When Stars Fall

Chapter 28 - The Last Wish

Along with a deep groan, Peter's eyelids fluttered. Dust and ash hung in the air, making his eyes burn, so he rubbed his hand over them to clear his blurred vision. Pain throbbed in his body, and his head throbbed horribly. As he stirred, metal clanged beside him, drawing his gaze to little fragments. The fairy blade and the star were broken - both shattered like glass and nothing more than the saber's handle was left.

The sound of a sob made Peter look up, and he spotted Smee in front of the pile of rubble, with only a tiny, red scrap of Hook's cloak peeking out from underneath.

"I'm sorry, Captain..." He rolled aside one of the small and angular rocks and sobbed quietly.

Peter had never felt anything like pity for pirates. At that moment, however, he felt a rock in his stomach. Not because of Hook - this would never happen! -but because of the boatman, the only one on the Jolly Roger who had not been a ruthless killer.
"I'm... sorry."

The tears had left marks in the dirt on the man's skin, making him look even more pathetic. Then he slowly shook his head.
"That wasn't my captain anymore..." he murmured huskily. "I wished for him to see the beauty of Neverland... but he didn't even look up once..." whispered Smee.
"Wasn't my captain... Smee had to do it..." A stone clacked as he pulled it away.
"You gotta go, Pan," Smee continued to mutter, nodding toward the abyss. "A star doesn't belong in the darkness..."

Peter looked to the edge of the stone where the abyss lurked. Smee was right, but he was afraid of what he would see or find, and Peter wasn't sure he could bear the sight of Sitara's shattered body. His heart beat painfully and restlessly in his chest. Was there any hope? Any that she could have survived?

Hesitantly, Peter stepped to the edge of the precipice. Below him, the dark maw opened up, and the water rumbled like a beast. Was that a glow down there? Peter squinted his eyes tighter and leaned forward a little.
Could it be true? Could it be Sitara? Or...
'If it were another star... I might be able to save her!' thought Peter, and the thought flooded his body like tingling sparks with fresh hope. A new rumble shook the grave as if to urge him to haste along with the wild pounding in his chest.

"Wait for me," Peter said softly as he stepped firmly to the edge and closed his eyes. "I'm coming, Sitara. I won't let you down, and I'll find a way to save Neverland and you."

Peter held on to this hopeful thought as he spread his arms and let himself fall forward as if jumping into a clear body of water instead of the lurking depths.

☆

Rocks, vines, and flowers passed him in a blur of colorful hues. Peter was falling numerous meters and feeling the cold wind on his face. His wild hair fluttered around his severe features, while his thoughts were the sole of his star and goal.

Lower and lower, his body fell until the damp mist of the waterfall rose to his face and engulfed him like a sea of its own. The surge crashed over him, and Peter slowed his fall. He trundled down a few more feet, it took longer than usual, but then he caught himself and spiraled downward. It should be dark here, and Peter wouldn't have been surprised if he hadn't recognized a hand before his eyes.

Instead, his eyes widened in wonder as a giant crystal took up the cave's center. Like a beautiful finger of delicate glass, the stalagmite stretched from there toward the sky, catching the light and giving it a soft glow to the surrounding area. So Peter could intercept and brake the further fall just in time when a water surface appeared below him abruptly. Peter shot past above the water, spun in the air, and began a new swoop.