-1Virginia came upon a river, cutting through the woods. She took a drink and washed some of the dirt off her face and hands. She looked around. Some of the trees bore fruit, but she couldn't remember what was safe to eat and what wasn't. Virginia stared at some apples for the longest time, turning that over, then finally shrugged and pulled one off the branch. If she didn't eat something she would starve.
She pulled off a few more apples to take with her, then started walking along the river. That way at least she would have water and most likely some food nearby. It was better then wandering aimlessly.
Wolf lunged at Cinnamon, knocking her down. He grinned and Cinnamon saw fangs. She shoved and pushed him over, trying to pin him down.
Suddenly, Cinnamon froze. She looked down at Wolf and saw he was staring up at her. He growled again, but this time it had a completely different meaning. Cinnamon whined in response and rubbed her face against his chest. She looked up at Wolf and saw he was still staring at her. She licked him on the nose.
Wolf started. His eyes flashed again and he jumped to his feet, dumping Cinnamon on the ground.
"You're right. This is bad." Wolf agreed, panting.
Cinnamon continued to stare at Wolf.
"What's bad? We're here, together. What could be wrong?"
"I have a mate, that's what's wrong!" Wolf said, unsure if he was angrier with her or himself.
Cinnamon rolled on her back, scratched at her nose and sighed.
"Oh, her. She's not even a wolf. Are you sure she counts?" Cinnamon asked lightly.
"Of course, she…ooooh, I can't stay here right now." Wolf said, walking quickly away from Cinnamon.
The way she was lying there, so wolfish and yet innocent…he had to stop that thought. Virginia. Yes, that was who he should be thinking of. His mate, Virginia. Who was carrying his, their cub.
Wolf was quickly off into the trees. Cinnamon glanced after him. She sighed again and rolled over, slowly climbing to her feet. There was a lot she knew she should be worried about, but for some reason she could only think of Wolf.
Tony called a halt. He hated horses. Really, really hated them. Virginia had talked him into riding once in Central Park. He had been sore for a week afterwards. He would probably be sore for a month after this!
"Let's take a break for a while." he said to the guards.
He had taken to ignoring Maive. He knew she was becoming about as frustrated with him and he was with her, but he really didn't care. He didn't want her here. He was only putting up with her at all because of Wendell. Oh, Wendell. He was going to hear about this for a nice, long while.
One of the guards took Tony's horse as he collapsed under a tree. Wolf had made it to the witch and back in about twelve hours according to Virginia. But Wolf had probably run the entire way there. At the pace they were going it would take them about a day and some hours. Which meant camping out in the wilderness. Tony groaned inwardly and outwardly. He had thought he was passed that. Oh, yes. Wendell owed him so much for this.
"Tony. Please listen to me. Neither of us can defeat her alone. I don't have the magic and you don't have the knowledge. She knows we are coming., we don't have the element of surprise. If we want to stop her, we have to work together and we have to work out a plan." Maive said.
"Oh, I have a plan. You stay out of the way, our good friends the guards put their swords to this witch's throat, and I hit her over the head with a large pot pretending that she is you." Tony said venomously.
Riding didn't put him in a good mood. Maive's whining and blubbering put him in an even worse one. He wanted her quiet. He thanked God that Virginia wasn't that way. Although she could be if she chose. Those were usually the times they had big arguments.
Maive raised her hands and looked ready to strangle Tony. She made a step toward him as if to do so, then stopped suddenly, in mid-step. She closed her eyes and dropped her hands. Tony, sensing something, looked up at her. He frowned. This couldn't be good.
"Hey, witch-girl? What's…" he began.
"Shhh. I'm getting a vision." she said.
Suddenly, Maive gasped and fell. Tony jumped to his feet (which caused him to gasp in pain), caught her and lowered her to the ground. His frowned deepened. Something weird was going on.
"Something is very wrong with Wolf and Virginia." she said, her eyes still closed.
