Clang, shuffle, crash!  “Oh no!” Lyla exclaimed, springing from her bed, “If Autumn’s getting into the garbage again, Mom and Dad will be upset!”

As she raced down the stairs, she skidded to a halt. Standing near the bottom of the stairs, at the entrance to the kitchen, stood Autumn. And she was growling, not at Lyla but at some thing in the kitchen…..

Lyla stopped, hesitating. She could still hear the sounds coming from inside the kitchen and now knew that it wasn’t Autumn. Just then she heard the loud smash of breaking glass coming from inside. 

Stepping past Autumn, Lyla peeked into the kitchen and couldn’t believe what she saw. The kitchen was in shambles! Broken glasses and plates were covering the floor. Pots and pans were scattered everywhere. Drawers were thrown open and the tap had been left running. But that wasn’t the strangest part. 

The strangest part was that the kitchen was completely empty. Whoever had made this huge mess was gone! Autumn nudged passed Lyla and went straight over to one of the open drawers, 

“What are you doing, Autumn?” Lyla questioned.

That’s when she heard it. The quiet shuffling that abruptly halted when she spoke. The small gasp that followed. Autumn turned her head to look at Lyla and gave her a look that said, I told you so. 

Lyla slowly crept over to the drawer and, despite Autumn trying to stop her, peered inside. Lyla couldn’t believe it, within the drawer there was a tiny creature with wings peering back up at her. After several minutes of staring at one another, Lyla hesitantly spoke, “Hello?”

“Hello,” the winged creature replied, with a smile. Autumn let out another low growl and tried to get in front of Lyla. “Stop it, Autumn. You'll scare them!” Lyla scolded. “I’m alright,” the creature said kindly.

Lyla turned back to the small intruder, “ I hope you don’t mind me asking but….”, she trailed off. 

“ I’m a fairy from a land of magic,” the fairy informed her. “Oh wow,” breathed Lyla, “I’m sure it’s very beautiful there.”

“I could bring you there, if you’re interested?” the fairy offered.

At that, Autumn lunged at the fairy, who had come to rest on Lylas wrist. “Autumn don’t!” Lyla exclaimed, then more quietly added, “I would love to see where you’re from.”  “Excellent,” the fairy smiled, though that smile had turned more sinister. 

”How do we get to your home?” Lyla questioned. “Like this,” the Fairy replied snapping their fingers. Suddenly, they were standing in the middle of a lush field, with gentle rolling hills and pockets of flowers scattered everywhere.