Journey to Neverland (Haunting Fairytales Series Book 2)

by Becca Alexandra

  She tapped her nose. ‘Need to know, and you don’t need to know.’

  Stilt turned upon hearing a loud splash. ‘What was that?’ Stilt asked, looking out to where the water was rippling.

  Lori shrugged. Then a grubby hand wrapped its way around her mouth. She tried to scream, but the hand muffled her screams. She was cuffed and knocked out before she could summon magic to aid her. Stilt looked at the grubby man with a wooden leg. ‘No need. I will come peacefully.’

  The pirate laughed. ‘Captain’s orders,’ he said in a thick accent that Stilt didn’t recognise then knocked Stilt out with a club.

  Lori’s eyes fluttered open. The floor beneath her was rocking slightly from left to right. The sound of waves crashing against the side told her that she was on a ship. She tried to free herself of the cuffs. Stilt woke up shortly after and looked at Lori. She gave him a knowing look and used her magic to try and melt their cuffs. They both jumped as the cuffs heated up to unbearable temperatures, burning their wrists. ‘You know,’ he hissed, ‘you’re getting rather sloppy.’

  ‘At least I’m trying,’ she whispered back. He snorted and tried to summon his magic. A shadow covered them as they both struggled to escape from the pole they were cuffed to. Lori slowly turned her head. The man, at least six-foot-four, took a step backward. The moonlight hit him, showing him off in all of his drunken glory.

  His black and red hat marked him as the captain of the ship. He wore the finest fabric gold could buy, and the glistening gold and silver chains hanging around his neck showed that he was a successful pirate.

  One piece of jewellery caught her eye, a talisman with a ship; the gold was old, therefore the most expensive.

  The pirate's skin was sun kissed from long days in the heat, and his hair was jet black and untamed, cut down to the top of his shoulders. He looked at her with eyes as cold as the ocean, following her gaze with sly calculation.

  ‘The name’s Hook, Captain Hook.’ His accent surprised them both. His voice was gruff and thick, but he was surprisingly well-spoken, unlike the pirates who sailed the waters near Dolorom and Forosh.

  ‘How lovely to meet you,’ Stilt said sarcastically. ‘I would shake your hand, but I’m otherwise unable.’

  Hook knelt down, stroking his short beard, which was as dark as his hair. ‘Who are you both and what are you doing in Neverland?’

  Lori cleared her throat. ‘I am the Queen of Northmanni, Passion, and a sorceress—’

  ‘Evil Queen,’ Stilt whispered. She shot him an icy glare and looked back at Hook, who was watching her like a predator watches its prey.

  ‘Evil Queen, eh?’ Hook asked. ‘Well, anyone with evil in their title is welcome aboard my ship.’

  Stilt rolled his eyes. ‘We are here to see Peter. Now, let us go before I make your ship a home for the fishes.’

  Hook knelt down and dragged the sharp end of his hook along Stilt neck, making sure not to cut him but pressing deep enough to make him tremble. ‘Such big threats from such a little man.’

  Stilt growled, and Lori laughed. ‘I like him,’ she said to Stilt.

  ‘Of course, you do; he’s a bad guy—’

  ‘Now,’ Hook said, interrupting them. ‘Tell me what your business is with Peter.’

  Lori smirked. ‘I’d be happy to. First, release us, and then we will go with you to somewhere more … private.’

  Stilt’s eyes widened. ‘What?’

  Lori rolled her eyes. ‘For the discussion.’

  ‘Oh.’ Stilt blushed. ‘Sorry. Yes, release us, and we will talk somewhere more private.’

  Hook looked at one of his pirates and jerked his head toward Lori and Stilt, giving the order for them to be freed. The clumsy pirate, who wore an eye patch and had a wooden leg, freed them but accidentally stood on Lori’s foot. ‘Idiot,’ she screamed.

  ‘Sorry ma’am,’ the pirate said and hobbled back to the sails.

  They stood up and followed Hook into his cabin.

  After Lori had told Hook almost the whole truth, Hook slammed his hook onto the wooden table. ‘Excellent. I will come with you to the fountain of youth.’

  ‘No, no, no,’ Stilt said, shaking his head. Hook raised an eyebrow and looked at Stilt slyly. Stilt cleared his throat. ‘We are already sharing with too many.’

