Yes, I know how that sounds. It sounds insane, but it’s the truth. He is real.

And even worse…he’s here.

I saw him today. Twice.

The first time was this morning at the grocery store. A little after 10:00, I ran in for a carton of eggs, a soft bagel and something to drink. On the way out, I saw him…at the lamp post.

Sharp brown hair.
That same pointed grin.

And a dark intensity in his eyes that…filled me with dread, then jogged memories I didn’t know I had, memories of something that happened thirty years ago.

He didn’t look like he had on the island, he was…older, which didn’t make any sense. Granted, I was 4 when he…when he took all three of us to that wretched place. He had told John time stopped there completely, so…why did he look so much older?

Unless…he didn’t return to Neverland…

When I got to the car, I glanced back at the lamp post, but he was gone.

Sorry. I’m scatterbrained. I’m…remembering a lot of things right now, and…

…oh my god, Wendy was right…

Sorry, I should explain. The summer after my 29^th birthday, Wendy disappeared for like…six months, then suddenly showed up on her neighbor’s balcony. She was visually shaken, traumatized beyond comprehension. She didn’t talk much, but what she did say was that she’d seen something. Something sinister, something she couldn’t explain.

And because of that, she said we’re supposed to…sorry, I can’t get into that right now, but I will…soon.

The second time was after school, at my job, I work at a primary school.

He stood beyond the fence line, watching the playground from the sidewalk. He wore a chocolate brown jacket that was way too small and black fingerless gloves that barely hid his knuckles.

He was watching the children.

Half the school was out there, chasing each other, playing their own games, talking.

I paused my conversation with Ms. Flannery to approach him. But something in me—something pulled me back. I ignored the thought, told myself fear wasn’t real, then kept walking.

A braking school bus squealed behind me, loud enough to pull my focus.

I turned back. He was gone.

And then…one of the boys playing tag with his buddies stopped, then turned to look at me…and he smiled. It was the same smile. That exact same grin.

How the fuck does that happen?

Sorry…I’m a little sleep-deprived these days, also rent is past due.

Anyways, I called John twice when I got home. Nothing. I’ll try him again in an hour.

Maybe he can get us in to see Wendy…

I’m not making any sense, I know. I’ll be back, I just…need a smoke…and something stronger.