Peter opened the door to Neverwood and let Wendy enter first. It was interesting how fast the place was finally starting to feel like a real home—when Wendy was there with him. They waved to Tootles and Fox who lounged in the main gathering room.

Teddy sat in a chair staring at them, his face unreadable, his eyes never leaving Wendy. How had no one else noticed that the boy couldn’t look away from her? Smitten probably.

Peter took Wendy’s hand and led her down a hallway to the stairwell. They climbed up to the roof. The sun had set, so it was chilly. Peter took off his jacket and put it around Wendy’s shoulders. They looked out across the water and they could see boats floating down the river. For once, Peter was happy. He felt like he had done something right in the world.

“I’m so sorry. I didn’t know about Mr. Barrie,” Wendy spoke softly and nuzzled his jacket.

“Don’t be sorry. It’s what happened to all the adults when they left Neverland.” He looked across the water and wished he’d never set foot on that hateful island. He despised the Red Skulls and the corporation and all the ill they created. “It was…a safeguard, if you will. Every one of the adults who helped us escape have slowly slipped into an early form of dementia.”

“How is that possible?”

“They were given a different injection early on, at the beginning of the program. I think it was Neverland’s way of getting revenge on anyone who left the island for a long period of time without taking an antidote. If they left, their mind would revert to a child-like state, and they’d forget everything they had done. They had to protect those heavily guarded secrets at all costs.”

“Did he know, did they know what would happen to them if they left?” Wendy asked.

“Yeah, I think Dr. Barrie suspected as much, which is why he snuck his daughter Isabelle on his boat. You’ve met her too.”

“Wait. What? Tink is really Isabelle?”

Peter chuckled. “Don’t let her hear you call her that name. She despises any form of Isabelle—no Belle or Bella even. She was a genius like her father and loved to tinker around with computers—hence her nickname. Dr. Barrie taught her everything he knew about Neverland, and she’s read up on all of the files he was able to sneak off the island with him. She was never infected like the rest of the adults, since he hid her on the boat.

“That’s so sad.”

Peter grasped Wendy’s hand and gave it a great big squeeze. “Yes, it is, but we’ll win one day, Wendy. We’ll beat Captain Hook and his Red Skulls. And I think we’re getting closer to it too, thanks to you. I really believe that this stuff you brought us will help us beat the morphlings.”

“You really believe that?”

“I do. I really believe you hold a lot of the answers. Do you believe in me?”

“Of course,” she answered wholeheartedly. And she did now. She was determined to find answers—from others and within her own memories.

Peter moved away from her and stepped over to the edge of the roof. Her face paled at seeing him balancing on the edge.

She raised her hands. “Don’t, Peter. Stop.” Wendy breathed out in a panic

“I’ll be fine.” Peter smiled at her.

“N-no. No you won’t.” Wendy said. She gasped, eyes widening. “I remember. You…you fell?”

Peter stood on the edge of the roof and grinned, thrilled that she was starting to remember. “I didn’t fall, Wendy.”

“Yes, I saw you.” Her teeth were chattering as she tried to get her nerves under control.

“I stood on a roof like this once before, and I offered you my hand.” He held his hand out, palm up.

She stepped closer to him, her feet sliding along the roof top very slowly, as if she was scared any sudden movement would send her flying off. “I remember now. You offered to take me away, you promised to save me.”

“I’m here, Wendy, offering you the same chance. Take my hand.”

She looked up at Peter as her feet came to the edge. She glanced down at the ground, stories below, and let out a squeal of fear. Peter laughed. She held her hand in his and stood toe-to-toe with him.

“I’m scared.” She exhaled.

“Do you believe?”

“Yes.”

He whispered, “I won’t let you fall.” Peter pulled her toward him possessively and leaned down.

Wendy rose up on tiptoes to meet him. Her lips tasted sweet and he could feel her fear recede. He lost himself to the kiss, never wanted it to end, never wanted to be without her again. Peter’s hands tightened around her waist, as he ascended into the night sky.

She pulled away from the kiss. Her cheeks flushed, her eyes sparkled until she looked down. There was a moment of fear, which escalated into happiness.

“We’re flying!” she laughed in excitement. “No, not we. You. You’re flying. You can fly.”

Peter’s head fell back and he chuckled. He wanted to share this moment with her forever.

