Second Star to the Right

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fourteen

Somebody threw a rock at my head. Then another one and another.

"I'm awake, I'm awake," I mumbled.

I rolled over, thinking about the weirdest dream I had. A flying boy named Peter Pan had taken me to a place called Neverland. I sat up and looked around.

It wasn't a dream. I grinned and got up, sliding my sword into my belt loop again. I felt my hair and realized it was a rat's nest.

"Anyone have a brush?" I mumbled.

Tootles chucked a shell with slits in it at me.

"Peter made it for you this morning," he teased. I raised my eyebrows and he sighed. "Fine, Tiger Lily gave it to us."

"Tiger Lily?" I said as I ran it through my hair.

"Yeah," Tootles nodded. "The Indian princess. Berries?"

He held out berries to me. Peter came flying through the passage and slapped then out of Tootles hand.

"Poison berries for breakfast, I see?" he asked, glaring at Tootles.

Tootles blushed and slunk to the back of the room. I set down the shell and pulled my hair into another sloppy bun, just like yesterdays.

"Your hair is very long," Curly noticed.

I nodded.

"Why don't you cut it?" he asked.

"I don't know," I admitted. "It does get in the way sometimes."

Peter flew around the room aimlessly. I got the feeling he was waiting for me.

"Going somewhere?" I asked him.

"We're going somewhere," he said impatiently.

"Pay up," One said to Slightly. "I knew he would take her somewhere."

Peter and I simultaneously shot One and Slightly a death stare and they shrunk into the corner. Peter handed me a bow and quiver full of arrows. I took them, but looked at him weird.

"You might need it," he explained and I shook my head.

"No way, you saw my shooting," I half laughed and set them down. "Not a chance."

"Fair point, you're pretty awful at archery," Peter cackled and I crinkled my nose at him. "Ready to go?"

"Sure," I shrugged and we flew out the doorway.

Once we were out in the open air, I turned to Peter.

"So, where are we going?" I asked.

"To get breakfast."

I was confused, but followed him through the forest. Eventually, we stopped in a clump of trees. There were long green vines hanging off of them. Each one was coated with huge different colored flowers. Peter grabbed a flower and bit into the petal. He motioned for me to do the same and I picked a purple one. Hesitantly, I took a bite.

It was honestly the most amazing thing I'd ever tasted. Even better than apples. It tasted juicy and fresh. I couldn't name the taste, but it was sweeter than candy. I finished it and was surprised to find myself full.

"Vine flowers," Peter grinned. "The best stuff on Neverland."

"Agreed," I nodded. "What else is there here?"

"Mermaids," Peter said.

"Really?"

"They're not the sweet creatures you read about," he warned. "They're over in Mermaid Lagoon, I'll show you them."