B2. Peter Pan: Part 4

Chapter 7: The Home Under the Ground

The Lost Boys lived beneath an ancient tree. Their underground home was cozy, with a warm fireplace and souvenirs from their all adventures, on the walls. At night, they pulled out one big bed that filled the room.

Tinkerbell had her own dollhouse, complete with a tiny bed, mirror, and drawers.

Wendy took care of the boys. She cooked meals and fixed their clothes, especially the holes in their knees from all their adventuring.

Every evening, they shared their stories of the day by the fire. They'd listen with bright eyes, feeling like a true family.

Every day with Peter was exciting. As time passed, Wendy began to forget her old life.

Chapter 8: The Mermaids' Lagoon

On sunny days, the children loved visiting the tropical lagoon. They swam and played there, pretending to be mermaids.

The real mermaids were not friendly. They splashed the children with their tails and disappeared when they came too close.

One afternoon, Wendy sat on a warm rock, sewing. The boys took a nap under the sun.

Suddenly, Wendy felt a cold breeze. A chill spread across the lagoon. Its bright waters were now dark and cloudy. Something felt wrong.

Then, Wendy heard a rowboat and men's voices. She woke up the boys.

"Shh! Hide under water!" Peter whispered. The children jumped into the water and hid behind rocks.

Three people were in the boat: pirates Smee, Starkey, and their prisoner, Princess Tiger Lily. Her hands and legs were tied up.

"We'll leave her on the rock," said Smee.

"Let her drown when the tide comes in," laughed Starkey.

Peter couldn't let them kill Tiger Lily. Peter mimicked Hook's deep voice, "Let her go!"

The pirates obeyed, 'Ay ay, captain'. They untied the princess. She slipped into the water and swam to the shore.

Suddenly, the real Captain Hook swam to the rowboat and climbed in. "Peter and those pathetic boys have a mother now", said Hook.

Smee heard the disappointment in his captain's voice. "Let's kidnap the boys' mother and make her our mother!"

Wendy gasped and Peter quickly pulled her back into the water. Hook heard the noise and turned around.

Then, Hook asked the other pirates, "Where is that horrible Tiger Lily?"

"We followed your orders, sir", said Smee.

"What orders?"

"We let her go," Smee said, his eyebrows raised in confusion.

"I said no such thing! Idiot."

Peter grinned. He mimicked Hook's voice again. "I am Hook, the great captain of the pirates!"

The pirates were confused.

"There are evil spirits here." said Starkey nervously.

"Spirit of this this lagoon, speak!" Hook called out.

Suddenly, children's laughter filled the lagoon. The Lost Boys stood on the rocks, and were pointing at the pirates and calling them names.

"Take Peter dead or alive!" Hook growled.

The pirates rowed to the rocks. They jumped out the rowboat and ran towards the Lost Boys, who were ready for them. The lagoon turned into a battleground. The sounds of fighting and shouting filled the air.

The tide was rising higher, and the water getting choppier.

Then, Peter was one-on-one with Hook, on a big rock in the middle of the lagoon. They climbed while sword fighting. Water surrounded them on every side.

Peter saw a chance to stab Hook but noticed he was standing on higher ground. Wanting a fair fight, he offered his hand to Hook. "Come up here," he said.

Instead, Hook grabbed Peter's hand and bit it hard.

"Ow!" Peter yelled, shocked by such unfairness.

Then, there was a slicing pain in Peter's shoulder. Hook had cut him with his hook! "That's to remember me, boy." Then, Hook jumped into the water and swam back to his rowboat.

Now, only Peter and Wendy were left on the rock, exhausted and wounded.

The water rose higher. Soon they would drown.

In a moment of quietness, they lay side by side on the rock and looked at the sky together. Wendy held Peter's hand tightly and he squeezed hers in return.

Then, Peter saw Michael's kite in the sky. He jumped up and caught its tail.

"This kite will take you to safety!" Peter told Wendy.

"I'm not leaving you," said Wendy. While they hugged, Peter secretly tied her to the kite.

"Ha! I've seen worse than this," Peter said. With his last strength, he threw the kite as high as he could. The wind carried Wendy inland.

Now, he sat alone on the tiny rock. He closed his eyes and listened to the sea. He felt a strange calmness.

Then, he felt an otherworldly sensation - like hundreds of heartbeats moving across the sea.

As the rock got smaller, Peter looked up. He let the last of the sunlight warm his eyelids, before the sun went behind the trees.

To die, he thought, must be a great adventure indeed.