“Do the police know that?” Wendy wondered as she watched Detective James talk about a special hotline the police department had set up for anyone who had any information about the missing children. “Should we tell them?” she asked, looking up at Peter.
His jaw was tight. “Grown-ups can be slow at figuring stuff out,” Peter said flatly. There was that disdainful tone that always crept into his voice when he talked about adults. “But they’re bound to put it together sooner or later.”
Wendy chewed on her bottom lip. She felt compelled to call the police about the woods, but how would she explain herself? The detectives were already looking at her for answers—they suspected her of lying or holding back something. That was why they showed up at her house to begin with. If she talked to them and they started investigating her more, if they started searching the woods, would they find Peter? And how would they explain him and his connection to all of this?
“They’re going to search the woods,” Wendy said, because of course they would. “They’ll find the hunting shack you’re staying in. They could find you, Peter.”
Peter, who had been scuffing the toe of his shoe on the floor, froze. Apparently he hadn’t considered that, either. He tipped his head back and let out a halfhearted laugh. “I guess we better hurry then,” he said, looking down at her with a sad grin.
Wendy pressed her hands against her abdomen. She felt like she was going to be sick.
In the living room, the view of Detective James changed on the television, catching her attention. It was a drawing of another missing person.
“Oh no,” Wendy groaned.
Detective James spoke: “We have also been alerted to another child who went missing from the hospital the day before yesterday. The boy was originally found unconscious on Williamsport Road but went missing shortly after being brought to the hospital for treatment. His name and whereabouts are unknown, but we have reason to believe he is connected to the string of local disappearances,” he went on.
Wendy’s eyes grew wide. Reason to believe he is connected to the string of local disappearances?
“What’s wrong?” Peter asked. He stepped closer, peering at her carefully. “You look like you’re going to barf.”
“If they think you have something to do with the missing kids,” Wendy said, the panic rising in her throat pushing the words out rapidly, “and they think you have something to do with what happened to me and my brothers, then that means that they think I have something to do with it, too!”
Peter blinked, but then everything seemed to click into place. “Oh,” Peter said with a cringe. “Oops…”
What could she possibly tell the police? Yes, detective, my brothers and I actually ran off to a magical island in the sky called Neverland. They were kidnapped by an evil shadow, but a magical boy saved me and brought me back home! Oh, and all those kids that have gone missing? Yes, well, the shadow got them, too, and now it’s up to me and the magical boy to get them back!
“You’re right,” Wendy said, staring unblinkingly at the TV. “I might barf.”
Peter stepped back.
A composite sketch took over the screen.
It was a drawing of Peter. Not a very good one, but definitely him nonetheless. His nose was pretty accurate, and they got his ears right, including the way they pointed and sort of stuck out. But his cheeks and jaw in the picture were too round and young looking. It was a sketch of how Peter had looked when she’d found him in the street—but, looking at him now, as he leaned across the counter and intently stared at the TV, it was clear to Wendy that he was still aging quickly.
And the eyes, of course, didn’t do his real ones any justice.
Detective James continued on in the background: “He has been described as having brown hair, blue eyes, and standing at about five foot five. He’s guessed to be between the ages of twelve and fourteen and may be confused or disoriented. If seen, please call—”
Wendy inspected Peter. She was five foot five and, standing next to Peter in the kitchen, he was definitely a good few inches taller than her. She looked at the screen again. Wendy remembered how he had looked when she first found him in the middle of the road. But now? He was definitely taller, and his cheeks weren’t round anymore. Still covered in freckles, they sloped over more defined cheekbones and blended into his more defined jawline. Had he really aged that much in just a couple of days?
“Why are you staring at me like that?” Peter asked, squinting as he frowned at her.