-1Virginia was astounded at the treasures hidden in the goblins underground world. She was dusting with goblins hanging around close by. They had told her that if she touched anything they would cut off her hand. She was careful to only touch the objects with the duster.
Suddenly, there was a shout from somewhere in another tunnel. Virginia couldn't make out what was said, it was too far away. But evidently the goblins could. They forgot her and ran off. Virginia looked after them, dumbfounded. Then, she quickly ran to find Wolf and get out of there.
Virginia managed to find her way back to the large chamber. It seemed all the tunnels led there.
But Wolf was gone!
"Where is he!" Virginia demanded.
She searched frantically for some sign of where he had gone. She knew he wouldn't have left without her. Something must have happened. She could see he had been let out of the cage. It was on the ground, the door open. She could see where he had dragged his feet and fought the people holding him. She could picture him growling and struggling in the middle of a group of goblins.
Virginia was getting some very bad ideas. No! He had to be okay! She couldn't accept that anything could have happened to him.
Virginia was beginning to panic. She had to find Wolf. He had to be okay. If he wasn't…
Virginia began to hyperventilate. She forced herself to be still and calm down. She breathed deeply, trying to think of a logical explanation that would allow Wolf being okay. Virginia could barely think, she was so distressed.
"I have to do something." she said to herself finally.
Virginia headed back towards the slide that they had come in on. She didn't know why, she couldn't get out that way. But it was the only place she could think to go. She was just around the corner from it when she heard voices. She stopped, pressing herself back against the wall. She listened closely.
"I'll be back as quickly as I can!"
"Wolf!" Virginia cried, running into the room.
Wolf turned from the slide, surprised to see Virginia. She ran to him and threw her arms around him. Wolf returned her embrace.
"I thought they had killed you or something." Virginia said, choking with relief.
"Not quite. Thanks to Cinnamon. She got me out and figured out how to save you. Now let's hurry before the goblins come back." Wolf said.
He turned and Virginia saw that there was a rope lying at the bottom of the slide. Wolf picked up the end and handed it to her.
"Cinnamon's at the top. I'll be right behind you." he promised.
Virginia nodded. She took the rope and started to climb up. Soon, it was too dark to see, but she was reassured by the sound of Wolf's breathing behind her.
Virginia slipped and nearly fell all the way back down. Wolf caught her, bracing himself against the walls. He pushed her back up. Virginia took a firm hold of the rope and resumed her climbing. After a short time, she noticed the darkness lightening. A few seconds later, she emerged into the open air. It was still night, but it was getting lighter.
Cinnamon was at the other end of the rope. When Virginia saw her, she nearly fell back down the tunnel. Cinnamon growled at her and her eyes flashed dangerously. Virginia scrambled out of the tunnel and to her feet. She began backing away from the wolf, slowly.
Wolf crawled out after Virginia. He looked around and saw what was happening.
"Cinnamon! What are you doing?" he demanded.
Wolf hurried out of the tunnel and jumped in between the two.
"What's going on?"
"I don't know. All I know is that she tried to kill me twice before!" Virginia accused, pointing past him at Cinnamon.
Wolf looked at Cinnamon. She didn't look at him, but kept growling past him at Virginia.
"It's true, isn't it?" Wolf demanded, "Cinnamon, why?"
The question jolted Cinnamon momentarily back to herself. She glanced from Wolf to Virginia, confused.
"I don't know. Her scent, she….it makes me angry. It makes me want to hunt her and rip out her throat. I…" Cinnamon shivered and began growling again.
Virginia touched a hand to her throat and stumbled backwards a few steps. She couldn't understand how someone that had helped Wolf so much and that she had just met could hate her so much.
"What did I do?" Virginia managed to ask.
"Nothing, Virginia. You didn't do anything." Wolf assured her.
Cinnamon took a few steps towards Virginia, circling to the left. Wolf moved to keep himself between her and Virginia, putting his arms out. Cinnamon bared her teeth at him for interfering.
"Wait! Cripes, Cinnamon! What if it's a spell?" Wolf cried suddenly, "That explains it. All of it. That witch is using us! She's probably the one who made you answer me in the first place."
Cinnamon stopped again.
"The witch? She…" Cinnamon said, beginning to see past the spell. Cinnamon never got to finish the sentence. Her eyes flashed brilliantly and she fell to the ground, "Ow! Ow!"
Cinnamon started screaming with pain. She curled up in a ball, holding herself and shaking with pain.
Wolf approached her slowly. He knelt next to her. He touched her arm, but she flinched as if his touch burned.
