Neverland: Appetite for Murder

Wait...WHAT???

“Let’s eat,” Ember said when Smee brought the food into the cabin. Delilah wanted to say no, but her stomach reminded her of her need for food. I need to get something into my system so that I can get the evidence examined properly.

“This looks amazing, and it smells even better,” Delilah said, almost slipping into a dream state from the sight of the food. Her eyes sparkled as she surveyed the spread of succulent roasted meats, fragrant herbs, and freshly baked bread.

“Stupid boy,” Hook mumbled under his breath, ducking just in time to avoid Ember’s playful jab.

“She hasn’t eaten since she got here. Pan hasn’t fed her since bringing her,” Hook said in his defense, holding his hands up in the air while stifling a laugh as Ember turned her scathing glare towards Peter, who shifted uncomfortably under her intense gaze. Delilah could see the Lost Boys and Smee stifling their laughter at the exchange, but the weight of Ember’s stare kept them in check.

“So, Delilah, have the boys, Smee, and Hook been treating you well?” Ember asked, her eyes softening, a beautiful smile gracing her lips as she turned the conversation to more pleasant topics. Delilah glanced to Hook’s side and saw him staring at her like a lovesick puppy, his expression one of unfiltered admiration.

“Yes, they have, Ember. We discovered that the murderer is a woman with blonde hair and—”

Sorry, Smee, Delilah thought before continuing, “Smee said she has eyes like mine but more in a way of haunting someone’s nightmares. Hook thought I was accusing Smee of being the killer, but I have seen what it looks like when someone tenses in relief—their breath slows down—but it is the look in his eyes that gave away that he was her first victim this year. And it was the pixie dust on Cody that led me to believe that there is a pixie involved.” Delilah said quickly, leaving out Rowan’s ominous words to her and the fact that, in some places in their minds, they all believed her to be like Wendy Darling.

Delilah could see Peter had not yet gotten to the point of telling Ember everything, so she waited to see what would happen next.

“That is why you need my help, Peter? A pixie might be helping this person kill—”

“Sacrifice.” The word cut through the air in a ghostly whisper, causing Delilah to freeze. Am I the only one who heard that? A chill crept down her spine.

Ember’s head snapped up, her eyes wide. “All these people. And how long do you think this pixie might have been helping her, dearest husband of mine?” And then as if it clicked, she added, “Who whispered that word?”

The ghostly voice cackled in response. “This new pixie made you be friends with Hook, Peter. You’ll soon know who I am. Don’t worry, she’ll be excited when I tell her about this new sacrifice you brought, Peter. So excited.” The voice faded, leaving behind the faint scent of black pepper and dark roasted cloves. Ember’s expression shifted to one of horror as the implications sunk in.

“No, you promised she was dead, Pan. You promised.” Ember’s voice trembled, making Delilah wonder if they knew the pixie well. What’s happening?

“She is supposed to be dead. It can’t be her, Ember. Hook and I both saw her burn. I don’t think anyone can eat now, so let’s see if you can identify what type of pixie this is, okay?” Peter said to a trembling Ember, who leaned into her husband’s chest, seeking solace.

Hook drew her closer, his arms securing her to his body, cocooning her in his protective embrace. She looked safe, Delilah thought, watching their bond with a mixture of admiration and concern. They really care for each other.

“Hook, we need to go to the evidence. What she’s saying is supposed to not be true. It can’t be true. We both know what will happen if what she is saying is true.” Peter’s tone was cryptic, and Delilah sensed the unspoken weight behind his words. The Lost Boys seemed to follow, but Delilah was still in the dark. Who is this pixie, and why are they all so afraid of her?

“I know, Pan,” Hook growled, making everyone but Peter look down. “But my wife is having a hard time forgetting what that thing—that disgrace of a pixie—did to her, so excuse me if wanting to hold her and make her feel safe is inconvenient for you. Don’t you think the Darling girl might need to know what we might find, before we find it?”

Peter’s face darkened, a glint of rage flickering in his eyes. “NO, she doesn’t need to know until we are certain, and we aren’t certain, so let’s not jump to conclusions, Hook. She will know when we are certain. DO.ALL.OF.YOU.UNDERSTAND?”

Delilah had had enough of Hook and Peter—one trying but failing to protect her from what awaited them, and the other scared that the past would come back to haunt him. She turned to Ember, forcing a smile to lighten the heavy atmosphere. “Ember, why don’t you and I go see if what everyone thinks is true is, in fact, true? And James, Peter, you two need to stay here where you can sort out whatever it is that’s making you act like children. Smee, would you mind leading us back to that cabin and staying with us?” Delilah said, her voice commanding, cutting through the tension like a knife.

Ember gave a faint nod, and Hook’s grip tightened around her, but then slackened as he released her with a quick kiss on the neck. “I am right here, Sweetheart. Don’t hesitate to call if you want me to come, okay?” he said, his voice low and filled with reassurance before walking further away so that Peter could talk to her.

“I promise you, Ember, if she is still alive, then we will end her properly this time. You will not get hurt again. She will not be taking anything from you again. I will kill her before anything like that happens to you again. You are my family, understand?” Peter said, his tone grave as he hugged her tightly, a protective barrier against the fears they all faced.

Smee led them toward the cabin where the evidence was stored, the air thick with uncertainty. “Mrs. Captain, are you sure—” Smee began to ask, only to be cut off by Ember signaling that she would be fine, not wanting to be asked again.

They entered the cabin, and Delilah sensed Ember’s unease. She looked around at the clutter of evidence, a mixture of curiosity and dread filling the air.

“Why was James so angry when Peter went to get you?” Delilah asked, breaking the silence, hoping to lighten the mood a little. Ember smiled slightly and laughed, her voice softening.

“Because the pixie he chose after I decided to stay, Pan’s pixie, really likes him, and I don’t like her. So I told him I would be sleeping in the room Pan built for me until he sets the record straight and tells her he is very much mine and married. I’m guessing he has either woken up with her trying to sleep next to him or to an empty bed, which I believe he said he hated both ideas.”

Delilah couldn’t help but laugh at the image. It suddenly made sense why he had started to melt after hearing her voice, becoming all lovey-dovey. He truly loves her.

Delilah started searching for the pixie dust they found on Cody, but she couldn’t find it. Panic began to swell in her chest as she noticed more specs of pixie dust scattered about, but the jar containing the vital evidence was gone. “No, no, no, no, no!” she whispered frantically, her heart racing. This isn’t good. How could it have vanished?

She turned to Ember and saw her going as white as snow. “What is it? Who is it? Ember, are you okay?” Delilah asked, her concern growing.

Her next words shocked Delilah. “I know of only one pixie of this kind, and she is supposed to be dead. It’s Tinker—” And then, without warning, Ember fainted.

Luckily, Smee was there to catch her, but Delilah didn’t need to hear the rest of the name to yell, “Wait...WHAT?” and faint alongside Ember, the world around them fading into darkness as the implications of their findings crashed over them like a tidal wave.