Prologue-Once Upon a Time

“And they all lived happily ever after. The end.”

“Again! Again!”

“I’ve read you three stories already, don’t you think you’ve had enough?” She chuckled, putting aside the book.

The girl shook her head.

“Three isn’t that many, can’t you read me another?” She pleaded. “Pretty please?”

“That face won’t work on me, you little scamp.” She said, pinching her cheek. “Besides, it’s bedtime.”

“Aww, do I really have to?”

 Her mother ruffled her hair.

“I’m pretty sure you do.”

She huffed a little.

“Okay…”

“Mommy?” The girl asked..

“Yes, dear?” Her mother looked back at her.

“A-are fairy tales real?” She asked.

"Er...of course." Her mother assured.

"Do you think I could be a fairy tale?"

"Hm?"

"L-like..." She clutched the blanket. "A hero."

"You wanna be a hero?"

She nodded.

"Yeah!" The girl grinned. "I'd save princesses, beat up lotsa bad guys, and have a super cool sword; I'd be the best hero ever."

Her mother smiled at her daughter's words.

"I think you'd be 'the best hero' ever too," she kissed her daughter's forehead. "Now, sleep. You have school tomorrow."

"Yes mommy."

She flopped back onto her bed, as her mother turned off the lamp.

"Goodnight, my little hero."

"'Night, mommy."

She shut the door behind her,

The girl stared at the glowy stars stuck to the ceiling.

“I think you’d be the best hero ever.”

Yeah, that’s what I’ll be.

She grinned.

A hero.