"Cinnamon? Can you hear me? What's happening? Cinnamon, I don't know how to help you." Wolf glanced back at Virginia, then down at Cinnamon again, "Cinnamon. Huff-puff, I can't fight what's not here."
Virginia came up behind Wolf and knelt next to him. She looked at Cinnamon. She had been under a spell. This must be the witch's doing. But how could they stop it?
"Cinnamon, I don't know how to thank you for helping Wolf. And most likely keeping him out of more trouble. We want to help you. But we don't know how to. You have to help us help you." Virginia said.
"B…break the spell on Wolf." Cinnamon said, and it was obvious how hard it was to get the words out.
Somehow through her connection with the witch, Cinnamon was able to know this much. Virginia could break the spell on Wolf. If she could free him of his spell, at least one of the spells on her would dissolve. And the witch's hold would be weaker. She hoped.
"Wolf?" Virginia asked, looking at him.
Wolf looked confused for a moment before he figured out what Cinnamon meant. He just wished he didn't have to tell this to Virginia.
"There was…is a spell on me that makes me…well…" Wolf hesitated, unsure how he could tell Virginia this.
"Wolf, spit it out. She's in pain." Virginia said impatiently.
"I had feelings for Cinnamon." Wolf blurted.
Virginia stared at him. Wolf could tell she was about to get angry with him and quickly continued.
"It's a spell. Cinnamon thinks you can break it. But, huff-puff. I don't…" Wolf was cut off abruptly when Virginia leaned over and kissed him.
Virginia leaned over, putting a hand on Wolf's face. His eyes flashed and she pulled away.
"Cripes." Wolf breathed. Then, put a hand to his head, "Woah. I think that was the spell breaking."
The two both looked at Cinnamon. She had stopped shaking and had placed her hands on either side of her head. Her eyes were glowing brightly.
"Cinnamon?" Wolf asked, but she couldn't hear him, "What do we do?"
"I think," Virginia said quietly, "That we wait."
Wolf made a short whimper, but sat back on the ground, glancing from Virginia to Cinnamon. He finally let his gaze rest on Virginia.
"I do love you. No spell could change that." he said, just to make sure she knew.
"I know. And I know that you care about Cinnamon. But as a friend. I don't know how you two ended up together, but I can tell you've been through some adventures of your own. And we are going to stay here until she's better, okay?" Virginia finished.
Wolf nodded and glanced at Cinnamon once more. He really did want her to be alright.
"You cannot get free of me, little she-wolf. You are mine." it was the witch's voice.
Cinnamon growled at the voice.
"Leave me alone!" she yelled.
"Oh, no. You have a job to do. And you will do it! You may have helped them break the spell, but Wolf owes me a debt. And you are still mine. You will make sure he brings me the rose."
"No! I'm not doing anything for you! Go away!" Cinnamon snapped.
"You are a greedy little wolf. Even when saving your friends, you thought of yourself and how you could profit. Does that sound like the mark of a true hero?"
"That's…" Cinnamon wanted to say it wasn't true, but it was.
"Bring me the rose, and I will free you. That is all you have to do. If you do not, I will make sure your life is a living nightmare! I will make you hurt your friends. I will make you feel pain like you've never known. Understand, my pet? You are on my leash. If you want to be free, you must do as I command." the witch ordered.
Cinnamon wanted this to just be over. She shouldn't even be in this mess. She shouldn't. Wolf would understand. She would just make sure that the rose got to the witch and then she could go home and forget all this.
"O..okay." Cinnamon said shakily.
"Good."
With that, Cinnamon could feel the witch was gone. She was alone again.
Cinnamon stirred. Immediately, Wolf and Virginia went to her. Cinnamon slowly opened her eyes.
"What? Where…?" she asked, confused.
"Cinnamon. It's me, Wolf. Are you okay? What's the last thing you remember?" Wolf asked.
Cinnamon sat up slowly and looked around.
"I remember following your scent to a big tree. That's the last thing." Cinnamon said.
"You rescued us from the goblins, Cinnamon. And then you helped us break the spell that was on me." Wolf informed her.
Cinnamon shook herself. She slowly began to remember what had happened. She looked over at Virginia.
"I'm sorry." she said.
Virginia nodded. She shook hands with Cinnamon slowly. Cinnamon smiled at her shakily.
All three jumped as a loud boom resounded through the forest.
"Huff-puff! They've broken through! Let's get out of here!" Wolf cried, pulling Virginia, then Cinnamon to their feet.
The three hurried off into the woods before the goblins could catch up to them.
Maive rocked back and forth on her boots impatiently. Where was Wendell? His life was in danger and he couldn't even hurry to hear it?
