Chapter 1: Sabrina and her grandmother
In her small, cozy house, amidst shelves filled with bubbling vials and leather-bound spell books, Sabrina was getting ready for a sunny day. Her mother, Luna the witch, with a kind smile, suggested to her: “Sabrina, my dear, why don’t you go visit Grandma Elara today? I’m sure she’d love to see you, and perhaps you can bring her some of your moon cookies.” Sabrina loved the idea, and with her favorite cape gently fluttering, she left home with a basket of freshly baked cookies.
The forest path was full of light and the birds sang cheerful melodies. As she walked, a soft flutter was heard overhead, and from a nearby branch, a majestic owl with large round eyes elegantly descended. It was Mr. Owl, her faithful companion and friend of many adventures. He perched on a branch she carried as a staff, and together they continued their journey, his large eyes blinking with wisdom as they watched the glints of light filtering through the leaves.
They were visiting Grandma Elara’s house, and Sabrina could already imagine the stories and cookies awaiting her. However, upon arriving at the cozy cabin, an unusual silence greeted them. Inside, Grandma Elara lay in her bed, her forehead a little pale, her cheeks lacking their usual rosy color, and a weak sigh escaping her chest, very different from her contagious laugh. All of this deeply worried the little witch.
With a heavy heart, feeling a knot in her throat, Sabrina tried to prepare her grandmother’s favorite chamomile tea potion, adding a little magic to make it more comforting and to shine with a soft golden glow. Mr. Owl fluttered around her with tender “Hoo, hoos!“, offering wise advice and bringing her the right herbs. But despite her efforts and the sweet aroma of the herbs filling the room, Grandma Elara didn’t improve, and her eyes remained wearily closed. Tears began to well up in Sabrina’s eyes, shining like small pearls, and a tiny drop slid down her cheek, falling onto the blanket.
Mr. Owl, seeing his friend’s sadness, gently perched on her shoulder and gave her a small nudge with his paw. “Courage, little witch,” he croaked in his deep, but tender, voice. “Remember how brave you are. There’s always a solution, and your magic is strong.” Grandma, with a weak smile and gathering all her strength, took her granddaughter’s trembling hand. “My dear Sabrina,” she whispered in a barely audible voice, “for me to recover, you must go to Drago’s Cave. But be careful, the path goes through the Forest of Eyes and Skeletons. Do not fear, you are a brave witch and Mr. Owl will guide you. Trust your heart and your abilities.”
Sabrina dried her tears, her small face filled with a mix of worry and newfound determination. Mr. Owl, noticing her uneasiness, fluttered to her shoulder. “Drago’s Cave... and the Forest of Eyes and Skeletons,” Sabrina thought aloud, her voice still a little shaky but firm, “sounds too dangerous to go without more preparation.” She knew Drago was a powerful creature, and her grandmother needed a special potion from the cave. With a spark in her eyes, she turned to her friend. “Mr. Owl, we must go to the village of Lectonia. There we are sure to find magical tools to face anything. But to get to the village, we will have to cross the Cemetery of Fingers.” Mr. Owl nodded seriously, his large eyes reflecting the same bravery as Sabrina’s heart.
Determined not to lose a moment, Sabrina and Mr. Owl bid farewell to Grandma Elara, promising to return soon with the cure. They ventured back into the forest, and as the sun began to set, the trees grew denser and the shadows lengthened, creating whimsical shapes. Soon, they arrived at the entrance to the Cemetery of Fingers. It was not a terrifying place like in stories, but rather a strange and somewhat enigmatic site. Instead of common gravestones, the ground was dotted with curious rock formations that, like giant, bony fingers, protruded from the earth at different angles. Some were thin and pointed, others wide and round, and all seemed to point in different directions, confusing the path.
The wind whistled softly among the stone “hands,” producing a sound Sabrina imagined as old murmurs. Mr. Owl, who always had a curious mind, fluttered a little higher to observe the peculiar landscape. “These fingers aren’t meant to scare, little witch,” he croaked in his deep voice, “they seem more like... playing hide-and-seek!” Sabrina smiled slightly, appreciating her friend’s good humor. However, it wasn’t easy to orient themselves. The paths forked again and again, and each “finger” seemed to indicate a different way. The little witch tried to use her magic compass, but the needle spun uncontrollably, confused by the energy of the place.
“We need a guide!” exclaimed Sabrina, raising her wand. With a small movement and a whisper of magical words, a tiny glowing firefly appeared on the tip of her wand. It wasn’t a common firefly; this one flickered with a magical light that only shone brighter when they were going in the right direction. “Follow me, Mr. Owl!” she said, with renewed energy. The firefly guided them between the stone fingers, sometimes zigzagging, sometimes making them take a small detour to avoid an especially large “finger” that blocked the way.
At one point, they heard a peculiar sound: a slight tinkle, like small bells. They stopped, and a tiny being, no bigger than Sabrina’s hand, appeared from behind one of the stone fingers. It had large, bright eyes and seemed to be made of dried leaves and small branches. “Hello! Are you lost?” chirped the creature, who introduced himself as Hojitas (Little Leaves). “This cemetery is a bit tricky if you don’t know the way. Sometimes the fingers move a little on full moon nights, it’s part of their game!” Hojitas, it turned out, was the playful guardian of the place, and offered to guide them in exchange for an adventure story. Sabrina, delighted to have found a friend instead of danger, told him about her mission to cure her grandmother. Hojitas, moved, guided them directly to the edge of the cemetery, where the road to Lectonia could be seen. Bidding them farewell with a tinkle, the little being disappeared among the stones.
Finally, the last stone finger was left behind, and the air felt lighter and more normal. They had managed to cross the Cemetery of Fingers without major scares, thanks to Sabrina’s magic, Mr. Owl’s cunning, and Hojitas’ unexpected help. Now, the village of Lectonia, with its distant lights, rose like a promise of hope.
