Chapter 1: The Ticking Clock

In the quiet town of Wickerville, 11-year-old Ivy Harper is heartbroken when her beloved cat, Tinker, passes away. Ivy's grandfather, a retired clockmaker, warns her not to meddle with the delicate balance of life and death. But when she discovers a collection of enchanted clockwork parts in his workshop, she can't resist the chance to bring Tinker back. The experiment works-Tinker returns, brought to life by intricate gears and a ticking heart. However, the magic that revived Tinker comes with unintended consequences, as the cat begins to open strange portals that let shadowy creatures into their world. Ivy must make a heartbreaking decision to save her town-and herself.