"
Following his gaze, Wendy's eyes widened, a gasp leaving her lips.
The Lagoon was a cozy nook, a beach leading to a wide waterway with pristine blue waters. Waterfalls and grottos surrounded the area, a wall of rocks formed like seats blocking most of the exit into the ocean. Everywhere she looked, mermaids lounged, splashed, played, or slept, all with long, gorgeous locks splayed around them, their tails shimmering in the moonlight.
"Oh, how beautiful!" she breathed, her eyes shining in awe.
Behind them, Fred and Mandy caught up, freezing when they caught sight of the Lagoon and its inhabitants. "…Oh…mi…GAWD!" Mandy gaped, her sharp voice earning the stares and glares of the fish women. "Like, holy crap! They're for real!"
"Very," Peter gritted his teeth, turning and smiling sweetly at Mandy. "But whatever you do, don't get too close."
She raised an eyebrow at him, hands to her hips, her lips pouting with suspicion. "Why not?"
"Get too close…and they drown you," he told her, grinning at her paling face. He ignored Fred and continued down, Wendy close beside him.
"If they're so dangerous, why'd you bring us here?!" Fred hissed, keeping an eye on the mythical creatures.
"I didn't bring anybody, you came of your own free will," Peter sniffed. "The only person I suggested this to was Wendy because so long as she sticks with me, she's fine."
"Peter," Wendy whispered, her gaze darting from his profile to the mermaids. "Will they really drown us?" Seeing a reassuring, childlike smile on his face made her heart melt, and she shivered as he put his arm around her.
"Just stay close. They're getting the message not to try anything." Turning her head with his fingertips, he locked her eyes with his and whispered, "I promise you, no one is going to hurt you here. Not while I'm around."
Her heart skipping several beats, she nodded stupidly, her face burning. How was it that this total stranger could make her feel safe and flustered altogether? Taking her to the nearest ledge, Peter peeked over the side and emitted a dolphin's call. Immediately, three mermaids darted through the water, their heads emerging just below them.
"Whoa," Fred whispered, stunned by their beauty.
"Hello, girls," Peter said cheerily. "This is Wendy."
The two older mermaids frowned at the girl, causing her face to become beet red, but the littlest smiled up at her and waved. "I'm Conch. Nice to meet you!" Looking past her shoulder, she pointed and said, "Who're they, Peter?"
"Huh? Oh, them. I dunno. Can't remember their names," Peter waved them off, infuriating the pair of them.
"Seriously?" Fred glared.
"OMFG, what a total douchebag!" Mandy snapped, yelping as the two elders lunged forward, baring their teeth at her.
Rolling his emerald eyes, Peter looked back to the fish women and asked, "How's the water?"
"Warm tonight," the dark-haired maiden answered.
"Peter," the blonde interrupted, looking stern. "You must be on your guard. Shade is near."
Wendy's brows furrowed at her words. Shade? What shade? Or who? From the corner of her eye, she noted Peter's mouth twitch into a frown, only to quickly revert into a smirk. "He can't touch ground on the island. My will's too strong for him. The magic won't let him, either."
"No, but he could snatch one of your human friends from the air," the mermaid responded. "Use caution, Peter. He's lurking about again."
"I knew it wouldn't be long before he did," Peter chuckled darkly, worrying Wendy. What on earth was going on?!
"Hey, uh, Pete?" Fred started, staring up at the sky in perplexed bewilderment. "What's with that smoke?"
Peter was about to retort how no one could call him "Pete" without his permission when he raised his eyes and noted the thick, elongated pillar of sinister smoke blocking the moon, swirling and twisting as he got closer and closer to the island. His eyes widening, Peter snatched Wendy into his arms and took off flying.
"HEY!" Mandy screeched, running after them with Fred.
Wendy clutched Peter's coat tightly, her heart racing. Looking back over her shoulder, she squinted, trying to catch a glimpse of Fred and Mandy, as well as the chilling element that Peter had fled from. It was at this time that Peter began to whistle shrilly, like an exotic bird from the Amazon. Several balls of sparkling light flocked to him, surrounding them as he perched on a branch deep within the wilderness of the trails that filled the island.
"Listen, can you get Ruff and Tink?" Peter began. He listened to the fairy's tinkling, nodding. "Good. I need to fetch the others. Have a few of them stay here with Wendy." The ball of light chimed a few notes, then took off with a group of the other fairies. The few that remained surrounded Wendy in a floating, colorful circle.
Placing his hands upon her shoulders, he instructed her. "Wendy, Ruff and the others will be here soon. Tell Ruff and Tink to come and find me once they get the chance. Tell Tiger Lily to take you all back to the docks immediately. You'll have to make your way back from there. I'll see if I can send someone to keep an eye on you as you go home."
"Peter, you're frightening me," she confessed, gripping her fingers around his hands. "I don't understand what's happening. What secrets are you keeping?"
"Soon, Wendy," he promised with a small smile. "I promise I'll tell you everything. But not now."
Biting her bottom lip, she nodded, leaning forward and locking him in an embrace. "Do be careful," she whispered.
He remained frozen, his eyes wide with disbelief. When she pulled away, he finally registered what she'd done, giving her a dazed, impish smile. Falling off the branch (scaring her yet again), he flew back the way he came, just as quickly, and came back seconds later with a screeching Mandy and flabbergasted Fred.
"Shut up and stay put!" Peter snapped at Mandy before taking off again, not returning this time.
"OOOH! He's such a d-!" Mandy growled.
"Wendy, are you ok?" Fred asked, his attention now completely on her.
"Fine, I'm fine," she nodded. "What happened back at the Lagoon?"
"It was so weird," he shook his head, his face covered with astonished confusion. "That smoke thing came closer and you guys vanished. The mermaids starting hissing and some started singing this really creepy song. No words, just…oohs and ahs, some hums…and the water started to move and become this sort of shield!" He shook his head again, scratching his head. "The smoke didn't get any closer, but it didn't leave…did Frying Pan tell you anything?"
"His name is Peter," she corrected him, hugging her arms. "And no, I didn't learn anything."
"Wendy, Wendy!" Mikey's familiar call drifted to them, causing the girl to impatiently scan for the entourage through the trees.
"Mikey! Jon!" Wendy called out to them, seeing their faces coming into view. Hoping down from her perch, she ran to the boys and embraced them, kissing their faces.
"What on earth is going on? Nana's been acting strangely, too," Jon said, tugging at Nana's leash. The dog was constantly sniffing the air, a snarl on her lips.
"Tiger Lily," Wendy started. "Peter asked that you take us home. And Ruff – Peter says he needs you and Tink at the Lagoon."
"Looks like the jerk's back," Ruff spat, glancing over his shoulder to see Tinker Bell flittering towards him. "C'mon, Tink. Let's go!" Tossing a grin and wink at Violet, he flew off, leaving the Indian girl with the children.
"Boys, go home," she ordered the Lost Boys. "Besides, we need you to be ready for anything." They grumbled and argued, but with one stern look, they frowned and wished the others well.
"See ya later!" Mouse waved, letting Partly lead him off.
"Ok, somebody care to explain what's going on?" Asher asked, casting a dubious look towards Tiger Lily and Wendy.
"We, the people of Neverland, have a nemesis greater than Hook, and that is Shade," she responded curtly, leading them back to the park. "He's strongest during nighttime, and he takes on his human form when the sun is up. He's after Peter and wants to destroy us all. That's all you need to know. Hurry, we have to make it to the exit to get you back on the mainland." Urging them along, she dared to look back, swallowing her worry and leading them on like the brave, proud princess she was. "You'd better be careful, Peter…he might catch you like last time…"