Strength in Numbers

The next morning, puffed birds pompously cut the cold winds singing sweetly mellow songs announcing the dawn. On the lake, the heavy mist filled the air, and the sun painted the horizon so warmly, one couldn't help but feel joyous.

Caleb woke up before his friends, however, Ailrees and the hosts had beaten him to it. Connor and Jack were out to fetch breakfast, so, only the two were up around the lodge.

Eagerly, Caleb went to find Ailrees and meant to greet her good morning. But when his gaze eventually caught her, he took a step back. He stood in the other room, discretely observing the fairy, who was glued to the window, rejoicing in the parade of brightly colored feathers and songs.

He was as enchanted by her smile as she was enamored by the flying critters.

By the sparkle in her eyes and the subtle color on her cheeks, it was obvious she had recovered overnight. He couldn't fathom the pain she must be bearing and yet she could still admire the beauty in the simple things, like the sunrise and life itself.

There was an eerie splendor about her that brought him peace. She glowed.

- What you looking at with that shiner, matte? – Nick teased his friend who seemed to be daydreaming.

– Oh!

I see... - the punk implied when he realized where Caleb's mind was focused on.

- Huh? No! It's not that, dude. – the young man quickly dismissed him - She lost everything. I mean, look at her, how can she be okay? –

- People are weird, bro... - Nick responded and put his arm on Caleb's shoulder – Plus, how do even know she is okay? –

- You're right.

I guess I don't. – Caleb murmured upon the epiphany.

- So, what we looking at? – Valory said joining them

– Oh!

I see... -

she implied – Well, don't just creep around, you creep!

Go talk to the fairy! – the bombshell said trying to push the biker boy forward.

But he wouldn't budge,

so, she, being the good friend she is,

shouted to the other room, calling Ailrees to them.

"Nowhere to run, big boy." the blonde whispered badgering him.

- Oh! You're up! Morning! Hadn't seen you there. – jolly, Ailrees said as she approached – Good thing you're all together, too...

I wanted to thank you for yesterday. –

- Don't worry about it... - Caleb put it at ease.

- Yeah, Luv. No fuss. – Nikla went along.

- No biggie. It just changed my whole conception of the world, but it's fine.

Gonna rethink every bedtime story I've ever heard... –

Valory mentioned in humor – But, hey, anytime, luv! ... -

- I didn't think it through, I know. I risked not only my life on a whim but yours, too. I won't act so recklessly again, rest assured. So, when you are back home, you needn't worry about me. –

the fairy apologized.

- Speaking of home... how are going to get back? Our phones are goners, due to the impromptu swim last night... - Valory inquired and sighed, upset about the gadget.

- How would that thing assist you? – Ailrees pondered confused since it didn't look like much...

- Doesn't matter. – the fairy broke off before any of them tried to explain - I can guide you out of the forest. I'm fine now. –

- Awesome! I'm ready when you are. – the blonde responded eagerly.

Not long after, Connor and Jack returned with fresh berries, and herbs for tea. The shapeshifters kind of had had a blast and were sorry to part so soon. Those were the first humans they'd ever interacted with. Even in animal form, on the rare sights of people, they would always shy away and observe from afar. To be able to speak with them in their true form was something completely fascinating to the two. Something before unthinkable.

In a jiffy, the duo served the berries and tea with honeyed bread and sweet bean paste, proudly boasting about the flavor combination and aromas to their guests, and they all enjoyed breakfast together and chatted, mostly small talk while biding farewell.

The friends courteously thanked the shapeshifters for the hospitality and were about to leave when Caleb stood back, lingering to get in the water.

- I'm sorry, guys. – he said with a troubled look on his face.

– I'm staying. –

- I can't just leave...

our world won't end, but theirs, might. –

There was an awkward moment of silence as the twins pondered how to argue against it, though they saw how heavily it weighed on their brother from another mother. Deep down they also didn't want to leave a crumbling fairytale behind, but at the same time, a thought ruminated in their minds...

the thought that they lived so long without knowing about it,

they could most definitively live on not knowing, right?

- Ehm... I dread to say it,

but... - Ailrees started sheepishly.

- But what? – Valory asked anxiously.

- Your world is not so safe, either... - Connor chimmed in, dry.

- Wait, what?! – the twins asked, alarmed.

- What do you mean by that? – Caleb inquired puzzled.

- Well, I can't say for sure because I HAVE been so lucky to NOT mingle with them... but it has always been known that they desire to end the reign of the light. The creatures of the night are bound to wander in the darkness, thus why they wish for a never-ending winter. – Jack told.

- Yeah, winters suck, but doesn't sound like the end of the world... - Nick argued.

- The magic that binds all that is evil to the night is unbreakable. So, the only way around it is

if there is no day...

If they succeed, the forest will become a wasteland.

It doesn't exactly translate that the city will perish, you can't kill rocks and wood that are already dead...

but,

it does mean that they will no longer be restricted to roaming the darkest hours,

they will haunt the day, too. – Ailrees explained.

- And it gets worse... - Connor warned.

- That's comforting... - Caleb affirmed sarcastically.

- Do you remember what the fox said? – Ailrees asked and proceeded to then recite it:

- "No humans shall be harmed as long as sunlight reigns..." -

- You can guess where we are going with this, right? – quite serious, Connor suggested.

- So... we're safe for now, but sooner or later the boogieman will come for us... - Nick summarized in a questioning tone to see if he understood it correctly.

- Well, ain't that a darning plot twist? – Valory muttered. – Here I thought reality was still a thing... –

- It's still a thing, Val... It just became a fairytale where the villains win; apparently. – Caleb responded in banter and hugged her sideways

– they don't make many movies about those, though... - the young man paused and contemplated, then in a cheerful voice he asked like someone who asks the other to go for ice cream:

- So,

you guys in? –