THE MORNING SUN WARMED Verity’s skin as she watched Benjamin exit the forest. After a time, she rose from the moss and, curious, followed in his wake. The house he entered was quite large, and much sturdier than its neighbouring cabin. She did admire that little home’s garden, though, and wandered about as she waited.
In that garden, Verity counted twelve lilies all in a row, and she thought what a lovely gift those flowers would make for her twelve would-be brothers. She watched the house Benjamin had entered for a moment longer, and when no one emerged, she gathered the lilies as an offering.
The moment Verity had plucked the twelfth flower, a chilling screech arose from the large house. The horrid sound made Verity tremble, and when she turned to run from the garden, she found her
