Maggie drummed her fingers against her side rapidly, until Peter’s eye had been caught. She gave the direction in front of her a quick point, and watched as he followed her gaze, his eyes widening in response.
Dipping into her pocket, Maggie retrieved the pouch as she crept forward. Watching carefully where she stepped, she got as close as she could to the nymph. Though she couldn’t actually see the creature’s figure, she reached into the pouch and released a handful of purple powder in the bending branch's direction. The powder fell over the nymph like a purple shower. The creature’s slender figure was covered by it, making her impossible to miss within the dense woods. The creature burst to life within the same second, speeding off in the distance with only her shrill laugh guiding their way after her.
Maggie chased as though her life depended on it. She had no idea where Peter was, and only kept her sights set on what was ahead. The purple blur grew closer as Maggie ran, careful to leap over a thick fallen log that was in her way. The nymph disappeared for a split second as she crawled through something, prompting Maggie to drop to her knees once she reached the same area. She scurried through the middle of a thick tunnel of wood, ignoring the sounds of creaking wood and bugs trekking along with her.
When she came out on the other end, Maggie felt like she was moments away from a collapse. She couldn’t remember a time before when she had exerted so much energy, when she had run that far in one go. Everything within her ached and screamed for a rest, but she had already come so far. Every doubt she ever had about herself had been quickly proven wrong, but there was still so much more to be done, so many more people to show how much she had grown. Maggie tightened her hands into fists,entirely out of breath, and far more determined than before. She wouldn’t give up, no matter what dared to stand in her way.
Maggie pelted forward, closing the gap between her and the giggling nymph. The laughter filled the air as Maggie pushed herself further than she’d ever gone before. Once she was only a few feet away, Maggie released a loud shout before throwing herself forward, her hands outstretched and already grabbing.
Maggie’s fists clench around the nymph’s frail veil as they both tumble sharply to the ground.
A young woman, beautiful and full of laughter, laid on her back, breathing heavily and splattered with purple powder. She sat up, wide eyes landing on Maggie with a joy that was almost overwhelming.
“Youcaughtme!” The nymph’s voice was musical and angelic, lighting up the dark and shadowy woods. “The King of Neverland and the Woman of the Way have won my game!” She began to sit up, pushing thin and silky blonde hair off her shoulder. “Tell me whatever it is you wish, and see that it is already yours.”
Maggie looked over her shoulder at Peter, who leaned against a tree, entirely breathless. His cheeks were flushed in a handsome way, almost pulling the air from Maggie’s throat.
“Nymph,” Maggie began, her voice raspy, “We would be honored to have your veil.”
“Take it!” The nymph pooled the rest of her veil in Maggie’s hands. “I only wish there was more I could give. That was the most fun I’ve had inages!”
As the dust settled and the excitement quieted down, the nymph left them with a happy song on her lips. Peter hoisted Maggie onto her feet, brushing the dirt and dust off her clothes.
“I wish you could’ve seen how fast you ran,” Peter murmured. “Like lightning.”
“Don’t be ridiculous!”
Peter hooked a finger around her chin. “I’m serious, Magpie. Likelightning.”
Maggie didn’t say another word as Peter lifted her off her feet, already hovering in the air. She leaned against his chest and let her eyes flutter shut, the exhaustion hitting her instantly and without warning.
10
Despite how tired Maggie was, she would never turn down a stroll through Neverland’s town. The delightful town was only a ten minute walk from the treehouse, and most times Peter simply flew them both over it. Long cobblestone roads led toward the town’s center, where an elaborate water fountain sprouted beside the ocean’s shore. There was only a stone bridge between the fountain and the beach. Most days, fairies and other natives alike took their respective spots along the sand to enjoy their day. The market surrounded the water feature, bringing most every islander to the town at one point or another.
Maggie only wished to have the time to visit more often, to better peer into the little shops, to learn more about the mouths she fed. Neverland held a rich plethora of knowledge and experiences, ones that Maggie was beginning to realize she’d need to leave behind. No matter how much there was that she wanted to know, there would never be enough time to uncover it all. Disappointment threatened to rock through her when Peter’s hand tightened around her own.
The roads leading up to the town’s busy center were unusually quiet at that point of the day. Where there would normally be fairies roaming about or elves lingering in theforestry, was an eerie stillness. Not even the wind dared to make a sound, leaving the trees and bushes as stiff as lifeless statues. Peter’s hand remained tight around Maggie’s, his fingers pressing into her skin, as he led the way forward.
“Something isn’t right,” he finally said.
“I’ll say,” she murmured. “There isn’t even a soul around to ask!”
Peter pressed his lips together as he thought, the ideas so numerous they practically hovered over the top of his head. He nodded firmly. “We’ll head into the town center. There’ll have to be someone to –”
A shriek pierced the air.
As if answering his own thought, the shouting continued until there was a parade of voices, and the distant echo of running. Peter tugged on Maggie’s hand, already sprinting in the direction of danger.
Golly!
Hiking up the bottom of her dirtied skirt, Maggie prepared herself to run for the millionth time that day. Back in the human lands, she couldn’t have ever imagined doing so much running around, especially not at her age. Work left her far too exhausted, and yet, Neverland offered her so much support that allowed her to do these things. The island empowered her like nothing else, giving her the air of youth in the times most necessary. Maggie kept up alongside Peter all the way through the town’s neighborhood, until the roads led to the center.
Chaos sounded from the beach. It led directly into the largest part of the town. In the distance, not that far from the beach at all, Maggie could’ve sworn she saw an approaching ship.
An onslaught of fairies and elves rushed toward them. They raced to get away from the beach, carrying their towels and games, their picnic baskets and books. Shouts of fear filled the air as they shot by, a few managing to bump each other outthe way. Peter yanked Maggie toward the water feature, using the round stone fountain to stop her from being trampled. She glanced up at him, her heart rushing for a multitude of reasons.
Peter reached for a young fairy, a boy, who paused at the water feature. “What’s going on here? Why’s everyone running away?”
