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I see you open the book. A thin layer of dust which previously settled on the cover poufs into the air, dancing and swirling around like fairy dust, as you flip open the first page. The first line is captivating. Big, loopy, cursive letters reserved for dramatic beginnings such as this, stretch across the page “Once Upon A Time”.
The mystical land you are about to enter is lurking with enemies in the shadows, twists and curves at every path.
Your bare feet touch the cold cobble stone path as you timidly step forward, like a little girl stumbling into a blurry dream. This path encircles a secret garden.
A garden where the deepest secrets, hidden since the beginning of time have been buried. A heavy blanket of weeds and dead plants climb up the garden walls, clinging to the gate, shutting it tight. You examine the scenery, and wonder how to get inside. It is not winter, but you feel a coldness seeping from the ground.
This garden is bitter and dark and will not grow. Has it always been like this? you ask yourself.
If you listen closely, the ancient walls will tell you a tale. They will speak of the time when this garden was once a thriving oasis. A glorious paradise bursting with light and beauty. This garden was the heart of all fairy tales.
In the original rose garden, at the very beginning, a place where all our hopes and dreams lie…in the Garden of Eden a tragedy was written. By the pen of choice. Adam and Eve etched a terrifying tale into these walls.
Lies invaded, truth faded, and the other side of the fence suddenly looked a whole lot greener. Chocolate covered poison woed Eve into a lust for power, consequentially leaving her naked and ashamed.
And from that day on, fairytales continued to be overtaken by tragedy…
Every daughter of Eve battled with the enemy of her soul.
Glass slippers broke and forbidden spindles were touched. Curses were cast, and poison left its toxic sting. Every princess believed she was merely a popper, and every mirror was cast over with a lust for power.
You wish that you could close this book. How could a carefree childhood fairytale become so twisted and marred? Tragic love stories were never meant to exist, but instead the beauty of a pure white horse and a perfect prince.
But like a midnight dream, you cannot pinch yourself awake. This is really happening. This is your life.
You look up and see two distant castle towers poking into the clouds, starring down at you with their lofty and disapproving stares. This entire Kingdom seems to be under a darkened curse.
Letter From the Editor: Once Upon a Time...