And here's the next chapter!
Reviewer Thanks
jyushi girl: One thing i forgot to mention, I imagine Blu as a blonde. And thanks again!
starspring: Oh, you'll see where the troll takes them... right now!
Imagine a large, wooden castle. Now imagine that that castle was 20 stories high, covered in moss and muck, and was sitting in a middle of a swamp surrounded by deep, murky water, with mosquitos swarming all around.
That pretty much describes the place Pin and I were taken to. The inside was no better-- the floors were grimy, slime was oozing off the walls, bones were scattered here and there along with pizza boxes and soda kegs, and from the ceiling to the floor was nothing but old, rotting wooden boards.
Apparently, Morlog the troll has never heard of interior decorating. He took us into a dark room, lit only by glowing fungus growing on the ceiling, and the floor was just dirt. "You stay here," the troll growled, dropping us onto the floor. "Morlog must fetch spices and slugs to serve with dinner!" And he slammed the door, with was as big as he was, making it impossible for us to open it... let alone reach the handle.
"Well, this sucks," Pin muttered.
"No shit, puppet-boy," I snapped. "You just had to take us through the swamp, didn't you?! And now, we're going to be appetizers for a damn troll!"
"Hey, I didn't think he'd be around in the summer! Trolls normally migrate to Louisiana this time of year, where the air is more humid and the mosquitoes are more dense."
"Well, it's obvious he likes it just fine here!" I walked away from him, then slumped down in the corner, pulling my knees up to my chest and having my back face him. "You shouldn't have tried to help me."
"Perhaps you're right. Maybe this was all a big mistake!"
I sat there silently, listening him kick the dirt and curse under his breath. Finally, after he was quiet, I said, "It never ends happily for those who try to help me, you know." I waited for a response, when I didn't get one, I continued, "My aunt and uncle tried to help, but they just ended up getting a trouble-maker they couldn't trust."
"Maybe they wouldn't have if you at least tried being a bit respectful---"
I got up angrily and stormed up to him, my eyes filled with fury. "YOU THINK I HAVEN'T TRIED THAT?!?!" He was a bit startled by my outburst. "Well, FYI, I have! I've tried being as nice a guest possible, just so they wouldn't think they had a burden, but since those bratty cousins of mine just decided to cast me out of their Fairytale life-stories and leave me in the dark, it didn't happen!" I let out an aggravated sigh. "But you wouldn't know that, would you? You've gotten YOUR happy ending." I turned away from him.
Pin's POV
I must say, I've seen Blu mad before, but her rage right now really outdid it! "...You've gotten YOUR happy ending," she finished, calming down a bit. I stood there, speechless for a moment. I knew her cousins were snots, but I didn't think it hurt her THAT much. I always thought Blu was a tough girl, able to deal with anything... until now.
She turned away from me, but I still caught a glimpse of her watery eyes. I walked over and put a hand on her shoulder. "Listen, Blu, just because you didn't get any notice in your cousins' stories doesn't mean you should act like you're not worth anything," I said, keeping a grip on her shoulder, keeping her facing me. "Because you ARE worth something. Each and every one of us are. You'll get your happy ending, just not yet."
"Or ever, since we're stuck down here," she tried to sound tough, but her eyes still glimmered with tears.
"Look, we'll find a way out of here, okay? But that won't happen until you end this little pity-party for yourself and shape up." I let go of her shoulder, but she still faced me.
Letting out a deep sigh, she nodded. "Fine. C'mon..." She walked around, looking at the ceiling. "If those mushrooms can grow off the ceiling like that, then it must mean we're right under soft ground... which means the walls are probably the same way," she pressed her hands against the wall, feeling how slimy and smooth it was. "So, we might just be able to dig ourselves out!"
"Worth a shot," I shrugged, then rushed over to help her dig. We didn't get far, though...
"Dinner time!" Morlog boomed, bursting through the door. He grabbed us and carried us into the kitchen, where a huge cauldron was full of broth and sliced up vegetables and Grimm knows what else! "Alright, into the pot with you--"
"WAIT!!!" Blu yelled before Morlog could drop us in. "You didn't forget the gator bacon-bits, did you?"
"Huh?"...I was confused, as well.
Blu rolled her eyes. "Oh, for the love of Godmothers! Did no one tell you that Human Stew only tastes good with a side of Moss-and-Spinach Salad topped with gator bacon-bits?!" She looked at me, and I got the message.
"O-oh, of course!" I said, nodding. "Human Stew and salad with gator bacon-bits... delicious! Only the TOUGHEST trolls eat that!"
"Really?" Morlog asked, arching an eyebrow, buying it.
"Duh!" Blue huffed, then let out an exaggerated sigh. "I guess we didn't get caught by a TOUGH troll. ...How humiliating."
"Yeah, now everyone will walk through the swamp without fear, knowing a big SISSY troll doesn't even know his side-dishes." I said with a sneer.
"Hold it right there!" Morlog boomed. "Morlog got gator bacon-bits! Morlog will eat puny humans with salad! MORLOG TOUGHEST TROLL IN SWAMP!!"
