Nana's wish shop smelled of cinnamon and warm brass. It was Wren's first morning as keeper, and the wishes woke up grumpy. Little glass jars glowed dim on the shelves, half-done and muttering, rattling against the wood. On the counter lay Nana's open ledger. Three names were underlined twice. Below them, in Nana's loopy writing: 'Mend these before the wishes turn, or they'll run wild by nightfall.' Wren swallowed and read the first name.

The second name was Old Marta, who lived alone by the well. Her jar was pale blue and cold to the touch. The note said she'd wished to 'never feel lonely again.' Wren tucked the jar into her coat and hurried to Marta's cottage, but the door stood wide open and the rooms were empty.

Wren followed cold footprints through the dew to the edge of the woods. Marta stood there talking to shadows, pale shapes the wish had made for company. They circled her, whispering, drawing her deeper into the trees. Wren called her name, but Marta didn't turn.