The sun melted into the horizon as Eary stared out the window of his childhood friends' room. It has been about four years now since Ephraim got sick. Eary now spent most of his free time by his side. Through doctor visits and treatments, he was there for it all.

But now it seemed that time was closing the book on this part of Eary's life. His parents had sat him down the other day and explained that although Eary was a great friend and did all he could, God was getting ready to take Ephraim home.

Eary sat alongside his friend's broken and sick body. It seemed like forever ago that the two played at the park and in the yard. Now, he doesn't speak. A tube now supplies the meals he and Ephraim used to goof around during. A heavy weight sank into his chest. Although the last four years had been a long journey, the thought of Ephraim dying tore him apart. Eary placed his hand on Eph's forehead; his smooth scalp reminded him of the battle his friend had fought. Eary sobbed a soft, deep agony. His parents told him that Ephraim could still hear him.

"Hey, Eph! It's me, it's Eary," he said softly.

A deep cry came after. Eary placed his hands over his cobalt eyes that wept like rain from the sky. Brushing back his messy blonde hair, he stared blankly at the stark reality. A sudden crack of the door jilted Eary from his pain to examine the disturbance.

Lisa, Ephraim's mother and a dear friend of his parents, peeked in. Her dark eyes and Mahogany hair gave her a warm aura, which Eary appreciated. She slowly moved into the modified medical surplus store/bedroom. Her eyes held back tears, and her gaze never broke as she walked to the boy.

"Sweetie," Lisa quietly whispered as she stared with quiet strength. "You've done so much for him and have been such a good friend. I can't thank you enough."

"I…I…think…I…. want to stay here tonight with him,"  he replied, tears streaming down his face.

Lisa nodded understandingly as the two sat and watched Ephraim's labored breathing. She placed her arm around him, quietly hugged him, and then instantly retreated from the scene, her brief presence a reminder of her inability to cope with what was happening.

The hours passed like days as Eary's entire world slipped away before his eyes. The dim light from the window gave way to enshrouding darkness as he quietly sat by his friend's side. The light suddenly flashed on. Eary adjusted his eyes for a moment. A blurry figure stood in the doorway.

Brian Bennett came into the room holding his backpack and sleeping bag. His bulky frame made it easy to work with the luggage. The light from the switch shined brightly against the kindly man's forehead, who insisted on him getting some rest. He handed Eary his things and left for the evening.

The Bennetts had fought four long years against this nightmare. But the good pastor and his wife's prayers had done little in the way of treatment. They had lost the fight for their son, a faith-shaking fact that left the pair with a double whammy. Eary recounted all of Lisa's optimism and Brian's prayer groups. Still, despite all their efforts, the end had come.

Eary lay there awash with the unkind reality. His closed eyes could not shield him from the sound of Ephraim's heavy, irregular breaths. Rising from his usual resting spot, he crawled to his friend's side. Tears filled his eyes as he stared down at the friend he cherished deeply. In his desperation, he began to pray. Although it had failed before, he had not given up hope yet. He had a purpose. In his bones, he could feel it. He knew he could make a difference if he prayed hard enough. He had tried many times before and nothing. Yet still, every night, he would perform his prayers as earnest as his first attempt.

Taking a deep breath, he extended his hands. Pressing them to the boy's heart, he prayed.

"Please, God. I'll do anything for Ephraim to live. Tell me what you want me to do, and I'll do it!"

A moment later, Eary's hands erupted into a dazzling display of blue shimmering lights. The luminous marvel began to spread from his hands through Ephraim's body as the sick boy became filled with light and an incredible explosion of luminous beams shot forth from him. In a panic, he leaped from the bed and hid in his sleeping bag, clenching his eyes, too afraid to move or speak.

"Airbear?" a familiar voice called out to him.

Peaking his head from the sleeping bag in the now fully lit room. He saw Ephraim standing, perfectly healthy, by the light switch.

"Are…are you seeing this?" he stammered, his eyes wide in disbelief.

Speechless by the inexplicable phenomenon, the two froze awestruck as Ephraim's parents burst in. Shocked at the sight of their son, they immediately embraced him.

"It's --- a --- miracle!" Brian exclaimed, sobbing between each word.

Lisa and Ephraim's older brother Jacob bolted in. The family embraced and praised God. It truly touched his soul, and he immediately joined the group hug.

The boy's quick recovery was impressive, and Eary couldn't be happier. He and Ephraim had picked up seemingly where they had left off. Not only that, but he was the talk of the town. News reporters, people from their church, and strangers would come from far and wide to talk to the 'Miracle Kid.' Eary couldn't be more pleased.

