Poppy shot out of the spidery tangle of trees, bushes and thorns, clearly traumatized by the homicidal snake that dwelled under the blanket of fog. Her hand struck the dark red door that led into her cottage. She had never been in the forest before, and  she vowed to never go in again. Meanwhile, her mum was in the town centre with her friends. The cathedral bells rang twelve times.  The hands had cycled around the clock 19,999 times. This was the 20,000th time.  Behind her, someone or something opened the door. Shaking wildly, she slowly shifted around. In front of her was the serpent with Mr Moss…