The door to the room banged open and Maive jumped about a foot in the air. She turned to see Wendell storming into the room and closing the doors firmly behind him.
"What is the meaning of this? Why were you doing spells, hidden in my garden? If you are trying in any way to harm…" Wendell began furiously.
"King Wendell! Your majesty, you have it all wrong. I am trying to help you. I know that you don't trust me. But I'm not the one who you should be worried about. I came to warn you. You are in great danger." Maive said.
Wendell eyed her dubiously. He had believed her before, but that didn't make her trustworthy.
"And who should I be worried about?" Wendell demanded.
"Tony." Maive said.
Wendell turned away from her in disgust. Maive hurried after him.
"I know you don't believe me. You trust Tony. He's your best friend as far as I know. But I'm telling the truth. Tell me he hasn't seemed strange lately." Maive challenged, "Tell me he hasn't done anything he normally doesn't do."
Wendell stopped. He couldn't.
"Maybe Anthony has been a little off, but he is very tired. He said that you had taken off right after the witch was defeated. Why are you here now?" Wendell asked, more calmly.
"Because Tony lied. Marissa was not defeated. She put a spell on Tony. He's her spy now, her servant. The guards are frozen in her cottage. You mustn't do anything around Tony that could help Marissa. It is very important. Wolf has the rose. If he delivers it to her, she will come after you first. I'm going to try to reach Wolf and Virginia tonight. Your help would be much appreciated." Maive finished slowly.
Wendell looked at Maive silently. She met his gaze bravely. She was telling the truth! She had nothing to hide from him.
"Alright. I'm not sure if I believe you, but I will be careful. And you will have my help in whatever magic you are going to try to reach Wolf and Virginia. But if you are lying, witch, and I find out you have done anything to my friends, I assure you that you will pay dearly for it." Wendell said with dead seriousness.
Maive bowed her head ever so slightly. She understood.
Cinnamon bounded ahead of Wolf and Virginia, giving them (and herself) some privacy. Wolf and Virginia kept glancing at each other and smiling. Wolf finally wrapped his arm around Virginia as they walked slowly after Cinnamon.
Virginia glanced up at Wolf again.
"Her name is Cinnamon?" she asked quietly.
"Shush. My name is Wolf. Names aren't important." Wolf said.
"And I thought you had a funny name." Virginia teased.
"You did, did you?" Wolf replied.
"At first. But now I think any other name wouldn't fit you. You are Wolf." Virginia said truthfully.
Wolf made a soft whine and rubbed his face against hers. Virginia smiled and messed up his hair.
"Where are we going now, anyway?" she asked.
Wolf looked around, "We're headed back the way we came."
"That's good. I want to go home and relax. We come hear for our wedding and look what happens." she said, waving an arm to encompass the entire 9 Kingdoms.
"Huff-puff, technically we never finished our honeymoon. Want to play hide-and-seek?" Wolf asked quickly.
"Wolf! Cinnamon's right there. There are goblins behind us somewhere. Who knows if that giant's still wandering about." Virginia began.
"Oh, fine." Wolf relented. He sniffed at Virginia's hair, "You have the best smell. So much better than those goblins. I don't think I've ever sneezed that much in my life."
"Thanks."
"No, I mean it. I love your scent. From the very first time I smelled you, I…" Wolf started.
"Wolf." Virginia interrupted, "I am never going to get used to they way you say that."
Wolf looked at her, confused.
"What?"
"Nevermind." Virginia said, shaking her head and laughing softly, "I'm just glad we're together again."
"Oh, huff! Me, too!" Wolf agreed.
Cinnamon paused at the sign that signaled the border of the kingdom. She had never left the 5th Kingdom before. Oh, well. There was a first time for everything.
She had stayed away from Wolf and Virginia, barely uttering two words in the past couple days. She had slept a good distance away from them, giving them as much privacy as possible. She didn't want to be too far, she knew the dangers of these woods better than either of them. She just wanted to be done with this and go back to her life. Her life of being alone in the deep woods, never hearing a word except for the gossip of passing hunters. A lone wolf.
Above all else, Cinnamon hated being sorry for herself. She sometimes lapsed into self-pity and ended up furious with herself for doing so. She growled at herself now. She was starting into it again.
Cinnamon stuck her hands deep in her pockets. One hand touched something hard. Surprised, she drew it out of her pocket. It was a beautiful necklace, worth a small fortune most likely. She had forgotten about it. The way it sparkled made Cinnamon's eyes reflect with a glint of their own.
