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The sounds were soft, but very alive.

Jack smiled. Home was Earth -- that bright, colorful world where everything was alive and always changing.

"A bit of moondust still on you," she said. "Thank you, Jack, for your great love of knowledge."

"Morgan, can you and the tree house stay here?" said Annie. "In Frog Creek?"

Morgan tugged on one of Annie's braids. "And thank you, Annie, for your belief in the impossible."

An owl hooted.

Jack opened his eyes. He pushed his glasses into place.

"You're welcome," said Jack.

A breeze rustled the leaves.

The midnight woods woke up.

She handed Jack his pack. She brushed his cheek. Her hand felt soft and cool.

"No, I must leave again, I'm afraid," said Morgan. "I've been gone from Camelot for a long time."

"You're welcome," said Annie.

"Go home now," said Morgan.

He smiled. Morgan was still with them. He could see her in the moonlight. Her long white hair was shining.

"Will you come back soon?" he said.

"Bye, Morgan," said Annie. She started out of the tree house.

Jack looked back at Morgan.

The wind started to blow.

Jack opened his eyes. The ladder was gone. He looked through the leaves and branches of the giant oak tree. Where the tree house had been was only moonlight now.

The midnight air felt cool and moist. It was filled with the soft sounds of earth life.

A loud roar filled Jack's ears. He squeezed his eyes shut. He covered his ears.

"Bye, Peanut," said Annie.

It did, thought Jack. It was.

Jack and Annie left the Frog Creek woods. They started down their street.

He smiled and nodded.

Annie glanced up at the sky. "The moon looks really far away, doesn't it?"

Jack and Annie stared at the top of the tree for a long moment.

"Ready?" said Annie.

Then everything was silent and still.

Jack followed Annie down the rope ladder. He stepped onto the ground.

They started for home.

"I wonder how the moon man can be up there all alone," said Annie.

"Go now," Morgan said softly.

Jack nodded.

"Bye, Morgan," he whispered sadly.

The tree started to shake.

"Anything can happen," said Morgan. "The universe is filled with wonders. Isn't it, Jack?"

Morgan's words came back to him: The universe is filled with wonders. Isn't it, Jack?

"No. I think he's an alien," said Annie, "from another galaxy."

"Who do you think he was?" said Annie.

"Wrong," said Jack. "There's no proof that aliens exist."

"Maybe not now," said Annie. "But don't forget -- we were in the future."

"I mean, who helps him put on his spacesuit?" said Annie. "Who helps him get up when he falls down?"

"He must be a scientist or an astronaut from Earth," said Jack.

Was Annie right? he wondered. Could the moon man have come from another galaxy?

They crossed their yard and climbed their back steps. Annie tiptoed inside the house. Jack followed her.

Jack scoffed. "What makes you say that?"

Before he shut the door, he glanced up at the moon.

"I just feel it," said Annie.

"And who is he?" added Jack.

"Oh, brother," said Jack.

"Goodnight, moon man," Jack whispered. Then he closed the door.

"What do you mean?" said Jack.