"Virginia! Are they together?" Tony asked anxiously.
If Virginia was with Wolf, he would protect her no matter what.
"No. They're separate. And I'm getting some kind of blankness? Something missing? It's from Virginia. Confusion from both of them. Temptation from Wolf. Guilt. Urgency. There's magic on him." Maive opened her eyes and took a deep breath. She rubbed her temple absently with one hand, "C...could I have some water, please?"
One of the guards gave her a canteen. She swallowed some. She didn't look too great. Tony guessed the vision must have been hard on her.
"So what's it mean?" Tony pressed.
"I don't know. All I know is that it could seriously affect the outcome of all this. Wolf's is definitely under a spell. Maybe more than one spell. And something or someone is with him that is also being influenced by magic. I don't know what was wrong with Virginia, but I know she is headed away from Wolf. We have to do something about this before it's too late." Maive insisted.
"What?"
Maive shook her head again.
"I don't know. But something has to be done." she said.
Tony straightened and took a deep breath.
"I saw we take care of this witch right now. We force her to take the spells off them or…well, we're going to get rid of those spells one way or another. And a dead witch's spells don't work."
Wolf stopped when he reached the river. He splashed his face with cold water, hoping it would help clear his mind. It did a little, but not enough.
Wolf sighed and sat at the edge of the water, throwing rocks into it.
"Wolves mate for life. I know that. I love Virginia. She's my mate. So why in the kingdoms did I growl like that at Cinnamon. The full moon is close, but I can't use that excuse. Huff-puff, this doesn't make any sense at all." he said to himself. He sighed again and shifted into a more comfortable position, "I wish Virginia was here. I wish I hadn't gone to that witch. I wish I knew what was going on. Oh, Wolf. You can keep wishing all day. It won't get you anywhere."
Wolf yawned. All this confusion was tiring. And they had traveled at a pretty decent pace. Cinnamon was close by (which was part of the problem). It would be okay if he took a small little nap.
Virginia thought she might have heard voices yelling, but decided it was just her mind playing tricks on her. She continued walking along the river, munching on an apple at the same time. She hadn't walked for long when she stopped. Ahead of her was a man with dark hair and a very handsome face, sleeping under a tree. Maybe she had heard voices. Something about the man gave her a strange feeling deep inside. She wanted to go up to him and touch his face. Her fingers itched to touch his cheek.
Virginia walked forward slowly, quietly, hoping not to wake him. She was almost at his side when a figure broke out of the trees.
Cinnamon stepped out of the trees. Her eyes snapped to Virginia and Wolf. When she saw Virginia, her eyes glowed. She lounged at Virginia, but when Virginia had seen her she had started to run. Cinnamon smiled. A chase was good.
Cinnamon followed Virginia silently. She almost lost sight of her, but her scent was a clear trail. She had run along the river until she came to a log that fell across the river. Cinnamon broke into a jog once she was across. She quickly caught sight of her again. Cinnamon let Virginia run some more. She wanted some distance between them and Wolf. After a few more moments, she started closing the distance between her and her prey. She could hear her panting and she could smell her fear.
Cinnamon pounced, knocking Virginia to the ground. Virginia kicked and struggled, trying o get away. She connected with Cinnamon's stomach with her knee. Cinnamon growled in anger and fangs grew in her mouth. If she bit just right she could pull out the vocal cords, too, and she wouldn't even get a chance to scream.
Maive collapsed in her saddle. Another vision. This was unusual. She didn't get visions this often, normally.
Maive closed her eyes and waited for information. But instead of the normal feelings and half-formed pictures, she saw Snow White.
"I need your help right away, Maive. I need you to let me use your powers. Virginia is in danger and will die if we don't act immediately. Will you let me use your body?" she asked.
Maive nodded, trusting Snow White even though she didn't know her.
"Yes."
Tony looked at Maive. Something was wrong with her. He moved his brainless horse next to hers and took her reins. He was afraid to disturb her if she was having another vision. Who knew what might happen.
