Sunlight streamed into my tent and I was lying there, listening to the world around me awaken. Or rather, I could hear one of the guys from the group across the way hurling his guts up. It was an unpleasant way to begin the day.

I sat up and dressed myself then crawled out the tent to find Andy eating a cereal bar. He smiled at me and handed me one as well. I graciously accepted and sat with him.

"Ash won't be up yet." Andy stated, like it wasn't obvious that Ashley had gotten blind drunk.

How could someone get that drunk anyways? If Andy had heard my conversation last night then he didn't say anything. He was quiet and slightly more reserved. I guessed it was down to it being early.

I glanced over Andy's shoulder and thought I saw something through the trees. It looked like a little, glowing ball. I watched it dance among the grass and then disappear. Weird.

"Who were you talking to last night?" I asked, because nosiness and why not?

"She's my girlfriend. We've been together for 100 years." Andy replied.

Wow, a hundred entire years. Demons sure did things for keeps. I faintly wondered whether 100 was a high number. Maybe it was like humans when we celebrated a year and were all mushy and cuddly.

"Congratulations." I said.

"Demons are immortal. Ergo, their relationships last longer." He replied, eyeing me.

I could see the hint a mile away. He was trying to discourage me. I shuffled nervously under his gaze.

"Have you ever liked someone you weren't supposed to?" I asked, and Andy smiled then.

"Sure I have. I've loved humans too," He sighed. "Your short years, how you love unconditionally, how strong you are; it's a bittersweet feeling."

I guessed that were true. I would die in around 80 years, 90, if I were lucky. These guys would be here long after I was gone and long after everyone was gone. It was a sobering thought.

"My god, you two are so fuckin' moody." Ashley appeared behind Andy.

He didn't look hungover. He sat down next to Andy and smiled, dismissing Andy's glare. We all groaned when the guy from across the way started heaving again.

"Fuckin' weak ass humans," Ashley whined. "So, plans for today?"

"We wait till nightfall. Whatever this is won't show itself till then." Andy replied.

Nightfall would be a long time. I decided to amuse myself and have a shower at the facilities at the edge of campsite. The showers were surprisingly clean and well kept. I spent ages washing. I re-plaited my hair and put on a different dress and boots. Next on my little trip would be to visit the gift shop.

I walked in and found the shop to be full of weird, little knick-knacks. It was like entering another dimension. No one seemed to be around. I paused at a shelf that had snowglobes on and stared at them for a few moments, transfixed.

One of them had a small woman inside. Her skin was translucent and she had clear wings protruding from her back. Her face was downcast, watching a glowing ball in front of her. On her face was a secretive smile. I reached out and grasped the ornament.

On my way to the counter I also picked up a cat plush for Collette. Waiting by the cash register, I hoped I hadn't walked in when the shop was closed. I must have been miles away.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" A voice said.

I jumped out of my skin and noticed the voice belonged to a girl. She must have been a few years older than me. Her skin was like porclein and her eyes were a witchy green.

"Sorry, couldn't resist." She lauighed, beads in her hair jangling.

She looked like someone who was effortlessly cool, but didn't care about it. Just made her cooler. Whereas I looked like a troll.

"The snowglobe is beautiful?" I queried. Thought that was what she'd said.

"Yeah, it is. You see, these little faeries live in the forest and dance around like little lights." She replied.

Sounds like someone was a bit crazy. I glanced at the snowglobe then back to her. That weird light must have been a faerie. These things are real? Seriously? The girl priced everything up and I paid her.

"Can I ask your advice?" I wasn't sure how reliable she'd be.

"Sure, go for it." She said, sagely.

"Hypothetically, if you were a guy, would you like this snowglobe as a gift?" I watched her face and she smiled.

"Hypothetically, if I was a guy then I'd think you really liked me to give me something so personal." She grinned.

Right, thanks for the advice, crazy shop girl. I accepted the paper bag with my stuff in and left. When I got back, Andy was watching Ashley, who was chatting to Austin. My god, I hoped Ash didn't decide to get drunk again.

"I think I've figured out what's killing people," I said, and Andy glanced to me. "Faeries. They appear as lights, people have been following them in the dark."

"Yeah, I get the sense that whatever is here isn't good, but isn't evil." Andy replied, grimacing when Ashley laughed.

"Can we get rid of faeries?" I asked, genuinely curious.

"Nope, they were here first. This is their place. We're encroaching on it." He replied.

Andy decided after that we should follow the lights after dusk to be sure they were faeries.

**********************

Dusk came quickly and after our dinner, we set off. We hiked up the trail and were pretty pleased there was no one here yet. The sun had dipped below the skyline and we waited as the temperature dropped. We didn't have to wait long though. Across the way, on a nearby ledge I saw a small light.

It weaved along the side of the hill, dipping up and down. It's movements were co-ordinated, like it was dancing. I was in awe.

"Be careful, Junko." Andy said.

I trailed after the light and it seemed to be aware I was following. It changed its route and danced towards the edge of the hill. Andy stepped behind me and the light turned, flitting away, like it sensed that Andy was something not of this world. The light floated away down the hill.

Ashley came to stand next to me. He elbowed me. I glanced in the direction he was pointing.
A million little lights flitted among the trees and floated towards the sky. I smiled as I watched them. They climbed slightly higher and weaved round towards the back of the hill.