Cinnamon shoved it back in her pocket. No! She would not do that anymore. There was a lot about her that Wolf and Virginia didn't know. Things that she wouldn't tell them, things she was ashamed of, things she knew might make them turn against her.
She was now in the 4th Kingdom. Wendell's kingdom. Where all wolves had been pardoned. Where they didn't have to hide from the passing humans for fear of being shot on sight. What a wonderful thing to have happened! Cinnamon tried to imagine how different her life would be if she had been raised in a kingdom like that. It was beyond her.
Cinnamon concentrated instead on what she was going to do about the golden rose. Wolf seemed to have forgotten it. He had never mentioned it or asked for it. She still carried it inside her clothes, in her vest pocket. Wolf would never go near the witch's place. Virginia would never let him. She would have to deliver it herself. She might as well leave now.
Cinnamon stopped and turned. She waited patiently for Wolf and Virginia to catch up.
"I have to leave now." she said.
"What? Why?" Virginia asked.
Cinnamon shook her head. She was so tired. Sleep just made her more tired. She needed this to be done. Needed it.
"I just have to. You don't need me anymore. I wish you well." she said and turned to disappear into the woods off the path.
An arm snapped out and gripped her elbow, stopping her. Cinnamon followed it back to the owner. Wolf.
"What's wrong with you, Cinnamon?" he asked, "I mean, huff-puff, you haven't even said two words these past few days. Did we do something? Is it the spell?"
Cinnamon shook her head again.
"No. I just…I'm fine. Its just time I left. Let me go."
Wolf let go. He looked at her oddly, cocking his head. Something wasn't right with Cinnamon, no matter what she said. But maybe she needed to go off on her own. He had been there after all. But sometimes that was the last thing that they should do.
"Are you sure?" he asked.
"If you want to talk or anything…?" Virginia added from behind him.
"No. No. I just have to go. Goodbye." Cinnamon said and ducked into the brush.
Wolf could hear her run off into the woods. He turned to Virginia with a worried expression on his face.
"I'm worried about her. Something isn't right. Even the way she smells is off." he said.
Virginia nodded in agreement.
"So what do we do? Do we follow her?" she asked.
Wolf paused.
"I don't know. I don't think we should leave her on her own, but I don't think we should make her stay in our sight like a little cub. Let's follow her, but stay off a little ways." he suggested finally.
"Okay." Virginia agreed.
The two waited for a good amount of time before following Cinnamon's trail.
Cinnamon slowed when she caught the scent of the witch. She didn't know how she knew the smell, but she knew it. It was the strange smell of an old woman mixed with many things that combined into a smell of bad magic. It made Cinnamon want to turn around and leave. But she couldn't.
Cinnamon entered the clearing around the house slowly. She silently approached the door. Before she could even raise her hand to knock, it swung open. Cinnamon had somehow known that it would.
Inside, hidden by the darkness, was the witch. Cinnamon could only see her outline and her eyes. It sent a shiver up and down her spine.
"I…I have the rose." she said.
"Bring it to me. And you will be free." the witch croaked.
Cinnamon pulled the rose from her pocket. She shouldn't do this. It couldn't be right. This old woman was evil. She could tell from the way she smelled if not from anything else. But Cinnamon found herself stepping closer to the witch anyway. She handed her the rose from as far away as she could. The witch snatched it greedily, then began cackling with delight.
"It's mine! It's all mine! Oh, they won't know what hit them. You have been a good pet, my little wolf. But I've left your leash too long. Down!" the witch cried, and Cinnamon felt herself forced to the ground.
Cinnamon growled at the witch angrily, but something tightened, hurting her, and she had to stop. A whine escaped her as she tried to gasp in some air.
"You thought you could be free of me, did you? You don't know what you're dealing with. Perhaps it is time for me to show you. You and the rulers, starting with Wendell."
Cinnamon whimpered again.
"That's the witch's cottage! What is she doing here!" Wolf exclaimed.
Virginia watched silently as Cinnamon slowly entered the cottage. They needed to get closer if they wanted to see what was going on.
"Come on." she said to Wolf, then ran, staying low, up to the side of the house, near a window.
Wolf didn't like it, but he followed her.
"This is a bad idea, Virginia." he whispered, "I think Cinnamon's still under a spell."
Virginia shushed him, then peeked in the window. Wolf looked with her.
"The rose! She gave her the rose!" Wolf said in a tiny whisper.
The two watched as the witch barked out something and Cinnamon was forced to the ground. They could see that there was magic controlling her. The witch turned from the window for a moment, doing something at the wooden table. When she turned again, the rose was gone from her hand, hidden somewhere. The witch said something else, then both she and Cinnamon disappeared.
