Maggi's Thirteenth Hour – Episode 1
Maggi woke up to the soft chirping of birds outside her window, sunlight spilling across the pastel walls of her bedroom. Today wasn't just any day—it was her thirteenth birthday, the day she had been waiting for all year. She had imagined it a hundred times: laughter with friends, balloons and streamers, cake smeared with pink frosting, and maybe even a little adventure.
She stretched and looked at the neatly wrapped presents stacked on her dresser. Her parents had been whispering secretively about surprises all week, which made her heart flutter with excitement. But it wasn't just the gifts she was looking forward to. There was Glen—her classmate and secret crush—who had been acting oddly charming lately. Would he remember it was her birthday? Would he say something special? She quickly shook her head at her own nervous thoughts, trying to push them aside as she got ready.
By mid-morning, Maggi's house had transformed into a small hub of cheerful chaos. Balloons floated near the ceiling, colorful streamers dangled from the lights, and the smell of fresh cake mixed with the aroma of her mother's cooking. Her friends had begun to arrive, one by one, each carrying small gifts and smiles that lit up the room.
"Happy Birthday, Maggi!" they all chorused as she entered the living room.
Maggi laughed, her cheeks warming. "Thank you! I can't believe you remembered!"
There was Sophie, her best friend, who had arrived with a box of Maggi's favorite chocolate truffles; Rina, the prankster of the group, who had already sneaked a small water balloon into Maggi's bag as a joke; and Jiya, the quiet one, holding a delicate bracelet she had handcrafted. Together, they made the room feel alive, vibrant, and completely magical.
Hours slipped by in a whirl of laughter, games, and the kind of chatter that only long-time friends share. Maggi felt like she was floating through a dream, surrounded by voices she loved and memories she was creating. Then, right in the middle of the excitement, the doorbell rang.
Glen stood there, looking slightly nervous but undeniably cheerful, holding a small gift wrapped in shiny silver paper.
"Happy birthday, Maggi," he said, smiling shyly.
Maggi felt her heart lurch. "Thanks, Glen! You didn't have to—"
"I wanted to," he interrupted softly, handing over the gift. "I hope you like it."
It was a small notebook with a cover that shimmered like the night sky. Maggi opened it, flipping through the blank pages, imagining all the stories and doodles she could fill it with. "I love it! Thank you so much."
Glen grinned, a little blush creeping onto his cheeks. Maggi caught herself staring for a moment too long, and she quickly looked away, pretending to check the balloons. But she couldn't shake the feeling that something special was brewing today, something that went beyond cake and presents.
After the gift-opening and laughter had died down, Maggi and her friends decided to step outside for a small adventure. The sun was high, the air warm, and the idea of visiting the local carnival had come up during lunch. It was only a short walk from her house, but to Maggi, it felt like entering a whole new world.
The streets were buzzing with weekend life—street vendors calling out, the sweet smell of cotton candy floating through the air, and the distant laughter of children riding the ferris wheel. Her friends held hands, skipping lightly, while Glen walked beside Maggi, occasionally brushing his hand against hers in a way that made her pulse quicken.
They reached the carnival, its lights twinkling in bright neon even under the daytime sun. There were rides everywhere, from carousels with painted horses to spinning cups and a towering ferris wheel that seemed to pierce the clouds. Maggi's eyes widened in awe. "This is amazing!" she exclaimed, tugging at Sophie's sleeve.
They spent hours exploring, laughing, and teasing each other over silly games. Maggi tried her hand at the ring toss, winning a tiny stuffed bear that she proudly clutched. Rina challenged Glen to a race through the bumper cars, and though he initially hesitated, he couldn't resist the dare. Maggi cheered wildly from the sidelines, her heart light and joyous.
Eventually, they stumbled upon a small, curious tent near the edge of the carnival. A hand-painted sign read: "Madame Selene – Palmistry & Secrets Revealed." The tent was mysterious, the fabric swaying slightly as if inviting them in.
"Should we go?" Jiya asked quietly, a hint of excitement in her voice.
Maggi hesitated, her curiosity piqued. "I want to," she said, her friends nodding in agreement. Even Glen gave a small grin.
Inside, the air was scented with incense and something faintly sweet, a fragrance Maggi couldn't name. The tent was dimly lit, the walls lined with velvet drapes, and in the center sat Madame Selene, an older woman with sharp eyes that seemed to look right through them. Her hands were delicate, fingers long and elegant, adorned with rings that caught the dim light.
"Ah, young souls," Madame Selene said softly, her voice warm yet haunting. "Step forward, and let me read the stories your hands have held. Secrets and paths you cannot see will be revealed today."
Maggi's hands trembled slightly as she placed hers on the velvet-covered table. She glanced at Glen, who had moved closer, his hand brushing against hers in a comforting, almost accidental way. She felt a shiver run down her spine, a mix of excitement and something she couldn't name.
As Madame Selene traced the lines on Maggi's palm, she whispered words that seemed both ordinary and extraordinary. "You have curiosity," she said. "And courage… but there is a shadow near, a presence unseen, watching your steps. A guide, or a warning—it is for you to discover."
Maggi blinked, unsure what to make of it. Glen leaned slightly closer, whispering, "It's just for fun, right?"
Madame Selene smiled, a knowing glint in her eyes. "Fun, yes… and perhaps more than you realize. You will understand soon."
The group left the tent, the words lingering in Maggi's mind. She felt a strange pull toward something unknown, a sensation that made her birthday feel less ordinary and more like the start of a journey.
As they wandered through the carnival again, laughter and music filling the air, Maggi couldn't help but glance at Glen, feeling the warmth of his presence and the thrill of possibility. Today was her birthday, yes, but it felt like it was the beginning of something larger, something she could not yet see.
And somewhere, in the quiet corners of the carnival, Madame Selene's husband—or rather, the shadow of him, as the woman had hinted—watched silently, waiting for the right moment to make his presence known.
Maggi's 13th birthday was far from ordinary.
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Author's Note
Hi, I'm Aarya!
Thank you for joining Maggi on her 13th birthday adventure. This story is part of my horror and suspense anthology, Whispers After Midnight, where each tale mixes ordinary life with subtle, chilling mysteries. In this episode, we met Maggi, her friends, and her crush Glen, and we glimpsed a touch of the supernatural with Madame Selene's palmistry.
Birthdays can be magical, and sometimes… a little dangerous. Stay tuned for what lies ahead, because not every secret revealed is meant to be known.