Parker sighed as the last of his five Cub Scouts settled down for the night. It was only 9 PM, but with the oldest of the group topping out at eight years old, bedtime was earlier than usual. His own six-year-old son, tow-headed Benjamin, was curled up in a sleeping bag with 'Mr. Pickles', his battered stuffed lion. The youngest of the Cubs was Luke, a skinny red-haired five-year old with enormous ears and a constant crust of mucus around his nose. Billy, a round-faced kid who's parents had came from South Korea, and Jackson, a chunky black kid, were both seven. The last was Andre, a black-haired Hispanic boy with big teeth and jet black hair, eight.
All five had been excited about being away from home, and Parker counted his blessings at not being stuck with some of the older kids, who would be complaining about the lack of electronic toys. Even he had his iPhone turned off and stowed, though he could get to it quickly in case of an emergency. He had to grin as he looked over the sprawled forms of the boys as they slept. Luke had his thumb in his mouth, and Andre was snoring. Benjamin had a death grip on Mr. Pickles, Jackson had his mouth wide open, and Billy was muttering something. All were dead to the world - an explosion probably wouldn't wake them.
"Wish I could sleep like that." Parker shook his head as he spoke softly to himself. He had just turned thirty, and between growing pressures of providing for his family and rough schedules at the office, sleep did not come so easy. Worries plagued his thoughts, and even when he did sleep, his dreams. He envied the boys' innocence and lack of responsibilities.
Reaching up, he pulled the string turn turned off the single overhead bare bulb. There was no TV or computer to keep him up, and he wasn't into reading. Besides, going to bed early might be nice for once. He was mildly surprised that the cabin wasn't totally dark - a soft purplish glow from overhead provided just enough light to make out the sleeping shapes of the boys. Probably moonlight filtering in through some sort of skylight. If Parker had been paying more attention, he would have noticed that the light moved around, but he simply lay back on his own sleeping bag and closed his eyes.
Puck, leader of the fairy cluster that had come to work mischief on the invading humans, hovered over his chosen group. Most made up the youngest of the humans, though there was one grownup. The children's dreams were simple and some of them quite fanciful, and while the adult's own thoughts were of foolish things like promotions and fixing roofs, his spoken wish gave Puck an excellent opening. The fae seized on dreams and wishes, and he had six wonderful opportunities for fun now sleeping below him.