This had been going on for quite a number of hours when he decided to go for a swim in the pool. Partly because he wanted a swim, and partly because he hoped that swimming would block out the commenting.
He was wrong. On the one hand, Zac, thanks to his power, could hear perfectly well underwater. On the other hand, the voice sounded close enough to be underwater too. Which he found odd.
"Zac." Gretel said sweetly, popping into the room again.
"What do you want?" Zac demanded.
"Just to talk."
"Please don't tell her I'm here." The voice whispered softly to Zac, sounding very scared. "Please don't! I'll do anything."
The oddest thing about the whisper was that it right next to his ear. And considering all but his head was underwater, and thus all but his head was water, well, Zac had no idea where this voice was coming from. There was certainly nothing floating on the water - or on him.
"Talk about what?" Zac asked.
An unusually wide smile crossed Gretel's face. She sauntered to the table.
"You still haven't eaten anything I see."
"That's what you want to talk about?"
"Why? You must be hungry by now." She asked, ignoring the question.
"Look, for all I know this is a Persephone situation -"
"Persephone?" Gretel repeated, confused for a moment. "Oh yes, the Greek myth. She was abducted by Hades, didn't eat anything and the day she ate six seeds was the day that Hermes turned up to take her home on the condition that she didn't eat anything. I didn't think you were into mythology."
"I'm not. But my girlfriend is." Zac paused. "Speaking of which - where is my family?"
"Oh, home no doubt. But you don't need to worry about them. They're fine."
"They'll be worried about me. They'll call the cops and track you down and put you in a freak show."
Gretel started laughing.
"No one can catch me!" she crowed. "I can teleport. And no one stands a chance of finding you! But now, to business."
"Look, I'd be happy to sign a couple of posters or CD's or something for you but -"
"Why would I want your signature?"
"Because I'm Zac Hanson." When Gretel continued to look confused he continued. "I'm in a band - Hanson. Ok, so, you're not a fan?"
"No. I don't listen to music."
"You don't listen to music?" Zac gaped. "How can you not listen to music? I couldn't live without it."
"So, you're a rock star are you?" Gretel asked, with the beginnings of a smirk. "Well now, that might cause some problems in the short term, but nothing I can't handle. Now, back to business -"