Suddenly, Maive sat straight up in her saddle, her eyes flying open.
"Stop." she said and there was something different about her voice.
Tony pulled on his reins and hers.
"What is it?" he asked.
"I need to do a spell now. You will assist me. Virginia's life is in danger." she said tersely as she dismounted.
Tony didn't like the idea of being involved in any kind of witchcraft, but if Virginia was in trouble, he would do whatever it took to help her. He hurriedly dismounted and followed Maive as she removed things from her bag and set them on the ground.
"I don't have time for a full ceremony, so let's just get this arranged. Set these candles up in each of the directions. Leave room to stand in the middle. When you're done I need you to join me in the center. You're close to Virginia. It will help." Maive instructed.
Tony did as she said as quickly as possible. Maive lit each of the candles, saying incantations under her breath. When she was done, she stepped into the center with Tony.
"Take my hand. Thank of Virginia. Think of her safe and of how much you love her. And believe in me. I will help her." Maive promised.
Tony nodded. Anything to help Virginia. He closed his eyes and listened to Maive's lilting rhyme. He wondered why everything here had to rhyme, then focused on Virginia.
"Ancient powers I summon here, bide my words and do my task. Protect the one whose close to our hearts, this we bid you, this we ask. Throw off the foe who threatens her and guide her to the one who can her questions answer. As it is spoken, so mote it be. As it is spoken, so mote it be. As it is spoken, so mote it be." Maive said.
The candle flames roared up, then died just as quickly. Maive's eyes flew open and she dropped to one knee. She looked at Tony, wondering why she was holding his hand and why they were standing in a spell circle. He looked at her and she could tell he was waiting for her to tell him something.
"What happened?" she asked.
Tony blinked in surprise.
"What? What do you mean what happened?" he demanded.
"That was Snow White before. She wanted to use my body to help Virginia. What did she do?" she asked.
"She did a spell. She said it would help her. Did it or not?"
"I don't know. But I can check. Stand back, give me some room. I can scry her out."
Maive got some water and poured it in a bowl. She did the proper spell for scrying. She and Tony both leaned over the bowl. The two guards waited apprehensively.
Cinnamon tilted her head and leaned in to rip out Virginia's throat. But as she did she was thrown back. She didn't realize how far back until she got to her feet and saw she was almost six feet away from her prey. She lounged at her, but was thrown back again. The girl was looking at her with wide, scared eyes. She scrambled backwards away from her. Cinnamon tried once more to grab her, but again was thrown back. Something was protecting this girl. And she couldn't get to her. But she could keep her away from Wolf.
Cinnamon growled again, letting her fangs show. The girl climbed to her feet and ran away. Cinnamon followed her a little, then turned and headed back. She made sure to destroy the girl's scent with some strong smelling weeds. She swam back across the river to get rid of the scent on herself. When she finally reached Wolf, he was still asleep.
Cinnamon's eyes flashed and dimmed. She shook her head in confusion. Why had she done that. It was the same girl as before. Was it the girl? Or was it her?
Cinnamon wrung out the bottom of her shirt over Wolf's head. He started awake and jumped to his feet.
"What was that for?" he asked.
Cinnamon shrugged and smiled. Those other thoughts just gave her a headache. She pushed them aside and concentrated instead on Wolf.
Wendell paced in his castle. He had probably paced miles worth in the past few days. Tension was mounting all across the kingdoms. He didn't know what it was. He supposed it might have something to do with the witch, but he couldn't rely on that. All the rulers of the other kingdoms were pressuring him to do something and all he could tell them was to please wait. Soon, one of them would get tired of that answer and take it out on him and his kingdom.
"Anthony. I'll give you anything. Just please, please fix this." he said out loud.
Virginia kept running even though she knew that the girl or whatever she was had stopped following her. She had been incredibly lucky. She still didn't know what had kept the monster-girl away from her. She decided not to question it, but to just be thankful and not waist the chance for her life that had been given her.
