Chapters

Lesson 1- Always take a friend, the buddy system is key.

Lesson 2- Crying is allowed, but shouting for no reason is not.

Lesson 3- Always say "please" and "thank you"—your cuteness can only get you so far.

Lesson 4- Say sorry when you've hurt someone—it helps to make things right.

Lesson 5- Respect other people's property and space.

Lesson 6- Be kind to others, especially those who might be different from you.

Lesson 7- Ask for help when you need it—no one knows everything.

Lesson 8- Keep your hands to yourself, unless you're giving someone a high-five.

Lesson 9- If you make a mess you have to clean it up.

Lesson 10- Nap time is non-negotiable; everyone needs their beauty rest.

Lesson 11- Sharing is caring, especially when it comes to drinks or cookies.

Lesson 12- Wash your hands after using the toilet—germs aren't your friends.

Lesson 13- Always look both ways before crossing the street.

Lesson 14- Take care of your stuff- broken toys are no fun!

Lesson 15- Clothes are for wearing, not decorating the floor.

Lesson 16- Don't hit or hurt others, use your words to express yourself instead.

Lesson 17- Sometimes, the answer will be no, and that’s okay. It’s important to accept it without getting upset.

Lesson 18- Be curious and ask questions. Exploring and learning about the world is fun and important.

Lesson 19- Don’t judge others, treat them the way you want to be treated.

Lesson 20- Don't play with your food, but making faces is allowed.

Lesson 21- Use your inside voice or you’ll be sent to time out.

Lesson 22- Get enough sleep, bedtime is important for growing up strong.

Lesson 23- If you borrow something, don’t complain when it’s time to give it back. Sharing is caring.

Lesson 24- When someone is doing their job, be a good helper by not getting in their way.

Lesson 25- Don't interrupt when the adults are talking.

Lesson 26- Always wash your hands after using the bathroom to get rid of yucky germs.

Lesson 27- Don't put things in your mouth unless it's food or you've asked first.

Lesson 28- Don't play with the pet's food, it belongs to them, not you.

Lesson 29- Don't touch things that aren't yours, even if they're shiny.

Lesson 30- Ask before borrowing someone's toys, sharing is a two-way street.

Lesson 31- Only colour on paper, not on yourself or the furniture.

Lesson 32- Don't talk to strangers, but it's okay to smile.

Lesson 33- Feet go on the floor, not on the furniture.

Lesson 34- If you want pocket money you need to do your chores.

Lesson 35- No sneaking treats without permission.

Lesson 36- Put your things away, or the Toy Goblin might steal them!

Lesson 37- Don’t interrupt when someone else is speaking, wait your turn.

Lesson 38- Use your inside voice indoors, outside voices are for the playground.

Lesson 39- Always tell the truth. Lies are like wobbly blocks, they fall down.

Lesson 40- Say sorry right away when you hurt someone. It’s like cleaning up a spill, do it fast, it’s much easier to fix!

Lesson 41- Use the magic words: "please" and "thank you." They open doors (and cookie jars)

Lesson 42- Sometimes making friends is easy, just smile and say hi! It's like opening a door to fun and new adventures.

Lesson 43- If you can't reach it, you probably shouldn't be playing with it.

Lesson 44- Don’t take things that aren’t yours. It’s not nice.

Lesson 45- Sometimes when you fix a broken toy it isn’t exactly the same as it was, but that doesn’t mean it’s no good!

Lesson 46- Good communication is talking and listening. It’s like playing catch, everyone gets a turn.

Lesson 47- When you wake up, smile and get up. There’s a new day of fun waiting for you!

Lesson 48- Enjoy your cake, but don’t eat too much at once!

Lesson 49- Save some of your money instead of spending it all. It’s like storing up treasures, you’ll have something special for later!

Lesson 50- Always play fair and take turns.

Lesson 51- Don’t take candy from strangers.

Lesson 52- When someone says "no," listen and accept it.

Lesson 53- Running is for the playground, not the living room.

Lesson 54- Always be polite and knock.

Lesson 55- If you’re stuck inside, use your imagination. It’s like turning your home into a playground!

Lesson 56- Smiling makes you and others happy… Most of the time.

Lesson 57- It’s wrong to steal.

