Welcome to Mysthaven
The train came to a slow stop, breaking Zoe Ben Ezra out of her daydream. She had been envisioning the massive cup of coffee her body and mind currently begged for. The cup stood an excellent thirty centimeters tall, and the brim sat a good ten centimeters wide. The steam gently rose off the white-and-tan striped foam, bringing the scent of roasted beans and hazelnuts to tickle her nose. She had brought the cup to her mouth for a long, glorious sip when the brakes caused her body to jerk slightly forward.
“Damn it,” she whispered under her breath.
Several passengers carried various pieces of luggage and deboarded around her. As the train hissed to a halt, Zoe grabbed her bag and suitcase. The station beyond her window glimmered faintly in the sunlight, its charm a strange mix of old-world charm and otherworldly touches.
“Time for a new adventure,” she murmured.
Her walk through the station drew odd stares from people as she pulled her luggage behind her. Many others had set their luggage to follow them hands-free. Zoe hadn’t been gifted with this ability, which was exceedingly noticeable. Adjusting the strap on her backpack, she shook off the nervous feeling and headed out of the station. She pulled up her phone to find the map the company had sent her for her new apartment.
The world had changed significantly in the last five years since the magical Society overtook the major news stations. The Society had determined the non-magical world to be ready for the truth: magic and magical tales were all real. Skeptics worldwide had their hearts shattered as they and many others suffered existential crises, questioning everything they once believed. Eventually, this calmed down when magical and non-magical companies realized the potential for increased consumers.
For Zoe, this meant opportunity. AlakaGlam, a magical cosmetics company, wanted to expand into the non-magical market and required a liaison. After completing the lengthy application process, Zoe was selected. The job came with a relocation to Mysthaven, the company’s headquarters. Hence her train ride and complete upheaval of life.
Having cleverly negotiated her relocation, the company paid for movers and secured her apartment. Most of her belongings had already been shipped, leaving Zoe with just her essentials and the task of finding her new home.
“Right, let’s see where I’m headed,” she muttered, opening the map app on her phone.
Zoe’s stomach sank as the familiar dread of technology failures swept over her. The magical town of Mysthaven was known for its resistance to non-magical conveniences—a truth that left her staring helplessly at her unresponsive map app. A tap on her shoulder broke her spiraling thoughts.
Lost in frustration, Zoe almost missed the approach of a smiling woman holding a sign with her name written in neat, looping letters. The woman’s presence was as cheerful as her brightly colored scarf, an unmissable splash of warmth against the station’s subdued tones.
“Excuse me, are you Miss Ben Ezra?” the woman asked brightly.
“Yes, but you can call me Zoe,” she replied, her voice cautious but polite.
“Oh, good! The company sent me to fetch and introduce you to Mysthaven. I know it might be a bit overwhelming. Well, I don’t actually know, but I was told you might feel that way, which is perfectly fine. You are free to feel however you want. You do feel okay, don’t you?”
Zoe blinked at the woman’s rapid delivery and nodded. “Uh, yes, I’m fine.”
“Thank goodness! Let’s get you to your new apartment, shall we? Here, take this,” the woman continued, handing Zoe a paper map of the town.
Zoe took it hesitantly, her fingers brushing over its crisp surface. The gesture, though small, reminded her of how much she’d left behind—old routines, reliable technology, and even the semblance of control over her life. ’Thanks. Does this actually work?’ she asked, forcing her focus back to the map.
The woman giggled, oblivious to Zoe’s dry tone. “Oh, of course! It’s tied to your aura, so all you need to do is tap it and say, ‘Where to?’ Then tell it where you want to go. The map will do the rest.”
Zoe frowned at the curious instructions, her thumb brushing over the blank parchment. “That’s… different.”
The woman interrupted her musings with a sudden burst of energy, grabbing Zoe’s arm. “Your building isn’t too far from here. Let me lead the way!”
Zoe tucked the map into her pocket and followed Shelley’s brisk pace. With every step, the sounds and sights of Mysthaven threatened to overwhelm her. For now, she focused on the woman’s cheery voice and resolved to take it all in, one step at a time.
Zoe trailed behind Shelley as the woman moved briskly through the station’s exit, chattering away. Her rapid pace was punctuated by an endless stream of commentary. “It’s such a beautiful day, don’t you think? I always feel like Mysthaven shows its best side when we get newcomers. Almost like it’s putting on a show!”
Does she ever stop talking? Zoe wondered, her lips twitching in a faint, polite smile. The town beyond the station was bustling and alive in a way she hadn’t expected. Floating carriages clattered softly above the cobblestone roads, and street vendors sold shimmering wares from carts that moved as if alive. Overhead, a group of winged familiars—a mix of birds and small dragons—soared in synchronized formations, their iridescent wings glinting in the sunlight.
It was magical. Quite literally.
Zoe’s fingers tightened around the handle of her suitcase as she tried to suppress a wave of anxiety. This was the start of her new life, wasn’t it? Everything about Mysthaven screamed opportunity, yet she couldn’t shake the nagging sense of how out of place she felt.
