“Indeed.” The stranger agrees. “I’ll have to take you away from here.”

“What?” I gasp, snapping my head towards the man as my heart lurches up to my throat. “Take me away? To where? What about my dad?”

“To the Land of the Fay, where you belong. Your dad will be staying here, of course.” He answers casually, his head tilting as he studies me in…I believe it’s amusement.

“To the Land of the…?” My mind definitely cannot make something up like this.

Even for a dream, this is way too real. Yet it’s not real at the same time. Surreal.

I shake my head. “No. No, no, no. Definitely, one-hundred percent no. I will not leave my dad all alone in the mercy of…of…of Shadows!”

I can’t believe I just said any of that. I feel ridiculous just saying it, yet somewhere inside my head, the threat is real.

To think of dad being attacked constantly, possibly getting injured or losing his life because of this makes me revolt against the very idea of leaving.

“Shadows will not touch your father, I assure you.” The stranger tells you, his voice becoming smoother and more velvety, like silk.

“They only harm Faeries and do not touch humans. Humans are, after all, their essence.” He takes a step towards me, his eyes narrowing almost dangerously.

“On the other hand, if you stay here, Shadows will continue to attack. Not only you, but those around you—including your family, friends and neighbors—will be harmed. We wouldn’t want that,” his smile turns sly, “would we?”

I don’t want anyone to suffer. Especially not because of me. But I also don’t want to leave. This is my home. I still have to finish my degree. All of my plans, my future, gone in a blink of an eye.

This is all too much for me, too sudden. I can’t wrap my head around anything. “I-I can’t.”

The man sighs in annoyance, his eyes becoming cold once again, all signs of mirth disappearing. “You are stubborn. You don’t care if others are hurt because of you?”

“I care!” I blurt out, tears beginning to form again. “I really do, but I just…to leave my dad…I can’t do such a thing.”

“No, Kay. You have to go.” Dad says, though his tone is filled with reluctance. “This is what’s best for you.”

“What’s best for me?” I clench my jaw tightly. “What about what’s best for you?”

“This is what’s best for him.” The man interrupts impatiently. “It’s what’s best for everyone.”

“Please, Kay. Go. For me, please.” Dad clasps my hands tightly, his eyes staring right into mine. I feel as if he can see into my soul; I’ve always been weak against him. But I have to stand strong this time.

“No.” I manage as my lip wavers, a sob breaking through. “I refuse to leave you.”

“Kay!” Dad yells, his harsh tone making me flinch. I feel like a child again, getting scolded for breaking his favorite vase. “You will go. This isn’t negotiable!”

“But—” My tears finally drop, and I crumple as I cry. “You’ll be all alone…”

“I’ll be okay.” Dad’s voice softens as he places a warm, gentle hand on my head, petting me like he did when I was little. “I’ll be okay, I promise. So please, go. Don’t worry about me.”

Finally, I manage a nod. The stranger is pleased by my answer. “Excellent. Let’s go then.”

“Wait,” I choke out, sniffing. “I need to pack. Oh! And I have to inform the school—”

The stranger waves his hand impatiently. “No need to pack. Everything will be ready for you when you arrive. As for your life in the human world,” he turns to dad.

“She’ll have to…I believe humans say ‘drop out’ for now. We need to leave. Now.”

I’m shaky when I turn to dad who is already crying silent tears. He tries to look strong for me like he always does, but I know he’s hurting inside just as much as I am.

I don’t remember seeing him cry in my life. Never.

It’s so hard to see him like this, and it makes me so much more reluctant to do this. I wrap my arms tightly around him, not sure if it’s him shaking or if it’s me.

I press my face against the crook of his neck. “I love you, dad.”

“I love you too, sweetie.” He croaks, voice wavering from the tears. I never want to pull away, but I finally do, putting on a brave face so he doesn’t worry.

I see the way he tries to smile at me, his hand coming to tuck a stray strand of hair away from my face. “When you’re away, remember to take care of yourself. I won’t be able to do that anymore.”

I swallow another sob, my throat contracting painfully.

My vision is blurring from the tears, but I hastily wipe them away, not wanting them to hinder the image of him.

I want to see him clearly; to imprint his features into my mind: his clear grey eyes, the warmth of his smile, the wrinkles on his face. “I will, don’t worry about me.”

“I’ll always worry about you. It’s what parents do.”

I laugh, but it comes out broken and is quick to turn into a sob.

Dad pulls me in for one last hug, which I try to drag out for as long as possible, refusing to let go and almost forgetting the man is watching.

“You shouldn’t worry, Mr. Sanders.” The man’s reassurance is surprisingly gentle. “I promise your daughter is safe with me.”

“You know my name?” Dad looks at him with wide, surprised eyes, before his lips twitch into a tiny smile. “How silly of me, of course you do.”

“Indeed.” The stranger agrees, turning to me. “Now then. Kay Sanders, please take my hand.” He holds out a large, pale hand to me, which I eye skeptically.

“Will I ever be able to come back?” I ask, holding dad tighter.

“That depends entirely on you.” He answers. “If you can master your powers, you can come back. Although that may take weeks, months or even years, depending on the potency of your powers and your own capabilities.”

“Your name?” Dad asks. “I want to at least know the name of the Faery who will be Guarding my daughter.”

“Zephen Gale.” He offers. “Wind Faery.”

“Wind.” Dad repeats thoughtfully, a small smile appearing on his face. “Then my daughter is in good hands.”

Zephen bows, his face blank when he offers me his hand again.

I take one last look at dad, who gives me an encouraging nod.

I suck in a deep breath, and take Zephen’s hand.