A door slammed and someone came onto the roof. Peter groaned and he slowly brought them back down until their feet touched the roof. They turned to see Teddy standing there, out of breath, a look of utter brokenness written across his face.

“I hate you,” he bawled.

“Teddy, what’s going on?” Peter pulled away from Wendy, who looked adorably flustered. Her cheeks were red from their intense kiss.

“You left me, abandoned me.” His lips trembled and his hand reached into his coat pocket.

“What are you talking about?” Peter stepped away from the edge and moved toward the distraught boy. The boy seemed at the end of his rope, shaking now. Peter needed to act as a barrier between him and Wendy until he could diffuse the situation.

“Shortly after we arrived, you pretended you didn’t even know me. How could you? You were supposed to protect me, stand up for me.” He screamed in fury, his face turned red. “I carried your gift with me everywhere in the hopes that you’d acknowledge me…but you were too good for me. Showing off for your friends, ignoring me.”

“I’m sorry if I disappointed you, Teddy. I never meant to leave you behind. Neverland lied to everyone…even you. But we can help you, Teddy.” Peter took another step toward the boy.

More tears fell down Teddy’s cheeks “No, not you. I don’t know you. I just know she chose you over me, day after day. She forgot about me.” He turned and pointed at Wendy. “Her…how could you forget about me? Your baby brother?”

Peter glanced at Wendy.

Her face was white with shock. He didn’t know she had a brother, and if she had panned her first few days at Neverland, like he suspected, then she wouldn’t have known she had one either. The boy should have said something to her, tried to help her remember.

“Teddy, I…” she looked like she was searching for an answer. Her mouth fell open.

“My name’s not Teddy,” he yelled angrily. “It’s M—”

“Michael,” Wendy interrupted him. “Yes, I remember now.” She started to step forward, but Peter grabbed her arm and held her back. The boy was unstable. And if he’d survived Neverland, where had he been all these years? What had Neverland done to him? Was he a plant? Was this a lie to put him in their midst?

“I didn’t know. I couldn’t remember you. I swear.” Wendy pleaded, but the boy just shook his head. “Michael, they did something to me.”

“Yeah, well they did things to me too. Only I didn’t escape it like you. Years I endured their torture. Years I waited for you to come back and rescue me. I told them you’d come back for us, but you never came.”

“Wait, are you saying that there are others?” Peter felt like a fist punched him in the chest. “Other kids still alive?” Dr. Barrie had sacrificed so much for them, and yet others still suffered?

Maybe Dr. Barrie didn’t know. Peter surely didn’t, but that didn’t make the guilt go away. He should’ve known somehow.

Michael ignored him. “I don’t know who or what I am anymore.” He gripped his head as if it was in pain. Tears flowed down his cheeks. “But you, Peter. You’re weak. You’re predictable. He said you’d take me to your base, if we made it look real enough. Granted, I wasn’t supposed to get hurt.”

“Who?” Peter asked, his mind whirling with possibilities.

“A traitor in your own midst.” Michael laughed. “And you didn’t even know it.”

“Who are you talking about?” Peter yelled, his fists clenching as he tried to control his emotions.

“Jax,” Wendy whispered. “It’s Jax. He’s still alive and he’s working with the Red Skulls.”

“I don’t believe you.” Peter shook his head.

Wendy touched his arm and he looked into her blue eyes and saw the truth.

A shadow flew behind Michael, and Peter watched it fly in circles—in what looked like agitation. He tried to ignore the shadow, but it dove past him and straight into Wendy’s body. What?

Michael couldn’t see the shadow.

Her head fell backward, and she convulsed for a second. Then the shadow moved through her and out the other side.

“You hurt me, Wendy. Real bad. But I know it wasn’t your fault. It’s his.”

Wendy’s eyes flew open and she screamed, lunging for Peter. He couldn’t take his eyes off her, didn’t understand what was happening. He just wanted her to be well.

Suddenly, Wendy shoved him in the chest just as gunfire exploded in the air. Peter spun and saw the smoking gun in Michael’s hand. The young boy let it clatter to the ground, his face white at missing his target.

A feeling of dread overcame him. Peter turned.

Wendy stood in the exact spot he’d been moments ago. Her face was ashen, her right hand covering her chest, blood seeping between her fingers. She looked to him and tried to say his name, but blood bubbled up out of her lips.

“NOOOO!” Peter wailed.

Wendy stumbled, and fell backward off the roof.