WITHOUT

Playing!

Abby's arm was grabbed, Fern's eyes darted every where.    She knew that cry, her kind had the most smallest.    But, a sensitive keen ear would definitely hear it (Fern always believed, only the fairies knew it, heard it)   But, sadly hunter's, Archangels and those who knew what to listen for (In the human world - Those people were referred to as those with the sixth sense)    Could hear it too.

Fern shot off in every direction she could think of, Abby grabbed her back (Gave her a hard shake)      "Wait! Wait, good heavens!    I can help!     I am royalty!.."         Fern just stared at her a minute, nodded..."Your right.   Find the little one!    She doesn't have long!.."

"....She?!    A girl?!     Aaaah, what?!.."     Abby stared at Fern a second, but quickly raised her hands.       A wave of air, vibrated out - Abby felt it touch a small form. Three actually.   Both fairies ran like the wind, feet barely touching the ground.   Wings shot from their backs, they stayed close to the ground. Abby kept her hands out stretched (Pixie was safe, but her breathing was slowing)

Reef and Leader were holding her (Patting her small cheeks to wake her up)

Fern's feet touched the ground first, she grasped at the sight (Hands waving about, one going to her mouth)     An Angel, and an Other - Had a baby fairy in their clutches!     Her chest went tight, she just stared....."nooooo!   Stop!     Please.  No....She's only a baby!.."      Fern was struck to the grassy ground.    Abby stared too, but she slowly stepped forward (Hands in clear view, still slightly raised)

"....Fern.   Their babies too.  Their scared.    This can work out, but let's be wise about this, okay?..."     Abby kept slowing moving forward, bent right down - Smiled.     She got close enough, but still left space.    Leader stared back, the tall people wanted Pixie.    They looked big, long arms, big hands.   Were they going to hurt them?!    One looked angry, the other was finger touching his arm!     He growled back.

Reef started to cry, Pixie was turning blue.   He'd seen the other children do that - That was bad. Very bad.   Cause then they turned grey and white.   Those babies were picked up and put in a big box (Reef never saw them again. He missed them - Even if they did look odd)     He looked over to Leader, he was glaring at the tall ones (He wanted that other tall woman to come back to him. He trusted her. The woman in the cage like them)

Abby sensed stress, misery, deep-seated fear. Pixie was only just breathing now.    Abby had to move quick, Fern had crawled in beside her.   The two suddenly moved forward, scoped Pixie from Reed and Leader's arms. Fern pulled Pixie close her, hugged her tight (Tears hit her cheeks) "Your alright. I got you just in time, breath!   I know you still can, your very strong.."     Fern pulled Pixie back out into her arms, looked her over.

The child had no hair, was so thin....Pale, slow laboured breaths, but her small eyes suddenly opened.   Pixie stared up at Fern, saw her glass shiny wings.   Could this be her mother?   Had mama come back for her? (She had promised. She would never leave her)     Pixie slowly moved her arms, it was an effort (But, if this was mama - She would reach for her)

Fern felt two small hands, she instantly cupped them both in her's (Her child's. Fern had decided. No further discussion)

Abby glanced at her friend and the child, looked back to Leader (Now, standing ready to fight), and Reef (He was crouched beside Leader. He was sure the winged women were going to eat them all. One was already tasting Pixie)   Reef started to cry. They were going to be eaten!       Abby sat on her heels, smiled again.

"Come, little ones.    I can I speak with you?     I have something to tell you. Maybe ask you?   Would you like me to ask?    First.   Then, maybe tell you?    If your in agreement...Yes?..."       Abby placed her hands lightly on her lap, stayed smiling.     Reef stayed crying a minute, then he just moaned....Then, just chewed a finger.   He was so tried and hungry.