Keeping Fantasia: The Third Book of the Fantasia Series

Chapter 106: Who Is That Girl I See?

Chapter 106: Who Is That Girl I See?

            Wendy was overdue for her morning tea. Breakfast had been interrupted by Melody and Jim ---pleasantly of course --- but interrupted all the same.

So, after she gave Michaleen a slightly over-zealoused hug, Wendy went to Mad Hatter's to wait for Ariel. Naturally she invited Sarah and Jim, but they were late for a mysterious "appointment" which Sarah was clearly forcing upon her son.

Peter also declined, (he was still resentful of the 'girl's day') but made an astonishing comment before flying to Skyworld.

"So what time are we going to the Underworld? Five fify five?"

Wendy was shocked.

First, Peter remembered a scheduled event. To a tee. And from her schedule no less.

Additionally –

"You want to go to the Underworld?"

Peter laughed. "Heck no! I'm just going to take care of you. I know you hate the Undeworld. And who can blame you? It gross down there! And dark!"

"It's not gross." Wendy asserted, oddly aware that she was getting defensive. "And how would you know if it was dark? You've never been there."

"Have too." Peter countered, pointing to Fantasia School for the Magically Skewed. "Don't you remember? We were stranded in the Underworld during the Battle to Take Fantasia."

Wendy  straightened. "Oh my that's right. How could I forget?"

"Gettin' old." Peter joked.

"Clearly. But..." Wendy mused over her forgetfulness. "I suppose it's not completely unforgiveable that I forgot. After all, I transformed the Underworld into a beautiful city. It was more of a dungeon when you were there."

"Beautiful city, huh?" Peter gave an airy sigh. "Sounds like you've had a change of heart."

"Change of heart?"

"I always thought you hated the Underworld. But it sounds like you actually missed it." Peter pretended to dab an eye. "Well, since you're so eager to go back, I guess you don't need me to go."

"Oh for heavens sake – " Wendy spoke over Peter's dramatic sniffles. "Peter? Would you kindly accompany  me to the Underworld? It's so dark and so scary, and I don't know what I would do without you. Even though I lived there alone for six years, and we have a kindergartener that wanted to watch superhero cartoons with you tonight, would you shirk all responsibily and join me?"

Peter perked right up.

"Sure Wendy! I mean you're coming off a little clingly, but if you really want me to go, I'll fly down with ya!"

Wendy raised a brow. "How thoughtful."

"No problemo little lady! It's sounds like a big adventure, and you're so fragile...." He patted her head. "You need a strong man. I get it."

Wendy had to laugh. Peter was such a narcissist. But a loveable one. "Oh goodness you are terrible. Go off to Skyworld, won't you?"

Peter joined her laughter. Backflipping into the air, he zoomed for Skyworld.

"Peter –"

Wendy caught his foot. Very sincerely, she looked into his black eyes.

"Peter...I am grateful you'll be with me tonight."

And she was. Wendy was proud of her accomplishments, but the Underworld still represented a place she could never leave. She'd been trapped there for six long, lonely years, and she suspected those feelings of confinement would resurface the moment she saw Big B.E.N.