Because of all the attention Ephraim was getting, he had decided not to reveal the events of that night to anyone. After a day of playing with his newly restored friend, Eary retired to his room for the evening.

"Good night, I love you!" Eary called out before closing the door of his room.

Moving across the darkened chamber, he found his bed and nestled into his comfy covers. His mind raced with new possibilities of all the times he and Ephraim could enjoy. He had almost fallen asleep when the distinct sound of wrappers crinkling nearby stirred him awake.

"What is that?" he thought as he urgently turned on his bedroom light.

His heart raced as he tensed with anxiety. Grabbing a hockey stick propped up on the wall, he approached the source of the noise: his wastebasket.

"A rat?" he thought as he extended the stick, quickly tipping the bucket's contents to the floor.

A blue luminous blur of light and fur came rolling out.

"Hey, what's the big idea?" a small blue creature groaned in a heavy Boston accent.

It stood up on its hind legs. It had a large, ragged white mane with a face resembling a bat, and an old cabby had a baby with two oval blue eyes. The color matched the creature's rear, which glowed with a light that resembled upside-down transparent blue seaweed. It brushed crumbs from its royal blue coat and adjusted its long, pointy ears.

Eary screamed in surprise, and the little creature screamed in response. The bedroom door flew open, and his father, Mitchell, burst into the room.

"What is it, half-pint?"

His father was a shorter man, much like Eary was a shorter boy. His thin brown hair, raised in a messy spike, gave his aged expression a youthful appearance. His sky-blue eyes stared at Eary in alarm, waiting for a response.

Eary stammered to collect himself. As he caught his breath, he managed to spit out.

"There's a little blue man in my waste basket!" he said, pointing to the creature's last known whereabouts.

Mitchell looked gently at his son, his mouth easing into a faint grin.

"Okay, let's look around for this blue man."

Eary nodded in nervous agreement as his father examined the dark corners of Eary's bedroom.

"Nothing here, half-pint," Mitchell said, waving his hands.

The blue creature manifested behind him with a spark of blue. It hovered quietly behind his father, careful not to be detected. Taking its fingers and pulling at its mouth, it stuck its long, frog-like tongue out at the boy.

"See! He's right there!" Eary exclaimed, pointing directly over his father's shoulder.

Mitchell quickly turned his head, only for the creature to disappear again. He looked back, smiling at his son.

"Okay, I think someone is overly tired," Mitchell stated as he tucked the reluctant Eary in, reassuring his son it was just his imagination.

Mitchell kissed his forehead, shut out the light, and closed the door. Eary didn't get much sleep that night—the constant sound of a bag of chips crackling filled the hours.

In the groggy early morning, Eary searched his room for the mysterious culprit. In a pile of his dirty clothes, he found the instigator. The little blue man lay motionless in the pile of clothing. Tapping it didn't help. Small bottles of alcohol lay strewn about the basket, along with the wrappers of Eary's secret snack stash. He tapped the unusual creature,

"What are you?" he exclaimed.

He had never seen anything like it before. When it wasn't awake, it was cute.  A few more taps and Eary began to become concerned.

"Are you dead, little man?" he whispered as he curiously examined the creature.

It seemed to be breathing but would not wake from its mysterious slumber. Eary tapped it a few times more. The creature raised its blue-and-black-toed hind legs. It seemed to be grimacing its face. He leaned closer to locate the source of the creature's distress when its bulbous behind began to glow. Looking closer at the strobing light, a deep rumbling from the blue creature's gut alerted Eary to his mistake. The beast passed an obscene amount of gas directly into Eary's curious face, mouth agape.

Immediately, he shot back in recoil. Spitting and gagging as the putrid smell of runny eggs and liquor filled the cavities of his head. He immediately grabbed his waste basket. His mouth watered, and a queasy sensation gripped his body. He spit large amounts of accumulated saliva into the bucket. Fighting back his urge to puke, he slowly regained his composure. Eary gathered a shoe box and scooped the unusual creature up with a shirt.

"Better keep you safe while I'm at school, you stinker," he muttered. He stashed the box in his closet for safekeeping. Then, he shook off the effects of the putrid encounter.

A call from his mother, Delia, alerted Eary of his family's departure to school. He quickly collected his things and proceeded downstairs to join his family.

He and his fraternal twin brother, Josh, gathered in the family's living room. Josh was wearing a white backward hat. A common thing for him, considering his long, greasy blonde hair concealed beneath. He and Josh may not have been identical, but it didn't stop them from being like they were. After Ephraim, Josh was Eary's best friend, often playing hours of street hockey together.

