Being friends with Jane Darling meant being privy to the most enchanting stories of Neverland. In the aftermath of war, when the world was grappling with uncertainty, tales of a boy who refused to grow up, who battled pirates, and befriended fairies were a delightful escape. Jane, ever enthusiastic, shared these stories with anyone willing to listen. While other children eventually tired of Peter Pan’s name, you remained captivated, eagerly hanging onto every word as she recounted daring escapades against Captain Hook and her own time as the first Lost Girl.
One late afternoon, as you and Jane walked home from school, her usual cheerfulness was especially bright, a constant since the war’s end. Your own spirits were less buoyant; the end of the school day only meant returning to the discord of your parents’ arguments. Peter Pan’s life seemed idyllic in comparison; if adulthood meant constant quarreling, you, too, wished to remain a child forever.
“Jane,” you began, kicking a small stone along the path, “do you think Peter Pan would ever take me on an adventure?” You were nearing the end of your street, the question bubbling up from a long-held dream.
Jane paused, tapping her chin thoughtfully. “I think Peter would absolutely adore to! If I ever see him again, I’ll tell him all about you. We could all go on adventures together!”
Though the thought of home still loomed, her words were like a spark of pixie dust. An adventure with Jane and the legendary Peter Pan? It was almost too wonderful to imagine, yet you held onto the hope that it might happen one day, before you were too old for Neverland’s magic.
After saying goodbye to Jane, you continued home alone. The idea of asking to stay at Jane’s flickered in your mind, but your parents would never allow it. Instead, you quietly slipped into your house, sneaking upstairs to avoid the latest parental dispute. Homework seemed like a reasonable shield against the tension downstairs.
Later that night, you nestled into bed. Tucked in by yourself, as was often the case in your preoccupied household, you clutched your favorite stuffed animal and let sleep pull you under. Finally, the house was quiet, peaceful…
Knock.
You burrowed deeper under the covers. It must be Mom, knocking on Dad’s door to make amends. Where were you in your dream? Ah, yes, Peter Pan…
KNOCK! KNOCK!
The knocking was insistent now, louder, pulling you from the edge of sleep. Annoyance mixed with confusion. Surely not Mom, unless a new argument was brewing. But no, the sound was coming from inside your room. From… the window?
You rushed to the window and threw it open, expecting to find a rogue tree branch, blamed as always on the wind. But the night was still, no wind at all. London was tranquil, bathed in soft moonlight. Now that the city was safe from wartime threats, a sense of warmth and security had settled over everything. You wondered if others felt it too.
“(Y/n)! Hurry!” A familiar voice whispered urgently. Leaning further out, you saw Jane Darling perched on the roof. How she got there, what was happening, remained a mystery, but one thing was clear: adventure was calling.
Without hesitation, you climbed over the windowsill, leaving it open behind you. Your parents likely wouldn’t even notice you gone. They had bigger battles to fight.
Carefully, you made your way onto the roof, mindful of the drop. “Jane, how did you even get up here? You didn’t climb, did you?”
She grinned, taking your hand. “Faith, trust, and a little bit of pixie dust!”
Before you could ask another question, she lifted into the air, pulling you with her. She released your hand, twirling in mid-air, showcasing her newfound ability to fly. Excitement bubbled up inside you. This meant…
“You must be (Y/n), it’s wonderful to finally meet you! Jane has told me so much!” Peter Pan sprang up from behind you, startling you. He laughed at your jump and joined Jane in the moonlit sky.
“Tink! We need a bit more pixie dust!” Peter called.
A tiny fairy, Tinker Bell, fluttered around you, sprinkling shimmering dust, her bells jingling merrily. You giggled, waving to her as she zipped back to Peter’s side.
Taking each of your hands, Jane and Peter led you into the night sky. “Second star to the right, and straight on ‘til morning!” Peter announced, and you were soaring towards Neverland, just like in Jane’s stories. Except, this time, it wasn’t a story anymore.
