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A truly massive tree fort stretched up towards the canopy and out in every direction. The trunk of the tree itself was wider than most building’s you’ve seen, and the trunks were so thick that you could scarcely imagine this tree being anything but a couple thousand years old. Maybe even more!
As you and the others gaped at the impossible scenery before you, Peter wasted no time in flying up to the top of the tree fort. Even from down here, you could see tiny little specks milling about and playing. They were children, you knew, but seeing them that high up without any sort of safety precaution made your breath catch for but a moment.
You waited a few minutes, conversing amongst one another as Peter had a very animated argument with some of the kids up above. Eventually, he flew back down with a small boy in his arms. The child’s raggedy patchwork cloth had been fashioned into a raccoon costume. It was probably the most adorable thing you’ve seen since coming to this island.
<span class="mu-g">“Tell these guys what you told me.”</span> he urged the boy.
The raccoon boy nodded. <span class="mu-b">“The Lost Boys that you’ve come here for. The gifted children. They’re gone!”</span> he exclaimed.
<span class="mu-b">“Gone?”</span> Callisto asked. <span class="mu-b">“What do you mean ‘gone’? Did someone take them?”</span>
The boy shook his head. <span class="mu-b">“They had a huge fight. Tore up half the fort and dang well nearly killed us in the crossfire! Then after that, they all left, saying that they’d find a new home!”</span>
You all looked at Peter, and you were surprised to see that he had a haunted look on his face.
<span class="mu-r">“Pan?”</span> you said.
His eyes slowly slid over to you. <span class="mu-g">“This is bad, Henry.”</span> he said, looking at you. <span class="mu-g">“I know what made that Strafe behave so strangely, now.”</span>
You were so tense that you couldn’t be bothered to correct him for forgetting your name again.
<span class="mu-g">“One of the kids that I brought over. They had the ability to control animals, making them do what they said and making them stronger if they were close enough.”</span> he said, looking angry now.
<span class="mu-g">“You’re saying that one of the mutants attacked us?”</span> Glass said. <span class="mu-g">“Why?”</span>
<span class="mu-g">“Maybe they knew what we were here for.”</span> Prowler suggested.
<span class="mu-b">“And they don’t want to leave…”</span> Felicia concluded, her face falling a bit.
You all remained silent as you took a moment to ponder that line of logic.
<span class="mu-g">“Where did the others go?”</span> Anastasia demanded.
The raccoon boy shrank back a bit, but didn’t falter. <span class="mu-b">“Tossa went to the Black Castle, Croaker went to the Piccaninny Tribe, and I think Squirt went to go join the faeries up at Pixie Hollow. I don’t know where the other two went.”</span> he admitted with a shrug.
(Cont.)