Loading up, thoughts of Ephraim's first day back to school filled his mind. He beamed happily out the window as the scenery passed. Josh tried repeatedly to get his attention, but Eary was too preoccupied. The day would finally feel normal. The worry would be gone, and Ephraim would be right there.

After the family arrived, the boys departed the car and happily waived their parents off. They were teachers who worked at the high school a few blocks away. Their mother taught music and was always trying to get the twins interested. However, Josh's allure for sports was apparent, as their father had coached him in the Peewee hockey league for years. Now, with Ephraim better, Eary hoped to find his own thing.

Inside, the two joined the reconstituted Ephraim. The three played and joked until it was time for class. The Bennetts had synced Ephraim's new schedule with Eary's, leaving Josh out as the two left him to head off to class.

The day was ideal. The playful banter and hard-earned moments relieved Eary of years of accumulated tension. As the bell rang, he and Ephraim met with Josh on the curb. Eary and Ephraim cracked jokes and spoke in their language. The playful moment was interrupted by Lisa's arrival. The boys loaded in the family's blue minivan and headed to the Olson's house.

On the way, he was disappointed by the news that the Bennetts would head over to Lisa's family's home that night. However, a big fake smile stretched across his face. He swallowed his disappointment and made plans for the next day. The two exited with warm farewells as the Bennetts pulled away.

Entering his home, Eary quickly headed to his room to complete his daily homework. As he unpacked his supplies, a book hit him in the back of the head. He grabbed his head, holding it in pain.

"Hey you, fuck face! Who do ya think ya are," a thick, accented voice rang out from behind.

Eary turned just in time to dodge his hockey stick. As he examined the situation, his eyes widened in awe. His hockey stick was floating in mid-air, wielded by the tiny creature from the night before.

"Wait," Eary called out as the tiny critter wound up for another swing.

"And why should I? Huh? You were gonna bury me alive," the little creature angrily protested.

Eary waved his hands defensively as he exclaimed, "No, no, no! I was putting you somewhere safe because I thought you were sick!"

The tiny creature took his swing despite the protests. Eary dodged the assault as the stick ricocheted off the bedpost.

"Liar! I've seen those coffins used on all small, adorable creatures like myself. You're disgusting!"

He swung again. This time, Eary caught the stick in his hands.

"I'm not gonna hurt you!" He groaned as he fought back against the tiny creatures' impressive might.

"Then prove it!" The tiny glowing blue man grunted back.

Eary exclaimed in dismay, still holding the stick. "How? What do you want?"

The creature quickly blurted out, "Pickle juice, plenty of it!"

Eary looked on perplexed. "Pickle juice? Is that what you eat?"

The unusual blue creature shrugged. "Hmph, more than I'd like."

Eary nodded in bewildered compliance. His heart was still racing from the altercation.

"Alright. If I let go and you don't hit me! I think we have pickles in the fridge."

The glowing blue creature agreed to the truce as Eary left to fetch the pickles. Returning to his room, Eary brought a wide variety of snacks, goodies, and the requested item.

"Hey! Now that's what I'm talkin' about," the creature exclaimed as he hovered over to Eary.

"I thought you might be hungry. And I know you like snacks," Eary proudly stated, beaming from ear to ear.

"Well, that's certainly kind of ya. What's your name, kid," the long-eared blue gremlin asked as he snatched a pack of cookies and peeled them open.

"Eary! What's yours," he replied as he stared in astonishment at the little blue creature.

It stuffed his face while sitting on top of the pile in Eary's arms. This inexplicable occurrence had to be the work of the Almighty.

"Name's Mote," the creature replied as he downed the whole bottle of pickles and inflated it with its contents.

Its engorged body stared blankly at Eary as it slowly deflated, eyes never breaking contact.

"Ah, that's better. Say, Eary, be a pal and grab Mote some water, would ya?"

Eary nodded as he obeyed the creature's commands. After Mote's meal, the creature began to fly around, examining Eary's bedroom. He slid his finger on the desk, lifting it. The blue creature raised its eyebrows as if impressed.

"Pretty nice setup ya got here."

Eary stared in wonderment as the creature darted to and fro in a trail of glowing, azure magic in its wake. Mote opened drawers and rifled through Eary's belongings. It's bothered Eary a little. Was he some sort of angel? Or a divine pet? Maybe both? A giddy sensation sparked through his body as he asked,

"You like it?"

Mote nodded casually, seemingly unimpressed.

"Well, it ain't the Ritz, but it ain't half bad. It has great room service, too! A mote-ling could get used to a place like this!"

'Moteling?' Eary thought to himself as the creature spoke.

