Jody in Neverland

Chapter 14 - The Lagoon

The next day Peter and the lost children took Jody to the lagoon. A large rippling lake of turquoise blue, fish darted through the clear waters and the shallows were pink with flamingos, all standing on one leg. The children splashed in the water and played games on the beach. When they grew tired they lay out on the sand like a row of sardines and napped. When they awoke, they started all over again. Slightly did not often join in the frolicking on the beach, he preferred to climb up on some rocks and watch from his vantage point.

Later the children played hide and seek in the meadow, the grasses were so tall that it was easy to crouch down and hide amongst the waving stems. Jody loved the rhythmic whispering sounds as the grasses swayed back and forth in the breeze. The game lasted until it was becoming too dark to see and the remaining hidden children reluctantly emerged from the meadow.

Each day they did it all again, playing at the lagoon and in the meadows or in the woods. There were no grown ups to make them eat or wash or do chores or go to bed at any particular time. The only schedule they went by was the rising and setting of the sun and their rumbling stomachs. Jody had only been in Neverland for two days when she lost all sense of time. She honestly wasn't sure if she had been there two days or two months or a year.

On the fourth day the children trooped down to the lagoon as usual. Nibs decided to try and catch some fish for tea. He perched himself on a rock at the end of a rocky peninsula that jutted out into the water. Meanwhile, the other children played to their hearts content, running around the beach and then charging into the water to cool off. They never ventured too far out into the lagoon, staying instead in the shallower waters where they could still stand and splash about. After a series of races along the beach, the children had decided it was time for a nap. As usually they all laid out on the sand. However, Jody didn't feel sleepy. She looked around at the lost children who were already sound asleep and decided go for a swim whilst she waited for them to wake again.

The water was so warm it was like wading into a giant swimming pool and the sand was so soft under her feet. Soon Jody was swimming out into deeper waters towards the centre of the lagoon

Jody! shouted Peter running into the water. Come back now, you should never swim out in the lagoon. Its too dangerous. You'll disturb the mermaids

 I'd love to see a mermaid. Are there really mermaids here? exclaimed Jody

Yes there are replied Peter as he swam out towards Jody but they are dangerous. Never trust a mermaid

As if in response to this, three heads suddenly bobbed out of the water some distance a way. It was the mermaids.

Jody gazed at the mermaids, they were so beautiful but so sinister. Without even realising it she was beginning to swim towards them. They stretched out their arms to her. Although their lips were unmoving and silent, Jody could hear their voices in her head

Come to us Jody

Don't be afraid Jody

We will look after you Jody

My poor child, come to us

You wont hurt anymore

We will protect you

We will save you

Jody was so close to the mermaids that her outstretched hands were almost touching those of one of the mermaids. Then suddenly she felt a strong tug from behind and she was pulled back.

Jody, Jody! Snap out of it! We've got to get out of the water! Urged Peter

Jody was facing peter and she felt groggy and confused. She turned and saw the mermaids just a few metres away.

Peter swiftly pushed her behind him, so he was between Jody and the mermaids

Go he screamed

Suddenly Jody was shivering, cold and scared. She began to swim towards the shore, puffing and spluttering. She didn't dare to look back.

Finally she crawled out onto the sandy shore. Coughing and spluttering, swimming had never been her strong point. She sat on the sand trying to get her breath back. Peter was still in the water in a stand off with the mermaids. Then suddenly the mermaids turned away from him and disappeared under the water.

Peter soon emerged from the water and grinned as he walked towards Jody

That was fun! He beamed

Didn't seem fun to me. It was like I was in some kind of trance. They were in my head, drawing me to them.

That's what mermaids do. They try to lure you into the water. Killed many a sailor that way.

Lets go back to the treehouse. I don't like the lagoon said Jody shivering

There's one place I'd like to show you before we go back replied Peter Pan with an impish grin