NEVERLAND [discontinued]

Fae Hollow

Chapter 9: Fae Hollow

        John was a coward, and he was running.

        Branches whipped out clawing at him while he sped away from the riverbank and away from this horrid nightmare, away from everything he had never wanted.

        Tears sped down his face as he passed the familiar landmarks of their golden days and the new ones recently made; the hollow tree, wooden bridge, the grave of his dear, dead brother.

        Why was this happening to them? Why had Wendy chosen to tempt fate?

        Of all things to do, why consume the magic of Neverland?

        It was clear that there was only one thing left to do.

        He had to meet the fae.

        ---

        The moment John reached the Hollow, he bowed, knowing he had to be polite.

        Several moments later, the tinkling of bells sounded and he knew to look up.

        "I'm sure we are both suffering equally from Wendy," John began, "and that is why I am here. Please, I beg you, to just answer these few questions." A quick glance assured him that they were listening, and hopefully, willing to help. "Who is Tinkerbell? Who was Peter's lost love? What has Wendy been doing that hurts Neverland so? How can we stop her?"

        When he stopped to take a breath, a golden fae fluttered before him, emitting a blinding flash of light before he saw a woman in place.

        Warily eying the floating locks of gold surrounding her face, John bowed again, assuming she was the Queen of Fae.

        "I humbly ask you to help me, as the last of the Lost Boy tribe."

        Without words, she tilted his head upwards, planting a kiss upon his forehead before he staggered in betrayal.

        Looking up with anger and the acceptance that he would die, John was surprised to hear her gentle voice speak.

        "Well... John Darling. Perhaps what is best would be for you to meet Tinkerbell."

        It was with that that John gave in, collapsing under a kaleidoscope of color.