It was when he had just gotten back from a lonely expedition that he felt more at home with his friends in their den. A place that used to riddle him with emotions he did not wish to reminisce on at this time. Sal had made it back before dark and he could settle in to look over his plans once again to find a proper way out of these dark ages.

He could hear something bumping around in the closet and chuckled to himself. “You know you don’t have to hide in the closet anymore?” The door cracked open as a small pair of eyes glowed within. Then another and another. “Ahhh friends again I see. They are welcome just don’t make a mess.”

The fairies piled out, an unusually high number of three especially for the forest fairies. That was a good sign at least, more fairies were finding safety against the darkness and even though they could not fly it was a good start to him. Glancing at the fairies, Sal released a heavy sigh. Their wings had lost their shimmer and if they weren't torn from almost getting eaten they were limp, completely dead of the magic that used to aid them in flight and cheer. 

“Just one day at a time eh girls?” They just nodded at him in response. Things had been so quiet but Sal wasn't one to mind much since he could carry on for them. “I can report that I haven't seen a mermaid yet but they must be near by.” He grabbed out a necklace dangling it in front of one. “Its made of broken shells and isn't too terribly old. I’m sure it just got a little messed up in the waves.” Another note was jotted down as he let the fairy fly off with the shell necklace. “Not many other reports have been made by anyone else but I did get in a little later than I expected. I’m sure they will come back later but I hope none of them were stupid enough to travel unprotected in the fog.” Sal had heard the sounds of the wolf howl earlier and it only increased his growing concern.

Something strange seemed to be happening in the forest and it wasn't just the darkness. It was almost as if something shifted and he wanted to be ready for it. Tempted to prompt an emergency meet up, he began to scribble a note of his latest discoveries, the agenda for the next upcoming week. “I do need to get more supplies don’t I?” Sal looked to the fairies who were distracted by various tasks all over the room, shaking his head. 

“I should have known better to not talk to you when I have so many trinkets laying around. Have your fun. You can have it for the both of us. Sal laughed as a fairy had snuck by his foot and began to tickle his toes. “I told you not to do that!” Playfully chasing her around the room was such good fun. They could zip around fast on those small little legs and trying to catch them as they giggled warmed him inside. It was a pleasant relief from everything else in his darkened life. 

Just as this thought occurred to him a knock shattered the warm laughter of his den. The fairies scattered to various hiding places to shield themselves from what they thought to be impending doom. A heavy sigh once again left his lips. “Ugh” he groaned, “I just came back in. If you wanted to meet me you should have just sent a messenger first.” Sal opened the door to a sight he long thought to be something he wouldn't ever have had to prepare for.