THE GOBLIN MARKET

Prompt: The Fic Lab (#beg)

Date: June 2022


"We must not look at goblin men,

We must not buy their fruits:

Who knows upon what soil they fed

Their hungry thirsty roots?"

The Goblin Market, by Christina Rossetti

I could curse my sister.

The moment the thought enters my mind, I usher it away. It's not necessarily true. I love Alice, and I'd do anything for her—which I am in the midst of actively proving—but I can curse her fickle folly.

Alice wants too much, craves more than she should have, and now it's put both of our lives in danger.

I let my feet continue to guide me until I'm under the old apple tree. Around it, the city is decrepit, but the tree glows with an other-worldly magic.

She should have run from it.

The pulsing starlight shining out of each small blossom is making me break into a cold sweat. I cannot bear to even look upon the golden apples, shimmering in the dark.

"Sweet pretty," a slithering voice hisses. "Have you come to buy?"

I steel myself, allowing my eyes to sweep over the tree. Nothing appears to be different, though I know I am no longer alone.

"Yes," I say, reaching into my bag. "I'm come to purchase your goods."

I toss the small coin under the tree, and there is a cacophony of hisses that sound eerily like laughter.

"Coin no good here," a voice croaks.

"Give us but a taste of you, Sweets."

I swallow my fear.

"I have come to purchase your fruit and take it home."

There is a rasping sound right behind me, and I whirl, trying to spot the beast. It remains invisible, and I feel my pulse jump in my throat.

"No, no, sweet pretty," something hisses, just over my right shoulder. "You must dine with us."

Fear is making my knees weak, and I have to lock my legs down so I do not collapse.

"I will not."

There is a round of hisses and scratching sounds at this. Finally, the rasping voice continues.

"Very well, Sweets. Then you shall meet the Goblin King, and he will make you beg."