Peter by day, Pan by night

Chapter 42

        Green shatters through the air. A wave of green light lashes out and capsizes the ship.

        Captain James Hook falls back onto his ship as the swirling green swallows him. His silver hook drops through the air and splinters into a thousand pieces.

        Big Ben starts to tick again. The moon brightens and one by one the stars return. Below us lights turn back on in the city.

        The darkness has been destroyed…Neverland is gone and Peter Pan is dead.

        Green light shimmers around us, falling to the ground. And then it disappears.

        The world is still. And I cry alone in the sky.

**

        I rock back and forth, curled under the huge hands of the clock. I pull the dagger out of his heart and throw it over the edge.

        A sob shakes through me.

        “No, no, no.” I whimper. “Wake up, Peter. Wake up! Hook’s gone. You’re safe now.” But he will never open his eyes again. No one can hurt him now.

        My heartbeat falls slow and steady. I hold my first kiss in my hand and lean my head against Peter’s silent heart.

        The clock strikes midnight.

        It is over.

**

        Tears spill down my cheeks as I listen to the clock chime twelve times. Then I hear a soft beat. It is followed by another and another.

        Is that my heart beating or…?

        I blink and pull back.

        Peter’s eyelashes flutter. It could just be the wind. But then his eyes open.

        I gasp “Peter Pan!”

        He smiles weakly. “Peter, actually. I’ve left Pan behind, for good.”

        Peter Pan, the magical boy who never grew up, died. But Peter, the first lost boy, didn’t. I can’t believe it.

        “You’re alive. You’re alive.” I cry as he pulls me against his chest.

        We stay there, the world forgotten as we listen to our hearts beat steadily. And I know that now it really is over.

**

        Peter’s eyes widen and his smile dims. He whispers one word. “Neverland…”

        “It’s gone, Peter. Hook and the darkness, but the magic and Neverland too. It’s all gone.” My words tremble.

        “I’m not.”

        “What?”

        Peter runs his finger under my eye and catches my tears. “I’m not gone, Wendy. I’m right here.”

        “But your home-”

        “Home is found in people, not places. The lost boys are my family and home. And you, Wendy, you are my hope.”

        I sniff. “Peter…”

        He laughs and tucks my head under his chin. “I gave you quite a scare, didn’t I?”

        I push him. “It was horrible! You probably did it on purpose.”

        “Of course.” He teases.

        “I hate you.” I lie. We can laugh about it now, but moments ago I was crying-my heart broken, but my world saved.

        Peter grins. “So you’ve said.”  

        “Wendy? Wendy Darling?” My mother’s voice interrupts my thoughts.

        “Mother?” I ask aloud. Peter gives me a strange look. I point to my head and he nods.

        “Hello, dear. I see that Jas has been defeated. I told you all along that Peter Pan had to die.”

        I roll my eyes. “You could have told me that Peter would still survive.”

        “I couldn’t know for sure. I didn’t want to raise your hope.” Her voice softens. “My fairies took care of your lost boys. They are in Kensington gardens. Felix has much to discuss with Peter. But do not try to fly down. You can’t anymore.”

        Sadness pangs through me. There is so much I’ll miss. Neverland’s forest, the field of blue roses, the friendly crocodile and most of all-flying through the night sky.

        But it is better this way.

        “Shall I fly up and help you down? Although it will take me a few minutes to get there.” 

        “All right. Thank you, Mother.”

        “Thank you…and thank Peter Pan-I mean, Peter. He’s a hero.”

        “He always has been.”

        My mother’s voice leaves my mind. I sit back and turn towards Peter. “Are you sure you’re ready to grow up?”

        “I’ll never be ready. But now I don’t have a choice…” Peter looks out over the sleeping city. He shrugs. “I guess-change is an adventure. And now I will have to count every minute and hold onto every memory, because tomorrow will no longer be the same as today.”

        I smile, his words snuffing out any fear left in my heart. “So now what?”

        “Are you ready for the greatest adventure of all, Wendy Darling?”

        “And what might that be?”

        Peter leans back, his green eyes shining. “Growing up.”

        “No evil pirates or cursed islands? No magic? Sounds pretty boring to me.” I lean toward him.

        “Boring?! We’ll see about that.” Peter brushes back my curls, his smile growing. “Life may not have the mystical islands or the enchanted woods, but it will always have magic.”

        He closes the space between us and kisses me, making magic of his own.

        The sky is still dark, but I know the sun will rise again.

        I will never be alone.

        I have found my family, my place.

        My story.

        THE END.

"To live will be an awfully big adventure,” by J. M. Barrie