Tosia finds a tiny door in her mirror and steps into Tooth Castle, where the cheerful Toothies live. But when the Vanity Monster arrives, the castle begins to lose its shine.
One morning, Tosia woke with a flutter in her tummy. Something odd was waiting for her today.
At breakfast, she reached for her spoon, then glanced at the mirror above the sink. There, right in the glass, was a tiny white door she had never seen before. Its handle looked exactly like a toothbrush.
Tosia held her breath and knocked once.
The door swung open.
On the other side was Tooth Castle, bright as fresh snow and cool with a sweet minty smell. Small, cheerful Toothies hurried along shining paths, their smiles glimmering in the light. They waved to Tosia and led her through archways made of sparkling white teeth to the grandest castle she had ever seen.
Then the sky darkened.
A grey cloud rolled over the towers, and from the trees came the Vanity Monster, whispering and hissing as he slipped closer and closer. He leaned toward the Toothies and muttered, “No need to brush. Leave the brushes behind. Forget brushing.”
At once, the castle’s shine began to fade. The bright walls looked dull. The happy Toothies blinked in alarm and clutched each other’s hands.
Tosia stepped forward, staring at the shadow creeping across Tooth Castle. Her mind raced. She had to do something fast, before the Vanity Monster reached the heart of the castle.
Then a tiny bell rang somewhere deep inside the walls, and Tosia saw something white and glinting moving in the dark...