When she finally stopped, she leaned over, hands on her knees, panting. She waited to catch her breath, then continued on at a walk. She kept her guard up, just in case the girl had followed her, but she was pretty sure she was safe now. She tried to work out the strange things that had happened.
"Who was that guy anyway?" she asked herself, wishing with all her heart that she knew the answer.
"I know! I know!"
Virginia jumped in surprise, whirling around, looking for the source of the small voice.
"It's me!" the voice said, "Look down."
Virginia looked down and saw a ring on her hand. On the ring was a small, pearl-like face. And it was talking.
"Who are you?" Virginia asked.
"I'm a symbol of eternal love and devotion, but I got scared by all the commotion. The one's whose name you asked so forcefully is your husband, your one and only." the ring sang happily.
"Do you have to rhyme?" Virginia asked, but she ignored that and concentrated on the ring's song, "You mean that that man was my husband? I have a husband? And I don't remember him! Please, tell me more. I really hope this memory loss isn't permanent."
"The name of Wolf goes he by and you are the apple of his eye. Your name is Virginia, daughter of Tony and hero to all. You brought about the evil queen's fall." the ring sang.
"Wolf. What an odd name." Virginia mused.
She really wanted to go back now and talk to Wolf. But she was too afraid of that girl to do so.
"Do you know where we are? Where I can find help?" she asked instead.
"The Fifth Kingdom this had been deemed, but help isn't as it seemed. Your memory is what you need, a mirror is where they can be freed." the ring sang.
"What?" Virginia asked, confused, "You mean a mirror can give me my memory back? Where is it?"
"The nearest one that will help you is due east, inside a shoe." the ring replied.
"In a shoe? What's that supposed to mean? Hey! Come back here!" she yelled at the ring as it rolled over and the face was gone.
Virginia sighed. Due east, huh? Well, that was a start at least. She would have to be on the lookout for any unusual shoes.
Wolf pushed the pace as much as he could. It gave him little time to think and the way things were going, he wanted it that way. Cinnamon didn't complain and didn't really seem to notice, really. She bounded along next to him and was in a way too playful mood for Wolf's liking. Well, actually it was a lot to his liking, but that's what he didn't like.
"Wolf, let's go find a deer. I bet we could take it down really quick together. It would be fun, wouldn't it?" she asked, walking backwards so she could look at him.
"No. I want to get the rose and go." he said, forcing himself not to look at her.
Cinnamon paused mentally. For some reason she agreed readily with that idea.
"Yeah. Yeah, that's a good idea. But can't we have fun on the way? Don't be all huffy-puffy." Cinnamon said.
She made a playful growl and tugged on Wolf's arm. He jerked it away from her.
"No!"
Cinnamon frowned. She let herself pout a little.
"Oh, come on. Don't be mean. I won't bite unless you want me to." she promised.
Wolf bit down on his tongue before he could respond to that. He shook his head forcefully.
Cinnamon frowned a little deeper. She let Wolf get ahead of her a little bit, then followed. An idea suddenly came to her and she smiled mischievously.
Cinnamon snuck silently up behind Wolf. She snapped her hand out and yanked his tail out and gave it a pull. Wolf yelped and spun on her. He held his tail behind him with both hands.
"What do you think you're doing!" he demanded.
Cinnamon covered her mouth with both hands, trying not to laugh. She shrugged, but the movement caused her to snort.
"You think that was funny?" he asked in a very serious tone.
Cinnamon shook her head and snorted again, giggling into her hands.
"You do, too!" Wolf accused, "I'll show you what's funny."
Cinnamon watched him with wide eyes, her hands still over her mouth. Wolf circled her, then lounged and freed her tail of her pants and pulled it. Cinnamon jumped forward, whipping around towards Wolf.
"Still funny?" he asked.
"That was not fair at all." Cinnamon declared.
