Page 105 of Lost in the Never Woods

Wendy shoved his face. “You—!”

Peter caught her hand and stood up. He scooped her into his arms and spun her around in the air. Wendy gripped his shoulders, scared that she might fall, but then Peter was kissing her and all she could do was melt into it.

Shaky laughs shook through her tears. She wrapped her arms around his neck, savoring the tightness of his arms around her waist, the warmth of his skin, and the softness of his lips.

Peter leaned his forehead against hers. “Hey, no explosion this time,” he said quietly. His wide smile was unabashed and cut deep dimples into his cheeks.

Wendy grinned. “So help me, Peter Pan,” she said, gently shaking her head, “if you start this whole thing all over again, I will kill you myself.”

He laughed and it sounded like music. “Noted,” he said.

They landed on solid ground. When Peter leaned back to look her in the face, it was hard not to chase after him, to burrow back into his warmth.

“You did it!” Peter beamed.

Wendy could only nod and laugh, rubbing her blurry eyes with the heel of her palm.

Peter’s head tipped to the side. “But how?”

Sniffling, her shoulders bunched up in a shrug. “It tried to take you—”

“Wendy?” The quiet, trembling voice came from behind her.

Alex stood there, knees wobbling under the hem of his hoodie. His fists, knotted into the long sleeves, covered his mouth as he stared up at Wendy with worried brown eyes. Behind him, Matthew and Joel still huddled close, their heads swiveling as they looked around the clearing. Ashley stood erect and tense, the muscles in her throat taut. Off to the side, Benjamin openly gaped at Peter.

“It tried to take you,” Wendy repeated, “but we didn’t let it.”

“Are you all right?” Matthew asked, worry pinching his expression.

Wendy nodded, a relieved laugh escaping her.

Peter stooped down in front of Alex. “Everything is all right!” he said cheerily, placing a hand on the boy’s small shoulder. “You were incredibly brave,” he said, beaming at each of them in turn. “That shadow didn’t stand a chance!”

“Is it going to come back?” Ashley asked, her voice tight.

Peter stood, his fists resting on his hips. Automatically, Wendy’s eyes went to the ground beneath Peter—but, of course, it was nighttime and they were standing in the middle of the woods. There wasn’t enough light to check for his shadow. Wendy’s stomach gave an uneasy twist, but Peter’s expression was confident.

“After what you did to it?” He waved a hand dismissively. “That shadow is too cowardly to try messing with you again.”

The air shifted, the tension easing with relieved sighs and slumping shoulders.

Benjamin, however, still had the same bug-eyed look of astonishment on his face as he stared at Peter.

“Ben—?”

“Are you Peter Pan?” he blurted out.

Wendy froze. She looked at Peter.

“Who?” He glanced around, pointing a finger at himself. “Me?” His head tipped back and he let out a sharp laugh. “Of course not!” Slowly, he lifted off the ground, hovering in mid-air. Hands on his hips, head cocked, and eyebrows raised. “Everyone knows fairy tales aren’t real.”

Benjamin stumbled back, eyes bulging.

Sounds of shock and amazement went through the group. Their faces lit up with smiles.

Peter threw Wendy a wink. A slow smile curved her lips.

“Hello?” A distant voice rang out, causing everyone to jump. Alex was suddenly latched to Wendy’s leg.