The Stroke of Midnight

Long ago a young lady barely eighteen , got lost in the woods. It was like an enchanted forest, it held much mystery and fright. The trees could walk and talk, she thought that they eat her for lunch. To her surprise, they offered her shelter and food. She declined their offer and continued on her journey. When she finally made her way out, she noticed an old shack. She was taken aback because it was quite large. It was almost dark, so she decided to go inside to seek shelter. And once she went inside she felt a cold and somber breeze. As she began to walk the floors creaked and squeaked, then suddenly the door slammed shut. She heard a looming noise up above her head, her eyes wandered to focus on the sound. What she saw frightened her immediately, a strange creature was staring down at her. It stood on a beam in the rafters of the old ragged shack. The creature looked like an owl and and a dragon mixed. It had four eyes and it’s feathers were burgundy blue, orange and black. It started to fly towards her and she screamed and fainted. When she came to, she heard in an accent much like her own” Young Miss are you okay?” She was astonished because the creature could talk. “Yes , I believe I’m well.” She said as she stood up. “ I am happy to hear. You are beautiful miss.” “ Thank you. Who and what are you?” She said in a slow and study voice. “ I am Prince Theodore. It’s a pleasure to meet you. What is your name miss?” “ Annabel Liverstone.” “ How did you find my castle?” “ Sir, this isn’t a castle, it's an old rugged shack.” “ That’s what it appears to be, because an old witch put a spell on me and my kingdom.” “ Why did she do that?” “ Because I was a cruel and mean ladd. I wasn’t fit to be king.” “ Where is your family?” “ She said I would be reunited with them when I learn my lesson.” “ Have you learned your lesson?” “ Yes,you have shown me the error of my ways.” “ Me? Why do you say that?” “ Everyone else before you fainted at the sight of me as well. However, I wasn’t nice to them.” “ What did you do to them?” “ I took them on the opposite side of the enchanted forest.” “What’s there?” “ Evil creatures that dislike mortals.” “ What do they do when they find them?” “ They turn them into forest creatures like them.” “ What happens to you now that you have learned the error of your ways?” “ At the stroke of midnight, I will turn back to my natural state.” The small clock on the bare wall, chimed at the stroke of midnight. And he turned into a handsome prince. The castle and all of its inhabitants reappeared as well. Prince Theodore and young Annable became the best of friends. As time passed they fell madly in love. The lovely pair got married. And lived happily ever they after. The End. Alexis Y. 10/16/2020