Chapter 1
Playing at the Park
And that's how our story begins. Jane and Margaret now lived with Wendy and they all couldn't be happier (well, for Wendy and Margaret). Although she was deeply distressed on losing her father, Margaret was overjoyed to stay with her grandmum every single day of her life. She now slept in the nursery room, where she could open her large window and stare up into the darkness sky every night, her eyes only on the second star to the right. And Wendy would always visit her young granddaughter so that she could tell her more stories about Peter Pan. The more she heard all those stories, the more Margaret wondered when it would be her turn to go to Neverland with her own adventure, just like her mum and grandmum.
A few years have gone by and, although she is no longer a little child anymore, Margaret still believed in Peter Pan. Sadly, she couldn't make friends because of her beliefs. All she had were her Peter Pan doll and her puppy, born from Nana Two. Out of all the puppies that Nana Two gave birth to one day, Margaret chose to keep the littlest and the most playfulness puppy as her pet, naming her new puppy Little Nana (though she would nickname her puppy Little for short). Everyday, Margaret would take Little out to the park, where they would play together. They would regularly play catch, but instead of a ball, Margaret would throw her Peter Pan doll, creating an illusion that it was flying on its own, just like the real one. Whenever she threw it, however, Margaret would often gaze up at her doll lovingly, as if it was just a beautiful star itself. She would habitually stare at it for too long to notice Little handing it back to her after successfully catching it; Little's teeth gripping on the doll softly to avoid ruining Margaret's very special possession.
The park was one of the two places that made her feel so young and happy (the first was her nursery room/bedroom). It was where she would play with Little, and it was also where she would watch little children play in a playground, surrounded by an ocean of white sand. Margaret watched the little children from afar, studying them build castles out of sand, sliding down on the miniature slide, or even swinging on the swings.
Sometimes, Little would run to one of the children alone, dancing around it as if Little's way of asking to play. Margaret would walk over to join Little and the child and soon they all found themselves playing together. Playing with younglings became sort of her favorite pastime from then on. Even though the children's parents were there to watch and play with them, Margaret was always there to fool around with the little ones, as if they were her playmates. She loved watching them run around in circles, chasing each other and giggling gleefully. She loved their cute, little smile shining on their faces whenever they play a game or meeting another playmate. And she loved their small, innocent eyes glowing with happiness. Margaret could just stare at them for a long time.
If only they could stay like that forever, Margaret would often wonder to herself. Where they never have to grow up.
"Well, well, well! Look what I found fellas!" a vile voice called out far behind Margaret. She winced irritably and groaned, knowing exactly who the voice belonged to. She could imagine that same group of teenagers around her age, staring mockingly at her back.
There were six boys and four girls in the group. They were greatly admired at Margaret's school. They were involved in major sports, cleverly smart, and always at the right time to make a show to anyone with fascinated eyes. Everyone loved them, because they saw that group as role models for future heroes.
But the group wasn't exactly heroes at all. In fact, they would use their fame for advantages. They would strut everywhere, showing off either their new style clothes or just to show themselves off. They would snobbishly reject hopeful children when asked for their help. What's more, they spent their times teasing anyone they feel up to. Sometimes those teasing led to violence. But whenever a teacher caught them, the group would sneak out of trouble and blame on the victim. Because the teachers also loved the group, the teacher excused them and turned to the victim, punishing cruelly. That was another talent they had: sneaking out of trouble.
Margaret hated that group with all her heart, soul, mind, everything. She hated them so much that she designated them "The Villain Gang" or just the "V Gang". She saw no reason why they shouldn't be punished. So one day, using her clever mind, she had the principle caught the V Gang on the spot and they were immediately expelled from her school. Margaret was relieved at the thought of never seeing them again. Boy was she wrong!
She now saw them every afternoon at the park, much to her annoyances. They would ride their bikes close together as they passed by. At first, they didn't notice Margaret; always lost in their own world. But it wasn't long before they spotted her and instantly teased at her once they saw her playing with the smaller children on the playground with Little. Every since then, whenever they pass the park, they would take the opportunity to tease her of, in their own words, "being a baby in a sandbox". And every time, Margaret struggled to ignored them, though that attempt was weakening each time. If she was lucky, the V Gang would either get lost in their world again or not come that day, as they usually do. But today, her luck didn't come.