Lesson 58- Just because you CAN do something, that doesn’t mean you SHOULD.

Lesson 59- Always be respectful of someone else’s home.

Lesson 60- It’s important to wear clean socks and underwear.

Lesson 61- It’s not nice to talk about someone behind their back.

Lesson 62- It’s okay to be scared sometimes.

Lesson 63- No throwing toys, you break it you bought it.

Lesson 64- Be a good friend and listen.

Lesson 65- Sometimes you just have to agree to disagree.

Lesson 66- Always be on time.

Lesson 67- When someone is sick, be kind and helpful

Lesson 68- Remember, not everything people say online is true.

Lesson 69- If you see someone being left out, invite them to join in.

Lesson 70- Freedom means you get to make choices, but it also means dealing with the consequences.

Lesson 71- Remember to always ask first before taking someone else’s toys.

Lesson 72- You should think carefully when you make decisions.

Lesson 73- Always take good care of your pens.

Lesson 74- Everything is better with good teamwork.

Lesson 75- Always chew your food properly.

Lesson 76- Always wash your hands with soap and warm water.

Lesson 77- Just because your day is bad it does not give you an excuse to ruin someone else’s.

Lesson 78- Knowing who to call for help is just as good as knowing how to fix something yourself.

Lesson 79- If someone knocks on the door, don’t open it by yourself, always get a grown-up first.

Lesson 80- Always double check your work.

Lesson 81- Respect people’s bubble of personal space.

Lesson 82- There is nothing wrong with being in a bad mood, as long as you don’t take it out on someone else.

Lesson 83- Pets love to play, but remember to be gentle! They’re not toys!

Lesson 84- Every house has different rules, follow them just like your own.

Lesson 85- Medicine may taste sweet, but it's not candy!

Lesson 86- If you find a cute animal, always ask a grown-up before bringing it home.

Lesson 87- It’s okay if you fall as long as you get back up and try again.

Lesson 88- Always clean up after your pets!

Lesson 89- It’s not nice to leave people out when you do something fun.

Lesson 90- Just because someone is different that doesn’t make them bad.

Lesson 91- It’s not nice to make people worry.

Lesson 92- Sometimes people don’t want to play, and that’s okay too.

Lesson 93- Always ask a grown-up before using a phone.

Lesson 94- It’s important to always ask nicely before taking something.

Lesson 95- If someone else is telling a story, it’s polite to listen.

Lesson 96- Sleepovers might be fun, but everyone needs to sleep sometime.

Lesson 97- Make sure to respect other people’s right to privacy.

Lesson 98- Always keep your room clean.

Lesson 99- Disappointment doesn’t mean giving up. Sometimes, you just need to try again or find a new way to make things work!

Lesson 100- Always remember to turn off the tap. It’s not good to leave the water running, you might slip!

Lesson 101- It’s wrong to hit people, but you should always protect yourself first. You can say sorry later.

Lesson 102- Sometimes the only thing you can do is wait.

Lesson 103- Always say thank you when someone gives you a present.

Lesson 104- Make sure to wash all the important spots, even behind your ears!

Lesson 105- Eat everything that’s on your plate so you can grow big and strong. Plus, no dessert until you’re done!

Lesson 106- Sometimes, your only job is just to get better, and that’s okay.

Lesson 107- Take turns when you talk. Listening is just as important as speaking.

Lesson 108- There’s no point crying over spilled milk.

Lesson 109- Sometimes people are annoying and sometimes you just have to deal with it.

Lesson 110- Being the boss isn’t fun for everyone. Instead, ask nicely and work together.

Lesson 111- If it’s yucky, just take a bite and do your best. You never know, it might not be as bad as you think.

Lesson 112- When you get upset, take a deep breath and use your words.

Lesson 113- If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.

Lesson 114- It’s okay to cry sometimes. It’s not good to trap your feelings on the inside.

Lesson 115- Sometimes when someone doesn’t want to tell you something you just have to agree.

Lesson 116- Always be careful giving out your personal information online!

Lesson 117- It’s good to save your money, just in case.

Lesson 118- If someone is worried about you, it usually means that they care.

Lesson 119- Sometimes the best thing you can do is stop talking and listen.

Lesson 120- Be nice to your siblings. You’re stuck with them either way.

