The Lost Darling

<p><span style=color: rgba(0 0 0 1)>Second star to the left and continue until morning. </span></p><p><span style=color: rgba(0 0 0 1)>I got that line tattooed on my wrist the day I turned twenty-one. So much symbolism in such a simple sentence. At the time it was a nod to the future and the infinite possibilities to come while reminding me to remember the past and to look for magic in the world. </span></p><p><span style=color: rgba(0 0 0 1)>Growing up nothing was ever what it seemed. The shift of leaves on a tree was a faery skipping by. Shooting stars were a chance to make wishes. Shadows were souls stuck between this world and the next mirroring a life they once had. My imagination was limitless the world a wonderful adventure waiting to unfold. </span></p><p><span style=color: rgba(0 0 0 1)>It's easy to lose that sense of wonder with the weight of life on your shoulders and I wanted a reminder to get me through the hard days.</span></p><p><span style=color: rgba(0 0 0 1)>Most importantly it was an ode to the boy who earned the title of my first crush even if he was animated. Peter Pan wasn't a </span><em style=color: rgba(0 0 0 1)>save the damsel </em><span style=color: rgba(0 0 0 1)>kind of prince. He was daring and selfless and took care of the ones he loved. He was a friend to all but never afraid to fight the Pirates when their moral compass broke. Wendy was an idiot for leaving him. She rushed home to a heartless world full of men willing to lie through their teeth to get down her pants. </span></p><p><span style=color: rgba(0 0 0 1)>But that's the beauty of a book the characters are perfectly flawed. Damaged just enough that we still love them. Whereas reality is nothing but empty promises and baggage the size of mountains.</span></p><p><span style=color: rgba(0 0 0 1)>The day I got my tattoo I would have given anything to be whisked away into a fairytale. My world was crumbling and all I wanted was to go back to when life was simpler. I didn't realize I had sealed my fate in ink. </span></p><p><span style=color: rgba(0 0 0 1)>Branded myself as one of the Lost.</span></p><p><span style=color: rgba(0 0 0 1)>Neverland was everything the stories made it out to be. Beautiful. Full of magic. Filled with handsome men and debonair pirates. But the author of my favorite tale left out one crucial detail. </span></p><p><span style=color: rgba(0 0 0 1)>In order to get there you have to die.</span></p><p><br></p>