PROLOGUE: THE MAGIC RIVER

The story began with the Wishing Stream. A place normally avoided by those who fear the unknown, it was a magical river that flowed near the small town of Neigedale. The stream ran through the dark and dense woods right where the town came to an end. Unlike the surrounding shadowy woods, the land closest the stream had its own eerie mystical glow. The trees chose not to grow too close to the water, as if, like the townspeople, they did not trust its magic. Instead, these bizarre flowers grew in that space. The flowers could grow to about five feet tall with thick stems that had no offshoots and grew straight up. The flowers themselves had exactly seven petals that could come in pink, blue, purple or yellow. They were referred to as “flashlight flowers” because the center of the flower would light up at night. The most unsettling detail about this stream was the mysterious creatures people have noticed. Some live underwater, some on land, but none will show their face, only their glowing green eyes as they watch people pass by. There were rumors that if anyone saw more than just the creatures’ eyes, they would be pulled down into the water, never to be seen again. There were also rumors that the water was magical and would sometimes grant wishes, but not just anyone could get one.

Most of the townspeople were too afraid to try and get a wish for themselves. The only people brave enough were Mr. and Mrs. Dahlia, who visited it whenever they had the chance. They heard the stories about the strange creatures, but they didn’t care, for they thought that they knew how to get the stream to grant their wish.

This couple believed that all you had to do was face your fear of the magic, and see the river for yourself. They really hoped they were right, because they had a very special wish. For a long time they wanted a child, but it was impossible. The magic of the river gave them hope that it could still happen.

The whole town thought they were crazy, but they never gave up, they went back every night. For a long time, nothing happened, and everyone told them there was no point in going back; that it was hopeless. That never stopped them though, and then one day, their whole life changed.

That night, they saw a bright light slowly coming down the stream toward them. It was not a flower, and it wasn’t the eyes of a swimming creature, it was something completely new, it was glowing red.

“Hey, do you see that?” Mrs. Dahlia asked her husband.

“Yes, I see that it's coming, but not what it is.” Mr. Dahlia said.

Suddenly, they heard a little giggle coming from it. When it came up to them, it turned out to be a little wooden raft with a little baby wrapped in a light blue blanket sitting in a woven basket on it. The baby looked only a few days old. The light was coming from the baby’s necklace, a silver chain that had a glowing red diamond attached to it. The baby smiled up at the couple. She had bright green eyes that seemed to sparkle in the moonlight.

“I think our wish just came true.” Mrs. Dahlia said.

They both smiled back.