Wolf jumped to his feet.
"What do we do? What do we do?" he asked out loud.
Virginia straightened.
"Could you hear any of what they said?" she asked.
"A little. Not too much. Something about the rulers…Wendell!" Wolf exclaimed, suddenly realizing what that meant.
"We have to get back to the castle." Virginia said.
"Come on!" Wolf said, starting off into the woods.
Virginia ran after him.
Maive was getting very, very impatient. Why was the day so long? She still had so long until the right time for her spell. Wolf and Virginia could be dead by now.
Somehow she doubted that. If they were in immediate danger of dying, she trusted her premonitions to tell her. But that didn't mean they couldn't be in trouble right now.
Maive paced along the cobblestone walk in the garden for about the hundredth time. Why was time always so slow when you're waiting?
Maive heard a shout from the guards on duty. It sounded like trouble. She hurried that way to see what it was.
"No!" Maive cried.
This couldn't be happening. Not now! Not to her! Marissa was standing in the courtyard, only a few paces from Wendell, a girl cowering at her feet. Tony stood off to the side, waiting for instructions. The girl tried to speak, but couldn't.
"Hello, Wendell." the witch said, "You have ignored my threats. That was very foolish of you. Almost as foolish as sending two guards and this nincompoop. It is time to punish you for underestimating me."
"Guards!" Wendell yelled.
"Oh, they can't help you now." Marissa said smoothly.
And indeed the guards couldn't get to Wendell. They were all frozen where they stood. They yelled in panic.
"What is your worst fear, Wendell? What is the thing that deep down inside, scares you the most?" Marissa asked.
She looked closely at Wendell. Then, she laughed.
"Oh, the Evil Queen has marked you well." she said.
"W…what? I don't know what you're talking about." Wendell said, trying to back away.
"Your worst fear is to be turned into a dog, forgotten and abandoned. You fear that you will speak and no one will understand you. You fear what would have happened if not for your friends." Marissa said, "Your fear is granted, Wendell."
The witch pointed a finger at Wendell and before he could even shout, he was engulfed in magic and changed into a golden retriever. He barked, panicked.
Maive shook her head furiously. This couldn't be happening. She was nowhere near experienced enough to handle this. Wendell wasn't the only one to have underestimated Marissa. The Coven had, as well. They should have sent a master witch. Not her.
"Tony, bring me the dog." Marissa commanded.
Tony reached for Wendell, ready and willing to drag his friend to his death. Maive watched in horror.
Wendell backed up, barking frantically. He could see Maive had been right, Anthony was under the witch's control. Wendell tried to think of what he should do, but all he could think of amidst his panic was to do what he had done last time. So he ran, skidding down the halls until he came to the room with the magic mirror. Wendell jumped up on the mirror, scratching at the catch with his paws until it moved, turning the mirror on. Wendell paused, glancing over his shoulder. Tony appeared in the door. He called back down the hall, then started after him. Wendell jumped into the mirror.
Marissa was tired of being old. She waved a hand over herself. There was a flash of magic and her old self was replaced by an elegant young woman. She heard a gasp from the corner.
Marissa spun on Maive. She grabbed her by the hair and dragged her out of hiding before she could react. Marissa was so loving being young again.
"Th…that's not supposed to be possible." Maive stuttered.
"Not for you, it's not." Marissa replied, "I know you, don't I? You're a witch. Did the Coven send you?"
Maive didn't respond.
"They did. The fools. I can sense your magic. You are just an amateur. You are nothing."
Marissa threw Maive from her, sending her sprawling on the floor. Maive stared at Marissa, still astounded.
"Cinnamon. Tony. You two will fetch Wendell. And please don't fall in love and screw everything up like Wolf did. You will work together. Tony, you know the city. Cinnamon, you can catch the dog. Now, go!" Marissa ordered.
Cinnamon whined in submission and scrambled to her feet. She followed Tony down the hall, and through the mirror into the 10th Kingdom.
Wolf paused as they reached the castle. Virginia skidded to a stop behind him.
"I am not swimming in the moat again." she announced immediately.
Wolf glanced at her, then at the castle again.
"I can get us in. You won't have to. Follow me and don't make a sound." he said.
Virginia nodded and followed as he set out for the castle.
The two ran to the wall, then edged around towards the servant's door at the back of the castle. They snuck in and to a balcony overlooking the courtyard, ducking the guards that passed.
Wolf signaled to Virginia to remain silent and stay where she was, hidden in the shadows by a suit of armor. He crept closer for a better view. He saw a young woman in the courtyard. She was seated in an elegant chair. A younger girl stood before her, her hands tied, guards on either side of her. The scent of magic was all over the courtyard. Wolf returned to Virginia's side.
