Big Ben

By H. L. Davis

I settle my giant form deep in the white sand, smirking with satisfaction as the mermaids’ shouts of rage continue to ring out across the water. Perhaps they are right to be a little vexed; I did, after all, startle them from their play in the lagoon, chasing them about and snapping my great jaws. But what do they expect a mighty predator like me to do when I’m hunting for lunch and see their tails glimmering like fat, delectable fish?

Oh well. Too bad they didn’t find the game as delightful as I did.

My belly now full of rainbow fish, I relax and close my eyes, the sun’s rich golden rays soaking deep into my scales. The distant yells have faded away, leaving only the sound of lapping water and occasional screech of a jungle bird to interrupt the peace.

Neverland—sweet, sweet paradise—why did it take me so long to find you?

“You’re from the London Zoo, aren’t you?”

So much for my afternoon nap.

I lazily open one eye to find a thin figure standing before me on the sandbar—ragged clothes, a mop of dark hair, and dirt smudged on his nose.

A Lost Boy.

If I could issue a solitary complaint about my beautiful new island home, it would be the presence of these arrogant little pests. Once every few days since my arrival, they think themselves oh so clever to poke me with sticks while I slumber, jeering and laughing until my temper prevails and I try to bite them. In the end, they always take the easy way out and fly too high for me to reach.

And the worst of the bunch is that blasted leader of theirs who cackles and crows like a vain rooster.

A growl rumbles deep in my throat as I scan the shore for the rest of them.

“It’s okay!” The lad raises his hands reassuringly, though his face is tense and troubled. “It’s only me today. And I don’t want to hurt you.”

My eyes narrow at the boy. But I wait, and he rambles on.

“I’m Jimmy. And I recognize you from back home. You were always my favorite animal at the zoo.” He ventures a smile, revealing gaps where a couple of his pathetically small teeth are missing. “So imagine my surprise to find you here—in Neverland! I almost couldn’t believe my eyes when I first saw you last week. Or was it last month?”

Jimmy’s dark brows scrunch together, and he shakes his head with a nervous laugh. “Anyway, you must have been very clever. Found some secret portal not even the fairies know about!”

If he expects me to share the secret place, he’s a fool. Not that he would be able to reach it, as humans are completely inept at the art of prolonged submersion. Still, I can’t help but grin.

I am quite a clever crocodile.

“And that’s why I’m here. You see”—his voice sinks to a whisper as his body lowers to the sand—“I want to go home. I have for a long while. But I don’t remember the way, and Peter says if I mention it to him again, or cry, or lose any more teeth, he’ll…” Jimmy swallows. “He’ll cut off my hand. He can’t abide any talk of missing family, you see. Or any sign of change. Growing older.”

So, Peter Pan is precisely the villain I suspected. But then, I’ve always been a phenomenal judge of character.

Glancing around, Jimmy reaches in his pocket and brings out a ticking golden object hanging from a chain. I stiffen. This item is one I recognize from the hands of zookeepers.

“This is my father’s watch. He’s a captain in the Royal Navy. At least—I’m pretty sure. I’ve scratched the word ‘HELP’ on the back here.” Jimmy shows me the markings and continues, “I know if my father sees this, he’ll keep looking for me. He’ll find a way to bring me home.” He blinks fast, rubbing a grubby hand across his cheek. “Anyway, I thought maybe you could find a way to get it to him, or at least, back to London.”

Back to London? I almost hiss at the boy. Why would I do such a reckless thing now that I’m finally free?

But something in his blue eyes—the desperate look of a captive—makes my large reptilian heart soften. Jimmy may not be in a cage like I once was. But he’s a prisoner nonetheless.

I open my jaws wide. Jimmy stares for a moment, then laughs. “Thanks, Big Ben!”

He tosses me the watch. I catch and choke it down, feeling it slide down my throat, cold and heavy. My body unexpectedly begins to pulse to its steady tick-tock, tick-tock. I groan.

What a sentimental idiot this world of endless summer has made me.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

H. L. Davis is a Christian, wife, and homeschool mom who calls the South home. She first discovered the joys of writing at ten years of age, and it is a craft she is delighted to pursue once again. When she isn’t brainstorming ideas and weaving words into stories, she enjoys reading, graphic design, and quality time with her family and friends. You can hear an audio narration of “Big Ben” on the Finding Fantasy Reads podcast.

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