The snap of pencil lead brought me out of a daze. I stared at the broken graphite, specks of gray marring my homework. It was nothing special. We’d been requested to match up the missing elements of commonly known compounds. Apparently knowing the periodic table, and how different things worked together was supposed to aid us in life beyond high school. I didn’t particularly mind. Science was something I was naturally decent at, though I had no desires to pursue it as a career. Truth be told, I hadn’t put much thought in that department. I was more the day by day type. Though I could understand the benefit of working toward a goal. The real world felt far off for most of us, at least I assume others think as I do. I rarely decide what I’m going to eat tomorrow, how am I supposed to decide how I want to spend my adult life?
I wiped the broken lead off the pages, hoping to minimize the tiny lines that were likely to result, and I stood, making my way to the single window of my bedroom. Sticking the wooden pencil into the properly sized hole, I cranked the handle, waiting for the resistance to lessen, telling me it was back to a needle point. I wasn’t sure where mom had acquired the pencil sharpener. All I know is I’d found it in a box of stuff a few years back. And it was much easier and cleaner than using a knife.
Movement caught my attention, drawing my gaze to the neighbor’s backyard. I hadn’t taken the time to meet them. I really didn’t see much reason to. Though I always knew when they were home. I could tell by the rattling of bass from a car trunk. I’d spent several nights staring at the tiny bumps clinging to my ceiling as a result.
I scanned the yard, looking for the source of my distraction, but I didn’t see anything upon my initial glance. There was the small, fenced in section of my backyard directly below my window, and the fence beyond that. Across the street, the grass was a little over ankle-high, and the trees were thick, creating an abundance of shadow. Focusing my will, I shifted my sight to see the things most could not.
The cloudy haze that always lingered around me began to clear, and my sight extended, showing me what I sought. My shield was intact, acting as a large dome that protected the property. I hadn’t questioned it would be otherwise. I could always feel when my shields were weakening. And considering I hadn’t pissed anything off lately, nothing of note anyway, there was no reason to expect an attack.
Dancing lights drew my attention toward the rear alley behind the neighbor’s yard. That had to have been what I saw. A trail of blue, and a second of yellow, spiraled and twisted through the air, weaving an intricate, yet chaotic pattern. I didn’t need to give it a second thought. I knew sprite trails when I saw them. In fact, were I back home, I knew a guy who would be willing to pay handsomely for some of their dust. But I wasn’t back home. And sprites rarely gave up their dust to anybody. It was also worthy of note that the little bastards have a hell of a bite when you try to catch them. Makes a hornet sting feel like a pin prick. Though I didn’t know of anyone who was allergic to faerie bites.
Smiling to myself, I returned to my seat and started writing again. It would soon be night, and mom was undoubtedly nearly finished with dinner.