"I don't see Wendell or Cinnamon. There's a woman down there that smells like the witch, but she's much younger. She smells of magic. I think the witch did a spell on herself to make her young again. That's all I can think of. Even a daughter would smell different." Wolf reported.
"So what do we do?" Virginia whispered back.
Wolf thought, turning over all the possibilities in his mind before answering.
"There's another girl down there, tied up. I think she might be able to help us. She might at least know where Wendell and Cinnamon are. But she's surrounded by guards. We should hide out until they put her in the dungeon or something. Then, we can get to her without too much trouble." Wolf suggested.
"Right. Where can we hide? Not our room."
"No." Wolf agreed, "I know! Follow me."
Wolf set off again with Virginia right behind him. He led her down to the kitchens. They had to wait until the servants down there were busy, then ducked into a room in the back. Wolf closed the door behind them as quietly as possible.
Virginia looked around. There was food all over. The dark, damp room went back pretty far. She wondered how Wolf had known about it.
"What is this? A storage room?" she asked.
"The larder. I came in here when I was getting ingredients for the poison the Evil Queen wanted. This thing goes on forever. I'm willing to bet that you can get into the dungeon from here. It would make sense. That way they could take food to the prisoners. I figured we could wait in here." Wolf said.
"I think you're just hungry." Virginia replied, as she explored the place.
"Huff-puff, that, too." Wolf agreed, picking up a piece of seasoned meat and tearing into it.
Virginia had to look away. Sometimes Wolf's eating habits made her turn a little green. He was much better about it now, but every once in a while he forgot.
Virginia picked up an apple, checked it carefully for anything bad ( she didn't really trust apples anymore), then bit into it. She chewed extra carefully, then swallowed. Seeing as she hadn't choked or fallen down dead, she sat down and took another bite.
The two settled in for a possibly long wait.
Wendell knew that the witch wouldn't let him get away, just as his stepmother had not. He doubted he would be lucky enough to run into someone like Virginia again. He had only himself to rely on this time. He considered hiding in the park until Anthony passed, but realized it would never work. He could tell by the girl's whimpering that she was at least part wolf. No doubt the witch would send her after him, possibly with Anthony. She could sniff him out. He needed to get away from this place. There had to be someone who could help him or somewhere he could hide.
Wendell took off into the park.
Ivy and Danielle stood, waiting to be noticed at the sign near the entrance of the restaurant. Ivy waited with a tad more patience than her friend did.
A waitress finally noticed them and hurried over. Danielle sighed when she saw her. Not another annoying, dim-witted waitress.
"One table, two seats, preferably by a window. Can you do that?" she asked.
Ivy elbowed her friend in the ribs.
"Ow." Danielle said and turned to glare at her friend.
Ivy looked over at the opposite wall.
"Yeah…um…this way, please." the waitress said, pausing to smack her gum.
The sound grated on Danielle's nerves. She wasn't having a good day. She didn't need this.
Ivy sensed her friends growing agitation and shot her a look. Danielle rolled her green eyes and finally nodded. Alright, she would behave. Ivy didn't press it. She really wasn't in the right mood to put up with an annoying waitress either.
The two girls followed the waitress to a table next to a large glass wall. The entire wall was a window. Danielle should have paid more attention when she had asked. This place had only one real wall, back by the kitchens.
The waitress handed them two menus, then left quickly.
"How can you be in a bad mood, today? We've finally reached New York. We've been driving for twelve days. I'm glad for a meal that's not McDonald's." Ivy said.
"Well, you wouldn't let me go to Denny's or IHOP." Danielle replied.
Ivy made a face at the mention of the two fast food places. Danielle continued.
"Fact is, I don't really know why I'm in a bad mood. Just a feeling I have. Like somehow, I know something bad's going to happen soon." Danielle said.
"I have it, too. The oogies. But right now I'm feeling more like I'm starving, myself. And I'm usually not hungry yet. I never eat dinner this early."
"Then, call it a late lunch. We can pick up a snack later." Danielle sighed again and picked up her menu, "What you going to get? I never know what to order at places like this. The fanciest restaurant I've ever been to was either a Sizzler or the Olive Garden."
The two girls continued their conversation all through they're late lunch, discussing anything that came to mind. Most of which was television related.
"Wouldn't it be cool if stuff like on Charmed was real?" Danielle asked, finally.
"I'd give anything to live in a place where stuff like magic and things were real." Ivy agreed, wishfully.
