Disclaimer: Peter Pan, all characters, places, and related terms belong to J.M. Barrie.
Author's Note: This is a companion piece to "Out of My Dreams," from Peter's point of view, but it can stand on its own. It is based on the '03 movie. Feedback is welcomed.
Into the Nursery
Peter Pan could not remember when or how he first came to the Darlings' nursery window. But for many nights he had watched outside the nursery as the children played. The girl was particularly interesting to the boy. He always became deeply engrossed in the stories she told her brothers. They were full of adventures, of good triumphing over evil.
Tonight he had eagerly flown to the nursery window in hopes of hearing the end of Cinderella. But he found the room strangely empty, the toys all in their proper places, having not been played with yet and the books all on the shelf. Puzzled, he lingered outside the window. A smile broadened his face when the children at last entered; they were just late. The children were grave of face and silent. They did not touch any of the tempting toys but simply sat on their beds and gazed at each other. The girl was the most downcast of the three. Her eyes were red as though she had been crying, and on occasion she would touch the right corner of her mouth.
Peter frowned. There was no merry playing or storytelling this night. The children were just tucked into bed and their mother turned down the lights.
Peter was about to leave his perch outside the window but paused. Acting on a new, unusual thought, he silently opened the window. Slowly he flew into the nursery. It was the first time he had been inside. He floated around the room, examining everything closely with curiosity. His tour ended when he hovered above the sleeping girl's bed.
He tilted his head first to the left, then to the right. He had never seen a girl so close before, for he had never brought a girl to Neverland. His eyes focused on the corner of her mouth she had brushed with her fingers before going to bed. For some unexplainable reason he slowly stretched his hand toward her face, but then snatched it away before touching her.
The girl stirred and sleepily opened her eyes and gazed right at him. Their eyes held for a calm moment before she gasped in surprise. Startled, Peter shot away from her quickly into a corner of the ceiling. She sat up, and they both watched the other in wonder. The spell was broken by Nana's bark, and Peter turned his attention to the dog that had gotten out of her house.
Frightened, Peter flew out of the window but was pulled back as his shadow was caught by Nana. He landed on the window sill, and for a moment it looked like he had no way of escape, but the large window came down, shutting loudly. The boy and his shadow were separated. Now he could flee.
As he and Tinkerbell sped towards Neverland, the fairy scolded him for daring to enter the house and almost getting caught. But Peter barely heard, and instead thought of the little girl who had looked at him with such wide blue eyes.
THE END