The first snowflake landed on the barrel of the gun. He brought it closer to his face to inspect the melting snow, then looked up at the sky, squinting against the light. He could hear a drunken rendition of a pirate song in the background and the dim jingle of fairies as they flew by. Compared to darkness and neon and soldiers hellbent on capturing them, it was a welcome change.

"Who those two?" Daniel asked worriedly, peeking over Ray's shoulder, then hiding again. Ray turned, just as the couple came into full view. He knew them, at least to look at. Islanders. Real people. A bark drew his attention away, a flash of white in the distance.

"Dief?" He called out hopefully, as loud as he could. "Diefenbaker!" The wolf pricked his ears, standing tall, and barked again before taking off in the opposite direction to get help.