Chapter 8
Maggie woke the next morning on a bed that was larger than her entire apartment.
It took up half the room, but that was hardly an issue, since the room was far bigger.
The bed was adorned with hefty quilts and a series of fluffed pillows, along with a gentle teddy to confide in during the evenings.
She slept comfortably, despite being frightened by all the space around her.
Sunny remained at her side at all times, making a cozy nest beside her within the bundled up sheets and decorative pillows.
Rolling off the bed, Maggie pulled open the earthy green blinds and peered out into Neverland’s early morning.
She felt rejuvenated and more awake than she had in days.
Perhaps she might not ever contain the sort of energy the Lost Boys had, but if she kept sleeping like this, she could manage to get a little closer to it.
Behind her, Sunny began to rise from the bed, taking a few long minutes to stretch out his limbs and yawn sleepily.
Meanwhile, Maggie gazed out the window and watched the glittering fairies awaken in the distance.
Like blinking stars, the fairies danced across the treetops like constellations.
Maggie was entranced for a few moments, before the sound of Sunny’s paws hitting the floor pulled her from her reverie.
Turning away from the window, Maggie let the blinds fall shut and began to cautiously creep through the room.
A wide vanity sat on one side of the room, a long mirror reflecting every angle of herself.
Maggie flinched in surprise and avoided meeting her own eyes in the looking glass as she passed it by.
A brush and comb were laid out for her, along with some other accessories she never used before.
The wardrobe was packed, much to her surprise.
Though she wouldn’t consider herself a sundress lover, it was all that was within the wardrobe.
The colors ranged, but they were all bright and loud.
Maggie let her fingers run over the soft fabrics, her stomach twisting at the idea of wearing one of them out of the room.
She tried not to imagine whose eyes would land on her, but suddenly it was the only thing on her mind, and she was beginning to sink within it.
Shaking her head, Maggie stuck one hand within the throng of dresses and pulled out a pale green one.
It was gently soft and silky against her skin, with delicate flowers sewn in random spots.
The sleeves were short but still came down her arms a bit, the bodice clinging in the right places before flaring out into a delicate skirt.
It wasn’t her style, but it’d work. Not sure what else to do, she got ready.
By the time she finished, Maggie’s dark hair curled down her back in waves.
The dress was on, even though it fit her snuggly, and she’d slid into the cutest shoes she’d ever seen.
She felt almost pretty, but she still avoided her reflection as she hurriedly passed the vanity’s mirror, not wanting to destroy her illusion of beauty.
Sunny clung close to her heels as Maggie left the bedroom behind, and made her way downstairs.
A pungently harsh scent spread through the halls as Maggie drew closer to the dining room. Tall doors were cracked open at the end of a hallway, beckoning Maggie within as an inky black curl of smoke crept towards her. She stepped within and shut the door behind her.
“Good morning, Maggie!”
The Lost Boys and Peter called out similar greetings as she walked closer to their table. None of them looked as though they were smelling something bad, but it was too much for Maggie to simply ignore it. She waved a hand in front of her nose a few times, desperate for them to not notice it.
As Maggie went to take her seat at the table, the Lost Boys and Peter followed suit, careful not to jostle the delicately set plates in front of them.
She was impressed by the decoration and fine china, despite their amateurish behaviors.
From within the kitchen, Dash carried a smoldering skillet with an oven mitt.
With his tongue stuck out in concentration, Dash carefully used a blade to slice the food within his skillet six ways.
Once finished, he gently placed a slice upon everyone’s empty plate.
Maggie glanced down at the putrid smelling triangle-shaped black thing in front of her.
Whatever it was supposed to be remained unknown to her.
The original shape and scent had been sizzled away long ago, she figured.
Reaching with her fork, Maggie prodded the thing and eyed her companions across the table.
They had picture-perfect smiles on their faces until they proceeded to chow down on their burnt breakfast.
The moment they bit down on Dash’s creation, the fake happiness turned into misery.
The Lost Boys exclaimed loudly and forced the food down, their shivers passed along the table as they went to take another bite.
Even Peter, their mighty King, choked as he bit down on the burnt thing, his coughs beginning before he even had the chance to chew.
Finally, as they all took a bite, Maggie took in a deep breath and brought the thing to her lips.
The scent carried up to the very last second, when she dared to put it between her lips.
The burnt thing lasted in her mouth only seconds before she was flailing around with a napkin, already spitting it out.
Maggie looked around the table. “What even is that thing?”
Before Dash could respond, Peter leaned towards her. “Can’t you see, Magpie?” He gestured to their plates. “This is why we need you here. No one in Neverland knows how to cook, and I fear no one has the capability to learn.”
She shook her head, but hardly believed herself. “That can’t be true.”
“I hate to say that it is,” he muttered. “You think this is what I want to eat every day? Sorry, Dash.”
Dash shrugged and shoved his plate away. “Who cares that I made it. It’s still the worst thing I’ve ever put in my mouth.”
“Without the Everything Plant,” Peter continued, “We have no chance in Neverland.”
The boys grew deflated.
Leaning back in her seat, Maggie allowed herself a moment to think it over.
Perhaps it wouldn’t be entirely miserable to work in the very kitchen she had been dreaming of.
Though they might’ve kidnapped her, Maggie couldn’t help but feel softened by their plight.
Good food was simply good for the soul, and these kind boys deserved proper food to eat.
Maggie eyed Peter. “Alright,” she said. “I’ve been thinking of your plan.”
His head jerked up.
“I might be open to it.”
Cheers and high-fives resounded across the table.
Maggie’s hand shot up. “But –” they quickly came to a resounding silence. “I know a lot about plants. Plants and food go hand-in-hand, so most cooks have an understanding of botany to a degree.”
Peter frowned. “Botany?”
“I’ll help you find out what’s wrong with the Everything Plant,” Maggie continued. “And until we can fix it, I’ll cook for you. Once it’s back to normal, you’ll take me back to the human land.” She stuck her hand forward. “Deal?”
Peter eyed his companions before looking down at her hand. He kept up a serious expression for an extended moment or two before a grin split across his handsome face. Snatching her hand into his own, Peter exuberantly shook, his eyes glimmering with excitement.
“Along with some gold,” he said, suddenly. “For your trouble.”
Maggie’s hope grew. Returning to the human world with gold was far more than she needed to reestablish herself somewhere.
Opening a bakery was expensive, and everything she once had was left behind in Dunhollow.
As they finished shaking on it, Peter turned towards the Lost Boys as they began to exclaim about what they would need to do first. Maggie listened and let her head fall back against her chair.
What have I gotten myself into?