I stand in an empty campground.

        The sun tints the sky pink. I should be worried about staying, about tonight. But instead I am lost in tiny, familiar eyes. I smooth my fingers across Bear’s soft fur. “Hello, Bear…I’ve missed you.” I whisper.

        I am pathetic, weak. I clench my teeth and slide the bear into my bag. As always, time is slipping through our fingers. “Tigerlily! Tink!”

        “Wendy, we are alone. No need to yell.” Tigerlily rolls her eyes as she walks toward me. “Come on, I have a fire going.”

        I frown, but follow her. She doesn’t comment on my outfit. She doesn’t tell me that I am crazy for staying behind.

        I plop down next to her. As soon as I sniff the smoke, memories of campfires and lost boys scatter my thoughts.

        “Try it. You might like it.”

        “No way.” I laugh, but Peter shakes the bear meat at me.

        He chews loudly. “Delicious.”

        I shake my head again. “Ew. There is no way I am trying it.”

        He licks his lips. “Coward.”

        “Bully.” I stick out my tongue at him. “It’s rude to tease a girl.” I take a bit of my roasted apple.

        Peter shrugs. “Maybe, but it’s a lot of fun. Are you almost done? I have a surprise for you.”

        It’s not dark yet and the fire is too warm. I toss my apple core into the flames and move away from its heat. “A surprise? Nothing can be better than the fairy circle you showed me.”

        “You’ll love it.” Peter helps me up, his gaze scanning my old dress. “Trust me.”

        And I did love it. The blue rose dress, the clear pool to bathe in. But now my dress is hidden in my bag. And I don’t want to touch it again.

        I want to believe in Peter Pan. I want to trust him. But I cannot. It is too risky.

        Tigerlily waves her hand in front of my face. “Anybody home?”

        “What? Oh, sorry.” I shake my head.

        “Tink-” She nods at the lumpy green hat resting next to her foot. “-is resting for a few more minutes. But then we’ll leave. You can come with us.”

        You should come with us.

        The words are still there, even if she won’t say them.

        “Thank you, but I have to stay.” The dagger presses against my waist. Even though it is covered by my black shirt, I feel its weight searing my every word. That isn’t why I am staying.

        I am staying to save Peter Pan, not kill him.

        Tigerlily nods and pulls out her arrows. She fingers the tip carefully.

        “Thank you for saving me from him.”

        The Princess sighs. “He wasn’t going to kill you. You were never in danger.”

        But I was. Even though he was just playing with me the whole time, I was still in danger of not reaching the Indians in time. “Thank you anyway.”

        Tigerlily shrugs and stands up. As soon as she ducks into her tent, I glance over at the green hat. Then I pull the blue dress out of my bag. I empty the pocket and carefully drop its contents next to Bear.

        I run my fingers over the blue satin. Blue roses and green meadows. Roasted apples and teasing smiles.

        I can’t play the part anymore, it hurts too much.

        I’m more than a lost girl. I don’t need Peter Pan to save me.

        He isn’t the hero, he’s the villain. And this time he’s the one who needs saving.

        Tigerlily’s boots appear next to my bag. She flicks her gaze over the blue dress folded in my lap. “I’m surprised it isn’t green.” She says softly.

        “He wanted it to match my eyes.” I wrap my arms around my stomach. Tears spill from the corners of me eyes.

        Tigerlily shakes her head. “No more crying.” She grabs my dress and balls it up-her movements sharp and quick. The petite girl holds it out over the fire.

        “What are you doing?” But I already know the answer.

        She drops the dress into the flames and I don’t stop her. Tigerlily leans down and lifts my chin with her hand. Her eyes link with mine and I see sadness buried deep within brown orbs. “You don’t belong to him. You don’t belong to anyone.” 

        Tigerlily turns her back on me and watches the fire eat at the blue satin. Soon there will be nothing but ashes.

        My heart sighs. I can be strong enough to walk alone. I’ve done it my whole life. “Thank you.”

        Tigerlily turns. Her eyes widen, “You aren’t mad?”

        “No.” Silence pulls between us. And I remember how from one day to the next I acquired several brothers then lost them. Maybe it is better to have one sister who understands then a cluster of brothers who can’t. But the thought hurts me too much. I don’t want to lose them.

        The Indian Princess crouches next to me. Her eyes soften and I realize that although her face may not show emotion, her eyes bare her soul. “I loved him once, long before this darkness came to the island. But he never loved me.” She uses his name for the first time since I arrived. “Peter Pan won’t break your heart. He’ll destroy it.”

        I look away. I know that no matter what happens, he will hurt me.

       Tigerlily leaves me alone with a sleeping fairy. I return my eyes to the fire. Smoke fills the air. But it doesn’t smell like burning satin. It smells sweet and gentle.

        The unmistakable scent of blue roses.

        And even though I promised myself I wouldn’t cry anymore, a tear slips down my cheek.

**

        “Love is not strong enough to break this curse. I don’t think anything is.” Tink peers up at me from Tigerlily’s hand. The sun will disappear in a few minutes and in a few hours, Peter and his boys will attack.

        “I have to try.”

        “You are braver than me. Be strong, Wendy.” Tink smiles. “You have fairy blood running through your veins. Use it.”

        I narrow my eyes. “What?”

        Tigerlily twists her lips into a grin. “Tink is right. You are brave. And crazy. You know, you’re not half bad for a girl who carries a stuffed animal around.” The laughter drains from her voice. “But do not fall in love with him. He’ll never love you back. Trust me, I know.”

        “You need to leave now.”

        Tink nods. “We will, but I will cast one more spell. That way Peter will still think there are Indians here.

        “Why would you do that? It’ll make him angry.”

        “And keep him busy.” Tigerlily glares at me. “Even if it only delays him until midnight, it will still help.”

        I sigh. “You are right, I am sorry.”

        “Stop apologizing for every little thing.” The warrior princess slants her eyebrows at me. “And good luck. You’ll need it.” She bumps my shoulder and I know that hugging is out of the question.

        It must have taken more than one boy to harden this girl.

        “Goodbye.”

        “Here.” Tink nods and Tigerlily hands me the green hat. “Don’t give up on him.”

        They disappear in a trail of fairy dust. I settle next to the fire and wait for midnight to arrive.