Sara waved goodbye to Luminary, Starwhisper, and the cheerful snowman as she stepped back through the little purple door. It closed behind her with a gentle click, and the magical glow faded. The forest felt quiet again, except for the soft crunch of her boots in the snow.

She hugged her sketchbook tight and started walking, following the twinkly star map that still shimmered faintly on the page. The trees grew tall and thick, and the path became harder to see. Sara felt a tiny bit worried. "I hope I can find my way back to town," she whispered.

Woof! Woof woof!

Sara stopped. That bark! It sounded so familiar. She turned toward the sound, and there, bounding through the snowdrifts, came a big fluffy shape covered head to paws in powdery white snow. Only his happy brown eyes and wagging tail poked out clearly.

Cookie! Sara cried with joy.

Cookie barked again, louder and happier, then raced right up to Sara and covered her face in cold, wet kisses. She giggled and hugged him tight, burying her face in his snowy fur. "I've been looking for you everywhere! Or... maybe you were looking for me?"

Cookie gave a proud little woof, then turned and trotted a few steps ahead. He looked back at Sara as if to say, "Follow me!" So Sara did. Through the deep snow and tall pines they went, Cookie leading the way with confident steps. The star map in her sketchbook twinkled brighter whenever they turned the right direction.

Soon the trees began to thin, and Sara could see little lights twinkling in the distance—house lights! They stepped out of the forest and onto a snowy path that led straight into the pretty town of Norrtälje.

The town looked like a picture from a storybook: red and yellow wooden houses with white snow on their roofs, warm lights glowing in every window, and smoke curling from chimneys. People waved from doorways, and a few children building snowmen called "Hej!" as Sara and Cookie passed by.

Cookie led her past the little shops, around a corner, and up a quiet street until they reached their apartment building. The familiar yellow door with the brass number 12 shone under the streetlamp.

We're home, Cookie, Sara said softly, her cheeks pink from the cold and happiness.

Cookie wagged his tail so hard that snow flew everywhere. Sara opened the door, and warm air rushed out, smelling like cinnamon buns and safety. She gave Cookie one more big hug before they stepped inside together.

happy tail thumps and content sigh