  ‘You think Peter will help ya?’ Hook laughed. ‘He’s more evil than you, I, and her together.’

  Lori jumped in. ‘The stories talk about how he’s a nice boy, powerful but a child.’

  Stilt added, ‘What harm can a kid do?’

  Hook pointed at a scar on his cheek which bore around to the thick of his nose. ‘He did this. He killed my beloved Jane. He was responsible for drowning some of my best men. He cares for no one. He knows not of love or compassion; he only knows power, manipulation, and greed. Neverland is a prison for the poor souls who venture too far and make deals with the Devil. He will look into your heart’s desires and trap you. Lulling you into a false sense of security.’ Hook stopped, took a breath, and drank some of the red wine that filled his silver goblet. ‘He’s an old, powerful man trapped inside the body of a boy. Never aging, never dying.’

  Silence protruded the room, and the waves splashing against the sides of the ship were all that could be heard. ‘We met a fairy,’ Lori admitted. ‘She was alerting Peter to our arrival.’

  ‘Bell,’ Hook spat. ‘She’s just as bad as he is. Obsessed with him. She is one of his fairies. Channelling some of his magic. Once he finds out you’re both sorcerers, he will be delighted. All those who are trapped here, they have their life force taken from them. Their kindness, their desire, their greed—he transfers all of it to magic to keep this prison alive. Neverland is his personality. He is happy, because he has everything he wants, and imaginative; he never wants to grow up. Neverland is a series of islands, all of which show his true personality. The main one he lives on is a paradise.’

  Lori leant forward. ‘And the other two islands?’

  Hook coughed and pointed at the window to a small island not far from them. ‘That one is Piper Island. Peter won’t go there, but we do. It’s safe from him. It’s just mountains, a forest, and a wasteland of dead things.’

  Stilt raised an eyebrow. ‘Why won’t he go there?’

  ‘The third island is bare. Empty of magic. Like his heart. No crops can grow there, no flowers; it’s just death,’ Hook said, leaving Stilt’s question unanswered. ‘So you both have a lot of magic, you say? Well, he will take it from you. I’m sure both of your magic will be enough to fuel this soul cell for another thousand years.’

  ‘No.’ Lori stood up, almost knocking over Hook’s goblet. ‘He must be able to be killed.’

  Hook swigged more of his wine. ‘Nope.’

  Lori slammed her fist down. ‘Then a weakness. Why is he doing all of this?’

  Hook grinned. ‘Because, Lori, quite simply, he is greedy.’

  ‘We need his power,’ Stilt said to Lori, who was downing the rest of her wine. Stilt noticed he had not been offered any and scowled. ‘Regardless of all of this, we need to somehow persuade him to come with us.’

  ‘He will not come,’ Hook said.

  ‘Why?’ Stilt and Lori chorused.

  Hook grinned. ‘What you seek is the fountain of youth?’

  ‘Yes,’ they replied.

  ‘Well, what do you think you’re standing on?’

  Lori smiled back. ‘You’re coming with us, Hook. We can bring Neverland down; that’s if you want Peter gone and you out of this prison?’

  Hook and Lori chinked their glasses. Stilt sat, cross-armed and thirsty. Hook opened the door to the cabin. ‘Crew, set sail for Pirate’s Cove.’

  ***

  Hook stumbled a little as they jumped out of the little boat that took them from the ship to the beach. Lori wasn’t sure if it was because he was drunk, or if he was not used to walking on the ground, which didn’t move with the waves. ‘I help you find the source of the fountain, and you’re sure
you can get me out of here?’

  Lori smiled. ‘Once we take the source, he will have nothing to base his magic through. He will perish, and we will all have more power than we thought possible.’

  Stilt grinned. ‘Yes, all of this power just for one little boy. It’s unfair.’

  ‘Where do we go?’ Lori asked.

  ‘We need to get to the far edge, to the mountains. The keeper of the fountain’s source lives there.’

  WELCOME TO NEVERLAND

  Red, Snow, Rapunzel, and Gallisa finally reached the beach. All they had seen so far was tree after tree. They looked around and took in the beauty of it all. The shimmering pools. The lanterns hanging from the low branches, the rich blue sea, and the golden sand. It was like a dream. Bell appeared, her blond hair in a loose bun, showing off her diamond-shaped face. Her thin lips spread into a smile.

