"It's been nearly six months: where have you been!?!?"

I shook my head and opened my eyes. I was lying on the main deck of The Sea Hag and everyone was standing around me, looking concerned. I lifted my hand to my head, felt the throbbing on my forehead. I did not know what had happened to me. I could not speak, I could only look up, into Annie's concerned eyes. Nutty and Ren were holding water and crackers, they looked very worried. I finally sat up and gestured for Annie to help me to one of the lounge chairs on the deck. I took a sip of water from Ren's offered glass and felt a little better. I looked around me and could see nothing but open ocean. I had no idea what had happened. I gave Annie a questioning look and she smiled. She told me that I had disappeared in the night, that they had been looking for me for months and were worried they would never find me. Then one day,that day, I just landed flat on my back in the middle of the main deck of The Sea Hag. It was as though I had fallen from a great distance as Annie, Nut and Ren had been in the galley enjoying pineapple daiquiris and cherry upside down cake when they heard the crash of my body landing on the deck. They had run outside and found me, completely passed out.

I opened my mouth to speak but could not, so I gestured to Annie about what had happened with Salty Pepper??!?? She told me that after I had disappeared, she had searched the island frantically, going to all the spots where I might have gone, but knowing deep down that I was not even on the island. Annie frowned deeply at this and told me that she and I had gone to the arranged place to meet with Salty, but that he was dodgy about the topic and that Tempo had been there - with her back-pack, that she had flown off, and why did I not remember this? We had been on the way back to the Divine Sea Hag when I decided to stop somewhere for some shave-ice and then disappeared. Annie could not think of a reason why she had not come with me. She looked upset.

Ooh, but my head hurt so much just thinking about FoN. It seemed that every time my thoughts drifted to FoN my head started to pound. I opened my mouth to speak again, but no sounds came out. What was wrong with me? Annie sensed my frustration and put her hand on my arm. She started to tell me about what she, Nut and Ren had been doing in the last six months.

Once Annie had returned to The Sea Hag and told Nut and Ren of my disappearance, the three put together a plan to try and find me. They had to somehow contact the sea psychic, Tempo, and find out if she might be able to locate me. Using some high tech locating equipment, otherwise known as a telescope, Nutty located Peri, the beautiful mermaid, and asked her if Tempo could help in locating me. Peri was very helpful, running down to visit Tempo who told her that I would be found, but that I was not on land or sea. Annie told me that Peri and Ren had been searching the skies for me for months, and had not had any luck. Losing hope quickly, Nut and Ren decided to through a party, knowing that I would have to attend because they knew I loved pineapple daiquiris. Annie had been suspicious, but joined in the fun, and they were about to come up to the deck when they heard me crashing into it - so now Annie was very anxious to hear about where I had been.

I looked down at my toes. I did not know what to say, I could not remember where I had been. All I could see were flashes of light - they resonated in the back of my mind. They were in brilliant colours. Why couldn't I speak? I wanted to tell Annie how much I had missed her and how grateful I was to Nut and Ren for being so adamant in trying to find me. I looked up and stared at the star in the sky. I knew they were so far away but their light seemed so close. Ren brought me a pineapple daiquiri and everyone sat around me, waiting for me to speak. I took a sip of my drink and felt a little better. I nodded and smiled and told Nutty how great the drink was. Everything stopped. Everyone stared at me. I had spoken! I tried a few more words and sure enough, they came out loud and true. I smiled and Annie came over to give me a hug. I told the crew that I was so sorry for being gone so long and that I really couldn't remember anything that had happened. Nut asked is it had something to do with Salty Pepper. I stirred my drink with my straw and thought for a moment. I did not think this had anything to do with him, but could not be sure. I told them that I did not know if this had anything to do with Salty, but that we should try and see if there was anyone out there who could help me regain my memory. Ren nodded. She told us that maybe Tempo could help but that I would need to go underwater with Peri to get to the castle. Annie looked cross, and said that she did not think it was best so soon after my ordeal. Annie wanted me to stay on The Sea Hag until I felt better, that maybe my memory would come back on it's own.

I shook my head slowly. I knew of someone who could help.