"Is that what you are?"

Mote, who had made a nest on Eary's pillow, replied, "Sure am! At least, I think so. Feels right."

"Are there more of you?" Eary replied in disbelief.

Mote shook his head somberly.

"Not that I've seen in a long time. I have been on my own for a while.

Eary raised his eyebrows in excitement. "You could stay here with me!" his voice trembled as he replied.

Mote lifted his little head to examine the prospect.

"Yeah, sure, why not. Just until I find my kind, got it?"

Eary nodded in excitement.  The small moteling curled up in Eary's bed and announced, "Alright then, can ya be a sport and turn off the light?"

Eary's jaw dropped in shock,

"Wait, what? You're going to bed? In my bed? Where will I sleep tonight?"

Mote yawned as he rolled over. He dismissively waived Eary on.

"Not my problem, kid. Now, make yourself scarce. Mote needs his shut eye!"

Eary protested in a huff,

"I don't think so, buddy!"

He stormed out of his room, down the stairs, and into his family's basement. He located an old trunk his parents bought during their garage saleing days. He dragged it up the stairs. The trunk was heavy, and Eary was so small. But he was determined to only give into some of the moteling's demands. He grunted and groaned but finally managed to drag the chest up to his room.

"What's that?" Mote called out from his little nest.

Fast away, setting up a small bed and a dish of water. Eary proudly proclaimed,  "It's your new house!"

Mote flew inside to examine the chest. It was a bit musty, sure. But Eary thought it would be a fitting home for his new friend.

"Fuck you," the small flying moteling protested as he flew out in a burst of blue light.

Eary stuttered in recoil, "I-I'm sorry. But you're small and need less space. The trunk is your bed now."

Eary gestured towards the small trunk. Mote shook his head and crossed his little black-pawed arms smugly.

"Nope! I think you could fit in there. I think that's your bed now. Not mine."

Eary sighed. The moteling has many more needs than your average pet. He pleaded once more.

"Please! My parents will wonder why I sleep in a trunk now."

Mote scoffed. He slowly hovered back into the trunk. He was giving Eary the stink eye the entire way.

"Fine! But don't say I never did anything for ya." Mote slowly lowered into the old trunk. "This is sinful, this is," he stated as the lid slammed shut.

Eary sat in disbelief at the events that had overtaken his life. He felt blessed beyond words. First, Ephraim got better. Now, he had a magic pet his brother Josh couldn't say he was allergic to. After the day's events, Eary eagerly awaited to see if his new friend was awake. As Eary entered his room after supper, he was surprised to see the moteling playing on his computer.

"What are you up to, Mote," He inquired, eager to learn more of the mysterious moteling.

"Just been catching up with some online friends," Mote explained casually.

The screen contained four players and what looked like online gambling.

"Are you playing cards?"

Mote shrugged off the question as he quickly shut off the screen.

"So you're like the rest of the human larva. You go to bed early?"

Eary nodded and smiled as he got ready for bed. He climbed into his bed and gestured for Mote to turn off the light.

"Sheesh! I'm gonna have to change up my whole schedule!"

Eary smiled as the two cuddled up for a night's rest. Hours later, a strange sensation awoke him. Great pressure was weighing him down. He raised his head. Although he felt like a thousand hands held him in place, he effortlessly resisted the strange feeling. He poked his sleeping friend.

"Mote," the youngster called out in urgency.

The furry blue creature awoke from his slumber. Scratching his long bat ears, he groaned.

"What is it, kid?" I'm tryin' to get some shut-eye here."

Eary replied in urgent panic, "Something is happening to me!"

He sprung from his bed, too irritated by his skin to stay motionless. It was like pins and needles pricking his skin.

"Help," he whispered in an edgy plea. The fairy-like creature rose from its resting place.

"You seem to be sparking with light, small fry," Mote exclaimed.

Eary's expression shifted as anxiety filled him. He exclaimed, "What!?"

Mote gestured for the boy to calm himself. Eary, however, could not stand his skin. Fleeing his room and heading nervously down his family's narrow steps. He paced the living room, hoping for a resolution, as Mote returned to his side, suggesting the two get some fresh air. Reluctantly, Eary agreed. But much to his surprise, the feeling began to alleviate. The two decided a late-night stroll was what Eary needed. And with Mote by his side, he felt a sense of security.

As the two maneuvered the dark sidewalks of Toronto, Eary began to feel a pull—slight at first, then stronger and stronger until he was in a full-blown sprint.

Mote called out after his friend, "Where ya headed? Wait up!"

The two finally came to a destination. However, Eary needed to figure out where.

