"You actually did as I told you," Jon said in a low voice, mostly to himself, but Zoe overheard him.
"Did what?" she asked.
"Uh ... got rid of your make-up."
"By the way, dear," their mom said. "I think you look much better without it."
"Thanks, Mom," Zoe said, then turned back towards Jon. "But I didn't do it for you. I just felt like it was about time for a change. That's all."
Wow, she actually thinks it was her own idea, Jon thought. He thought back to the encounter in the hallway. Zoe had that weird expression on her face, like she was in a trance. But why? What could have ...
Jon's eyes went wide suddenly. The flute. It had to be the flute. Maybe the sound coming from it had an effect on Zoe's mind. Sounds affecting people and things in different ways wasn't totally unheard of.
"Are you okay, Jon?" his mother asked.
He turned towards her. "Huh?"
"Well, you're not eating your food."
"Oh, yeah. Um ... can I be excused for moment?"
"Sure, but make it quick. Your pork chops won't stay warm forever."
"Thanks." Jon then left the table and ran back upstairs to his bedroom, where he kept the flute.
