Chapter 9

The rest of the day was spent stocking up on wild fruits for meals. Isabel insisted that it was necessary, and I didn't want to argue with her after what had happened this morning. I could tell she was still a bit rattled from the battle. She kept looking over her shoulder and jumping at every sound.

That evening, we sat at the table in the Burrow, eating a few of the fruits we had found in silence, both deep in thought. I was thinking about what Hook could be up to and what he was after today, and Isabel was thinking about…whatever Isabel was thinking about. I wasn't sure.

I noticed her staring at me. "What are you thinking about?" I asked.

For a moment, she didn't say anything, and I wondered if she was going to reply at all. Then she said, "Peter, who is Wendy Darling?"

I stared at her, stunned. She had a bit of a frown on her face, like this question had been troubling her all day. "Where did you hear that name?" I hissed, sitting up straighter.

"Captain Hook said that she might be the reason why you seem troubled," she replied.

"Don't ever believe anything he says," I said shortly, hoping she would let the subject go.

So Hook had told her about Wendy. I wondered how much she now knew.

"But who is she?" Isabel asked, not allowing me to change the subject.

I stared at the table for a minute. "She came to Neverland years ago with her brothers Michael and John." I shrugged nonchalantly. "She left a few weeks after she came and I never saw her again."

"Hook said she took your Lost Boys. Who are they?"

"Were," I corrected. "Wendy took them home with her to grow up." I sighed. "They were all children who ran away. If they weren't claimed in seven days, I brought them here." I looked around the table. "There were six of them. Slightly was the first to come, and he was my second-in-command. He used to sit here." I put my hand on the chair directly to my right. "Nibbs came next. He planned out all the battles. He sat here." I pointed to the chair to my left. "Then the twins came. They sat there." I pointed to the next two chairs on the right of the table. "Curley sat next to Nibbs, and Tootles, the last Lost Boy, sat next to Curley." I smiled at the memories. "John and Michael sat on your left and right, and Wendy sat where you are now. Wendy was the Lost Boys' mother, and I was their father. She used to tell them all sorts of stories, like Cinderella, Snow White, and Sleeping Beauty."

"Why did she leave?" Isabel asked.

My face fell. "She wanted to grow up. She wanted me to go with her and grow up too." I stood, my head high. "But I will never grow up. No one can make me." In my mind, I saw her leaving me again and again like a broken record.

Isabel nodded her understanding and looked down at her hands.

"What about your family?" I asked, trying to distract myself from the painful memories. "What are they like?"

Isabel met my eyes. "My mother was the most beautiful person I knew. She used to tell me stories and read books to me all the time. I loved her very much." She looked down at her hands again, and continued softly. "She died when I was seven. She had been sick for a while, so it was only a matter of time before she left us." She paused. "Then there's my brother, Stephan. He's twenty three, married, and has a son. My brother is always there for me whenever I need him. His wife is too. And their son is the most adorable little boy I've ever known." She shook her head, smiling sadly. "He's so lucky to have a father like Stephan."

"Why?" I couldn't help but ask.

"My father is horrible. He drinks too much, and will disappear for days at a time. He spends more money on alcohol than food, but complains when there's nothing to eat. To be honest, he terrifies me." Isabel put her heels up on the edge of the chair and hugged her knees to her chest.

I remembered when I first met Isabel. She had told me to be very quiet because her father might hear. And, when he did, he knocked on the door, yelling at us to be quiet. I remember seeing the fear in her eyes and wondering why she was so scared.

"They're probably wondering where I am," Isabel said softly, her voice breaking through my thoughts. "Especially Stephan. He likes to know where I am."

"Maybe we should pay them a visit then…" I replied, walking over to Tinkerbell's home, which was little more than a hole in the wall with a few leaves covering the entrance. I peeked in. Tinkerbell lay on a tiny bed of leaves, asleep. I was happy to see that her normal sparkle was returning. She'd probably be up tomorrow, flying around with us.

"Oh, Peter, could we visit?" Isabel said excitedly, standing and coming over beside me.

"Sure," I replied, turning to face her. She was smiling again, and her eyes glowed with happiness. "We can go tomorrow. Just remember: time isn't measured here. I don't know how many days will have passed in Earth's time."

Isabel nodded enthusiastically. "I'll remember," she promised.

I smiled back, and Isabel yawned.

Isabel's yawn was contagious. "It's been a long day," I said softly, then yawned deeply.

"Mmm…I'm ready to sleep. You?" Isabel replied.

"Yes, me too."

"You take the bed tonight. I can sleep on the floor."

"No." I shook my head. "You can sleep there again. I was fine."

"Nonsense, I saw how stiff you were. Now it's my turn."

"If you insist…"I replied hesitantly.

She nodded, yawning again. She blew out all but one of the table's candles, then settled herself on the floor next to the bed. She folded her arms to create a pillow for her head.

I lay down on the bed, staring up at the ceiling.

"Goodnight, Peter," Isabel whispered. I heard her yawn again.

"Goodnight, Isabel."

We were both asleep within a few minutes.