Back to Neverland

Chapter 5 ✧

Chapter 5 ✧

"You know, I feel like such a creep hiding behind these bushes."

I know the fairy must be rolling its eyes at me right now. I know I would. But nonetheless, I continued my ramble. "It's like I'm stalking my own cousin, which is kind of gross because, well, he's my cousin."

I watched Mark pace back and forth, as though he couldn't keep still. Thanks to the cloudless night sky, the moon provided enough light for me to see my cousin display his anxiety.

The ringing of a phone pierced through the silence of the night, and I saw Mark take out his cellular phone.

"What took you so long?" Annoyance was clear in his voice, but I could hear the slight relief underneath that annoyance.

Mark had stopped his pacing and he now faced me. I held my breath, thinking that I've been busted, only to realize that Mark was just staring at nothing in particular.

"You know, Mark, I don't think that's the proper greeting to give when speaking with an old friend."

I saw my cousin roll his eyes at that, and I realized that I was now hearing the same voice I heard this morning --- the voice that belonged to Curly.

"By the way, am I on speakerphone? I could hear my voice echoing."

"Yes, Curly, you are on speakerphone. I always put you on speakerphone."

"Why?"

"Because I'm too lazy to hold my phone."

"What if somebody hears you? Or worse, what if Wendy hears you?"

"She won't hear me, Curly. Whenever I talk to you, I make sure I'm alone." That plan ain't working well for you, bud.

"If you say so..."

"On a more important note, what's this big news that just couldn't wait?"

"Oh, yeah. I almost forgot. Great news, Slightly. He found a way back to Neverland."

My breath hitched in my throat as I heard that. Neverland. Why did that name sound so familiar?

I saw Mark pause, as though he couldn't quite believe what he was hearing. "He... did?"

"Yes."

"But... how?" Mark exclaimed, running a hand through his hair. "I thought it was impossible without any fairy dust."

At the mention of "fairy dust", I found myself looking at the creature beside me, observing the glitters of gold falling from it. Could that be the "fairy dust" they were talking about?

"Did you bring your hat?"

Mark immediately rummaged through his coat, and produced a hat that looked terribly old and worn-out. The image of the boy from my daydream during lunchtime flashed before my eyes, and I saw the same hat on his head.

Could it be...?

"Yes, I have the hat with me." Mark replied. He was looking at the hat fondly, as though it held very precious memories.

"Good. Because you'll need it in order to go back."

"When exactly are we going back?"

"Today. Or wait, it's night there. Ugh, this time difference is confusing."

Mark ignored the side comments his friend made. "W-what?"

"We're going back now. He said so."