Chapter 1

An unexpected gift from secret Santa arrived in the early hours of morning, Christmas was around the corner, Marabell didn’t like Christmas because it stirred memories, unwanted memories, for Christmas was the day Marabell was orphaned.

Marabell stumbled out of bed at the sound of the doorbell echoing throughout the wooden cottage, she lumbered through the house, cursing as she stubbed her big toe on a loose nail, drawing blood.

As she reached the front door Marabell realized something was off, but she couldn’t place it. She opened the door and saw a mysterious and foreboding figure in mail woman getup, standing in the rain with her hat pulled over her eyes, masking them. She handed her a package wrapped in festive paper. “Thank you?” she said to the woman, then she retreated back into the house, contemplating what the package might be, she wondered into her living room and plopped down on the armchair facing the hearth, then Marabell torn open the wrapping paper on the gift, curiously she lifted the lid as thunder cracked across the sky illuminating a small pocket watch with a gold back, silver swirls forming an intricate design imbedded with blood red Rubys on the back.

Marabell was entranced by its majesty then suddenly it spoke in an eerie, soft voice that sent shivers down her spine. “I am no ordinary clock” it spoke “I can take you back to your greatest grief” Marabells mind immediately shot to her parents and sister, her best friend, the pocket watch continued alluringly. “I can make you happy again, all you have to do is say yes, then I will take you to the place of your desire” Marabell picked up the watch and whispered softly, “I want my family.” Unexpectedly the pocket watch begins to tick, getting louder and louder until the sound permeated the walls of the small cottage. Light swirled around her in a tornado of bright white light, the wind picking up her hair, it swirled around her, reaching a final crescendo as the world fading into darkness and shadow.