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Moonlight was streaming in, leaving the room a dull shade of blue. The little boy stared out the window. Outside, the sky was lit with twinkling stars. Downstairs, it was almost silent, save for the sound of Nana's quiet sobbing.

He remembered asking once, on Nana's lap as she rocked to and fro on the funny swaying chair, "Nan, what are stars?"

She had smiled lovingly back at him, her hand on top of his head. "I believe stars are the spirits of our loved ones watching over us. Millions and millions of our beloveds, all watching us from afar.".

He frowned in confusion. His eyes were large and brewing with curiosity, like that of an inquisitive cat. "But Nan, what about those funny falling stars? The ones that move?"

"Guardians, my son." Her eyes suddenly clouded, and her voice sounding faraway, as if she was in a completely different world.

"Angels, the kinds that grant wishes. If you ever see one, close your eyes, and be sure to make a wish. They only come in times of trouble."

And now, sitting there in his bedroom, these really were times of trouble, the boy thought. Nan was unhappy. She cried a lot nowadays, because of Pop. The little boy stared outside, at the hundreds of bright stars that littered the sky. Had they really been people once? Would he go up there too, one day? He would like to. He would like to escape from this place too, one day.

Suddenly, he spotted movement at the corner of his eye. It was a shooting star, just bigger and brighter than any of the rest. He remembered what Nan had said: Close your eyes, and be sure to make a wish.

The little boy squeezed his eyes shut. 'I wish' he thought deeply for a moment. And then he knew what he would wish for.

I wish to escape from this horrible place.

The little boy smiled, satisfied with his wish, before rolling over on the bed and going to sleep.

---

When he awoke again, he was not alone. He stared around him. A dream, he thought. But a beautiful one. He was floating in a space that seemed to descend beyond where he could see, surrounded by millions of yellow lights. He felt comfortable, at home. Like back before Nan had gotten unhappy.

"Come with us, child," a silvery voice spoke. It seemed to emanate from one light in particular, bigger and brighter than any of the rest. Now that he looked closer, he could see that she was a fairy. A beautiful creature, its delicate wings fluttering. She smiled at him, just as lovingly as Nan had that day many years ago. And then she held out her dainty hand.

The little boy stared up at her. She was so warm, so welcoming, her smile affectionate. But should he go? What about Nan and Pop? And the rest of the world? Would he leave them behind, too?

"Come," the fairy repeated, her voice alluring, as if a lullaby. She was still smiling, and for a moment he could almost see Nana's face behind hers. But then it was gone again, all just a figment of his imagination. He felt so safe, so warm and so loved. He wasn't alone anymore.

The little boy smiled back.

I'm leaving, Nan.

He reached out and took her hand.

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