Bridgette Bridgette left the small boat that delivered her back to her home, Ireland. She had crossed many times before, but not for a funeral. The young girl she had sung for was a friend of hers in school and now she was dead, succumbed to an incurable illness. The trip didn’t bother Bridgette. It was what she witnessed at the graveyard as she lingered a moment longer before leaving. A monster had ripped her friend from the gravesite and carried her body off. Too afraid to say anything, Bridgette left and came back home to safety. She decided to sing a few more songs while walking home along the rutted road in the woods. Never did she ever believe she would be a funeral singer and sought after by some of the most prominent people around. Bridgette smiled. Her voice was beautiful and even she felt blessed singing. “Aren’t we a little cocky about ourselves?” Startled, Bridgette turned. “What?” “Your voice.” The fairy stepped closer. “Out here showing off as though you have the right to sing in these woods.” Bridgette knew not to argue with a fairy. Their tempers were such that even grown men were afraid of them. “I didn’t mean no harm.” “Harm you have caused. My head hurts and my night has been ruined.” “I’ll stop and go about my business.” Bridgette turned. The fairy hopped in front of her. “I’ve heard about you.” The fairy sneered. “You’re the one they’ve been talking about. The one that’s taken food from our mouths singing at funerals.” “How have I harmed you by singing at a funeral?” “Our voices are more beautiful than any human and we have always been sought after until you.” Bridgette straightened her shoulders. “My voice is just as beautiful as yours.” She quickly shrunk back. What had she done? She just challenged a fairy. “How dare you compare your human voice to ours.” The fairy pointed at Bridgette. “You will never sing another note the rest of your miserable life which ends tonight.” Bridgette stumbled backward. Her voice shrieked. No words. She couldn’t form any words. All she could do was wail. She ran into the woods away from the fairy, wailing with every breath. Birds scattered. Animals ran. People covered their ears and hid in horror. All Bridgette could hear was the fairy’s laughter.