A Bright Morning

Mila pushed her round glasses up her nose as she walked through Sunnybrick Town's cobblestone market square. Her teal hoodie kept her warm in the crisp morning air. The book in her hands glowed softly, pages filled with tales of brave knights and clever princesses.

"Mila! Wait up!" called her older brother Dalio, jogging to catch up. His dark hair was messy from sleep, and he still wore his pajama shirt under a hastily thrown-on jacket.

"You're so slow," she giggled, tucking a strand of chestnut-brown hair behind her ear. "I wanted to get to the bookstore before it gets crowded."

"Why do you always carry that thing?" Dalio asked, pointing at her glowing book. "It's weird how it lights up like that."

Mila shrugged. She had never told anyone about the strange things that happened when she read certain passages aloud. Some secrets were better kept to herself.

A black van with tinted windows drove slowly past them, but neither child noticed.

The Van's Secret

The black van screeched to a halt right in front of them. Mila's book tumbled to the ground as strong hands grabbed her and Dalio.

"Hey! Let go of us!" Dalio shouted, struggling against a tall man in dark clothes.

A woman with short gray hair stepped out of the van. Her sharp eyes looked directly at Mila. "Princess Mila and Prince Dalio, how nice to finally meet you."

"We're not princesses and princes!" Mila protested, her glasses sliding down her nose. "You've got the wrong kids!"

The woman smiled coldly. "Your parents, the King and Queen of Brookhaven Kingdom, will pay handsomely for your safe return. One million gold coins, or something very unfortunate will happen to you both."

Mila's heart pounded. She had always known her family was different, but royalty? Before she could process this shocking news, rough hands pushed both children into the van.

"My book!" Mila cried as the glowing tome lay forgotten on the cobblestones.

The van doors slammed shut. Through the tinted windows, she watched her magical book grow smaller and smaller as they drove away from Sunnybrick Town.