The storm raged the world outside. The thick, heavy raindrops slapped against the windows and the roof, punctuated by the occasional smattering of thunder and lightning that dotted the landscape.
Two women sat opposite from each other in the local coffee shop. The warm mugs in both friends hands offered respite from the weather outside. You could tell how both women chatted animatedly that the pair had been friends for a long time.
"So," Beth, one of the ladies began, "I haven't seen you in over two years. You have to tell me everything." She chirped like a highschooler eager to get the latest bit of gossip. Faybelle at the opposite end of the table was more subdued by comparison, though she still showed noticeable signs of enthusiasm.
"There's more to tell than I can possibly say at one time," Faybelle explained, clearly holding back. Beth was undeterred.
"Well at least tell me something about your time abroad." The teen-like woman whined indignantly, her frustration appearing to get the better of her.
"Let's just say it didn't go the way I'd hoped," Faybelle replied, her tentative contentment fading by the second. Beth's smile faltered.
"What happened?" She asked, a note of concern creeping into her tone.
Faybelle reluctantly pulled out a small drawstring pouch, the contents inside obscured by the black velvet fabric. Her hands shook like jelly as she undid the tie that kept the bag closed. After a brief fumble with the bag Faybelle produced something small and dainty. It was about the height and width of a small feather. Beth leaned forward to get a better view of the object. At first glance it looked like a butterfly wing, though not one Beth readily recognized. Translucent in appearance, the wing shinned in the bright lights of the establishment, giving it an almost unearthly glow.
"What is it?" Beth asked in horrid fascination.
"It's a fairy wing, I believe," Faybelle replied, refusing to make eye contact with the object. Beth's eyes narrowed in suspicion.
"Are you sure?" The woman asked gently, her disbelief evident.
Faybelle looked her in the eye "Positive," she replied evenly through her hand shook slightly. "It's been nothing but bad luck since I found it," she explained as she slowly rose to her feet. "This thing ruined my life. Which is why I'm going to destroy it." Faybelle marched with purpose to the fireplace that glowed brightly in the center of the shop. Beth's mouth hung open in surprise. "You're not really going to burn it are you? I can't imagine how rare it must be."
"I have to," Faybelle insisted calmly. "It grants wishes you know," she looked on sadly as she carried on speaking, "but never in the way you expect. I've lost so much to this wretched thing, but not anymore." In a swift motion, Faybelle flung open the metal grate and tossed the delicate object into the flames.
Beth was on her feet in an instant. Taking the poker that was left to the sidd, Beth flew towards the fire place and hastily attempted to fish the wing out of the enferno. Faybelle looked horrified but made no move to stop her friend.
The object was retrieved rather quickly- slightly singed but otherwise unharmed. Beth turned to face Faybelle. "I'm sorry," she offered simply, "but I couldn't let such a rare specimen go to ash."
Beth's friend raised her hands in surrender. "I won't fight you over it. Just know that everyone who has ever owned that wing has lived to regret it."
"Noted." Beth conceded, her earlier confidence begining to become tinged with doubt.
"Whatever you do," Faybelle warned, "never make any wishes while it's in your hands." The woman went to the register, paid for her coffee, and then exited the shop.
Staring at the singed wing in her hand, Beth suddenly felt very alone and afraid. She too settled her tab and exited to the busy city street.
It wasn't until Beth got home that she thought about the specimen in her hand again. She was about to tuck it away safely in her purse and head inside when a figure began rapidly approaching. He was hard to see at first, tge rain made the figure rather hazy, though Beth paled as she fumbled with her key, hoping to avoid what was coming.
It was Bobby, Beth's ex- boyfriend. He had never accepted the brake up and now he was persuing her yet again.
He was on her before she could finish turning the key in the lock. He grabbed her wrist in a vice-like grip. "Beth we need to talk."
"No, we really don't," Beth replied coldly before wrenching her arm free. That was when he slapped her.
"You are going to listen to me whether you like it or not!" He screamed hysterically. Beth's face grew hot and red. The wing , still in her grasp, began to glow in the low light.
"I wish you'd just leave me alone!" She bellowed as she gave Bobby a hard shove. Not to hurt him- just enough to get him out of her space. In a rage she began screaming incoherent curses that sent the man running. Beth sighed in relief.
He was retreating- that was good. 'Maybe,' Beth thought 'this time he'll get the hint.'
The woman was about to enter her home when a series of loud frantic honking stopped her in her tracks. Beth turned. A semi was barreling down the road. A frantic Bobby had fallen, the wet concrete far too hazardous for running. The truck couldn't stop and Beth's ex was unable to move, the rainwater making him slip when he tried to stand.
Beth dropped the fairy wing.