PLEASE NOTE: This story is also on Wattpad, under the same username. :)

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"Beyond where man can see
When your eyes outshine the horizon line
And you're finally real, here beside me
Now I'm right here on the shoreline
I'm right where you left me..."
-
Jonah Hauer-King, Wild Uncharted Waters

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| KILLIAN |

For an endless moment we merely look into each others' eyes. Bile rises in my throat. Probably in hers, too, because she swallows hard and her lips start to tremble. I reach out and caress her soft cheek.

"No tears, love. Not tonight," I whisper. "Let me remember you with a smile, Wendy."

She sniffs and the corners of her mouth tilt up, yet it's forced. Finding a hold on the net behind the crosspiece, she takes a cautious step toward me, then flings her arms around my neck. I can't let go of the net, or we'd both tumble to the ground. It doesn't matter. I wrap my free arm around her waist and crush her to my chest.

"I'll miss you, Darling Girl," I breathe into her ear.

"Just don't forget me, Killian."

"How could I ever?"

Against the skin on my neck I feel her tears. They break me. I reach her chin and tilt her face up, brushing the wet trail on her cheek away with the pad of my thumb. Then, I kiss her one last time.

When she pulls away from me, I take off my hat and place it on her head. Now, I get what I want—Wendy's honest smile.

Peter leads her to the very edge of the crosspiece, where she turns to face me. Her mien is brave, though her eyes are filled with sadness. Slowly closing them, she takes a deep breath. I swallow against the pain in my throat.

Then, she tips herself backwards and falls.

Gripping the net to my right, I rush forward and desperately cry out her name. But, it's too late. Her arms are stretched out at her side and the skirt of her blue dress is flapping in the wind, as if saying a final goodbye.

The pirate hat flies off her head. Swaying sadly, it follows in the wake of her fall.

A moment later, the love of my endless life submerges into the ocean.

I only pray that she gets to where she longs to be.

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A/N: Just a short prologue ;)

Until the next chapter,

Dev