Chapter One
Dong. Dong. Dong.
It was midnight. Or, at least the small, spherical, purple and gold clock sitting on the dresser said it was. That clock never had the right time. Things are always more interesting when they aren't what you'd expect them to be, thought Luna.
Why doesn't anyone else think that way? She pondered this question as she turned a small brass key in the clock's back. Perhaps setting it three hours later would be more interesting. Luna yawned and lit a candle. She might as well just stay up, now that she was awake.
Luna quietly walked over to the dresser and took out a small velvet box. She took out a small white charm in the shape of a coiled snake and placed in the palm of her hand. The charm was very special to her, and it had been ages since she had touched it or even just looked at it. In the dim light, it seemed to be alive. She traced her fingers over the smooth curves and held it up to the window. Shadows danced over the cool surface. Looking at it, she could almost remember.
Creak. Someone had entered the room.
Stuffing the snake into her pocket, she whirled around to see who was coming.
No one was there.
Breathing fast, she took the tiny snake out of her pocket. In her hurry to hide the charm, the end of its tail had snapped into three pieces. Her eyes flooded with tears.
"Oh."
Now her greatest treasure was broken. Now she had no hope of ever remembering that spell. Trying very hard not to cry, she put the pieces back into the small velvet box and returned it to the dresser. Luna blew out the candle and fell asleep.