"Just ignore them," Margaret muttered to herself, as she busied herself by playing with Little and a four-year-old boy in the sand; they were trying to build a "sandman" out of sand, which they haven't progressed yet. "You ignore them, they'll ignore you . . . eventually."
"Looks like her mummy hadn't picked her up yet!" Bobby, believed to be the leader of the V Gang (who always started the teasing), continued, making sure his voice was loud enough for Margaret to hear him. "Did she finally realized what a baby you are and abandoned you?" He laughed unkindly as the V Gang joined in, laughing harshly.
Out of all the insults Bobby threw out, this was the one that finally struck her angry. Margaret never liked anyone to insult her family, mostly her mum and grandmum. She loved them so much and didn't think they deserved it. They were so special to her and ever since her father died, she had them to care for.
The thing was, no one knew of her situation and if they did, they never brought it up. That is, until now.
Her head shot back, staring hard at Bobby. "Don't you dare say that about my mum!" she threatened.
"Whoa," one of them, a stoutly boy, spoke to the others. "Where did THAT come from?"
"Yeah," a skinny blond girl agreed. "I didn't expect to hear a temper from a child!"
The whole V Gang laughed again even more cruelly. Margaret's anger was still burning inside her, but forced herself to cool down. She didn't want any more trouble with them. She turned her back toward the V Gang as she returned to playing with Little and the small boy.
"Hey, don't you have a father too?" called out Bobby. Margaret froze. This she didn't expect to hear.
"Yeah, he doesn't seem to be around either!" exclaimed another one of them. "Does that mean he deserted you?"
Margaret's head shot back, anger returning, only increased.
"My father would never leave me!" she shouted in rage, but she knew better. Her father had left her; through death. She could never see him again.
Bobby stared at her, a wicked smile creeping out as if he could read her sorrowful thoughts of her father through her mind.
"He did leave you, did he?" he taunted her, while the V Gang watched in excitement. Margaret tried to respond, but her throat clogged up, as if preventing words to leave her mouth.
"What's wrong girl? Is he not coming back?"
Margaret's fists clenched slowly, her nails digging in her palm. Little carefully watched Margaret, sensing the worse to come.
"Is he even alive?"
Margaret's anger rose, but struggled to cool it down. "Be quiet," she murmured bitterly.
As if knowing what's to come, Little used her small mouth to grip the small boy's pants and gently pulled him away from the scene. The boy, oblivious to the group and the tension, gleefully followed Little to wherever the puppy led him.
"He's not, is he?" Bobby continued to taunt her, only slowly and cruelly.
"I said be quiet," Margaret murmured louder, her voice dangerously low in warning. Her fist clenched harder and her eyes burning in flames of anger. She had the strongest urge to hit Bobby so hard that he wouldn't even know his own name. Then the rest of the V Gang would run for their lives in fear of her wrath, never to come back again. Oh, how she would very much like to do all that now. However, her mum repeatedly and sternly told her that violence is never the answer and that it will only cause more trouble. But that did not help her calm down in any way.
"He is dead, isn't he?" Bobby merrily sneered. He turned to the V Gang.
"Stop it," Margaret said, trying to control her mounting rage and to prevent tears that had formed in her eyes from dropping visibly. Bobby, as usual, ignored her.
"You hear that?" Bobby shouted to his group. "Her father's dead!" Half of the group laughed harshly again, only louder, while the other half (mostly the girls) muttered to each other, an interesting and unpleasant smile on their faces. Margaret was beginning to get sick with fury.
"I SAID STOP IT!" Margaret shouted as loud as she could, not caring if anyone else heard her. All that mattered was that Bobby was hurting her by using her father.
"Or what?" Bobby challenged Margaret, clearly showing his arrogance and his cruel enjoyment, as if wining a big tournament. "You'll run to daddy and beg him to get rid of us?" He displayed his mock realization. "Oh, that's right! You're daddy's dead! Ha, ha!"