"Oh yeah, and it was fair when you did it." Wolf replied sarcastically.
Cinnamon ignored him and glanced behind him.
"You've got a nice tail. Grey, like my father." Cinnamon commented.
"Thanks." Wolf sputtered, embarrassed, "You, too. Only like my sister. You look like my sister. She was a red wolf."
Cinnamon pulled her tail over a little so she could look at it.
"The full moon's close. I don't remember it being this long." she said.
"Yeah." Wolf agreed, "Do you…do you think we could leave them out?"
"I know. And of course. You think I'm going to stop you? I've got one, too." she said simply.
Wolf nodded and couldn't help, but smile a little.
"I think we're close to those bushes. I can almost smell them, I think." he said.
Cinnamon sniffed, concentrating on the smells.
"I think you're right. Come on. Race you." she challenged.
She took off before Wolf could respond, her tail wagging behind her. Wolf grinned and ran after her.
Virginia was getting tired. She had seen nothing but trees and birds and other woodsy stuff for the past hour. The day was ending. She wanted to sleep. But she wanted to know who she was even more than that. She continued on, hoping she would find whatever the shoe that the ring had spoken of was.
Virginia came into a clearing and came to a dead stop and her jaw dropped.
"This has got to be it." she said out loud.
In the clearing was a giant shoe. But there were windows in it and a door. It looked pretty old, but kept up, as if somebody had fixed it up and taken care of it. Virginia scanned it with her eyes and saw there was a light on in one of the higher windows. Virginia felt hope rise up in her. She ran to the door and knocked desperately.
"Coming!" a voice called, but Virginia couldn't seem to stop knocking, "I said I'm coming!"
A woman opened the door, a little exasperated a Virginia's knocking.
"Yes?" she asked.
"I was told you could help me." Virginia blurted, "You're supposed to have a mirror."
"What? Who are you?" the woman demanded.
"I know I'm Virginia and I know I'm married to a guy named Wolf, but I lost my memory and I need your mirror to get it back so please, please, please let me use it." she gushed in response.
The woman stared at her for a moment. Then sighed.
"Oh, I know I'm foolish, but come in." she said, opening the door. Something suddenly registered, "Wait a minute! Did you say Virginia? And Wolf? The Virginia and Wolf who stopped the Evil Queen!"
"I…guess." Virginia said uncertainly, but the woman didn't even hear her.
She hurried Virginia inside, sputtering nonsense and babbling. She straightened her apron and fixed her hair hurriedly as she sat Virginia down at the table and poured her some tea.
"Oh, this is such an honor. I simply must write letters to all my relatives. It'll take a month! You may have heard of our family. We are the Hubbards." she puffed up a little as she said that, "My grandmother had two historic poems written about her."
"I'm sorry, I don't remember…" Virginia began apologetically.
"Oh, of course! I'm so sorry! Can I do anything, anything at all to help you?" she asked.
"Well, the…" Virginia started again.
"The mirror! I'm such a troll! Right away. Here, follow me." Miss Hubbard hurried Virginia away before she could get even a sip of tea.
Virginia let her bustle her up the stairs. Miss Hubbard opened a door to a room with a large dusty mirror in it.
"This is the only magic mirror I know of. I don't know exactly what it does, but I'm sure it's magic. Mom told all of us children that. It was a gift to my grandmother…but you don't care about that. Here, here. You see to the mirror and see if it helps you." Miss Hubbard said, placing Virginia in front of it.
Virginia's head was still spinning from all Miss Hubbard's chatter and being whirled all over her house, but she concentrated on the mirror, trying to figure out what she was supposed to do now. She looked to the ring for guidance.
"Will you help me now?" she asked, "I need to know how to work this."
"Turn the handle to turn it on, then pose your question as my song. The mirror will answer tried and true, then a rescue you must do." the ring sang.
"'Kay." Virginia said, trying to decipher that.
