• Story Time
    Katie walked down the street, bored out of her mind. Her backpack started to feel heavier and heavier. Inside of it, she had around ten books, each over 300 pages. Katie loved to read. Anyone with a brain could see that. She would sit in the corner of her room, fairly large and bright blue, and read. ‘I’ve already read all the books in my mini library,’ she quietly thought to herself ‘what next? I guess I could read the dictionary. Nah, that’s boring too…’ She continued her stroll to her house.
    Her feet stepping on the pavement, Katie had found herself completely lost. ‘Oh no,’ she thought ‘did I take a wrong turn? How am I going to get back home?’ Looking around, she realized she was at a small street of stores. It was an ordinary street, long and full of buildings, but something about it didn’t feel right. The merchandise was completely out of age. There were pawnbrokers, barbers, and other shops everywhere. Cockroaches ran along the dark grey, filthy street. There was no sound, except the coughing of a young boy sitting in the corner. He was covered in dirt, and he looked very ill. A dark cloud of doom seemed to hang over the street. Finally, Katie saw something that made her happy, a bookstore. She found herself wanting to go into the store, like a force pulling her in. She decided to walk up the stone steps and enter the store.
    Inside the bookshop, Katie noticed that there wasn’t anyone there. She was about to leave when an old, chilling voice called behind the counter. ‘Come in, Katie’ it called ‘We’ve been waiting for you!’
    ‘Where are you? Who are you?’ Questioned Katie, her voice cracked up. ‘How do you know my name? What is this place? How can I get back home?’
    ‘All will be revealed, in due time. But for now,’ an old lady appeared from behind the bookcase, her old rags nearly covering her face. ‘You may call me Miss. Mandeville. I believe you like books, is that correct dear?’
    ‘Yes, I love books!’ Katie called out quickly, but quickly regretted it.
    ‘Then here, I have a gift for you!’ The old lady handed a parcel to Katie. It was covered in the same material as the woman’s rags. It scratched her hands, because it was so rough and sandy, like sand paper. ‘How could anyone wear this?’ Katie asked in her mind.
    ‘You must leave now,’ Creaked the old lady ‘and return to your home!’
    Before she could say a word, Miss. Mandeville pushed her out the door. Katie fell on the pavement, scraping her hands and knees. She stood up, brushed the dirt of her shirt, and looked up. She wasn’t on the street anymore, but in front of her house. The package was still lying on the floor, filthy and covered in the same fabric. She picked it up, and ran into her house.
    ‘Katie!’ Her mum yelled. ‘You’re home early!’ Katie looked at the clock. It was only 3:00! Her school ends at exactly 3!
    ‘Did I just go back in time?’ She thought, puzzled. ‘Maybe it was that creepy street…’
    She ran straight up the stairs, into her corner. She shredded open the parcel, pieces of string and fabric flying everywhere. Under all the fabric was a book, somewhat big for a book, and the pages were falling out. On the front was ‘Fairy Tales’ in a big, fancy, gold font. She opened the first page. There was a note, written in ink, right on the page. Katie started to read out loud.
    ‘Dear Katie, you have been chosen. We heard you liked reading, so you are perfect. Ever read any fairy tales? Good. Because you are going to make them.’ The rest of the page was blank. She turned the page. It said Little Red Riding Hood at the top, in fancy calligraphy. Suddenly, the pages started to flip, a never-ending burst of wind hitting Katie’s face. The room started to spin, and the winds turned into a vacuum, sucking Katie into the book.
    Katie landed in a large forest; green leaves and flowers sprouting everywhere. The birds were singing, and wind was blowing through the trees, causing them to rustle. Animals were hopping, flying, or leaping around, in search of food. Suddenly, a beautiful voice filled the air. All the animals seemed mesmerized, and they started to follow.
    A girl with a red hood on was sitting on a tree stump. She was singing, but the words were unrecognizable. She turned and saw Katie. The girl had bright green eyes, and red hair. Freckles were sprinkled on her face, and her cheeks were rosy red. She was wearing a red robe, a hood was attached, and a plain white dress.
    ‘Oh! She said, surprised. ‘You must be Katie! I’m Red! The elders told me you were coming!’
    ‘Uh, hi!’ Katie said. ‘Where am I?’
    ‘This is the Great Forest!’ Answered Red joyfully.
    ‘Uhhh, what am I doing here?’
    ‘You’re going to help us finish our stories!’ Said Red, her tone very serious. ‘You should know that, you’re the chosen one.’