It was a dark and stormy night.

“Go! Go bring back Princess Sally! She’s mine!” the Dark Duke ordered.

Ravens cackled in evil delight and flew off to the castle and lifted beautiful Princess Sally off her bed.

“Help!!!! Help me!” the poor Princess screamed, her hair flowing freely as she was lifted by the ravens and headed away from the castle towards Dark Duke’s Mansion. Heavy rain pelted mercilessly on her.

Princess Sally’s tears flowed freely with the rain. “I’ll rather die than marry the Dark Duke!”

Princess Sally’s Fairy Godmother was alerted by her screams. At the wave of her wand, the ravens were instantly turned into stones. Fairy Godmother waved her wand again and Sally came floating down gracefully towards the castle. At the same time, the sun began to shine through the clouds, drying up Princess Sally’s tears.

“I’m so glad you came,” Princess Sally said.

“You’re welcome, my child,” Fairy Godmother said tenderly, as she hugged the Princess.

The Dark Duke clenched his fist as he watched the turn of events.

“I’ll get you, Fairy mama!  As for you, my beloved wife, I’ll make you mine!”

© 2007 Clara Mok. Original for CCF  (Clara Mok grants CCF  first electronic rights for one month; CCF may archive the material indefinitely and include it in an eBook anthology).