Giving Fantasia: The Taking Fantasia Sequel

Chapter 99: Our F***ing Lives

Chapter 99: Our F***ing Lives

Wendy heard the quarreling. Actually, she heard Jim's uncouth language and assumed the worst. Jim never swore at Ariel. He hardly swore in her presence. Wendy was the only female member privy to that pleasure. 

Whatever they were arguing about, it must be awful. Wendy couldn't imagine.

And she didn't try. Bunny's accusations were so harrowing, Wendy couldn't stop thinking of anything else. Every inadvertent crime replayed over and over without resolution. Every unhappy thought was followed by Tooth's petrifying suggestion – that Pitch Black was controlling her mind. 

But most unbearable of all, was Peter. Peter was lost to the shadows. She couldn't save him. Peter was –

Wendy covered her eyes. Tears leaked between her fingers. She tried to stop crying, but everything inside her was hurting.

"Stubborn...selfish....Peter." Wendy removed her bowler. Propping it upside-down on her knees, she buried her face inside. Shoulders shaking, she silently filled the hat with tears.

Someone touched her back.

"Hey. It's okay."

Wendy jumped. Tooth smiled as she straightened, cheeks shinning and nose red. Wendy spluttered something apologetic that Tooth presumed was a blanket statement – Wendy was sorry for what she'd done, sorry that Sandman was gone, sorry that she was a shadow worker, and sorry that Tooth caught her crying.

"Oh. Don't worry. It's okay." Tooth settled. "Really. You – "

Wendy recoiled as Tooth sat.

Tooth's heart broke. Wendy was afraid of her. It was dismaying, especially for Tooth. True, the guardians had been harsh with Wendy. Sandman's death was devastating, and they were worried Wendy was unwittingly involved. 

Regardless, Tooth, North, Sandman (and even Bunny) were samaritans. They loved kids – even the grown up ones. Grownups needed childhood magic – especially when they were afraid.

Tooth smiled. Gingerly, she touched Wendy's shoulder.

"Those boys didn't mean it. You know?" Tooth rubbed. "They're blunt. That's just the way they are. Sometimes it's hard being a girl. You think with your head and your heart. And sometimes...the two don't agree."

Tooth gave a kind pat, pat, pat .

"Bunny and North were just upset. They didn't mean that you were a bad guardian."

Bunny's oversized ears twitched from where he was eavesdropping.

"Yes." he corrected derisively. "We did!"

"Bunny!" Tooth turned on a hip. "Why don't you shut your oversized incisors and --"

Tooth stopped. Wendy was crying. Reprimand cut short, Tooth consoled her.

"Don't listen to Bunny. He's--" 

"He's right." Wendy swallowed. "He's -- right. If it hadn't been for me then Sandman -- Peter ---"

Tooth didn't know what to say. Wendy was inconsolable. Luckily, her mini-fairies flew to the rescue. Eager to help, they snuggled Wendy wherever they could perch – knees, wrists, nose, and hair. 

"Awwww look," Tooth pointed encouragingly. "Fairy time!"

Wendy wiped her eyes. A mini-fairy accidentally slid down her skirt. It squeaked.  Wendy cupped the feathery little rainbow in her palm – it cooed as she stroked.