By Wren Salazar

I received the strangest call earlier today from an unknown number. I was told to peer out my window tonight and if I did, I’d see something unlike what I have ever seen before. Afterwards, there was some stifled giggling and they hung up. What a strange proposal. Obviously, I’m not quick to trust the random caller. As I decided I would look to see what’s going on, my phone buzzed once more. Unknown number again, but I picked up.

“A little birdie told me you might need some pest control,” a different voice said. “I will take care of them for you. Surely, it will be a spectacle.”

Pest control? For what? Could it be unlike what I’ve seen before? Sensing my hesitation, the voice continued.

“The fae will arrive for you tonight,” he said. “Best to be safe, don’t look outside, no matter what you’ve heard or seen.”

Then, he hung up. This has to be a coordinated prank. Fae don’t exist. Why would it be bad to look outside tonight? I doubt anything will happen, but I’m closing my blinds anyway.

I lounged in my room, as it got closer to evening — a creeping anxiety grew stronger with each passing minute. I heard a knock at my door, but a spark from behind my blinds caught my attention. Then, another spark, blink after blink, numbers rapidly increasing. Flittering and flickering light poured through the blinds in bursts of orange, purple and blue, floating as though they were refracted through water. I felt as though I’d been placed inside a kaleidoscope. I had to look. Banging on my door and muffled yelling made me hesitate, but I had to look. It’s beautiful. No matter the cost.

Wren is an artist and story writer looking to add some whimsy and curiosity to those around her. A lover of all things, Wren seeks to help others around her with advice or humor. She can be reached at ws81@humboldt.edu.