Just Another Fairy Tale

By Maryn Spangler

Most people don't believe in fairies. Unlike all the others, I do. I had an interesting experience when I was growing up. Most people (those who don't believe in fairies) will not understand or believe what I have to say. That is their problem and I pity them. However I know I am not the only one who appreciates this. I know that others will understand.

I grew up in a small portion of Issaquah, Washington. It was a nice humble neighborhood, in which everyone knew too much about everyone else. Rumor traveled quickly, propelled by giant cherry trees where snickering children were hidden by the foliage to listen in on other's conversations. Most children had learned to climb trees like a monkeys, swinging from branch to branch. Unfortunately for everyone but them, the quaint little houses were far too easy to swing over, given the right amount of momentum. The neighborhood children had organized a secret group nick-named "Flying Squirrels".

Everyone knew my family and me by name and face. My bright red spikes I called hair never left people's memory easily. My family ran the coffee shop in the corner-side market. We were famous in a little town sort of way. Jay baked all the sweets, my parents made the drinks, and the rest of us acted as caterers.

It was the year 2006, if I remember correctly. I had just turned14. Most people I have met have told me 14 was the magic year. That time of coming into themselves. A month had already gone by, yet I still felt 13.

Then the storms started. Usually in Washington, we didn't get much snow each year. It is a rare occasion we even get a centimeter. The first snow storm, we got four inches. Four inches of light, fluffy, packing snow. Underneath was a clear inch of corn snow, to make the ground extremely slippery. The "Flying Squirrels" had to shut down business because even they weren't light enough to avoid making snow drop from the trees. Instead they enjoyed a couple days of sledding and trying to run over passers by.

Even I tried sledding, even though many people thought I was too old to revisit that joy I had never experienced. I remember starting at the top of our big hill, anticipation clawing at the sides of my gut, and doubt nudging at the edge of my mind. Wind flew through my hair as I sped down. Reaching ice, I recall getting quite a nasty jolt, as I bounced and my jaw chattered.

Everyone thought that that was the best week of the year. We were all sad to see it leave. All of us were so caught up in our happiness, no one noticed when the weather reports said we were in for 90 miles per hour winds that night. No one heard when the news casters advised everyone to go get supplies as fast as possible. No one listened when reports were already pouring in about trees crushing houses, and power outages. To us, the advice to get out now while we still could didn't exist.

I remember the earsplitting scream of the wind, as it tore through the trees, desperate to reach the open sky. I couldn't sleep that night, and the whole family huddled under the covers of my parents' bed.

When we got up that morning, the power was out, and my dad had to light a fire in our fireplace. Even with the fire on, we could barely keep out the cold. We finally decided to open the coffee shop, because at least it had a wood stove, which would be more effective at fighting the battle against the evil cold. Everyone, and I mean everyone, in our neighborhood saw us head towards our shop, and they all came with us. Luckily, we had a fresh supply of candles, and our coffee maker was hand powered, so we gave everyone something warm to drink.

It was 3:00 in the afternoon, and I had gone outside to get the newspaper. Bending over, I was 4 inches away before I saw a curious thing floating right above the newspaper. It appeared to be reading it. It was a fairy.

It had to be. Why else would it have wings sprouting out of it's back, or be 3 inches tall? However, It didn't look like a fairy.

This fairy was very odd looking. Not really what you would expect a fairy to look like. He had bright purple hair spikier than mine, a yellow sweater vest that clashed terribly with his hair, over a red T-shirt. Black karate pants were being worn under orange shorts. A poisonous looking weed stuck out of his mouth. A newsboy hat the color of ripened limes on his head, and a golf club in hand completed the outfit.

He looked up at me in a condescending way.

"Heh, stupid human. Can't even see a fairy! All of them don't believe in us. I mean, if I didn't believe in humans, does that mean that we fairies wouldn't get squished any more? That will be the day, when fairies get to squash humans," He muttered. He was raving, and most of what he said didn't make any sense at all.

I looked at him in amazement. Here was the subject of my dreams as a little girl, just staring up at me as if he ruled the world and I wasn't fit to lick the leftover food left on his napkin.

"But I can see you! And I'm not the only one who can, too. Why are you here? I've always believed in fairies, but I've never actually seen one!"

When I first spoke, he jumped so much, he actually fell over in mid-air. As I continued on with my monologue, he flew up until he was right in front of my face, and started to tap his foot on nothing.

"Well of COURSE you've never seen one. Those who are nearby someone who can see them just hide! Anyway, not even seeing a human who can see me is going to stop me from coming around here to spread a little mischief!"

I stopped short.

"What sort of mischief?" I asked hesitantly, already guessing the answer.

"Why, killing some humans, of course!"

I started to sweat.

"Your kind kills fairies, so I decided to return the favor!"

"Just tell me your plan!" I started to sob.

"At dawn tomorrow, the dam on the hill above your valley will blow up. You will all be drowned."

"No please don't do this."

" You're 1 million years to late to prevent this, you pinkling!"

He flew off snickering.

My mind went into quick think mode. I wasn't fast enough to get up to the dam in time. I would have to let it happen, but save the people.

Running into the coffee shop, I yelled out to everyone.

" Everyone! Grab anything that isn't waterproof from your houses and wrap them in blankets! Then meet me at the top of Pristal Creek Hill.

Flying Squirrel, you will transport the belongings to the top of the hill via the trees. You all have until dawn to get these things done."

Everyone stared. I hadn't thought about how stupid I would sound when I said it. I hadn't thought about what I was going to tell them if they asked why.

"Tabitha, why?"

My worst nightmare question.

"There is going to be a flood. I don't know exactly how much water, but a lot."

"Define a lot."

"Think of the dam blowing out."

There was a stunned silence. No one knew what to say. Then, Jay stepped forward and asked the dreaded question.

"How do you know?"

I hesitated. I couldn't tell them the truth, could I? I decided to give it a shot.

" A fairy told me."

Lucky for me, my community was a very believing one, even if it was as farfetched a story as mine.

" Let's go, everyone!" That was my dad, stepping out from the crowd. I smiled a relieved smile.

Everything worked out as I planned. People handed over bundles of food, clothing, blankets, everything that wouldn't recover well if it got wet. The elderly were put on the backs of some of the older boys who used to be a Flying Squirrels, and got to the top before everyone else by swinging through the trees.

We worked through the night and got up to the top in time to put down some blankets to sit on and wait. Then, around dawn, there was a small booming sound from the hill opposite us, followed by a rushing sound, and we watched as something dark flowed down the hill toward our homes.

Looking around, I saw a glitter by my left elbow. It was the fairy, mouth agape, and eyes huge as he stared at the whole neighborhood around me.

"I don't understand! How did you get them all to get up here in time?"

"I told them the truth," I said in a friendly voice.

He looked at me, and this time I knew it was me he was seeing and not some mean "pinkling". A look of recognition passed between us. Floating up to me, he bowed.

"I believe, if you would let me, I would like to be your shoulder angel."

"No more mischief?"

"No more mischief ."

"Of course I'll let you." I smiled to show my sincerity.

He smiled.

" Thank you. I swear by Belief, that my wicked days are over.

He is still with me to this day, going by the name of Tramboonie, leaning on my ear, giving ridiculous advice that always makes me laugh. He will always be there, and he is the best friend I ever had.