He and the V Gang laughed even louder, as if they wanted the whole London to hear them.
That's it! Her rage finally broke out. She's had enough! She wasn't going to listen to this anymore! Her blood boiled high in her brain, releasing all of her anger in the open. She neglected everything of what her mum always taught her! She wanted Bobby to pay for what he said to her, feel the pain she was feeling right now.
She absentmindedly reached down and clutched a large amount of sand tightly in her fist.
"Hey!" Margaret shouted at Bobby. He turned around, ready to strike back with more insulting words. But before he even opened his mouth, Margaret furiously threw her sand right at his eyes. He screamed in pain, his hands on his eyes hoping to ease the burning pain. The V Gang froze, shocked at Margaret's unexpected action.
"Did that hurt?" Margaret taunted back at Bobby, displaying her impression of Bobby's low and harsh voice. "Don't worry, it'll only hurt it just a . . . few . . . hours!" She added the last words, each paused with deep fury.
Blind in soreness, he stroked his fist in her direction hard. But Margaret stepped back, grinning mischievously. This was the sight worth seeing.
"Get her!" He howled to the V Gang. On command, all the boys from the group charged after Margaret. Her smile wickedly grew wider as she ran off from them. For all she knew, they were the thickest boys in the whole city. Instead of chasing her, the girls watched and cheered for the boys, making the chase more exciting, like an exhilarating hunt.
Margaret quickly ran to a large playground later and climbed up the ladder before the boys could catch her. She looked back at the boys. Suddenly, Margaret did not see those pursuing boys anymore. Instead, she saw Captain Hook's deadly pirates, ready to slit her throat with their sharp swords. This brought a reckless smile and an adventurous twinkle on her eyes. When real-life danger came before her, Margaret would turn the tables and make it all make-believe.
Once all the boys reached the top of the ladder, Margaret was gone.
"Where'd she go?" the stoutly boy thought aloud. They all nodded frustratingly as they searched around.
All of a sudden, Margaret swung straight toward them from the roof of the playground, and kicked the boys hard. Just like bowling pins, they all knocked down together and fell on a small slide, falling to the ground together. Margaret jumped down from her hold and took a moment to smile proudly down at the defeated boys before racing off.
After all the boys struggled to get up, they chased her again. The girls cheered louder. Margaret rushed to the swings, where she was halted by one of the boys, a muscled, brown haired teen with a victorious smirk. She turned around, only to see before her another one, a tall and thin teen. Both of the boys prepared to charge after her. But at that moment, Margaret seized one of the swings and swung away, causing the boys to slam into each other instead. Margaret laughed as they fell stupidly on the sandy ground.
But her laughter was cut short when three other boys pursued after her. She jumped off of the swing and ran to a nearby tree. As quick as she could, she climbed up the tree, while the surviving boys followed her. They made an attempt to climb the tree too, but only one of them managed to go the farthest. The second one, the stoutly boy, became too tired to climb, while the third boy fell off and landed on top of the stoutly boy.
After looking down to see one hunter, Margaret climbed higher and higher until she made it to the very top of the tree. There was no other escape to find. She was trapped.
"Give it up girl!" the climbing boy hollered at her. "There's nowhere else to go!"
Margaret knew this was true, for the boy was getting closer and closer. She had to think of another plan quick. What would Peter Pan do?
Then an idea hit her. She tore a tree limb about the length of her upper arm from the tree branch and jumped down until she and the climbing boy were facing each other. Margaret gripped and raised her tree limb at him the way she would use a sword.
"Who said I was going anywhere," she said conceitedly. "If you want me, you are going to have to defeat me."
"You have got to be kidding me," the boy scoffed.
"It's your choice."
The climbing boy stared at her in disbelief until, groaning frustratingly, the boy also ripped a nearby tree limb, pointing superciliously at her. To her amusement, his tree limb was three inches shorter that hers.
With that in mind, Margaret lightly stroked her tree limb at the boy at first, so she wouldn't hurt him. The climbing boy easily blocked it and waved his tree limb at her as if bored of this silly game already.
