Tom jerked awake. His tousled blond hair stuck out every which way. He rand a hand through it, and it somehow became a messy part.
He snatched at his amulet, where it lay glowing on his night stand. "Hello?"
"You need to get out here. Don't ask questions!" The squeaky voice could only belong to one creature: Sil, his fairy.
"Sil, what's go..."
"There's no time! Hurry!"
Dressing hastily, Tom hung the amulet over his neck. "Time," he muttered, and the gold lit up. It read "2:15."
Sil was waiting outside. The yard was still and dark, grass somber where it caught the yellow street lights.
He scooped her up and asked in a rush, "What is it?"
"Put me down! There's a powerful spell coming this way. Don't ask me who sent it. I don't know!"
They hurried into the woods. Tom kept tight hold of the amulet, until it burned his hand. The spell was close.
He pulled his scarf tightly around his neck. Sil fluttered down to rest in his hair. She was panting, and her light was dim with weariness. "I think- I think we outrun it."
"Whoo, no! Magic is here! Whoo!"
An owl flew screeching from the big oak, repeating, "Whoo, what to do?"
Tom cursed and launched a Silence charm. The owl saw it coming and dodged, whooping for all it was worth.
"Dratted bird, be quiet!" Sil shrieked. The owl complied. "Can't get sense out of him, I guess. I think the danger is past."
Just to be sure, Tom lit his amulet. The forest was calm, undisturbed by magic. "That's good," he whispered.
Suddenly a tiny hand clamped down on his mouth. "Got you, human!"
"Sil, what... NO!" Tom screamed as he was flown away. He clutched his amulet, wondering if this would prove to be his end.