  Her eyes flashed gold. ‘Welcome to Neverland. Why have you come here? Dreams, desires?’

  ‘We’re here to find a woman. We were told she came here, her name is Lori,’ Snow said.

  ‘Ah,’ Bell said. ‘Yes, I believe it was the woman who showed up with a man; he had golden hair, quite short.’

  ‘Stilt,’ Snow said through gritted teeth. Gallisa looked around anxiously, but Bell didn’t seem to remember her or she was pretending not to.

  Bell looked at Snow. ‘They asked to see Peter. I went to get him, but when I came back, they had gone.’

  ‘Do you know if they’re on the island?’ Snow asked.

  Bell shook her head. ‘We have been keeping a look out. They could be, but we have not spotted them so far. I’m worried that the pirates got to them first, or worse, the captain,’ Bell replied.

  Rapunzel stepped forward. ‘Oh, well, if you don’t mind, we’re going to look for them,’ Rapunzel said sweetly.

  Bell smiled. ‘But you must be tired after your journey. Come with me. I can give you food, drink, and a bath before you set off. Peter may be able to help you.’

  ‘That’s very kind, thank you,’ Rapunzel said and skipped after Bell. Gallisa walked with Rapunzel, and Red and Snow, who were less than innocent, looked at Bell suspiciously.

  ‘Anything happens, I’ll use my sword,’ Snow said to Red.

  Red looked at Snow tight-lipped. ‘Anything happens, I will fight them.’

  They both nodded and walked after Rapunzel, Gallisa, and Bell.

  Bell led them through the trees and up a trail, which had been created from many footprints. Bushes obscured the path, but they walked on anyhow. Orbs floated around the branches, lighting the way for them. The forest had a certain warmth to it, and even in the night, was alive with wildlife.

  ‘You’ll love him,’ Bell promised. ‘Peter’s wonderful,’ she added, dreamily. ‘And the Lost Boys are a lot of fun. I’m sure you’ll like it with us.’

  Rapunzel grinned. ‘Sounds wonderful.’

  ‘Who are the Lost Boys?’ Snow inquired.

  ‘Boys who wandered into Neverland. They had no home, no love, and found a home with us. They’re lost but found.’

  ‘Right,’ Red said, looking deadpan. ‘You should call them Found Boys then.’

  Snow and Red both laughed, Rapunzel scowled, and Bell pretended not to hear them.

  They approached a tree house. Fallen leaves surrounded it like a barrier, and a wooden ladder led up through the branches. At the top of it, the underside of the large treehouse was covered with ivy, all except for the square door. They climbed and pushed open the door and pulled themselves into the warm room.

  A roaring fire in the most magnificent silver fireplace lit up the room. The entire house was made of slabs of wood. On the wall, ivy wound its way around the room. There was a dining table to the left of the room, big enough for fifteen people. Beneath their feet were rugs embroidered with pictures of Neverland and fairies.

  Priceless vases were used to hold glistening pink and purple flowers. They sat on various little shelves. The doorway at the back of the room led to a small, country-style kitchen. To the left were three doors. Red peeped her head around one door. A four-poster bed, draped in silver and gold, was in there.

  In the other room were eight smaller beds with cabinets next to each one. And in the third room were four beds, slightly bigger in size.

  Bell walked them back into the living room and pointed at three four-seater sofas arranged in a rectangle in front of the fire. ‘Please, sit. Peter should be back soon. He found another guest roaming the forest. He’s gone to get her.’

  Red and Snow nodded, looking around for ways to escape if needed. There were three windows and a door. Rapunzel smiled kindly at Bell. ‘Thank you so much for your hospitality.’

  Bell giggled. ‘You’re welcome.’ She went to the door. ‘Please wait here. I must go and get the Lost Boys. They’re probably hunting or partying.’

  FOREST PARTY

  Peter walked in smiling and looked at Gallisa. ‘It’s been too long, old friend.’

  ‘I thought you’d be angry that I left,’ she admitted, hugging him. He was wearing a green baggy top, brown camo shorts, and sandals. His short blond hair was unkempt, but it looked good on him. His green eyes shone brighter than anyone’s she had ever seen. His teeth, perfectly white and straight, flashed at her as she shot her a mischievous grin. Small dimples curved around the edges of his smile.

  He nodded. ‘I was upset, not angry. But you came back, and you brought some friends. Hi!’

