Leo stepped past the mossy stone wall. The trees glowed blue and purple. Everything hummed with soft magic.
He reached out. A petal tickled his finger. Leo smiled.
A tiny light buzzed against his knee. A firefly, dim and wobbly, hovered nearby. It couldn't find its way home.
The firefly's light flickered. Leo held out his hand. "Come on," he whispered.
Leo followed a glowing trail. The path split three ways. A vine bridge, a mushroom tunnel, and a dark lane with green fireflies.
He chose the mushroom tunnel. The mushrooms chimed like tiny bells as he walked beneath them.
His light began to fade. The tunnel grew dark behind him. Leo stopped.
He heard a soft whimper. The firefly's light went out completely. Leo closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
Leo opened his small hands wide. A warm golden glow surrounded him. "There you are," he said softly.
The firefly's light returned — brighter than ever. It zipped up and landed on Leo's nose. He grinned.
The firefly led him through the glowing trees. They reached a cluster of spark flowers. The firefly buzzed happily and disappeared into the canopy.
Leo waved. The forest hummed a thank-you song. He was home.