"Jo! Look what I got!" shouted little Amy as she ran into the room. Jo sighed. Just as she had gotten to writing the best part of her story, her sister had to come in and ruin it.
"What is it, Amy?" she asked. She had to admit that whatever Amy was carrying, it looked interesting.
"One of my friends gave me this pair of magic handcuffs!" Amy exclaimed, showing them to her older sister.
"Magic?" Jo scoffed. This could only lead to trouble. Amy frowned.
"Yes, magic! But if you don't let me show you them, I'll tell Mother that you were mean to me!" she threatened.
"Fine, show them to me. I don't feel like getting in trouble for things I didn't do." Jo sighed. Sometimes she just had to obey and not argue. Amy explained the workings of the handcuffs. Apparently, they were supposed to unlock by "magic" when the cloth covered them and the magic words were spoken.
"Wanna try?" Amy asked. Jo's first instinct was told say 'no' immediately. However, she found herself nodding slowly. Amy handcuffed her left wrist to Jo's right wrist. She put the cloth over and said the magic words. Nothing happened. Jo tried to pull away. No luck. Jo looked at her sister.
"Try again." was all she said, hoping that what she thought was happening really wasn't. Amy tried again. Jo pulled sharply on the handcuffs. Still nothing.
"Do you have a key?" she asked. Amy nodded nervously. She searched her pockets with her free hand. She chuckled nervously. Jo glared at her imploringly.
"Don't tell me you've gone and lost the key..." she grumbled.
"I know exactly where it is!" Amy said quickly, dropping to the floor to look for it.
"Ow! Be careful!" Jo cried, the handcuffs jerking at her wrist.
"Sorry..." said Amy quietly. She stood up a moment later.
"Well?" said her sister, hoping for good news, knowing none was coming.
"I, uh.... lost the key..."
