Momo's Arc

Chapter 1 of 3

Momo sat on a mossy log at the edge of the swamp, watching her reflection ripple in the dark water. Her huge eyes stared back at her, pale and unblinking. Most creatures ran when they saw her face. They screamed or whispered or pointed at her pointed ears and wide smile. But somewhere in these murky swamps, she believed one person existed who would see her differently. Someone who would look past her strange features and see who she really was inside. That was all she wanted—to find that one person who saw her first, not her face. She stood and wiped the mud from her patched dress. Today she would try something new. Near the center of town stood a wooden bulletin board, gray from the swamp air. Notes and messages covered its surface, held down by rusty nails. Momo had walked past it many times but never stopped. Other creatures gathered there to read announcements and leave messages for each other. Her hands shook as she pulled a scrap of paper from her pocket. She had written only three words: "Looking for friend." The board might help her meet someone who would give her a chance. Someone who would read her words before seeing her face. She pressed the note against the wood and pushed a nail through it. The paper fluttered in the wet breeze. Now all she could do was wait and hope.