Tasked with cleaning the wizard’s tower, Ava studied the dusty room. Spider webs lodged in every corner. Mouse droppings carpeted the floor. And bizarre items filled the shelves. She poked her broom at a dull glow beneath a shelf. An egg-sized jewel rolled out, stopping on extended prongs--a pretty piece. She shoved it in a pocket; assuring herself she’d return it after sweeping but knowing it for a lie.

Something wasn’t quite right about the window. Obliged to check it out, Ava wriggled her fingers through the opening. She snatched them back when the nails began to dissolve into the air. Slowly they fell back into place, although, she noticed a freckle landed a good half-inch short where it started. Intrigued, Ava thrust the broom outside, and its bristles melted.

“Stop that!” Behind her stood a very disgruntled wizard.

“Just clearing cobwebs.” Ava swished the fused bristles under a table to demonstrate.

“Clean them from between your ears or I’ll throw you out, to discover what true stupidity is composed of.”

“The window shows you what things are made of?” Ava asked when something wriggled inside her pocket. She watched slack-jawed as the stolen jewel crawled free on long spider legs. Startled, she snatched it off and flung it out the window where it exploded in a shower of sparks.

The wizard glowered.

“Ah!” Ava nodded sagely. “It would appear spiders are composed of light. Who knew?” She shrugged, smiled innocently, and returned to her ineffectual attempt at sweeping.

Photo by Tyler Lastovich