  ‘This is Snow,’ Gallisa gestured to Snow. Peter’s gaze locked onto hers. He half smiled. She was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen and so powerful. He then turned to Rapunzel.

  Gallisa smiled. ‘This is Rapunzel,’ she said. Rapunzel smiled warmly.

  ‘And this is Red, my wife-to-be,’ Rapunzel said, putting her arm around Red and squeezing her softly.

  ‘Wonderful to meet all of you.’ Peter grinned and gestured to the Lost Boys. ‘This is Croon, Tide, Spear, Bark, and Micky.’ They all bowed their heads. Snow looked them up and down. They all looked around eighteen, and each of them just as handsome as Peter.

  ‘No women here then?’ Snow asked, curious.

  Peter shook his head. ‘Not until now.’

  Croon stepped forward. ‘We are having a campfire soon. Would you like to join us?’

  ‘No,’ Snow said. ‘We have some people to find.’

  Belle walked up into the tree house. ‘Oh my gosh, what are you all doing here?’

  ‘To find someone. Why are you here?’ Snow asked, stepping back.

  Belle smiled. ‘It’s okay. I forgive you, Snow. I’m here because Lori and Stilt kidnapped me. I managed to get away. They are here, on the island.’

  ‘We know,’ Red said. ‘They’re who we’re here to find.’

  Peter stepped into the middle of the sofas. ‘How about we have some food? Tomorrow, we can have a little party, and then we can find them. They’re in Neverland, my Neverland. They won’t get far. We will find what out what they are looking for, but in the meantime, please stay.’

  Red shook her head. ‘No, we need to find them.’

  Peter grew impatient but did not let it show. ‘Give me just one day to show you around, so you can have some food and drink? Then I promise to help you find them.’

  Rapunzel, Galissa, Red, and Rapunzel looked at each other. ‘Fine, thank you,’ Snow said.

  Galissa warmed her hands by the fire. ‘It’ll be good to catch up, Peter.’ He nodded and smiled.

  ‘May I have a bath?’ Belle asked. Bell showed her to the Aztec styled bathroom and ran her a bath.

  Bell dressed in a short strapless green dress, let down her hair, which fell to her shoulders, and walked back into the living room.

  Belle jumped into a warm bath and let her thoughts drift to her son. Was he okay? She’d have to find a way to get home or send him a message. She got out of the bath and found a piece of parchment and quill in one of the rooms. She wrote a note and slyly handed it to Galissa.

  ‘You’r
e a fairy, right?’ Belle asked.

  Galissa smiled. ‘How did you know?’

  ‘The ears and the shining hair,’ she admitted. ‘Could you please send this to my son, James? He is in Northmanni.’

  Galissa looked down at the note and held Belle’s hand. She took a deep breath, and the note disappeared. ‘He has it.’

  ‘Thank you,’ Belle said.

  A thousand miles away, James opened the note that appeared on the table of their old cottage. After Belle was taken, he had tried to find a way to get Neverland but failed.

  Inside the note was reminiscence to fairy dust. The note read:

  My son,

  If my plan worked then this note has been sent by fairy dust. There will be some left over.

  I am in Neverland, and I am safe, but I don’t trust Peter, the boy who lives on the island. Snow is here too.

  There won’t be much dust, so you must throw it onto a mirror and step through it immediately.

  Stay safe.

  Love, Mum

  ***

  The next day Peter showed them around until they settled in a clearing. The mahogany brown forest was a leafy paradise. Lucid snowflake stars shone brightly against the black canvas. The trees were gigantic, towering high above anything else in Neverland. They were home to squirrels that slunk away into their holes, nuts scattered on the forest floor. Grass crisped under their tired feet, and Rapunzel danced in the clearing. Toadstools surrounded her, candy red and milky white. The smaller fairies mirrored Rapunzel’s dancing on top of the toadstools, leaving trails of magical dust which made the ground glow silver and gold.

  Birds tweeted, and animals scurried to see the forest party. Lost Boys Croon and Tide played their wooden flutes. The most delightful sounds swept around them, lifting them to dance. Croon’s brown hair blew in the breeze. He sipped at his tea and smiled at Gallisa. She smiled back and tucked her hands neatly on her lap while slightly swaying from side to side. Croon got up as everyone danced and sat next to Gallisa.