"It's an old brickyard," he muttered as he observed his surroundings.

A large dirt pit and several piles of gravel and boulders lay strewn about the

Mote caught up and, agitatedly, said, "Now, what do ya think you're doin'?

Eary replied, "I feel something here, Mote. It's like an itchy feeling."

Mote scoffed, "Fine! Let's take a peek at this place then."

The little moteling paused for a moment and then began to rub his hands together.

"Maybe you're a treasure hunter. Quick, kid! Where do ya feel it strongest?"

The two began to search around. Many stones and boulders lay strewn about. The full moon lit up the large clearing of gray gravel. The area stood in ominous opposition, shrouded by a thicket of woods that cast a sinister shadow.

Mote followed Eary as they attempted to locate some hidden, lost treasure when suddenly, a great light erupted from behind them. The two turned in surprise; their faces met with a terrifying sight. A large ghostly wraith was levitating before them. It extended its hand. A large burst of some mysterious energy erupted from the entity. Eary and Mote quickly dodged and hid behind a large rock.

"It's after us!" Eary exclaimed in a terrified panic, back pressed firmly against the rock.

“Us?” Mote hollered back. "I ain't gettin' no sensation. It's after you, not me, and I'm leaving!"

Eary watched helplessly as the fairy floated away. A bright flash and explosion followed, and then a terrified Mote returned in a blur of blue light. He landed on the boy's chest and grabbed at his collar. 

"Eary, It's after us! Ya gotta hide me!"

The tiny creature hid in Eary's shirt as despair set in.

"Don't you know what to do?" Eary asked, barely catching his breath.

Mote peeked his head out of Eary's collar. He nervously replied, "Why the fuck should I know what to do?"

A great fear began to set into Eary's heart. He innocently replied, "Because you healed Ephraim."

Another bright flash made the pair jump from their skins. Regaining his composure, Mote informed the youngster,

"Look, Kid, I didn't heal nobody."

Another blast and the rock they hid behind now lay in rubble. Eary jumped to his feet. He faced the horror dead on. As it charged for another blast, Eary instinctively raised his hands in recoil, awaiting the impact. Yet, nothing. Opening his eyes, he saw the creature. However, a shimmering field of amber now lay between him and the specter.

Mote called out to Eary from his shirt,

"Nice work, Kid! Keep it up!"

Eary responded in shock, "I didn't do anything! That wasn't me!"

"Bullshit! Saw it come out of your hands and everything," Mote replied.

Eary and Mote watched as the being tried to destroy the barrier. It flung ball of energy after ball of energy but to no avail. The two looked at the spectacle with unimpressed urgency as Mote continued,

"I think ya gotta knock it out!"

Eary erupted in uncertainty, "What? How?"

Mote scratched his little bat ears as if in deep thought.

"Try waving your hands around or some shit like that. I don't know."

Eary nodded in fearful compliance and ran at the entity, arm flailing wildly. As he approached the barrier, he stopped.

"It's not working," he said, filled with agitation.

To his shock, the amber light of the barrier began to fade. He stared on in horror as the creature charged up again. This time, Eary's brow furled, and his confidence grew. Then, a thought struck his mind.

"The miracle," he thought, "I'm the one who did it! I can do this!"

He raised his hand in defiance of his fear. He pulled deep inside himself—deep, deeper than he'd ever been. A tremendous white light shot forth and enveloped the specter. The foul entity writhed in pain as Eary and Mote watched in suspended awe. As the wraith turned to dust, a floating specter of hollow light floated in its place. Eary examined closer. He was mesmerized by strange dark light ignited by an ethereal white aura. It pulled his attention irrevocably.

"Wha.."

A quick *shoop* sent the specter in as he opened his mouth. He flung his hand over his mouth in shock and recoil.

"You must be one of 'em," Mote stated matter of fact.

"What," Eary exclaimed, still in disbelief by the night's event.

Mote continued, his demeanor returning to normal. "I've seen a few folks like you before."

Eary replied in shock,

"Like me?"

Mote nodded.

"Yeah, but I didn't have the best experiences with 'em."

He crawled out of the shirt and flew to the boy's shoulder.

With a big grin, he exclaimed, "Maybe we should stick together. You could use backup. And I'm wonderin' why there are magic humans about. Maybe it'll lead me home."

Eary nodded as he and Mote headed back to the comfort of his bed,

"Can I meet the other fairies when we find them?" Eary inquired innocently.

Mote scoffed.

"Kid, I ain't no fairy. I'm a moteling!"

The two continued on home, bantering the entire way. Unsuspecting of the great adventure that was about to unfold.

4 years later…