She closed her bright blue eyes for a moment, imagining it.
"I'm going to go for a walk. Try and shake off this feeling." she said, rising from the table.
"I'll go with you." Danielle said, quickly.
She threw down some money to pay for their food, then followed her.
The two girls started off into Central Park. It wasn't even dark yet, but the shadows cast by the trees made it seem later than it was. It was colder here than either girl was used to. Ivy pulled her denim jacket closer around her.
"Okay. I don't know about you, but my oogies are worse. Something is going to happen." Danielle said with conviction.
Ivy nodded. She could feel it, too.
Both girls knew that they were a little strange. Okay, a lot strange. And the cult TV that they watched didn't help (both followed Buffy, Angel, Roswell, the X-Files, and Charmed faithfully). Ivy dreamed of things before they happened. Danielle got a strange feeling she called "the oogies" before things happened. And usually when Danielle picked something up, Ivy could sense it. They knew each other so well they could usually tell what the other was thinking (although sometimes Ivy could do it so well that it creeped Danielle out). Ivy was blonde and blue-eyed to Danielle's dark brown hair and green eyes. They had been friends since the 1st grade. They were both seniors in high school now. And they both craved some kind of adventure.
"This is a great park, you know. Kind of like walking in the forest." Danielle said.
"Yeah." Ivy agreed.
Ivy froze.
"Did you hear that?" she asked.
"What?" Danielle asked, stopping and turning to face her friend.
"Shhh." Ivy silenced her.
She cocked her head, listening for the sound she had heard. There it was again. The sound of something in the bushes. Something that was panting.
A moment later, a golden dog emerged from the brush. He stopped when he saw the two girls.
"Oh my gosh. He looks just like Sammy." Ivy said, referring to her puppy dog.
"He does." Danielle agreed, "I sure hope he won't lick me in the mouth like Sammy."
Ivy squatted down so she was on the same level as the dog. She held out her hand carefully, not intruding on the dog's space, but letting him come to her. She had dealt with lost dogs before. Back home, she used to work part time at her friend Brianne's kennel. She had only been bitten once.
"There's leash laws here, right? Either he has a careless owner or he's lost." Ivy commented without looking at Danielle.
The dog crept closer to Ivy and sniffed her hand. He licked her palm shyly, then looked up at her. Something about the way he looked at her struck Ivy as weird.
Seeing that Ivy hadn't lost any fingers, Danielle knelt next to her and stroked the golden retriever.
"Hi, doggy." she said, "You're a good puppy. Are you lost?"
The dog barked, glancing at Danielle. His eyes locked on hers and Danielle almost fell over backwards.
"Okay, the dog just looked at me like he understood me. Am I more nuts than usual?" Danielle asked.
"I don't think so. Unless I am, too. Ask him another question or something." Ivy suggested.
"Uh…okay. God, this is going to sound so odd. Dog, if you understand me, go to that tree and sit down." Danielle said, pointing.
The dog trotted over to the tree Danielle had pointed to and sat down. He barked at her again, as if waiting. Danielle put a hand to her head.
"Maybe it's time to lock me up and throw away the key." she said quietly.
"I'll keep you company." Ivy added, staring at the dog in shock, "Okay, dog. Bark twice if you understand."
The dog barked twice, this time seeming impatient.
"Bark once for yes, twice for no. Are you really a dog?" Ivy asked.
He barked twice.
"A dog that understands English and isn't a dog? Did we get sucked in the TV?" Danielle asked.
"Do you want our help or something?" Ivy asked, ignoring Danielle's comment.
The dog barked once.
"You know what, if this weren't so strange it would be cool. Maybe we should write this down and send it to Joss Whedon or somebody." Danielle said.
"I don't care what we do. I want in on whatever this is. Maybe magic is real. Oh, please let it be real." Ivy prayed, raising her eyes heavenward.
The dog barked at them again and turned to go out of the park. He started off, then stopped and looked at them again.
"I think he wants us to follow him." Ivy said.
"Why? Is Timmy in the well?" Danielle asked, "Sorry, couldn't resist."
Ivy again ignored her and hurried off after the dog. Danielle shook her head in disbelief, then ran after her.
"If he ends up leading us to a pile of bones or something, I am going to be very upset with you, Ivy." Danielle warned.
Ivy nodded absently. She hurried her pace a little more. She didn't want to lose the dog.
The dog had stopped around the corner near the Grill on the Park. He looked at the restaurant, then back at the girls and barked.
"Great. We met a super-smart dog that has expensive taste in food." Danielle groaned.
"Shut up." Ivy shot back at her, "What is it? Have you been here before?"
