Wendy wakes to smothering darkness. Something is wrong. The window is open. Frigid wind and snow are blowing in. That's not it. Apart from her the room she shares with her two brothers feels empty. With hands shaking from the cold Wendy clumsily lights the lantern resting on her bedside table and waves it over their beds. They are gone.

Suddenly the room doesn't feel so empty. The air around her grows oppressive. Someone, something is sitting on the window ledge. A boy not more than a few years older than her. A living shadow dressed entirely in black. Wendy opens her mouth to scream but in an instant he is upon her. One dirty hand over her mouth. The other holding a bone knife to her throat.

'Don't make me kill you!' He breathed, his breath was foul.

'Just listen and then tell me what I want to hear.' Silently Wendy nodded.

'I've taken your precious brothers to Neverland. If you ever want to see them alive again come back with me. Be my bride!'

At that moment Nana burst into the room. A warning growl trickling from her throat, thick like honey. In an almost blurred instant the intruder was atop the dog. Plunging the blade into her heart. Before Wendy could even gasp his hand was back over her mouth.

'See how serious I am? Your entire family will share that mutt's fate if you deny me. So what is your answer?'

'Yes,' Wendy whispered as he removed his dirty hand once more.

'But I'll always despise you!'

'I don't care.' He snarled.