To Neverland

Chapter 1: Wendy's Angry Mind Set

Chapter 1

     As Wendy Darling made her way home from school that afternoon, she was feeling a little bit more angry than usual.  Her teacher, Ms. Fulsom, had caught her once again drawing pictures of the stars during writing class.  Ms. Fulsom was really Mrs. Fulsom, but Wendy Darling refused to believe it.  How could any gentleman in their right mind marry Ms. Fulsom?  She was quite horrible to be around to say the least.  

     She kicked a stray pebble in the street, watching as it bounced along the cobblestone.  Wendy glanced up at the sky.  Dark storm clouds were rolling in, like smoke from the barrel of a cannon.  Wendy reminded herself to try and replicate the pattern once she returned home.  

"Hey!  Why don't you come over here?  Join the party!"  Wendy looked to see the young town drunks calling to her from their places on some wooden crates.  They were a young group of boys, ranging in age from 17-22, Wendy guessed.  A few whistles rang in the air.  Ugh.  How repulsive.  Wendy thought picking up a nice size rock off the ground.  

     Now see if Wendy hadn't been able to sleep that night she wouldn't have checked the window to look up at the stars.  And if she hadn't looked up at the stars, she wouldn't have tried to replicate them in writing class.  And if she hadn't tried to draw them in writing class, Ms. Fulsom wouldn't have caught her and set Wendy in quite an angry mind set that day.  Who knows if Wendy would've thrown that rock at the group of drunks if she hadn't been in that angry mind set.  But it all had happened, and now she found herself here.  Being chased by the young town drunks.  

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     Right at the shoe shoppe, left at the barber shoppe, around the back of the stable, and down the narrow alley next to the book store that Wendy quite often visited.  

     Wendy glanced back to see the group of boys-who-thought-they-were-men, slowly getting farther away.  That was until...

"Watch where you're going!"  While she had glanced back, she had clumsily ran into a young boy, slightly older than she.  It wasn't her fault, this alley was usually empty.

"Oh great, now they're going to catch me!  Thanks a lot!"  Wendy replied checking to see if she might still have a chance to get away.  She might of not answered so rudely to the boy if she wasn't in that angry mood, along with being chased by the young drunks.  It wasn't like his answer had exactly been pleasant.  

"Thought you could get away Missy?"  The drunkest of them all asked grabbing her shoulder.  I have several times.  Not that you would remember.  Wendy thought.  "Thanks a lot young man.  If you ever need a drink just come find us!"  They all broke into a loud fit of laughs.  Wendy could smell the alcohol on his breath.  

"I'm alright."  The boy answered turning to walk away.

"Aren't you going to help me?"  He hadn't even asked!

"Why?"  He genuinely looked like he didn't have a clue.  The drunks started on another string of cackling laughs.  Wendy took this as her chance.  Wendy knew from first hand experience that laughter could be the greatest weakness of all.  She darted out of grip she was held in and continued running down the alley.  The bottom of her white uniform had become splattered with dirty water from all the puddles she had ran through. 

     Her sketch book fell out of the pocket of her navy dress coat.  

"Oh!"  She would have to leave it.  Wendy's aunt would probably make her throw it away anyhow, once she received the letter from Ms. Fulsom about her behavior in writing class.  

     Around another corner, pass the ice cream shoppe, into the main square... Wendy spotted a carriage crossing her path.  Hook Investments was neatly painted on the side.  I'm sure they wouldn't mind if Wendy caught a ride.  Without hesitation, Wendy hopped onto the side, clinging to the golden handle.  Almost out of sight... The window slid open. 

"Seeing as if you have already decided to catch a ride, would you like to come in?"  The young man looked no older than 21.  Wendy was cautious, and considered declining.  But if she declined he'd probably force her to jump off.  And seeing as the few lost drunks were almost in eye sight still looking around for her, she nodded her head.  

"Slow down the carriage a bit!"  The man called to the driver.  After the carriage had slowed down, it was much easier for Wendy to pull open the door enough for her to slide in.  

"Thank you,"  She replied politely straightening her dress and she sat down on the plush seat.

"Your welcome.  What is your name?"  Normally, Wendy would of told a little lie.  She was quite good at it too.  But seeing as this man had just saved her, she only felt responsible to tell him the truth.

"Wendy, Wendy Darling."  There.  Now she wouldn't feel guilty about lying to him if she ever had to again.

"Darling, as in George Darling?"  He questioned.  I guess Wendy would feel guilty about lying to him as long as she was still in his carriage...

"Yes.  He's my father."  The man smiled brightly.

"Yes, he is a banker, correct?"  

How did this man know so much about her father?  She nodded.  

"I've seen him many times.  Whenever I have a business deal to look over down there."  He glanced out the window.  "Oh, where would you like me to drop you off?"  She better not direct him straight to her home.  This was a lie she would not feel guilty about.  

"Just off of Weston Street."  She answered.  Wendy's home was only a few blocks for that.  She could make the walk easily and in good time so her mother wouldn't question her whereabouts.

     After a few short minutes they arrived at the corner.

"Here you are,"  He opened the door for her.  Wendy nodded in thanks climbing out.  

"You never told me your name sir."  She pointed out turning to him before he shut the door.

"Andrew.  Andrew Hook."  He replied before closing the door.