She glanced back toward the train station, the last anchor to the world she understood. You can’t just run back, Zoe. You fought for this, remember? For a chance at something new. For a chance to get it right this time.
Shelley’s voice interrupted her thoughts. “Actually, why don’t you give the map a try? It’ll help you get used to the way things work here.”
Zoe pulled the map from her pocket and unfolded it, skeptical of its blank surface. She tapped it lightly, remembering Shelley’s earlier instructions. “Uh, where to… my apartment?”
A glowing, golden line materialized on the map, its path twisting and looping in a complicated pattern. Words shimmered into existence next to it: Dorset Street, Apartment 12C, Fourth Floor.
Zoe raised an eyebrow. “That’s… helpful,” she muttered, though the path on the map looked anything but straightforward. I’ve been here for five minutes, and even the maps are mocking me.
“See? Easy as pie!” Shelley beamed as if handing Zoe the keys to the city.
Sure. If pie were an incomprehensible labyrinth,Zoe thought, her lips pressing into a thin line. “Easy wouldn’t be the word I’d use. This looks like the scenic route.”
“Well, maps here aren’t always precise,” Shelley admitted with a sheepish laugh. “They’re more like… suggestions. Mysthaven likes to make people explore a bit.”
Zoe let out a slow breath, folding the map and tucking it back into her bag. “Fantastic. My first adventure in this town is playing magical cartographer.”
The two resumed their walk, Shelley taking the lead once more. As they turned down a quieter side street, Zoe’s eyes darted around, taking in her surroundings with growing unease. The cobblestones underfoot seemed to pulse faintly with energy, and the air felt charged with an unfamiliar hum. Even the sunlight carried a strange, shimmering quality, as if the town itself were alive and watching her.
She gripped her suitcase tighter. This place is beautiful, but it doesn’t feel real. How am I supposed to live here when I can’t even trust a street map to behave? Her stomach churned with doubt. Was this really the right move? Did I make a mistake?
The buzz of her phone startled her from her spiraling thoughts. She pulled it from her pocket, hoping for a text from her family—a touch of the familiar. Instead, the screen displayed an error message: No Signal.
“Figures,” she muttered, jamming the phone back into her bag.
“Oh, yeah,” Shelley said over her shoulder. “The technology here can be a bit… temperamental. You’ll want to get a magical communication charm for emergencies. But don’t worry, I’ll help you set everything up once you’re settled!”
“Great,” Zoe said, though her tone betrayed her frustration. A magical charm. Sure, because my life hasn’t gone full fairytale yet. She forced a smile, reminding herself that Shelley was trying to help. “Thanks, Shelley. I appreciate it.”
As they turned another corner, Zoe caught sight of a small convenience stand selling what looked like enchanted snacks. A moment of curiosity flickered within her, but the growing weight of exhaustion quickly smothered it. You’ll have plenty of time to explore later. For now, just get through today.
Finally, Shelley came to a stop in front of a modest building with charming stonework and ivy climbing the walls. Tiny glowing flowers sprouted among the vines, winking on and off like fireflies. ‘Here we are! Your new home,’ Shelley announced with a flourish. Zoe paused, her gaze lingering on the building’s quiet magic, a small reminder of how much her world was about to change.
Zoe tilted her head, inspecting the structure. It looked normal enough, which was almost disconcerting in a town like this. “Looks nice,” she said, though her voice betrayed her fatigue.
“Your apartment is on the fourth floor,” Shelley explained, pulling a set of keys from her pocket. “Inside, everything is modeled after what you’re used to in the non-magical world. The elevator should be in working order—at least, that’s what the building supervisor told me earlier today!”
Zoe gave a weak laugh. “That’s comforting.” Great. My first test of this place is trusting the elevator doesn’t turn into a portal to another dimension.
Shelley handed her the keys, then thrust a small slip of paper into her other hand. “And this is my number. If you need anything—anything at all—just call me, okay? Or, well, send me a spectergram if your phone isn’t cooperating.”
Zoe blinked. “Spectergram?”
“Oh, don’t worry about that now. I’ll explain later!” Shelley gave her a reassuring smile.
Zoe slipped the paper into her jacket pocket, fighting the urge to roll her eyes. Of course, a spectergram. Why not add ghostly messengers to the mix? “Thanks, Shelley. I’ll keep that in mind.”
“Well, I’ll leave you to get settled! Welcome to Mysthaven, Zoe. I’m sure you’re going to love it here!” Shelley gave her an enthusiastic wave and practically skipped away.
Zoe stood there for a moment, letting the quiet settle over her. The buzz of Mysthaven still hummed faintly at the edge of her awareness, but at least here, on this little street, she felt a small semblance of peace.
She took a deep breath, adjusting the strap of her backpack. Alright, Zoe Ben Ezra. You fought for this job. You fought for this change. Time for a new adventure.
