“I
know it’s your birthday, hon, but choose carefully,” Annabelle’s
grandmother doted upon her, as of this day, 18-yeard-old
granddaughter.
Annabelle
huffed at that. Internally, she was certain she ought to have
whatever she wanted – both if the desire struck her. Why should she
have to choose? It seemed like some archaic ritual for the townsfolk
to get misty-eyed over. She knew how she was supposed to respond, but
that was hardly to her liking.
Gathered
in the town’s square were all

May was stuck and if
no one came along to help her, she was sure to remain in her sorry
situation for days.
Things had started out
well enough wandering in the ancient forest that loomed over the city
like an elder's shadow. The weather worn trees that joined their
branches in canopies of furrowed leaves had May drawn her into the
world of darkness and greenery. Ruins of long lost homes entertained
her for hours as she pranced over crumbling cobble and twisted
concrete. Catching glimpses of fur