Forever Land

Part 9

Bella waited until that evening to approach Wendi. It was the time of day that there was the least amount of activity on the island. Most of the kids had finished their games for the day and were shuffling in for supper. She had noticed that most nights after eating, Wendi would hike down to the stream to wash up. It was the perfect, and possibly only, opportunity to talk to her alone. She certainly didn't want Peter anywhere near-bye for this.

She sat out away from the main bulk of people where she could have a good view of everyone. A part of her hoped that someone would notice and invite her to join them, just like she had hoped every night since Wendi's presence had banished her from Peter's side, but they wouldn't. Bella wasn't going to kid herself into thinking they actually liked her.

Besides, she reminded herself, I don't want them to notice me tonight anyways.

When Wendi finally excused herself from the rowdy table, from Bella's seat, Bella waited a few moments before following. When they were a fair distance away she picked up her pace until she had caught up.

"Wendi! Hey Wendi." She called in what she hoped was a friendly tone.

Wendi paused and looked at her quizzically.

Bella quickly schooled her features into her best happy face. "Can I come with you. I hate walking alone after dark."

Wendi smiled sweetly, "Of course, I hate walking alone to. I just hate greasy fingers more." She giggled a bit.

Bella forced herself to laugh along, though she didn't sound nearly so pleasant. A scowl fought to make it's way to her face but she fought if off.

"Are you Bella?" Wendi asked tentatively.

A forced smile and nod.

A bright grin lit her face. "Oh good. I thought that was you but I couldn't be sure seeing as how we've never been introduced. I've seen you around though, and of course Peter's told me all about you so I already feel like I know you." She paused to catch her breath. "Oh I'm talking fast." She flushed with embarrassment and added slower, "I wanted to meet you but you never seemed to be around."

"Yea," Bella mumbled, "Busy."

"Well now that I've met you I'm sure we're going to be friends."

On impulse she leaned forward and hugged Bella, who instantly went rigid with shock and more than a little terror.

"Sorry," Wendi murmured, when she sensed Bella's panic.

They finished the walk in silence, both in thought. Near a curve in the stream that ran clean and shallow, they knelt to wash their hands. Bella shuddered when the cold water nipped her arms. She gave her hands a brisk scrub to keep up appearances then retreated to dryer ground wiping her hands on her likely dirty pants.

Wendi seemed un-bothered by the chill, however, and took her time diligently washing her arms and face. Bella waited until Wendi started to dry off with a small cloth she hadn't noticed before to begin the next part of her plan; giving Wendi a reason to want to go where she shouldn't.

"I heard you've been asking around about Rufio." She said as casually as she could manage, "You should be more careful. That's quit the touchy subject and Peter can have an awful temper with people who ask the wrong questions."

"What do you mean?" Wendi had baffled look on her face.

Bella wanted to grin. This was going to be easier then she thought.

She explained. "Rufio's loss was a tragic event. There aren't to many kids who know about it these days. Peter's not one for dwelling on the past. He figures as soon as someone's gone theirs no reason giving them any more thought." She lied.

The truth was that Rufio's death had devastated Peter. It had taken years before he could even mention Rufio's name without breaking down. But that wasn't going to get Bella to Pirate's Cove.

"That's not how he seemed when he first mentioned Rufio." Wendi said with delicate confusion.

Bella chuckled emotionlessly, "Yes well, he is quit the actor. The truth is, Peter's more embarrassed about how Rufio was lost than anything."

A real tear rolled down her cheek. So much thinking about her old friend was turning out to be harder than she thought.

"What happened," Wendi pleaded, "I really want to know."

Bella popped back into character, glancing around conspiratorially, "Not now. Someone might overhear us. Meet me hear at dawn tomorrow and I'll tell you anything you want to know about Rufio."

Wendi was a little hesitant but curiosity won in the end. A hint of guilt pinched at Bella, but she shook it off. Together they made their way back to Hangman's Tree. The Found Children would be looking for Wendi soon to tell her bedtime story. Just as they were nearing the tree though, Wendi grabbed Bella's arm, pulling her to a stop.

"What will I tell Peter I'm doing?" She panicked.

"Tell him you want some time alone or something. I can't think of everything." Bella snapped.

Wendi gave her a look like a startled bird about to take flight. Swallowing her stressed induced anger Bella muttered an apology.

"I'm just tired. I get crabby when I'm tired," she excused.

The bluff seemed to work because Wendi hugged her gently. "Why don't you go to sleep and I'll see you bright and early. And don't worry. I'll think of something to tell Peter."

With that she made her way out of the undergrowth and headed to the entrance of the tree. Upon her entrance kids started calling out to her joyfully and sprinting ahead for a good seat. Guilt pinched at Bella's stomach, a little stronger this time.

Don't go weak now, she scolded herself, Not this close to fixing everything.

Resolved to her plan, she slunk out of hiding and headed in the direction of her little sleeping hollow.