Well I continued to live with the Lost Boys for many years and towards the end of my time in

Neverland we actually came to somewhat of a wary peace with the pirate community. In fact,

we came to the point where we shared the beach with the pirate children and their mothers.

The beach was considered a neutral zone so that all could enjoy it and no one was supposed to

bring weapons there. Off course this was not followed completely but the Lost Boys and I soon

took to only carrying a small knife or dagger on us when at the seaside. One very hot day I

decided to go down to the beach and go for a swim. This was a routine outing for me and I

usually went with several of the Lost Boys. But on this particular day none of them were

interested in swimming so taking only my short hunting knife and horn, I walked down to the

beach. The cove where the beach resided was surrounded by towering cliffs and to reach the

sand the Lost Boys had hewn a long set of steps into the sharp rocks. The sand glowed white in

the heat of the sun and mirages shimmered in the air. No one was there which I thought was a

little bit odd for such a hot day, but the cool water on my hot skin soon drove away any of my

suspicions. After a soothing swim in the brilliant water of the cove I walked the edge of the

beach looking for shells and debris that the sea had washed up. As I looked ahead to the far end

of the beach I saw something gleaming in the searing afternoon sunlight. I smiled excitedly to

myself and jogged up the beach to explore the object. As I drew closer I saw that the sparkling

object was a huge pearly conch shell half buried in the sand on the edge of the water. I bent

down to pull the conch out of the sand and stumbled forwards when a sudden sharp impact hit

my shoulder, causing me to almost fall face first into the surf. Pain flooded through my shoulder

and my mouth fell open as I turned and saw the arrow lodged high in my left shoulder. Fear was

the first thing that came racing over my heart but it was quickly drowned out by fury and

outrage that someone would try to break our peace that we had struggled so hard to achieve. I

looked up above me to the cliff side and was dismayed to see a great horde of pirates most of

the way down the cliff and heading towards me at a run. I turned away from the pirates and

took off running down the beach. By now the initial shock of my wound had worn off and the

pain from it slowed me down fogging my brain. As I desperately ran towards the path to the

Tree House I madly blew my hunting horn hoping frantically that the Lost Boys would hear it

and come to my rescue. Nonetheless, the beach was long and I was far from the stairs leading

to safety. The pirates were now close behind me and I knew that this time there would be no

escape. So instead of wasting my energy running I stopped next to the water's edge and gave

one last long frenzied blast before drawing my small knife. My knife would not be able to do

any real damage but I figured that I could at least defend myself for a short time with it. I stood

with my back to the water's edge as the pirates closed in around me. There were at least fifty or

more pirates by now hemming me in all heavily armed. The pirates quickly began to close in

their circle forcing me into the shallow water. I held my knife at the ready as the pirates

advanced, out of the corner of my eye I saw the glint of a sword coming towards me and was

able to barely fend off the blow. My heart sank even lower when I saw none other than Hook

approaching through the army of pirates. There was only one reason why Hook would try

something like this. He wanted all-out war on the Lost Boys and would try to wipe them out.

Killing me would certainly cause the Lost Boys to fight him. Suddenly a horn sounded from the

top of the cliff and I could see the Lost Boys running along the edge towards the steps. This

threw the pirates into action and I was attacked from all sides.

I defended myself fiercely but my short knife was barely able to block the blows raining down

on me. I found I could protect my body, but my arms were soon covered in small cuts from the

long pirate swords. Abruptly I took off running through the shallow water heading for the Lost

Boys who were now streaming down the cliff and onto the beach. A pirate blade caught the

side of my leg, but I kept running as an enraged yell went up from the pirates. They pounded

after me and soon caught me again, but I was now a little closer to the Lost Boys. The pirates

now drove me out of the water and completely surrounded me. I ducked and parried turning

aside thrusts that could kill me, while whirling around in an attempt to keep the pirates away

from my unprotected back. I could not risk standing still with so many pirates around me. I was

now cut and bleeding in a score of places but no pirate had yet found their true mark. For a

moment the pirates drew back and I gave my horn a quick blast. The Lost Boys with David in the

lead had almost reached the pirates and were now yelling wild cries with their swords drawn as

they ran forwards. The pirates quickly surrounded me again and attacked with renewed fury.

