I entered my treehouse, getting out of the cloaks and disguise from the night before.
"And where have you been?" Felix asked, leaning against the threshold.
I glanced at him but didn't answer.
"You've been off playing Pied Piper." Rufio accused.
"I thought you were done with that. Considering that the island is dying."
"I haven't brought anyone back, Felix. Do not accuse me of things you don't understand."
"So you just went off to blow off steam. To see what else we have lost?" One of them asked.
"And what did you lose?" The other crowed.
The memory of the girl dancing around the fire came to my mind. "On the contrary. I believe I may have gained something from this."
He looked confused. "And what was that?"
"I'll inform you when I know. For now, it seems the pan pipe still holds power over mortals."
"So you're going back out?"
I sat on my bed, nodding. "Yes, I believe so. You and Rufio should join me. Perhaps you'll see the change that I see."
The boy nodded. "While you were gone, we saw a change you didn't see. There was a mermaid on the horizon."
"The mermaids have all gone."
"This one was alone. Far from the island. But she was there."
Peter nodded, kicking off his boots. "Any improvement on the island? Wildlife? Plant life?"
The Lost Boy shook his head. "No, nothing. Did something happen while you were in the aging world?"
"Nothing of concern at the moment. Perhaps tonight will shed light on why a mermaid was randomly swimming in a damned world."