The Hollow Echo

Mariza sat cross-legged on the soft moss beneath the great oak tree, watching a small blue flame dance above her palm. The flame flickered like a tiny candle, casting turquoise shadows across her brown jacket. She had been practicing for hours, trying to make the fire bigger, but it stayed stubbornly small.

The Lost Boys were playing pirates near the lagoon, their laughter echoing through Neverland's warm air. Mariza used to love their games, but everything felt different now. The island still sparkled with magic, but something was missing.

A rustling sound made her look up. Slightly emerged from behind a cluster of ferns, his red hair messy from running.

"Why aren't you playing with us?" he asked, plopping down beside her.

"Just thinking," Mariza said, closing her fist around the flame.

"About what?"

She shrugged. "Nothing important."

But it was important. For months, she had felt like something was coming. Something that would change everything again.

The Approaching Shadow

A sharp whistle cut through the afternoon air. Mariza's flame vanished as she spun around. Peter Pan dropped from the sky, landing with his usual confident grin.

"Lost Boys, assemble!" he called, his voice carrying across the clearing.

Slightly jumped up, brushing dirt from his clothes. "What's happening, Peter?"

"We have a visitor." Peter's green eyes sparkled with mischief. "Captain Hook spotted something flying toward the island. Something that doesn't belong here."

Mariza felt her stomach tighten. The feeling she had been carrying for months suddenly grew stronger, like a storm cloud gathering overhead.

"What kind of something?" she asked, standing slowly.

Peter shrugged. "Hook couldn't tell from his telescope. But whatever it is, it's heading straight for the lagoon."

The Lost Boys whooped with excitement, already grabbing their wooden swords and pretend spears. But Mariza noticed how Peter's smile didn't quite reach his eyes.

"Come on," Peter said, floating a few feet off the ground. "Let's go see what wants to visit our home."

As they headed toward the lagoon, Mariza couldn't shake the feeling that their visitor wasn't coming for a friendly chat.