Neverland: Land Of Broken Toys

Chapter Ten: Right Hands

“I hate you Nibs!” I snarled at him as I continued to scrub. The only response I got was a kick to my rear.

“Hey!” I shouted, and turned around. Nibs just smiled innocently, and I jumped at him, but was pulled back.

“That’s what you get for trying to escape Ali. I’m sure Danny is having a marvellous time at his punishment.” I heard a scream and tried to run towards him, but the chain on my wrist stopped me.

Danny and I had tried to escape this morning; John was too weak to go with us. We had waited until everyone was asleep, and left my room. We were going to swim to shore. What we didn’t know was that Nibs, Hook, and two other pirates were up talking, and as we tried to tiptoe back into my room they caught us.

“Please Nibs, let me help him!” I grabbed on the chain with my free hand and yanked, hurting my wrists. The mast didn’t even move an inch, and how could it! This was hopeless.

“You’ll only hurt yourself, stop struggling!” Nibs commanded, and I closed my eyes.

“Please.” I repeated, and he looked torn.

“I’m sorry.” He said as another scream rang out through the boat.

“That story last night, it really was true wasn’t it?” Nibs asked and I nodded glumly.

“Do you want to hear mine?” He finally said after a long pause and I nodded.

“I was one of the very first lost boys in here, and I loved it. I came from a horrible family of the coast of Cambridge, and Neverland was a safe haven. Peter taught me how to handle weapons, and every night we would spar. And the Lost Boys, Tootles, Curly, they were all my closest friends.

Then one day, Peter brought people to Neverland, a girl and her two brothers, and I knew life would never be the same. Everyone loved her, and could find no fault with her, she could do no wrong.” He paused, and I leaned against the mast.

“She was stupid, silly, and girly, always about herself. So I turned to Michael, the youngest brother. He was so kind, and funny, that we became such good friends. We played together, and did everything together from that point on.” Tanner had told me this story.

“Wendy ended up missing England, and said she was leaving. John and Michael of course wanted to go, but then a horrible thing happened. All the lost boys started saying they wanted to go! Peter was heartbroken, and I knew that stupid Wendy would be trouble.” I placed my head in my lap, and tried to get comfortable.

“They were going to leave, and I was going to stay but I didn’t want to leave Michael. So we were going to leave, when Hook and his crew captured us. But Peter saved the day, and we were off for England. In those years, I missed Neverland terribly. I had to go to school, and everyone was mean. Michael’s family made me change my name, so I used my real name.” This was new.

“What’s your real name?” I asked cautiously, not expecting an answer.

“Nathaniel, Nate for short.” He looked at me, and I no longer saw a pirate, I saw a broken boy who had made so many wrong choices.

“Come here.” I held my arm out to him and he sat beside me.

“This is all my fault. I killed Wendy, and it’s my fault that Hook and Peter hate each other, and it’s my fault you're here! That Lucy girl is dead because of me, I killed her! I’ve killed countless of people, I even killed the new boy’s father in front of his eyes. I’m evil.” He whispered to me.

“Nibs, we all make bad choices in life.” I started, pulling him close to me.

“You haven’t.” He accused and I laughed.