And Peter laughed, and when he did, all the Devils grinned, because Peter's laugh was a most contagious thing.

But Peter had seen too much, knew too well that men-kind didn't need an excuse to be cruel and murder one another.

Had not enough gone wrong?

Peter glanced up at the stars and a wicked smile lit his face. "Time to play," he whispered to the stars and winked. And the stars winked back, for Peter's smile is a most contagious thing.

For Peter's smile is a most contagious thing.

There is always something left to lose.

Men-kind shared this world for but a blink, then, sadly, they became enlightened, found science and religion. The new world of men left little room for magic or the magical creatures of old. Earth’s first children were driven into the shadows by flame and cold iron, by man’s insatiable need of conquest.