London, 1901:

All things can be misinterpreted. At least, that’s what Wendy had to think to herself as she opened two massive window panes, bringing in a cool breeze to her and her brothers’ room. She gazed upon the night life at all the adults going about their night to an unknown destination. Perhaps to the opera, a musical theater genre that Wendy could not understand and could not imagine why people believe it to be classy. Or perhaps to the theater, to listen to Willy Shakespeare speak in a tongue that you need a tutor to understand. No, she could not imagine a more boring way to spend a night. There were no adventures in watching others have the adventure. Why would anyone pay money and sit still for 2 hours to watch people act as if they are sword fighting, or waging a massive war? Or falling love? When you could simply do it yourself?

“Goodbye Wendy” Mary Darling shouted from downstairs. Wendy hurried over to the top of the staircase. Darling Manor was simply immaculate. It had gorgeous lighting that illuminated the family photos lining the walls.

“Bye Mum, bye Father.” Wendy wished them. Her father, George, turned in his best tux. White bow tie and gorgeous white shirt, followed by a black jacket and all white gloves. George believed this to be quite fancy, despite Wendy’s grievances that it was more of an outfit you would see on an opera conductor.

“Wendy, please take care of John and Michael. As we discussed, it’s about time you took responsibility. You did say you wanted this!” George shouted cheerily as he stepped out into the cold. Mary took one last look at Wendy, almost as if she was saying sorry, but knew it was for the best, before she followed Wendy’s father. Wendy returned to her bedroom and landed on one of the three beds that circled the room, Even if one was a stranger in this household, they would know whose bed is Wendy’s since it had a giant mold of the letter ‘W’ that was carved into the headboard.

All things can be misinterpreted, she thought as she recalled the past argument with her father. “I thought you wanted to grow up!” her father yelled at her. “Have more responsibility, and yet you go and let the dog loose right after the rain storm!”

“Yes, I want to grow up but-”, Wendy pleaded.

“Do you understand how long it will take me to get out these stains?” Wendy could not remember what he said after that even though she had probably heard it several times before. She always drained away, wishing she could explain to her father what she really meant. She tried several times, but every single time, her father would cut her off and lecture her about growing up and responsibility and making a great housewife one day, like her mother. In her father’s eyes this was viewed as a compliment, but Wendy took it as an insult.

Yes, Wendy did say she wanted to grow up, but not like her father believed. Yes, she wanted to grow older, but not to clean a kitchen or take care of a family. What Wendy really craved was an adventure like those in her novels. She daydreamed every day about hoping on a sail boat with Jim Hawkins to fight pirates or swim amongst the sea with the mermaids. Little did she know that she would soon get an adventure that would change her life. Just not in the way she’d imagine.

She wanted to be whisked away from all of this. All the parties, theaters, all of London really, to live each day as if it was her last. Sail the world, discover new territories. This was her idea of growing up. This was the one thing she wished she would be able to tell her father. Perhaps one day. She would rather die, than live like her mother. A bit melodramatic yes, but that’s how she honestly felt. Normal teenage thoughts really. Nothing to be worried about.

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“Avast ye!” John yelled as he inched into the room in a fencing stance, one hand with a wielding a wooden sword. He looked quite foolish in a night shirt, top hat, and round rimmed glasses, but to Wendy this was his normal everyday pajamas. “You’ll never defeat,” John took off his top hat as if mocking a gentleman, “The Pirate King!”

“Not so fast!” Michael yelled grasping his own wooden sword, while holding a teddy bear tightly in the other. “We’re taking your gold and giving it to the Queen!”

“I’d rather kill the Queen!” John threatened.

“John!” Wendy and Michael yelled. Wendy burst up from her bed as Michael nearly dropped his sword.

“What? It’s what a pirate would say! I’m not saying that I would!” Wendy grinned.

“I guess if you’re in character,” she agreed.

“Thank you, at least someone appreciates my dive into the character!” John attacked at Michael. Michael strolled in shaking his head wearing an all pink onesie. Wendy looked at that onesie in disgust. She had worn that onesie when she was about Michael’s age. Her parents forced Michael to wear it, even though they could obviously afford getting him some new clothes and not use his big sister’s!

That’s another thing Wendy could never understand. Her parents clearly had a lot of money, but put it all into the house and how it looked. She knew they had money issues, but they always were sure to put all the money into making it look like they were wealthy. Whether it be THEIR clothes or their furniture. Wendy felt like a fraud as all her classmates believed her to be rich. What would the neighbors think if they found out they were complete frauds?

“Wendy, can we please get a story tonight?” Michael begged. Wendy loved this part of the night, but couldn’t let them know how much she loved it. That would ruin the fun.

“Oh I don’t know.” She fell back onto her bed. “I’m feeling quite tired!”

“No you’re not!” John yelled as he leaped onto the bed, almost crushing her face with his heel.

“Wake up Wendy!” Michael yelled as he join in with John, jumping on Wendy’s bed.

“Oh alright!” Wendy said as she jolted from the bed, slamming her two brothers down! “This one is about…” Wendy started to come up with a story when John’s and Michael’s face were somehow covered completely in a shadow that her body was producing. Wendy noticed a blinding light was coming from behind her, coming from their massive open window at the end of their room. John and Michael shielded their eyes with their arms! The two would have screamed if they weren’t so confused.

“Wendy!” Michael cried. Wendy shushed him. Wendy was glad both their eyes were guarded so they couldn’t see the sheer terror on her face. Her breath became short and quick as she crept toward the spotlight coming from the window.

“What is it?” John asked getting off the bed.

“I…don’t know.” Wendy’s mind raced with the possibilities of what could be outside their bedroom window. Michael slid off the bed and grabbed Wendy’s hand. Wendy knew she had to be the courageous one. As much as she hated to say it, her dad was right. This was her moment to grow up. Wendy slowly inched forward with John and Michael in each hand. Perhaps this would lead to a great adventure, she thought hopefully, knowing full well there was a very unlikely chance of that happening.

“Hello!” Wendy shouted at the window. The light became stronger, but smaller, as if it was descending. Wendy tried to look at what was producing this light, but she saw nothing more than a giant shadow. The giant shadow produced a small blinking red light, flashing across their eyes. The shadow came closer and closer toward them. As it came nearer, Wendy could almost make out what the object was. It looked familiar, but far grander than her imagination could possibly produce. “Is that a….a ship?”