She ran her hands along the frame of the mirror, trying to turn it "on". She came to a knob on the side and as she ran her hand over it, it moved. The mirror lighted a little and a face appeared in it.
"Pose my question as the ring's song. That must mean in rhyme. Okay." Virginia took a deep breath and turned to the mirror, "Can you return to my memory to me…if I ask very nicely?"
Virginia knew that rhyme was incredibly lame, but it was the best she could do on short notice.
"I can do the task, but this first I must ask. You must do something in return, then the favor you will earn." the mirror replied.
"What?" Virginia asked. The mirror didn't reply. She sighed, "What must I do for you and get my memory, too?"
"I do not wish to remain in the dust. So in you I trust. Spread word to all to visit me, and restore me to the fame of previously." the mirror replied almost shyly.
"You mean you want to be used again?" Virginia was surprised.
The mirror was lonely! It wanted to get used and talked to. That she could do!
"This favor I will ensure, but please my memory loss cure." Virginia rhymed.
A hand reached out of the mirror and touched Virginia on the forehead. Virginia gasped at the cold touch, then fell to her knees as all the memories rushed back to her. She barely avoided fainting. Miss Hubbard hurried over to help her.
"Oh, goodness! Are you alright, dear?" she asked worriedly.
"Yes. I'm great." Virginia nodded.
She turned to the mirror.
"My greatest thanks I give to you. And to our agreement I will be true." she promised whole-heartedly.
The mirror smiled and faded back, then disappeared as Virginia turned it off.
"Did it work, Virginia dear? Do you have your memory back?" Miss Hubbard asked.
Virginia nodded.
"I'm afraid so. And I remember that my husband is in a lot of trouble. I'd love to stay, Miss Hubbard, but I have to hurry. It may be too late already."
"Tony! Stop! Tony, no!" Maive cried desperately.
They had reached the witch's house and Tony wanted to charge right in there and force her to undo all her spells, but Maive knew that would never work. She grabbed Tony's arm and pulled him back into the bushes.
"You can't just barge in there! She'll kill you or worse. We need to think this out. I've been working out a plan now…" Maive began.
"Oh, my god! Maive! What is that!" Tony cried, pointing behind her.
Maive whipped around to see what Tony saw. Tony grabbed her from behind and clapped a hand over her mouth. He motioned to the guards.
"I'm really sorry about this Maive. Well, not really sorry, but sorry at least." Tony said as he and the guards tied her to the tree and gagged her.
She shook her head furiously, her eyes wide. They couldn't do this to her!
"We'll come back for you after we take care of this witch. Alright? Good." Tony said, "Come on, guys. Swords ready."
Tony and the guards snuck off around the house of the witch. Maive tried her best to get free, but without being able to use her hands or speak, she couldn't even use her magic.
Cinnamon slid to a stop. She couldn't believe her eyes! She looked backwards for Wolf, wondering if it was just her or if he was seeing this, too. Wolf had just run up. He looked up and saw the roses and nearly ran into her as he tried to stop.
"Cripes." he breathed.
They had found the golden roses. They sparkled and glistened. They were too beautiful for words. And only a few feet away. Wolf didn't see anything between him and the roses, but he knew better.
"What do you know about the traps on them?" he asked without taking his eyes off the flowers.
Cinnamon shrugged, also staring at the roses.
"Not much. Mostly just what's in the legends. Dark spirits, death traps, poison thorns. Who knows if the spirits are even still around or if they're traps still work? But I wouldn't rely on that." Cinnamon warned.
"Me neither." Wolf agreed.
He picked up a rock and threw it at the ground right before the bushes. Steal spikes, six-foot long, shot up out of the ground. Wolf gulped.
The spikes held in position for about three minutes before sucking back into the ground. Wolf gulped again.
"So what do we do?" Cinnamon asked.
"Um…okay. If you can stay here and make sure the spikes stay up, I can get through. Okay?"
Cinnamon nodded and quickly gathered a big pile of stones.
