A Story

Once upon a time, there was a girl named Mary. Mary was intelligent and witty with long brown hair. Mary lived her own happy life, knowing that the world existed, but never really bothered by it. Until, one day, the world came to her.

There was a boy named Alex. Alex had come into Mary's life on his own business, and hadn't stopped to think of the implications as he drew her along for a time. When he went on, or back, or up to whatever was next, Mary felt bittersweet. She would always have the necklace he'd left for her, the one with the key on it.

When somebody stole the necklace, Mary was scared and confused. When she went to look for it, the same somebody stole her, too. She was carried along until she used her intelligence to escape, and her wit to stay escaped. She was only a little surprised when Alex showed up again.

Together, they went off after Mary's captor, who still had the necklace. Maybe Alex hadn't left the necklace for Mary. Maybe he'd just left it. Either way, she had claimed it and was now in as deep as anybody. And only then did she learn just how deep that was.

When they found the man they were looking for, they decided to stop and come up with a good plan. Mary's intelligence and wit complimented Alex's daring and courage. Maybe that's when they fell in love.

As they put their plan in action, forces unkown were conspiring against them. By the time Mary and Alex realized this, it was too late. They were both captured.

In a tense moment, Mary and Alex each wanted to tell the other that they cared for them, but couldn't. So, instead of letting their captor use their connection against them, they used it against him. They spoke of eachother to him until he didn't know who was in charge, who knew nothing, or which one to threaten.

In an act of intelligence, daring, wit and courage, Mary and Alex were able to grab the necklace, escape, and trap their captor. They shared a passionate embrace before making sure that the necklace could never be used again.

They had the key set in glass and made into a paperweight. Many years later, it sat on the desk in Alex's study.