Hook was now leading the front of their line and I began a desperate duel with him. His sword

flicked in out effortlessly easily deflecting my small knife. It seemed like every blow that I

parried was scarcely enough to protect me and my hands and arms were suffering from Hook's

long fencing sword. By now the Lost Boys had reached the pirates and a furious battle was

ensuing. Hook was now in his element and had a great advantage over me with his long sword.

He rained down a heavy barrage of blows in such a rapid fashion that my small knife was not

enough to properly protect me. Unexpectedly, Hook changed tactics and took a scything slash

at my side. At the last moment he switched the course of his blade and brought the sword

down to cut deeply into my unprotected calf while I turned to fend off his attack. I staggered

and cried out in pain from the debilitating wound. As I fell forwards I was suddenly lifted up and

found David's arm around my waist. Hook's sword rang from the impact of David's blade as he

stopped the blow that was meant to kill me. David pressed the sword into my hand and then

drew another blade while Hook stood speechless for a moment. Using David as a crutch I pulled

myself into a position where I could take some of my weight of off my leg. I held my sword at

the ready. Hook was enraged that his attack on me was failing and madly fought David and I.

Just the length of my sword alone was enough for me to now protect myself and with David

fighting in a righteous anger next to me we were able to drive Hook back. The pirates were now

being driven back towards their side of the beach by the Lost Boys who had been joined by

some of the Indian braves. Seeing that the fight was going badly, Hook left off his duel with us

and moved back into the mass of pirates. David and I now stood back to back swords flashing in

the hot afternoon sunlight. We worked as a team defending each other and were able to slowly

move forwards leading the Lost Boys and Indians in pushing the pirates back. It did not take

much more to push the pirates to the cliff side. We had slain many pirates and they were down

to about half of their original number. The pirates suddenly ceased their fighting and stood with

their backs against the rocks. The Lost Boys hemmed in the pirates and advanced until our two

lines were facing each other. Hook stood at the forefront of the pirate line while David and I

also stood at the head of our ranks. Standing there in the blazing sunlight of the beach I

suddenly felt weak and dizzy the adrenaline of the battle finally wearing off. As we walked

forwards my injured leg finally gave out on me and I stumbled, crashing into David. This caused

David to cry out in dismay. Hook snickered derisively as David put my arm over his shoulder and

encircled my waist with his other hand to help me stand. "So it is true." Hook said mockingly

"The great leader of the Lost Boys has fallen for a girl. I thought the reports that I had heard

were exaggerating, but I see now that they were not! Fool boy! She can't stay here forever. She

will leave you and break your heart." I tried to speak in defense but found that voice did not

seem to work, also my vision was sort of hazy and Hook swam before my eyes and I leaned

heavily on David. I could feel David trembling in rage beside me and heard his voice as if he was

great distance from me "How dare you Hook!! You tried to kill Karen and you broke the peace

by attacking her on the beach. We should kill you and your pirates right now!" Hook countered

saying "You wouldn't! You and your lot are too spineless and cowardly to kill us." David

answered, "No Hook, we are merciful. You and your rabble are the cowardly ones, assaulting

Karen with over fifty pirates. Because of this I now declare that this beach belongs to the Lost

Boys and if anyone from the pirate town sets foot on this beach they will be killed." Without

another word David sheathed his sword and gently picked me up. I tried to protest as he

carefully pried my sword from my hand and gave it to Sam who stood next to us. He then

turned and carried me up the beach with the Lost Boys and Indians trailing behind him. David

carried my carefully and spoke quietly to me when I shuddered with pain. My shoulder and leg

were the most severe injuries, but because of the score of wounds all over my body, I was in

bad shape. I had lost a great quantity of blood and a dark fog was rolling over my mind. I barely

remember David carrying me up the pathway to the Tree House. Once I was safely laid out on

my bed the Lost Boys began to treat my wounds and the Indian Wise Woman was enlisted to

treat me.

It took a week before I felt up to walking and required the use of a staff in order to hobble

around on my injured leg. However, my full recovery took several months and I was slow to

venture out. My mind was relentlessly consumed with Hook's words. I came to the painful

realization that he was right. I could not stay in Neverland forever. As much as I loved it here I

could not stay. This revelation made me completely miserable and I had no idea of how I could

possibly tell the Lost Boys and more importantly David and Sam the sad news. The boys were

absolutely puzzled by my apathetic behavior and tried everything they could think of to cheer

me up. They pried me desperately to find out was wrong but I was unable to bring myself to 

tell  themthe truth.