**Fiction Passage: "The Midnight Garden"**
As the clock struck midnight, a faint glow emanated from the shadows of Ivy Lane. Seventeen-year-old Clara had always been captivated by the tales of the hidden garden, said to bloom only under the light of the full moon. With her heart pounding with anticipation, she crept out of her bedroom, careful not to wake her parents.
The chilling breeze whispered secrets as Clara made her way to her backyard, where she found the old wrought-iron gate partially ajar. With a gentle push, the gate creaked open, unveiling a garden unlike any she had ever seen. Vivid flowers danced in the moonlight, their colors far brighter than those in the day. Lush vines hung lazily from ancient trees, and the air was thick with the mingling scents of jasmine and honeysuckle.
As Clara stepped inside, a delicate figure appeared, shimmering in the moonlight—a guardian of the garden, clad in flowers and leaves. "Welcome, Clara," the guardian said, her voice like the soft rustle of leaves. "You have discovered the Midnight Garden, a place where dreams come alive. But be warned: beauty often holds a price."
Curiosity ignited within Clara. "What do you mean?" she asked, stepping closer. The guardian smiled mysteriously. "To enter, you must offer a piece of your heart. But remember, once given, it cannot be returned."
Clara hesitated, torn between the allure of the garden and the thought of losing a part of herself. Yet, as she gazed into the enchanting depths of the garden, she pondered—was a fragment of herself worth the magic that awaited?