Lesson 121- Police officers work hard to keep us safe, so always be respectful and kind when you see one.

Lesson 122- Try to give people a chance, you don’t need to put them into little boxes, they might surprise you.

Lesson 123- It’s wrong to lie, but sometimes you should wait until the right time to talk.

Lesson 124- If someone is hurt, you should take extra good care of them.

Lesson 125- Forgiving people is hard at the time but less work than hating someone.

Lesson 126- There is nothing wrong with having more than one good friend.

Lesson 127- Just because someone has bad news, that doesn’t make it their fault.

Lesson 128- It isn’t nice to call people names.

Lesson 129- You don’t need to change who you are to make someone like you. Just be yourself!

Lesson 130- Be careful how you spend your money.

Lesson 131- If someone doesn’t want a hug, don’t keep trying.

Lesson 132- Listen to the whole story before you make a decision.

Lesson 133- Remember to measure everything. Before comparing.

Lesson 134- Going to bed early sometimes is good for you.

Lesson 135- Try to find ways to laugh together rather than at each other.

Lesson 136- Recognize and appreciate when someone means well, even if things don’t go as planned.

Lesson 137- It’s okay to be selfish sometimes, as long as you try to do the right thing.

Lesson 138- Be careful what you agree to. You shouldn’t make promises you can’t keep.

Lesson 139- Waiting can be hard, but it’s usually worth it.

Lesson 140- When everything goes wrong, take a deep breath and deal with one problem at a time.

Lesson 141- Look both ways before you cross the street.

Lesson 142- Tidy your house up before you invite guests over.

Lesson 143- When you get hurt, don’t ignore it.

Lesson 144- Money can’t buy everything.

Lesson 145- It’s okay to take some time to think before making big decisions.

Lesson 146- Scars are normal, everyone has a few. They show that you’re strong and have healed.

Lesson 147- Sometimes you just need to go to sleep, things will look better when you wake up.

Lesson 148- Don’t worry about things you can’t control.

Lesson 149- It’s always a good idea to have a plan.

Lesson 150- Sometimes it’s kinder to just say nothing.

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Lesson 3- Always say "please" and "thank you"—your cuteness can only get you so far.

“Damn it.” Laura curses from behind me. Torin pauses halfway through wrapping a bandage around my wrist.

“You saw me.” He states. I give a slow nod. Based on the atmosphere in the room, that’s not a good thing. I should have lied and pretended I didn’t see anything. Said I passed out or something. At my confirmation, Torin carefully releases my wrist, letting the bandage go loose, then sits back, putting as much distance between us as he can without actually moving from where he is kneeling.

I tilt my head watching him closely. Why is he backing up? Did I do something? I attempt to finish fixing the bandage myself, but it’s hard to wrap the wrist of my dominant hand. Giving up I hold it out to Torin.

“A little help please?” I ask. I hear a sharp inhale of breath behind me and once again Torin blinks. Based on his expression you would think the guy would be good at poker but that blink… Nah, it’s a total tell. I’m not sure WHAT it’s telling me just yet, but I’m determined to figure it out.

“You want me to help?” He repeats back, his words a question.

“Well yeah, I thought that was what you were doing.” I wave my hand around until he catches it and finishes bandaging it up.

“Thanks. Uhm, as much as I’m enjoying sitting on the floor with you, and really I am, it’s a total improvement to running for my life and hiding in a damp alley, is there somewhere else we can go while I call an uber to take me home. I’m sort of freezing down here.” I admit. The cook guy coughs a little as if he’s choking and Laura shuffles around nervously. Torin blinks again. Damn it, something is wrong.

“We need to talk.” is all he says.

We DO move off of the floor, the room we move to isn’t much better. It’s a largeish room that appears to be getting used for storage. Still, we manage to pull together three chairs for us to sit down. Torin hovers in a corner of the room, leaning against a shelf. I’m aided to my seat by the cook who introduced himself as Kyle.

Laura has apparently taken over this conversation, far more confident now that Torin has distanced himself a little. I wonder why she’s so nervous around him. Maybe because he’s her boss or something? He seems like he’s in charge here at least. I AM a little intimidated, not by him even though he is scary looking, but by the serious atmosphere that’s come over everyone. What are they planning to say to me?

