Captain's Captive

Off to Neverland

"Now Wendy, dear, do make sure your brothers are in bed by eight. Your father and I will be home before midnight." Mrs. Darling's gentle voice carried across the hall to the staircase where her three children stood.

Michael, the youngest of the three, was but five with shaggy brown hair and curious blue eyes. His little round face wrinkled with displeasure as he crossed his arms over his chest in protest.

"Why does Wendy get to be the boss?" He grumbled, glancing up at his older brother with a frown.

"Indeed. Really, mother, a girl telling us what to do." John sniffed, turning his nose up at the idea. At twelve, John considered himself to be rather capable, despite his tall and lanky appearance. His dark hair was always well kept, his round spectacles appearing to  enlarge his hazel eyes.

Mrs. Darling shook a dainty finger at the two boys. "Now boys, Wendy is perfectly capable of seeing to things. And besides, she's hardly a girl. Why, your sister is nearly a woman grown. Soon she will be off to start a family of her own."

Her gaze turned with gentle pride to her eldest child, wrapping the girl in a hug. At eighteen, Wendy Darling clearly favored her mother; slender curves, dark blonde curls that spiraled to her shoulders, and deep blue eyes. To any outsider, they could easily have been sisters.

"I'll see them to bed, mother. Have a wonderful evening with father. Do say hello to the Chapmans for me." Wendy returned her mother's hug as her father emerged from the study, offering his arm to his wife.

"Remember to lock the doors, Wendy." He reminded her with a gentle pat on the head, as he had so often done when she was a small child.

Securing the lock behind their parents, Wendy turned from the door to where her two younger brothers still stood in protest. "Alright you two, time to head upstairs. I'll tell you a story before bed."

Their sour mood was forgotten in an instant as both their faces lit up with excitement. "Tell us one about Peter Pan!" Michael exclaimed, glancing over his shoulder as she shooed them up the stairs.

"Oh, yes. Tell us one where he defeats the dastardly Captain Hook!" John added, thrusting an invisible sword in front of him for emphasis.

Wendy laughed, pushing the door of the nursery open and moving to fill the wash basin with water. "Very well, but first wash up."

The boys groaned but hesitantly obeyed, quickly scrubbing their faces before pulling on their pajamas. Once they were tucked securely into bed, Wendy moved to the rocking chair in the corner of the nursery.

"Now then...how about the time Peter Pan fought Captain Hook and cut off his hand?" She asked the boys with a grin, letting their excitement settle before she began the tale.

Half-way through the tale Wendy paused abruptly, the flitter of a shadow across the nursery wall catching her attention and drawing her eyes to the window.

"Oh Wendy, don't stop now. It was just getting to the best part." Michael complained, not seemingly phased at all by whatever had diverted her attention.

Wendy rose to inspect the window, but found it secured and no sign of movement beyond it. "Must have been the wind." She mumbled to herself, turning her attention back to her brothers. "I think that's enough for one night. It's getting late, and mother will be cross with me if I keep you up." Moving to Michael's bed, she pulled the blankets up over him and kissed his forehead.

"Wendy? Is it true what mother said? Are you really going to leave us for a new family?" John asked as he sat up to look at her, worry etched across his young face.