Seeing this, Margaret then had a brilliant thought. She rapidly twirled her tree limb at his and pulled his tree limb out of his grip, leaving him unarmed. Before he could react, Margaret stomped roughly on a branch the climbing boy was standing on. The branch shook violently and the climbing boy hugged the nearest branch he saw, screaming so high Margaret laughed at his voice that sounded so much like a frightened girl.
Leaving the boy preoccupied, Margaret jumped down and, without knowing, landed hard on the two waiting boys. She gave them a few good kicks at them before she raced off.
Margaret looked back to see all the damage she created. She saw two of the struggling boys, back at the swings, striving to pick themselves up and trying vainly to avoid the swings. She turned and spotted the tree, where the climbing boy dropped down from above. To her amusement, he accidentally landed on the two other boys who where just getting up from the ground. Now they all fell into a big pile of dim-witted boys.
Margaret laughed so hard at the whole sight she made that she clutched her aching sides, her laughter never ceasing. But a cheer from one of the girls caught her attention.
"Get her Bobby! Get her!"
Margaret spun around just in time to miss a blow from Bobby's fist. His eyes were burning red, but Margaret could see they were getting redder with rage as he swung more failed blows at her.
"You'll pay for that!" he shouted at her. "You're gonna pay! You're gonna feel the pain now! That'll teach you!"
His knocks were becoming quicker and, although Margaret avoided each of them, she knew it wouldn't last.
Just before he made another attempt to punch her, Bobby screamed in more pain. Little was gnawing his leg, determined to save her human friend. Bobby kicked his leg, furiously trying to get Little off of him.
"Get off, you mutt!" he cried at Little.
Little at last released her bite. Wrathfully, Bobby raised his foot over Little, preparing to squish the puppy. Little whimpered in fear.
"No!" Margaret screamed. Without catching herself, she pushed Bobby as hard as she could and tenderly gathered Little into her arms. Little thankfully licked Margaret's cheek, causing Margaret to giggle.
"Are you alright Little," Margaret asked Little, greatly concerned over her small and innocent but brave puppy. Little nodded her head and barked as in yes, her tail wagging. Margaret hugged Little close to her heart, very relieved that Little was safe from a fuming Bobby.
"Margaret Anne Rose Benson!" a shrilled voice spread over the whole playground. Everyone there stood extremely still, a frozen silence in the calm air. Margaret's whole face fell. She knew the owner of the voice and wished with all her heart that she was wrong. She slowly and guiltily turned around to meet the raging eyes of her mother.
"What Did You Do Young Lady?!?!" Her mum demanded, her fist resting impatiently on her hips. Margaret has seen enough of her mum's wrath to retain every right to fear her. When her mum was like that, even a ferocious lion would be silent at once and cower in terror. No one would mess with her mum in this state, for it would only get worse.
"It wasn't my fault," Margaret protested. Little jumped off of Margaret's embrace and hid behind Margaret's leg, peaking at the two of them, frightened.
"The How Do You Explain The Damage You Brought To Those Boys?"
"They were asking for it mum! They were going to beat me up!"
"That Does Not Mean You Have To Get Involve With Violence Yourself! Honestly, Haven't I Taught You Enough?"
Margaret stood silent, her hear bowed shamefully as she had to suffer another of her mum's lecture on using violence. Margaret tried to explain to her mum her side of the story, but her mum would have none of it. She could almost hear some of the teens behind her snicker.
"Now You Go And Apologize To Them Right Now!"
"But mum-"
"Now Margaret!"
Margaret huffed in dissatisfaction as she turned around to face the V Gang. The girls were hauling each of the boys as they all stared at her with very cruel looks. Margaret's uncaring feeling slowly disappeared at their faces as she made her way to them. Right in front of them was Bobby with the most revolted look Margaret has ever seen. He just stared at her with his hot red eyes.
For a moment, no one dared to speak. Margaret felt very uncomfortable with just looking at them to speak. And it didn't help to feel her mum's presence behind her, sensing her mum's eyes upon her.
