You were working in your room, bent over a set of old maps spread across your desk. Sunlight filtered through the window, warm and golden, dust motes drifting lazily in the beam. Lost in your markings, you hardly noticed how quiet the room had grown.

When you reach the drawer of your cabinet for your compass, you pause in shock.

Beneah the wooden frame, on the folds of your bedsheet, four small figures sat huddled together. Their wings shimmered with colors too soft and radiant to describe, glowing faintly in the light. They turned to look at you with wide, curious eyes.

The one with a flower crown in her hair leaned forward, smiling cautiously. “Don’t be afraid,” she said softly. “My name is Lyra.”

Beside her, another fairy with emerald eyes placed her hands together politely. “I’m Selene. We… didn’t mean to be found.”

The third fairy, who had been holding the hand of the shyest one, giggled like a bell. “He found us anyway! I’m Auri, and this is little Faye.”

The smallest fairy, Faye, peeked out from behind her friend’s shoulder, wings trembling slightly. She whispered, “You can see us…? Truly?”

Their voices were like music, delicate yet clear. You knelt down slowly, careful not to frighten them.