The dog barked once. He ducked down and covered his head with his paws.
"Oh, I suck at charades. Danielle, help." Ivy said.
"I thought you wanted me to shut up." Danielle said, sarcastically, but Ivy knew she didn't mean it, "Um…dark? Covering your eyes? Hiding?"
The dog barked.
"Hiding? Hiding from what?" Ivy wondered out loud.
"Bad guys, duh. Warlock or demon?" she asked.
The dog looked confused.
"Human?" she rephrased the question.
The dog barked three times.
"What's three? Yes and no? That's not helping. More than one person?" Danielle asked.
The dog barked once.
"Okay. So maybe one's human." Ivy suggested, trying to piece everything together.
The dog barked once again.
"How many are there? Will I get to kick butt like Buffy?" Danielle asked hopefully.
"Please." Ivy snorted.
Danielle kicked her in the leg.
"Ow. I still kick harder." Ivy said, then jumped out of the way before Danielle could kick her again.
The dog jumped up and down to get their attention. He barked twice.
"Two? One's human. So one's not human?" Ivy asked.
The dog barked three times.
"How can one be not human and not not human?" Danielle demanded.
"Part human? Like Doyle?" Ivy suggested.
The dog barked once again.
"So he wants to hide from two people, one human and one part human, and he wants us to help him?" Danielle asked.
The dog barked once and whined with impatience, nudging Danielle's leg.
"I think he wants us to hurry." Danielle commented.
"Okay, where do we hide him?" Ivy asked, pacing as she thought, "Let's take him to the car."
"But I want to see what we are up against." Danielle protested, falling into the role of heroine easily after the many hours of television she had absorbed.
"Right. Dog, you can stay in the car and we'll come back and wait to see who comes looking for you." Ivy said.
The dog didn't bark. Ivy guessed that meant he didn't like it, but wouldn't protest. She hurried past the restaurant with the dog on her heels. She dug her keys out of her pocket and unlocked the door to her truck. She held the door open for the dog and he jumped in. She closed the door after rolling down the window a little for him. She quickly hurried back to where Danielle waited. Danielle was crouching behind a tree and some bushes next to a park bench. Ivy joined her. It wasn't long before someone passed.
"Do you have the scent or not?" an older man with balding hair demanded.
A younger girl with reddish hair looked at him and growled softly.
"Don't push me. I don't want to be here. I just found out about this kingdom like a week ago. I never wanted to come here. The air stinks. So much smoke. I'm lucky I can smell anything else." she replied.
Ivy shot a look at Danielle. Danielle opened her mouth to say something and Ivy knew it would be about what kind of person talked about smelling something, but she shushed her before she could.
The girl stopped.
"Yes, I have a scent. I can smell the dog. He was just here. There's some girls' scents here, too. Mixed with the dog. He might have run across some people from that…oh, food." the girl said, glancing with longing at the Grill on the Park.
"Not now. We get Wendell, we leave. No stopping. Marissa will give you a steak when we get back." the older man sighed loudly, "Why do I keep ending up with wolves?"
"Because we're the only ones who can put up with you. And not for long, I might add." the girl said sharply.
"Was that a threat?" the man demanded angrily.
"No. It was a promise. Now, shut up and let me concentrate. This is a lot harder than it looks. There's so many scents. Many appetizing." the girl said, closing her eyes and sniffing, "Got it. Come on."
The girl and the older man started off past the restaurant towards the parking lot. They stopped next to Ivy's truck.
"I have to hear what they're saying." Ivy said.
She got out from the bushes and headed towards the parking lot. She ignored Danielle's half-started protests. She had learned when she was much younger that the secret to getting into places where you didn't belong was acting like you did. She strode up to the car parked next to hers and fumbled with her keys, pretending to be opening the door. She pretended to drop them and ducked down, listening closely.
"I've lost it. The trail stops here, but all I see are these things." the girl said.
"I don't see a dog in any of these cars. He must have gone back and hid in the Park. Wendell hasn't been anywhere other than the Park, the Grill, our apartment, and my mother-in-law's. He has to be at one of the four. And I would bet it's one of the first two." the man said, heading back into the Park.
Ivy straightened. Once the two were out of sight, she went over to her truck. She had to open the door to find the dog. He had squeezed down in between the seats where he couldn't be seen in the shadows. Clever.
"I think you're safe for now." she whispered.
Danielle ran up behind her.
"What happened?" she asked.
"They think he's hiding in the Park." she reported.
"So what do we do?" Danielle voiced the question that Ivy had been wondering herself.
They both looked at the dog. He didn't seem to know either.