Epilogue
"Happy birthday, Toby," Karen cried, bustling into his room and flinging the curtains open.
"Mom," Tobias cried. "Don't come in here and don't call me Toby!"
"Don't be silly, honey," she said. "Don't I get to say good morning on your 18th birthday? And I've always called you Toby. I don't know where you got that 'Tobias' nonsense from."
"Whatever, Mom," he said. "Could you get out while I get dressed?"
"Of course, dear," she said, stooping down to kiss him. "Your father and I — and breakfast — will be waiting."
"Thanks, Mom," he said. "Now get out."
As soon as the door closed he collapsed back into the sheets then groaned and climbed out of bed. He pulled the curtains closed again and rummaged through a pile for some mostly clean clothes. He pulled on sweats and a T-shirt.
"Are you ready to make your decision?"
Tobias whirled to see his sister's face in the mirror. "Are you kidding?" he asked.
Sarah smiled. "Well, I have been watching."
"Not everything, I hope," he said, blushing a little.
"Not everything. Things have been pretty busy here. There have been some repercussions from what I did. There's a task for you, if you'll take it."
He quickly pulled on socks and shoes and gathered a few possessions into his pockets. He lingered over an old horseshoe, but left it hanging over the door.
"I'm ready."
The Fairy Queen held out her hand. Tobias climbed onto the dresser and through the mirror.
The End