"Boots what are you doing here?" asked Gregor with positive alarm. How did she get into the palace? thought Gregor. Heck, how did she get to the underland? Had she come with someone? Had the underlanders brought her here? And if so, why? Was the rest of his family here? Were the roaches somehow involved? At the sight of Gregor, her face brightened.

"Boots?" said Gregor again, "Why are you here?"

"Mommy says so!" said Boots, who was clearly thrilled.

"Wait, what?" said Gregor, pausing to look her in the eyes. "Mom said this was okay?" That didn't sound like her at all.

"Mommy here," said Boots, still grinning joyfully.

"Here?" Gregor raised his eyebrows. "Why's she here?"

"Dad-da and mom-ma," said Boots, giving him a look, like it was the most obvious thing in the world.

"No, Boots, dad's already here," said Gregor.

"No!" said Boots. "Dad-da is gone!" Boots made a motion with her arms as if something had suddenly disappeared.

"Yes," said Gregor, trying to explain, "but he's here now... Actually," said Gregor, "come with me." And, taking her by the hand, he led her through the palace and into the hospital wing. He wasn't sure which room his dad was in.

"Boots, you need to stay right here," he said as he took off in search of his dad's room. He didn't want her to see anything too gruesome if he came across it. He walked down the halls, peering through the small glass windows in each door. He frequently glanced behind him to make sure Boots hadn't moved.

When Gregor peered through the seventh door down the hall, he saw his dad lying on the bed. His mouth was open, and as far as Gregor could tell, he was sound asleep. His condition seemed to already be better. Some of the bruising around his face had faded a little in the short while since Gregor had seen him. Gregor figured it was safe for Boots to see him. He turned, only to find that in the few seconds since he had last seen her, she had disappeared.

"Boots!" he called, panic setting in. "Boots!" Her head popped out from around the corner. "Gregor?"

"Boots!" exclaimed Gregor in relief. "There you are. You can't do that! I thought you had disappeared!"

"You yelling at me!" she pouted.

"No, I'm not, Boots," said Gregor, "but you can't just leave like that."

"You're mad at me!" she wailed. "No! Boot, you just can't do that... Okay?" She nodded. "Okay," murmured Gregor. After a few moment's silence, Gregor voiced something he'd been wondering since her arrival.

"All right, Boot, I need you to tell me everything that happened," said Gregor, looking his sister in the face. "How did you get here? Where's mom? Is Lizzie alright?" The questions came pouring out of his mouth one after the other. "Did you run into that strange man? Is Lizzie here? Is grandma okay? Do the underlanders know you're here?" He looked at her, waiting for answers. She paused a moment, thinking, and Gregor was sure explanations to all his questions would be coming but, no.

"I'm hungry," Boots pouted. Gregor ran his fingers through his hair, trying to contain his frustration.

"Okay," he said. But it came out more of a growl than he intended. "Okay," he repeated, gentler. He could use some food anyway. "Let's go get you some food." Maybe he could get some answers while she ate. Unlikely, considering her eating style—cram it in until you can't breathe.

It took Gregor several minutes to lead Boots through the halls to the dining area. When he arrived, Vikus was sitting alone at the head of a broad stone table. He looked upset. His head was cradled in his hands and his eyes seemed bloodshot.

"Hi, Vikus," said Gregor gently, putting his hand on Vikus's shoulder. Vikus jumped slightly at his touch.

"Gregor." He gave a gentle smile, which somehow made him seem sadder. "What need you?" asked Vikus, slowly rising to his feet.

"Food!" burst out Boots from behind Gregor.

"Boots?" Vikus's mouth was so wide open, Gregor wanted to laugh. If this was any indication, the underlanders were not aware of his sister's presence. Or at least most of them. Gregor assumed that Vikus would have been one of the first people to be notified.

"It appears that—" started Gregor. "Well, I guess you can see for yourself," he said, gesturing down at his little sister.

"Ah, Boots, how fare you?" asked Vikus.

"I'm good!" she giggled. Then a shadow seemed to fall over her face. "I hungry!"

"Then we had better find you some food? Don't you think?" Boots nodded enthusiastically.

Vikus called a passing underlander to bring him a bowl of food for Boots. The man returned after a minute, carrying a bowl loaded with delicious-looking food. He placed it before Boots with a bow.

She giggled. All Gregor could think was how much these people spoiled her. What with all the roaches doting over her and calling her a princess not to mention the behavior of the underland humans. They were all very polite. Almost too polite.

While she was distracted by the food, Gregor tried to talk to Vikus.

"Do you know how she got here?" he asked the old man. Vikus shook his head, looking bemused. Then, he seemed to remember something and leaned forward.

"I have been sent to tell you this: we leave at dawn."

"What?" asked Gregor, completely befuddled. "huh?" He looked at Vikus, hoping for an explanation for this strange pronouncement. But instead, he repeated what he had said.

"We leave at dawn.

"Dawn..."