Page 93 of Hush Darling

“James!”

He swayed as Peter withdrew his blade from his back, drowning in the blood flooding his lungs. He tried to speak, but only choked.

The Lost Boys rushed forward, catching Wendy by the arms. She kicked and fought like a feral queen, breaking free and running toward James. “Let go of me!”

James held out his arms to catch her, and time slowed.

“James…” her voice faded like a distant echo, and her mouth opened on a silent scream. Blood rushed to his ears. For a moment, there was no pain besides that which played across Wendy’s stunned face and the stab wound in his back. Then, a searing sense of vacancy cut through his bones.

“Noooo!” Wendy fell to her knees in a pool of blood.

He toppled forward, landing painfully on what was left of his arm. A dark-haired man kicked away what was left of James’ right hand.

“What have you done?” Wendy’s screams were all he could hear as they dragged her away.

Blood pulsed from his wrist, the violent rhythm mocking the steady beat of his still-pumping heart and the air burning his exposed bone and sinew. Looking up at his brother, he had no choice but to plead for mercy. He couldn’t bear her to witness what would surely come next.

James sputtered and choked out one final request, “Take her away. Don’t let her watch.”

Peter glanced at his men and flicked his hand.

“No! You can’t do this! James! Please!” Wendy’s screams grew more and more hysterical until they finally disappeared.

The pain swallowed him whole. It was a cruel ending and one he probably deserved. His brother’s black shadow fell over him, blocking out the light. He kicked the severed hand aside. “Now, you’ll never lay a hand on her again.”

James rolled to his back, staring up at the sky as he choked on the blood flooding his lungs. His mind raced over his regrets, but none were associated with Wendy. Knowing her had changed him in more ways than a weapon ever could, and her sweet touch would be the last thought he had.

The sound of fighting faded as his men came to his aide. “Cap’n!”

The world narrowed to a white-hot pinhole.

“Sir, stay with us!”

“He’s losing too much blood!”

Shutting the concern of his crew out, he closed his eyes, imagining her hands on him again. James… I’ll never leave you…

“Sir, stay with us.”

James smiled, picturing her sweet blue eyes looking up at him.

“Sir, can you hear me?”

A white light blocked the sound as his body went numb. “Hush, darling…” He let out a long, wheezing sigh. “To die…would be…an adventure.”

Chapter 15

The Cageling

Wendy closed the door to the nursery, but her father’s booming voice penetrated the rafters and the walls. Whatever he initially thought of Peter, the illusion was gone.

Her walk of shame was not a discreet one. Peter brought her home in James’ shirt and coat, and her parents assumed the worst. The evidence of her poor choices was still fresh on her skin. And there was no hiding the blood on their clothes. James’s blood.

Peter tried to clean her up, but she flinched away from his touch, refusing to let him put a hand on her.

“Fine, you explain it to your parents then,” he’d snapped.

He didn’t care about helping her. He only cared about not getting caught.