Finally, Margaret gathered what's left of her courage and spoke. "Uh . . . I'm . . . really sorry."
"Heh, hem," she heard her mum coughed loud enough for Margaret to hear her.
"For," Margaret continued hesitantly. "Hurting all of you and . . . will you forgive me?" she added with a low mumble. But she was heard.
All at once, the whole V Gang was shouting angrily at her. Margaret, even though she wanted to, couldn't shout back, knowing her mum's unmerciful punishment if she even tried.
She noticed that Bobby was the only one who wasn't shouting at her. He didn't even say a word. And once the V Gang noticed this too, they all stopped their shouting. The V Gang fell silent as they watched Bobby in anticipation. He was still staring hard with the same look on Margaret.
"Eh . . . so," Margaret started, rubbing her arm awkwardly. "I take it that's a no?"
"You sicken me." Bobby ultimately said to her. "No wonder you don't have any friends. No one would ever want to be friends with a child who still believes in childish stories. You have nothing because of that. Why don't you just GROW UP!"
Margaret froze in shock, a sharp stab in her chest by those words. No one had ever told her that. Sure she had no friends, but to hear the real reason why? Because she still believed in Peter Pan and Neverland, stories that are now considered as childish fantasy? Grandmum and mum always told her that Peter Pan and Neverland are very real. They themselves saw them with their own eyes. But could they all be childish stories too?
What if it's true, Margaret thought painfully. What if what they're all saying is true? That I'm a child who could never fit in! That what I believe in are all just childish beliefs! Normally, she would care less of what anyone thought of her; she was use to the teasing. Plus, she had Little with her and that was all she needed. However, Margaret couldn't help but feel very lonely; there was no one else to share her thoughts, dreams, and beliefs with her and not insult her because if it. It seemed hard for her to make friends, all of them grown up at her age and more interested on other things.
But she had always loved being a child. A child would be free and would dance around without a care in the world. A child would have more fun and could play as whomever she wants, no matter what anyone says. A child is easily loved and could easily love others. Oblivious to the world, oblivious to the real danger . . . oblivious to real pain.
If only there was one who was like her. Then they would be friends and play together and Margaret wouldn't feel lonely anymore.
At that moment, Margaret couldn't decide what felt worse: growing up or staying a child.
"That's enough," Her mum abruptly exclaimed, storming up to the V Gang. She stood next to Margaret, who was so close to crying she had to blink faster to stop them. "Now you apologize to my daughter right now, or there will be consequences!"
Bobby didn't respond, or made any move proving he was listening. He gave Margaret one last disgusted look before he wordlessly (and blindly) walked away, with the skinny blond girl as his guide. The whole V Gang also gave Margaret the same look before each of them followed Bobby to their bikes and rode off.
Margaret stood very still, watching them rode away without another glance, leaving her to review what Bobby said to her. She felt tears building up more, replaying all those hurtful words in her head, but again she blinked it all back. She heard Little whimpering in comfort as she rubbed her small head against Margaret's leg. Her mum looked at her daughter with concerned and grief and laid her hand on her shoulder, gripping it reassuringly. Without thinking, Margaret followed her mum's pressure on her shoulder as her mum led her out of the park including Little trailing behind them with sad eyes.
Soon, they've reached their quiet home. Margaret mutely walked away from her mum and up the stairs to her room. After allowing Little inside, Margaret closed the door and moved to her bed. There, her Peter Pan doll sat at her pillow, waiting for her arrival as always. She picked the doll up and took the time to admire it, remembering all the stories and adventures that involved Peter Pan, a boy who refuses to grow up.
"At least you get to live in a childish world," Margaret muttered miserably, tears released from her eyes. "Where no one cares if you are acting like a child." Clutching her doll, she fell on her bed and cried.
Little watched Margaret from the floor with distressing eyes just studying Margaret crying after that horrible event at the park. Little jumped onto the bed and snuggled comfortingly into Margaret's arms. Without looking up, Margaret wrapped her arms around Little and held her as tight as she could, desperately trying to avoid what happened back at the park.