Bridge of Mist and Fog by nikki broadwell

storms, Fehin. I…”
    “Calm down, Airy. I’m just teasing, although I do think you were responsible for most of it. The same thing happened on the island before we figured out what was going on.”
    “I have a class.”
    “So do I,” Fehin answered, gazing at her. “But we also have important things to discuss.”
    “You mean like how not to get caught and thrown out?”
    A sheepish grin moved across Fehin’s face. “That and a few other things that occurred to me while I was waiting.”
    “If I flunk out I’m blaming you.”
    By now they were walking by the windows of the classroom Airy was supposed to be in. “They can see me!” she whispered, hunching down.
    Fehin glanced at the window. “No one’s looking. They’re watching the professor. Now come on.” He tugged her hand and began to jog.
    ***
    “With all the excitement I forgot to invite you to my grandparents’ house for Thanksgiving. Do you have plans?”
    They had taken shelter under a massive pine tree and were huddled on a bed of pine needles that were still somewhat damp from the recent rain. The pungent smell of resin permeated the cold air and the drip of rain droplets that never reached them made it seem like they were enclosed inside a cathedral of trees. Airy breathed deeply, mentally sending out thanks to these ancient beings. Way better than sitting in a stuffy classroom.
    Fehin fiddled with a twig he’d picked up and a moment later there was a tiny figure walking across the needles. Before Airy could comment the figure disappeared, leaving behind a puff of smoke. He looked up, his eyes meeting hers. “I don’t have any plans except maybe catching up on all the homework I’ve neglected since I met you. But I’m still worried about Wolf.”
    Airy sucked in her breath. “He won’t follow us up there?”
    “Don’t underestimate him. He’s been keeping out of sight until recently; I have no idea what he’s up to. I’ve tried probing his mind but he’s cut himself off.”
    “Would you consider doing what he asked? If you did he’d leave us alone.”
    Fehin’s eyes widened. “Are you kidding? Even if I could, which I doubt, I never would. The guy is seriously crazy. If I told you all the stuff he’s done…”
    “Please don’t. I’m scared enough already.”
    Fehin turned away and looked at the ground. “Gunnar thinks we make a good team.”
    “Who’s Gunnar?”
    “He’s the druid who brought me here. He travels through time.”
    “I have a druid too.” Airy giggled. “If anyone overheard our conversations they’d put us in one of those places I’ve been reading about—insane asylum, I think they’re called.”
    Fehin grinned. “They’re called mental hospitals now. At least they don’t burn witches at the stake anymore. That was shocking to read about. It happened not far from here.”
    “Salem witch trials. I read about it too. Just think? I could have been one of them. Creepy. How can people live like they do here? They don’t even notice what’s all around—it’s like they’re locked inside their heads.”
    “They’re lost in the parallel universe of electronics.”
    Airy tried to smile but the reality of this statement wasn’t funny. “Is
    that what we’re supposed to change? Because if it is, I don’t feel up it.”
    “I don’t know. I agree it sounds pretty much impossible.”
    A bird began to trill in the tree across from them, the complex song moving up and down octaves as it flitted from branch to branch. “The bird thinks we can do it,” Airy announced, looking up. “It says its species is being wiped out by pesticides.”
    Fehin looked skeptical as he watched the bird fly away. “When you say, ‘it says’, what do you mean?”
    “I told you before, it’s not in words. Maybe it’s more like when you communicated telepathically. It just comes into my head and I know.”
    Fehin grabbed hold of Airy’s hand. “I’m so glad we met.”
    “I don’t think we had much of a