The Jewel of Neverland

Chapter 8

I wandered towards camp where the bonfire had been hours before, and once again, there wasn't a single Lost Boy in sight. I didn't stick around to find out if anyone was going to come back. I left the camp quickly and headed for the forest.

I hadn't been walking long when Tinkerbell found me. I could see the relief in her bright eyes. Considering the darkness that had settled overhead Neverland, her skin glowed and the tip of her nose was reflected the stars. She looked so much like a fairy that I was surprised to question it earlier.

"Something's going on," she told me, looking anxious. "All of the Lost Boys ran off.  I've never heard them so excited. Do you have any idea what they're up to?"

"I have no idea," I answered nervously. "Pan won't tell me."

She sighed and rubbed her temples. "Well it doesn't matter anyways. I'm not getting involved."

"What?" I demanded. "You're not even going to help me find out what's going?"

"I can't," she snapped. "I'm not looking to have my shadow ripped away, Amy."

I tried a different approach. "Tink!" I whined. "Where's your sense of adventure?"

She laughed bitterly. "I lost that when I had my wings stripped away."

"So, you're not a fairy anymore," I asked softly. "What happened?"

"I'll always be a fairy." she said firmly. "Wings or no wings.  Now you should just go back to your camp. For your own good, just stay out of it."

I narrowed my eyes. "First off, it's not my camp. I'm still a prisoner here, whether Pan sees it that way or not. Second, I'm going to figure out what's happening with or without your help. And, if it's as bad as we both know it probably is, I'm going try and stop it. It's not like I have anything to lose."

She closed her eyes briefly. At first I thought it was because I had angered her. But once she opened them, all I could see was pity. I didn't want her pity. I wanted her help.

"Even if that's true," Tink said softly, "it would take you a few days, at the least, to get to where they're at."

"How did they get there so fast then?" I asked. "I saw Felix earlier." I paused and added reluctantly. "And I just saw Peter."

"Neverland is their home," she said darkly. "Peter doesn't want them to have any problems navigating the island."

Exasperated, I threw my hands up in the air. "What do you recommend I do then?"

Her eyes shifted around nervously. "Well . . . I do have some pixie dust left. I've been saving it but you could use a little bit."

My jaw dropped. "You mean fly there? By myself?"

"Yes," she said warily, looking as though she regretted bringing up the idea. "As long as you can manage to get there under about fifteen minutes without being seen or hurting yourself."

"Okay," I said hurriedly. "And I probably shouldn't mention that you gave it to me.  If they ask, I'll tell them that I mugged you and stole it."

She fought a smile, "Would they believe that?"

I shrugged. "Sure they will.  The Lost Boys don't rarely see girls.  They don't know what they're capable of.  They'll believe anything."

"Fair enough," Tink agreed, laughing. "Are you ready now?"

I nodded eagerly. "As I'll ever be."

She reached into a green pouch attached to her belt and pulled out a small vial.