Virginia alternated running and jogging, trying to find the river. If she could find the spot where she had last scene Wolf, she could start from there. She wasn't a tracker (although she was learning quickly from all this), but she knew she would be able to find him. Had to be able to find him.
"Wolf. I'm coming. Don't do anything stupid." Virginia muttered.
Tony waved the guards in first and followed slowly after. The first guard kicked down the door, his sword in hand, the other guard on his heels. The stormed into the house. Tony heard a (he couldn't find a better word) cackle and then silence. He poked his head around the building to see what was happening.
"Come in, Tony." the witch said.
Tony started in surprise, then warily entered. The two guards had been frozen in place like painted statues. Tony stepped around them, but kept them between him and the witch.
"I'm ordering you to stop with the spells and magic mumbo-jumbo." he said in his most dignified and commanding voice.
The witch cackled again.
"I won't be ordered around by an ex-janitor." she said sharply and Tony winced, "An ex-janitor who couldn't even keep his daughter from running off with a Wolf and right into a terribly dangerous situation. You're not even there for her now. What gives you the right to tell me what to do?"
Tony stuttered. Her words had cut too deep. She had practically stated some of his greatest doubts and fears.
"Th…that's not true. I'm a h…hero." he protested.
"That's what Wendell tells you because he feels sorry for you. What did you actually do? Followed Wolf and Virginia around. Talked to Wendell. Occasionally convinced someone to help the others." she shrugged, "They would have fared perfectly fine without you."
"Shut up! You're just trying to trick me!" Tony yelled, "You're lying."
"Am I?" the witch asked simply and turned her back on Tony.
Tony saw an opportunity and lounged at the witch. But just as he was closing in on her, she spun and threw dust in his face. Tony realized his mistake too late. Then, he fell to the ground as Wolf and Cinnamon had done earlier.
Meanwhile, Queen Riding Hood the Third was sick of waiting on that over-zealous pup, King Wendell. Her patience had never been great, but she made up for it in her temper. She screamed for her General. He quickly ran into the throne room and knelt before her. Even the general knew better than to upset his queen.
"General Sampson, I want troops in the 4th Kingdom. And I want them now! If Wendell doesn't do something about this, then I'll have to." she narrowed her eyes dangerously and said in a much quieter voice, "If that witch wants to rule, we'll see how Wendell's crown fits."
Wolf watched as Cinnamon's first stone flew through the air and to a spot near the bush. The spikes shot up. Wolf hurried through them, weaving carefully, trying not to touch any of them. He could tell they were deadly sharp.
Cinnamon watched nervously. She was practically jumping out of her skin. She paused carefully, watching for any movement in the spears, a stone in her hand. The spikes glistened dangerously. She bit her lip.
The spikes started to slip and Cinnamon jumped.
"Wolf! Freeze!" she yelled.
Wolf stopped, careful to keep all his limbs away from the spikes. They sucked back into the ground. A moment later, Cinnamon's rock struck the ground and they shot back up. Wolf continued on.
"Oh, be careful." Cinnamon muttered nervously.
Wolf was so close. He tried to reach out and pluck one of the roses, careful of the thorns that he knew were poison. He stuck his tongue out and narrowed his eyes with concentration. He leaned over farther, his fingertips almost touching the golden petals of the nearest rose.
Wolf's balance faltered and his arm dipped. It brushed a spike and opened a gash in his arm. The spike was so sharp it had sheared right through his sleeve and skin in just a touch. Wolf yelped and whimpered in pain, jerking his arm back. He clamped a hand over the wound, lifting his hand to see blood all over it. He whined and licked the wound, then looked back up at the roses. They were so close! The breeze blew them a tiny bit and it was as if they were silently mocking him. He gritted his teeth with determination and reached for the rose again.
Cinnamon cringed at Wolf's pained whimper. She wanted to bound over there and help him, but knew she couldn't. She shook with suppressed jitters.