He set us down on a counter, then walked over to his cookbook and cupboard, taking out containers of this-and-that. Blu and I grinned at each other, then I spotted a spoon, lying over a rolling pin, handle up. A make-shift catapult, is what I'd call it. "I've got an idea," I whispered to Blu. I pulled her over to a jar that read 'Cinnamon', and we both lifted it up (it was heavier than it looked) and, trying not to collapse from exhaustion, set it on the spoon.
Blu then ran behind a large jar of pickled buzzards (gross) and slid her hands under it, ready to tip it onto the spoon handle. "Hey, Morlog!" I yelled at the troll then, trying to get his attention.
"What now---" The dumb oaf turned around as I ran over and helped Blu tip the jar over onto the spoon handle, having it not only shatter but also launch the Cinnamon right into the troll's face... and in his eyes, we're we planned. "AIIEEE! Morlog is blind!" he rubbed his eyes, walking blindly around...
...and into a puddle of pickle juice that spilled on the floor, where he fell with a *THUD!!* Blu and I then leaped off the counter, onto his gut, and slid down onto the floor, then ran through a crack that was conveniently in the front door. We dashed out into the swamp, splashing through the murky water until we reached a large uprooted tree, hiding under it. "Puny humans will pay for Morlog's misery! ...And gator bacon-bits don't go with stew!" Morlog trudged past us, carrying a club and bellowing out more remarks.
"C'mon," I whispered to Blu. Gathering some moss and algae from the swamp, we covered ourselves with it to camouflage not only our appearance, but also our scent (which, was probably already covered from wading through the muck). We kept hidden behind bushes and trees, and occasionally ducking behind some tall weeds, until we were sure we ditched the scumbag. I thanked God that trolls were so stupid, and for helping us get out of that swamp and back on the road.
Once on the road, we ran back into town. It was dark out, so it was hard to see, but luckily we knew where to run: away! Once we were past all the warning signs Morlog had put up, we paused to catch our breath, letting out a couple of laughs. "We sure showed him!" Blu exclaimed. "That troll will think twice before messing with US again!"
"See? I told you we'd get out of there!" I said. "Now, lets get back to my place and wash all this gunk off. I reek."
"Same. Here. ...So?"
"So... what?"
"What about that place you wanted to show me? You know, the one we were heading to before we almost became stew?"
"You know, I think we should wait until tomorrow to go to it... maybe find a different, troll-less route?"
"Sounds good."
We walked in silence, finally reaching the edge of town. Blu then stopped and sighed. "Pin..."
"Yeah?" I looked at her, arching an eyebrow.
"Um... thanks. For, you know, snapping me out of my drama and... well, everything."
I smiled and put an arm around her. "No problem, Blu. Now, lets get home, before something else comes after us, eh?"
She rolled her eyes. "Oh, c'mon, Pin. We just barely escaped a giant troll! Nothing could get worse than that."
~Elsewhere~
"Dear, have you seen Blu today?" Mrs. Hood asked her husband when they got home from work.
"No, not at all," Mr. Hood replied.
"She's still in her room," Red scoffed, texting at her phone with no interest in the conversation. "Her door was locked when I tried to go in to... see how she was doing." It was a lie. Red went up there earlier to 'borrow' a pair of sneakers, but 'unfortunately' couldn't get in.
Mr. and Mrs. Hood went upstairs and knocked on the door. "Blu, are you in there?" Mr. Hood asked. No answer. "Blu, open up!"
"Let me try something," Red boredly walked over to the door, took out a hair-pin, and picked the lock. "Wish I'd thought of that, earlier."
They walked in... noticing the room was empty and the window was open. "BLU!!" The parents shouted in despair.
"Oh, my Godmother!" Red gasped, then took out her phone. "Wait 'til Rapunzel here's about this!"
~Elsewhere (again)~
Biggy sat on the rooftop of a building, overlooking the town. He was waiting for someone. Finally, he heard footsteps behind him, and a shadowed figure stood before him. "It's about time you got here." he said with a sneer.
"Where's the money?" the figure asked, its eyes glowing bright yellow.
"You'll get it when the job is done,"
"So, what is the job? Hurry up, I haven't got all night."
Biggy grinned. "How well are you at slaying humans?"
"Too easy a job."
"Not for this human. ...Have you heard of a girl named Blu?"
The figure's eyes narrowed. "Yes, of course. Her parents died in a fire, correct?"
"Indeed. ...And I want you to, say, 'reunite' her with her parents."
"I normally don't kill children, Mr. Wolf."
"It's 'Biggy'! Sheesh, Mr. Wolf is my dad, man! ...Just take her down." he took out a small sack, shaking it, making the sound of jingling coins. "And I'll make it worth your while."
"Hmm. Very well. I'll take care of the girl... for a large fee."
"Deal." They turned away, but Biggy paused. "Oh, and by the way, unless you want a certain 'secret' to get out, I'd suggest you get the job done right."
The figure paused, eyes glowering back at the wolf.
"Do we understand each other, Puss?"
"Clearly," The figure clenched his fists and trudged away.
"Good, kitty."
A/N: Ooh, suspense! ...Well, read and review! :)