“So, I guess you’ve figured out that Torin isn’t exactly human, neither was your attacker.” Laura starts. She sounds sympathetic. I nod.

“Well yeah. I guess there’s no point pretending otherwise. Kind of an unexpected way to end my day.” I add conversationally. I don’t want them to think I’m freaking out. I am, maybe, a little. But I’ve clearly gotten lucky. I mean what are the chances of me running into someone who can save me from an actual monster? A few minutes ago I thought I was going to be dead, at this point anything is better than that.

“You do seem to be coping fairly well, you might just be in shock though.” She adds.

“Thanks, I think…” I trail off and Laura grunts as Kyle elbows her.

“Stop avoiding it and just tell her.” He grumbles. Laura sighs.

“Fine. Uhm Carina? The thing is you’re human. You’re not really supposed to know about these things. You know, monsters and things…” Laura pauses hesitating and I jump in to reassure her.

“I won’t say anything to anyone. What would I even say? I saw some guy with horns? People would think I’m crazy!” I laugh awkwardly but the smile falls off my face when no one else joins in.

“Well… You seem nice and all, but we’ve learned from experience that you can’t trust people when they say that. You might mean it now, but eventually you’ll want to tell someone what you saw, what Torin is.” Laura said seriously.

“I don’t even KNOW what Torin is. Does it even matter? I just want to go home, have a hot bath and pretend that this entire evening never happened.” I complain.

“I know. We’ll figure something out.” Laura says with a pitying expression. Kyla just looks grumpy.

“The rules say that when something like this happens we’re supposed to take care of it. Usually that means they end up dead. Obviously we don’t want that, but could we arrange to have her memory wiped?” He suggests. Memory wiping? I’m getting the impression that I've stumbled onto something more than just one guy’s secret. Laura and Kyle are taking it kind of personally.

“Memory wipes are super dangerous though. Even a talented magic user could accidentally take too much. Remember what happened to Melody? Her ex cheated and wanted to erase her memory when she found out. Now she barely remembers anything from the last ten years! We could leave poor Carina an amnesiac. That’s hardly fair to her.” Laura objects.

Okay i’m not liking any of these options. I thought I was safe here but maybe I was wrong. They’re talking about magic and stuff. I’m inclined to believe they aren’t just crazy, I’ve seen too much tonight to think that. But that just makes it worse, because that means this talk about death or erasing my mind is an actual serious conversation. I need to get out of here. My eyes dart around the room. Can I make it to an exit?

They fall on Torin where he is hovering on the wall near the door. My heart is racing but as I watch him it begins to slow down. I begin to relax. His expression is a careful poker face, but somehow that’s comforting. The other two are freaking out and discussing crazy options, but he seems calm. Besides, he just saved my life. I don’t think he would let them hurt me.

For some reason his presence is reassuring, he makes me feel safe. That’s hardly surprising, he did save me after all. Maybe I’m reading too much into it, it’s probably no big deal to him, but I appreciate it. I quite like being alive and dying alone in an alley would have sucked. I’m alive, I’m reasonably safe. Whatever the consequences of this evening, I can deal with them.

I tune back into the conversation between Laura and Kyle.

“Well we can’t let her just go home. We need to keep an eye on her!” Kyle objects to something Laura just said.

“Uh, I have to go home eventually. My brother will come looking for me. I’m not planning to tell him anything. I can stay for a little bit but it’s not like you can keep me here forever.” I point out. Laura frowns and Kyle looks pissed off.

“You will stay here until we are sure that it is safe for you to leave.” He states firmly. I shake my head.

“What do you mean?” I ask. He raises an eyebrow.

“I was not the one being chased tonight. How sure are you that it’s safe for you to go home?” he says, his tone is dark and I shudder. I hadn’t thought about that. I assumed it was just some random guy going after a vulnerable woman on the street, a total coincidence. But now that I think about it, I did feel like I was being watched, maybe this wasn’t just bad luck after all.

“I… I don’t know.” I answer, a little stumped. He nods.

“I thought as much. You need to stay here.” At first I’m comforted, he’s still protecting me, but then he blinks slowly again. I think I can see the tiniest hint of a frown. He’s not happy about something. He turns to Laura.

“Cast a binding spell on Miss Akari. She can’t be allowed to take a step outside of this building.”

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