Wolf's fingers closed around the top of the rose. He pulled, bracing himself with one foot behind him. He had no idea how hard it would be to free the flower. To his surprise, it broke away easily.
Wolf stood in the middle of the spikes with the rose in his hand. He looked very surprised. Cinnamon wanted to howl with joy. He had gotten it! He hadn't died! They could leave!
Wolf started carefully back when the ground began to shake. Cinnamon's eyes went wide. Oh no!
"Wolf!" she yelled.
Wolf braced himself, trying not to fall into any of the spikes.
"What is that?" he yelled back.
Cinnamon looked around wildly, looking for what was causing the sound. Then, she looked up.
The treetops swayed slightly a short distance away. The closer trees began to sway as if whatever it was was getting closer. Cinnamon had a terrible suspicion.
"Oh, you're not going to like this!" Cinnamon cried.
Wolf followed her gaze and saw the trees. He quickly came to the same conclusion as Cinnamon. He began to run, almost disregarding the spikes. They sucked into the ground again and he lounged the last few feet, falling to the ground near Cinnamon. She helped him up quickly. They both shot a glance back at the trees to see that they had parted to show…a giant!
Wolf and Cinnamon ran for the trees on the other side of the clearing. The ground pounded so hard that every time they tried to run they were thrown to the ground. The giant spotted them and stomped toward them. He reached out for them.
Wolf saw the giant's hand coming. He jumped to his feet, grabbed Cinnamon's arm, and dragged her after him as he ran back towards the giant, avoiding the hand and dashing between his legs. The giant lifted his foot to step on them. The two wolves split up, running in opposite directions.
"Hide! I'll find you later!" Wolf yelled, running back in front of the giant to draw him off.
Giants were big, but not too smart. It wouldn't be hard to distract him. Cinnamon dashed off in the other direction, diving into a deep niche under a bush near some large tree roots. She scrunched down into the leaves and soil, trying to hide, but be able to watch at the same time.
Wolf led the giant away into the forest. The giant made some annoyed grunts and incoherent murmuring as he strode after him. Cinnamon quickly lost sight of Wolf, but could still see the trees moving off into the distance, signaling the giant's passage. She wanted to run after, to make sure Wolf got away. But she also didn't want to leave her hiding place. She was a lone wolf. She didn't know how to do the pack thing. She stayed put telling herself she was doing what Wolf had told her. He would find her later.
Virginia hurried along the river in the direction she knew Wolf had to be going in. She was getting tired, but forced herself to keep going. Until she heard a boom resound through the forest that made the birds all around fly away with angry and frightened squawks. Virginia froze, looking around for what could have done that. A tree falling maybe? For some reason she recited in her mind that old question; if a tree falls in the wood and no one's around, does it make a sound?
Virginia scanned the top of the trees and saw a patch of them sway and jerk. Another boom sounded and another patch of trees swayed.
"That can not be good." she said to herself.
Virginia stood still, watching the trees when she noticed that the direction of whatever it was had changed. It was coming towards her! And fast!
Virginia started to back away. The booming got louder and the trees nearer to her jerked. She was so busy staring at the treetops that she didn't see the figure dart out of the trees and run towards the river. She did notice, though, when he jumped in, making a big splash.
"Wolf!" Virginia cried, running to the edge of the river and helping pull Wolf out.
"Virginia! Huff-puff, Virginia! What are you doing here? Nevermind, let's get out of here!" Wolf cried as the giant broke free of the tree line on the other side of the river.
Wolf scrambled to his feet. He kept a hold on Virginia's arm and ran on into the woods. Virginia ran after him, trying hard to keep up. Her mind whirled in confusion and insanely she thought that Wolf had left his tail out. She mentally slapped herself and screamed in her mind to get a hold of herself. She took a quick glance back at the giant. An actual giant! He was getting closer. And she didn't know about Wolf, but she couldn't run forever. He was going to catch them if they didn't do something quick.