Nine-year-old Amy Winter's holiday plans have gone from exciting to total disaster.
How is she supposed to have any fun being packed up and sent to stay with a weird relative she can't even remember?
And Aunt Penelope is as weird as they get. With...
Amy woke up to find herself dressed in her pajamas and back in her own bed. She was surrounded by Scruffy and her other favourite toys, exactly where she had left them, amid a sunset gold and midnight blue background.
Had it all been a dream?
She groaned. Feeling totally disappointed, pulling the covers over her head.
Knock Knock.
"Come in," she sighed.
"Good morning my dear." Amy quickly pulled the covers down and sat up. It was real. She was still in her aunt's house. Her sullen expression replaced with an outright grin, as Aunt Penelope waltzed into the room dressed like a peacock. The gold fitted lace down her arms and across her neck was so fine, it looked like spider webbing and the gold flowing dress was covered in rows and rows of blue, green, and gold feathers.
"You look so pretty!"
"Why, thank you darling." Her aunt patted her tangerine bun. "Must look my best for your first day."
"Do we get to ride the flying carpet up the stairwell, again? I still can't believe the three sisters slept through it. They missed all the fun. How are they now?"
"Good to see you're so bright and chipper this morning." her laughter tinkled softly like windchimes. "The carpet is one of my favourite too, but maybe another day. Cybil, Miranda, and Hilda are doing fine. They are... well, they're coming to terms with their new appearances.... It might be best to give them just a little longer."
Her aunt opened up the wardrobe. "For your initiation, I have a special dress picked out for you."
"Initiation?"
Amy quickly jumped out of bed to get a closer look. When had her small closet gotten so large? She could now walk in amongst the clothes and shoes, some of which she'd never seen before.
"All trainees need to be accepted first by the Storytelling Tribunal. But don't worry, just one look at you and they won't object." Amy had no idea what her aunt was babbling on about. "And then they will empower you with the gift."
"Gift? As in a present?" That word drew her attention from the rows of sneakers.
"That's exactly what it is. A present that you will treasure for the rest of your life. One that enables every Storyteller to reach their full potential."
"Are these all for me?" It soon became apparent to her aunt that Amy's attention was focused more on what was inside the wardrobe.
"Of course." Her aunt's laugh was deeper now. "Every Storyteller needs to look her best.... Here it is. What do you think?"
Amy's excitement died a quick death. She hated it. There was no way she was going to wear that frilly, white, meringue of a dress.
"Oh...Not to your liking?" Her aunt tilted her head. "Too frilly? How about this?"
The next dress was the colour of a tomato with huge bell sleeves.
Amy couldn't stop the face she pulled.
"Only joking dear," her aunt chuckled. "Maybe this would be more appropriate."
Amy let out a soft gasp.
"It's perfect!"
She ran her fingers along the silky pink material. Amy had never worn anything like it before.
"After your breakfast and shower, I'll help you put it on."
Amy was glad her aunt was there to zip up the dress. The dress fitted her perfectly. She loved the sweetheart neckline and the tiny butterfly embroidered sleeves capping the top of her shoulders. She was happy the material wasn't any longer than the top of her feet or she wouldn't have been able to twirl around like this. She felt like a princess. The silk rubbing against her bare legs, tickling her as she turned.
"See if these shoes fit."
She felt like Cinderella going to the ball as she tried on the silver sandals. So comfortable they were, that she felt like she was still barefoot as she danced across the tiled floor.
"Can I leave my hair out aunty? I like the way it feels when I pirouette."
"I don't see why not. Maybe needs just a brush or two..... There! Let me look at you. Just perfect my dear. Just perfect. Are you ready for the first day of the rest of your life?"
Aunt Penelope's smile was infectious.
Amy found herself smiling, too, nodding even though she had no idea what her aunt meant. And then she blinked. It was like everything slowed down, including the sound of her heartbeat, and then it sped back up again as if she'd only imagined it.
Only... she wasn't in her bedroom, anymore. She wasn't even in her aunt's house.
They were outside, surrounded by hundreds of people, rushing in all directions.
Rough hands shoved her out of their way, treading on her skirt as she fell heavily onto several sacks of grain. Her beautiful dress now torn and soiled with dirt.
"Aunt Penelope!" Her hand reached out to where her aunt had stood looking very angry, but she was no longer there.
The crowd quickly parted in front of her, unveiling a wagon drawn by four horses running wildly through the streets.
It was heading straight for her.
About to push herself off the sacks, to get out of the way, she saw a little child sucking his thumb, a small blanket held to his face, just sitting there, on the opposite side. Concentrating on a shiny object in one hand, unaware of the giant animals coming his way.
No one else seemed to notice the infant, nor tried to prevent him from being trampled. With no thought of her own safety, she ran in front of the horses and managed to push the young child with all her might out of the way, just as the roar of thundering hooves crushed the very dirt where he'd sat.
Hugging the infant child, panting heavily, with her face streaked with dirt, and her arms scratched from sliding along the gritty ground, Amy could feel her heart racing. She was well-aware of how lucky they were to have survived.
Closing her eyes, as if in a trance, she listened as her heartbeat slowed right down, before returning to normal, and as she opened them again, everyone had gone, including the infant in her arms.
She was now standing in a large, impressive room, with thick, leather books resting on ornate pedestals and colourful paintings covering the walls and domed ceiling.
Sitting in a circle of chairs around her were seven, ancient looking men, their expressions stern and foreboding as they each stared straight into her eyes.
One of them hummed softly, lifting his chin to peer at her over his long, pointed nose.
"An impressive start, child," he said with a voice like a creaking door. "Let the rest of your Initiation commence."
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