Bread for the Journey A
"I am getting so sick of this guy," Jai grumbled under his breath. "I mean really, he hasn't been able to beat Dad the past, like, ga-zillion times he's tried. Why's he think it's gonna be different?"
"Just keep scattering the breadcrumbs so we can find the stupid witch and get outta here sooner." Irey angrily threw a handful of crumbled bread behind her on the path. "You're right though. Brother Grimm is just lame. He needs to give up."
"Or at least change fairy tale cultures so he can mix it up. We've been Hansel and Gretel like five times this year," Jai agreed. "He should try something with genies next time."
"Genies would be fun," Irey agreed. "Do you think we'll get home in time to do our homework? If we walk slowly, maybe we can skip school."
"Hm." Jai slowed his pace, as did his sister. "I s'pose it depends on who else Brother Grimm brought to the fairy tale realm. I mean, he didn't transform Keystone this time."
"Yeah. If he only brought Daddy we could be here really late...maybe we could miss two days of school?"
"Don't get my hopes up. We're having a grammar rodeo in the advanced class."
"Ew. That doesn't sound even a little fun."
"That's cuz it's not." Jai threw another piece of bread on the ground. "Do you think Mom's okay?"
"Brother Grimm wants to marry Mommy, not hurt her. She's fine," Irey said dismissively. "Hey, I think I hear something."
"Irey wait-" But Jai was at least twenty seconds too slow to grab his sister's arm. She raced away from him, looped around, and came back with a smile on her face.
"C'mon slow poke!" She grabbed Jai's arm and tugged him over to a clearing where Piper was playing a flute for some dancing rats. He stopped when he saw them.
"Hi Uncle Piper," Jai beamed. "What are you doing here?"
"Same thing as you kids no doubt. Grimm tried to hypnotize me into re-enacting my fairy tale, but he hasn't pulled me under since he got lucky that first time. I really wish he'd stop trying."
"Yeah. We're on our way to the witch's gingerbread house for like the ba-zillionth time," Jai explained. "Are you gonna come with us?"
"Sure," Piper stood up and stretched. "I'll help you guys deal with the witch and then we can wait there for your dad to find us. Be careful though. My gimmick's based on a man who kidnapped the children. If Grimm does manage to put me under-"
"Run away and wait for Daddy. We know, we know." Irey reached over and took his hand. "It's okay Piper, we know you didn't really mean it when you tried to drown us time before last."
"Okay then. Ready to fight the witch?"