The landing in Neverland was bumpier than expected, mostly because the moment you entered the mystical realm, Captain Hook and his pirate crew began firing at you from below.
Jane rolled her eyes, a hint of exasperation in her voice as you landed clumsily in a tall tree. “Those pirates never give up, do they?”
Peter hopped down from a branch, landing lightly on his feet. “Eh, let them have their fun,” he dismissed the pirates with a wave of his hand, already launching into plans for the adventures that awaited you both.
You tried to focus on Peter, but Neverland was a sensory explosion. It was even more breathtaking than Jane had described. Squinting, you were almost certain you could glimpse the Mermaid Lagoon from your perch in the tree.
When your attention finally returned to your companions, you realized Jane and Peter had wandered off, leaving you momentarily alone. “Oh well!” you thought, “Time for a little exploring.” The island didn’t seem that large. If they needed you, they could surely find you. And you really wanted to see that mermaid lagoon.
It turned out, you really should have stayed with Peter and Jane. The sea air, sharp and salty, whipped at your pajamas, sending a shiver down your spine. You found yourself standing at the edge of Captain Hook’s plank, hands tied tightly behind your back. One more step and it would be a watery end.
Even if you could swim (which you couldn’t), your bound hands made escape impossible.
“Go on, child!” Hook’s voice boomed from the deck of the Jolly Roger. Swallowing the knot of fear in your throat, you decided if you were going down, you’d do it with dignity. Head held high, you extended a foot towards the edge…
“Got you!”
Just before you plunged into the waves, someone swooped in and snatched you from the brink. It was Jane! She laughed, carrying you safely to the sandy shore.
“EN GARDE, HOOK!” Peter’s battle cry echoed through the air, followed by the clang of swords. Jane and the Lost Boys, who had been lying in wait, quickly untied your hands.
You glanced back towards the ship, concern etched on your face. “Is Peter going to be alright?”
The Lost Boys waved dismissively. “He does this all the time. Come on, we’re playing fairy tag! We have to find Tink before she tags one of us!”
They tugged at your and Jane’s hands, pulling you into their games. You laughed, running to keep up. This was an adventure you definitely could handle! Peter soon joined the fray, and the air filled with shouts of laughter and playful howls. Trees were scaled with enthusiasm, jumps were made with abandon. But eventually, exhaustion crept in. The Lost Boys, used to endless activity, continued their games while you sank down in a nearby field, resting your head.
“Just five minutes,” you murmured, “then I’ll be ready to go again.”
When you awoke, you were back in your own bed. The window was closed, no knocking disturbed the quiet, and best of all, the house was silent. Morning silence was a rare treat. You dressed quickly for school, hurrying to your usual meeting spot with Jane.
Last night must have been a dream. It had felt so vivid, but meeting Peter Pan? Impossible.
“Oh good! You made it home alright!” Jane greeted you cheerfully as you met. You tilted your head, confused. Of course, you’d made it home, she’d seen you walk to your house the previous afternoon.
You walked in comfortable silence for a few moments before she giggled, a secret smile playing on her lips. You glanced at her, curiosity piqued.
“What’s so funny?”
“Oh, it’s just… Peter had to carry you home last night. No matter how hard we tried, we couldn’t wake you up in Neverland! He was quite annoyed, actually. I think you owe Peter Pan an apology next time you see him.”
Your jaw dropped. It hadn’t been a dream at all! You really had experienced an incredible adventure with Peter and Jane and the Lost Boys in Neverland.
Your eyes widened, lighting up with realization. “Next time?” you repeated, hardly daring to believe.
“Peter really likes you. All the Lost Boys do. Though, no surprise there, you are my best friend after all!”
Your chest swelled with pride. It was the highest praise imaginable. Even if life threw curveballs, you knew you would always have Jane, and the memory of Neverland, to escape to whenever you felt alone.