"Can I go and watch them?" I asked.

"Yeah, but be careful." Andy warned.

"Your boyfriend would break our necks." Ashley snickered when I glared at him.

I raced after the lights as they ascended. The hill sloped round and I came out at a little peak. Across the way I noticed two figures seated on the ledge. Normal humans wouldn't have been able to see the lights. My foot crunched on gravel and one of the figures stood, turning and holding a torch.

In the dim light, I saw someone very familiar. Someone I'd been wanting to speak to since Friday. Collette. Her eyes widened when she realised it was me.

The other figure stood and turned. I recognised it was Hunter. Why were they out here? The puzzle pieces came together quite quickly for me. Why Hunter always ignored me, why he seemed so down when I'd last seen him and Collette's secretive behaviour.

"Junko, I'm so sorry." Collette said, voice thick with regret.

I almost couldn't hear her over the ringing in my ears. To be truthful, I wasn't that upset that she was with Hunter. Afterall, I was starting to get over my feelings for him. It was more that she'd kept this hidden and not told me. How long had she liked Hunter? Had she and him been doing this while he was with Victoria? A part of me already knew the answer.

I fled before she could take the first step. Andy was rounding the corner as I darted by. I ran past and skidded. My ankle twisted painfully and I felt myself going sideways. Before I could fall though, someone grasped my wrist. Ashley pulled me back, anchoring me.

Tears clouded my vision and he hugged me. My ankle gave way and he was holding me up. It felt humiliating to be carried back down the slope, but maybe not as humiliating to find out what your two friends were up to.

********************

Packing up our equipment took longer. Andy sat next to me as Ashley finshed and held up a glass orb. Inside was a small, winged woman. I pressed my pinkie to the glass and she pressed her tiny hands to the orb, looking sorrowful. I kinda knew how she felt.

The drive back was quiet and Andy parked the car near an old warehouse on the edge of town.

"Send the stuff back first." Ashley said.

They'd left me in the car, clutching the orb. The door opened and Andy reached in, scooping me out. My ankle was throbbing and had swollen. The pain was nothing though.

"Let's get your ankle looked at." Andy smiled.

I nodded and he cuddled me closer. I closed my eyes as we were whisked from my world to the other world. The foyer was empty when I opened my eyes.

"Hey, guys." Tris appeared, heels clicking.

She saw me and paused, looking concerned. Her hand reached out and she smoothed my hair from my face, kinda like a Mom would do.

"What happened?" She asked.

"Junko tripped following the faerie lights." Andy replied.

I found myself in the hospital wing again. The orb had been taken away. I sighed and glanced at the ice pack on my ankle. Tris had been super worried. I rubbed my eyes and leaned over to grab my bag.

"Hey, be careful."

My eyes shot up to see Chris. He'd gotten to my bag first and handed it to me. I accepted and sniffled. He sat next to me.

"T-thank you." I mumbled.

"Andy told me you tripped? Are you ok?" He asked.

"Yeah, I'm sorry if I caused trouble. I-i saw my best friend and the guy I li-used to like- together. That's why I ran and that's why I fell." I whispered.

I glanced up and could barely see him through the haze of tears as they blurred my vision. I just about registered his hand touching my cheek, smoothing my hair from my face.

"I'm sorry, Junko." He said, and he did sound contrite. It wasn't his fault though. It was mine.

"S'not your fault. I'm sad that she kept it from me." I replied.

He removed his hand and I felt empty all of a sudden. I'd never felt so pathetic than i did tonight. Maybe Chris had realised I was a weak human. For some reason my mind went to the snowglobe in my bag and I opened the front of it.

I practically closed my eyes and thrusted the snowglobe in his face.

"This is for you. If you hate then it doesn't matter. I'll take it back and, and, um." I didn't even take a breath.

I felt Chris take the snowglobe and I lifted my head, peeking at him from beneath my fringe. He turned it over in his hand and then looked at me again. He smiled and my face heated up.

"Thank you for thinking of me," He said. "I really liked talking to you last night."

"Y-you did? Seriously?" I replied, eyes widening.

"Did I give the impression that I didn't, Junko?" Chris said, and I guessed he hadn't. Not in so many words.

"N-no, I was happy you spoke to me." I whispered, toying with my dress.

Our eyes met for a brief moment and he leaned down, grasping my chin, forcing me to look at him. Someone cleared their throat. I peeked round to see Tris in the doorway. She was smiling widely.

Chris pulled back and left, saying something to her, then leaving. Tris watched him then her eyes flicked to me. Her grin was getting wider and wider.

"What was that?" She asked, giggling.

"N-nothing. We were talking." I stated.

She shook her head, "Nope, I don't think so. That was almost a kiss."

I had never been so close to Chris. I could see the crimson flecks in his eyes and could still smell him. A flush rose to my cheeks and Tris laughed again.

"Ok, maybe it was almost a kiss." I said, smiling.

"Yeah it was," She grinned, then her face became serious. "I want it to be. He needs someone that's like you. He's been alone for so long that I was honestly getting worried."

"But I'm human." I whispered, and Tris smiled again.

"Sometimes we need to be with someone different." She replied, and walked over, checking my ice pack.

I glanced at the door and smiled. My face hurt a little. I guessed it was all the crying I'd done. I didn't really feel like crying now.

Notes