Johanna was sitting on the floor and her back was leaning against the bed's side. A bunch of thoughts swirled into Johanna's mind, confused and horrified thoughts. Johanna wondered how this happened, how this occurred and what happened that led up to this. Johanna didn't know what to do except think about this situation, thinking what to do? Why was she a troll? Who did this? But then Johanna remembered the one troll could knew troll magic. Did Trylla put another spell on them? How? Why? Was she wanting them to join her in the stone forest? But there was a big hole in that thought, because they needed to be in Trylla's cave. Like Hilda did last time...
Johanna: Hilda!
Johanna's worries surged at the thought of her daughter not just a troll, but back inside the mountain all over! She must check on her! But before Johanna could stand, she saw a huge bright cast through the window, the same thing that turned her into a troll rock. It was the sun, casting it's light through the window of Johanna's room. It's the same thing that will surely turn Johanna back to stone. But not for long. Johanna then ducked down on all fours and crawled underneath the sun's beam, and believe it or not but Johanna was able to avoid completely. Upon avoiding the sun light, Johanna reached the door, stood up, and exited the bedroom, closing the door behind her.
Johanna: Oh, please...please...
Johanna then rushed down the hallway and stood in front of Hilda's room, placing her hand on the doorknob and opening the door, seeing that made her both worried but also relieved. In bed, Hilda was there, but not exactly Hilda, but a stone rock. Johanna sighed in relief that her daughter was still here and looked back at the large rock in Hilda's bed. Johanna needed to get Hilda away from the sun light, or least shut the blinds.
Alfur: Johanna?
Johanna then turned to the shelves and saw Alfur standing on the shelf and out of his clock house, wearing pajamas. Alfur looked at Johanna and realized she was a troll!
Johanna: Alfur?
Alfur: Johanna! You're a troll!
Johanna: Yes! But I don't think Trylla is responsible for it.
Johanna just walked to the shelf and let Alfur onto her hand, looking at him worryingly. Then Johanna heard a yelp and looked down to see Twig looking up at her with a face of horror, but after recognizing who the troll lady was, Twig got closer and whimpered in worry.
Alfur: What's going on?
Johanna: I don't know. But we'll need answers. But first...
Johanna turned her attention to the large rock in bed, planning to get Hilda back to normal. But the sun was blocking Johanna from her daughter, but Johanna looked down at the rock and the blanket flew the rock more, and Johanna saw something that made her heart break. It was Hilda's left leg, it was moving all around like it was panicking. Johanna's heart broke because inside the rock was her daughter, was struggling and scared out of her mind. Johanna needed to do something, but whta because the sun was blocking her way and if Johanna touches it then she'll turn back into stone and won't be able to help Hilda.
Johanna then looked at the curtains and realized a new idea. Johanna placed Alfur back on the desk and walked out of the bedroom in a fast walk, across the living room, past the kitchen, and down the hallway to the hall closet where the front door was. Opening it, Johanna pulled out a broom and walked back all the way to Hilda's bedroom with the broom. Johanna then stuck the broom out to the curtains and Alfur and Twig watched as Johanna nudged the curtains close with the broom stick. After a few moments, Johanna had close the curtains with her broom stick and the sunlight casting was gone.
Everyone turned down to the large rock in Hilda's bed and saw begin to crack open like it was an egg, and in a flash, Hilda sat up in a flash, gasping in fear. Johanna looked for a second and became terrified with Alfur and Twig. Hilda was a troll too like before.
Johanna: Hilda!
Johanna immediately rushed to Hilda and wrapped her arms around her, hugging her close as tears streamed down her cheeks. But out of nowhere, Hilda began to shake and squirmed out of her mother's hug like she was mad, but to Johanna's surprise, Hilda looked completely confused and puzzled.
Hilda: Whoa! What was that?!
Johanna: Wha? Hilda?
Hilda: Hilda? Whose she? Who are you?
Johanna became shocked from that question and her eyes widened. Twig and Alfur heard it too and became stunned themselves.
Johanna: What? Don't you know me? It's me, your mum. Don't you remember?
Hilda: No? I don't remember you?
Johanna: What...
Alfur: It's this spell! "Johanna then turned back to Alfur" The spell must've done something with her memory!
Johanna just looked at Alfur for a moment with a worried look before back at Hilda, whimpering her self for all of this. First, she woke up and discovered herself a troll. Now, Johanna's daughter was a troll and doesn't remember her mother! What was happening. Johanna then looked down for a moment and was thinking about what to do, then thought about what Hilda would do. Johanna looked over the bed at the floor, thinking what to do, before realizing an idea. Johanna stood up from the bed and wrapped Hilda around in the blanket of her bed like a cloak, before getting up from the bed and walking to the door.
Johanna: Hilda, keep that blanket on, okay? We're going out for the day.
Hilda: Okay. My name is Hilda?
Alfur: Yes. I'm Alfur, and this is Twig.
Twig: *Whine*
Hilda: Where are we going?
Johanna: To find help.
The next thing Hilda knew is she was in the front seat of a car, wrapped in the same blanket she was told to wear in. Johanna was driving the car and was wearing her winter to help block the sun. But Johanna was pretty uncomfortable with the clothes on, it must be because of being in this troll body. But Johanna did her best to pay attention to the real task at hand. After driving for only 16 short minutes, they had arrived at their destination. Johanna parked the car along the curb and Johanna shut off the engine, before getting out and walking to the other side of the car, opening the door and letting Hilda hop out. Hilda looked at where they were and saw a large building in front. The city's public library.
Hilda: Why are we here?
Johanna: To find help.
Hilda: And my memories?
Johanna: Definitely that sweetheart.
Hilda: Thank you.
Hilda cheerfully took her seemingly mother's hand and they walked up the steps to the front doors, opening them and entering the library. But when they walked inside, there was no one around. There were no people around and the Liberian was not at the front desk either, making Johanna confused.
Johanna: Where's the librarian.
Hilda: Who?
Johanna: The Librarian. Where is she?
Johanna looked around with a confused look as she took Hilda's hand gingery and they began to walk around the library, trying to find everyone. Johanna and Hilda checked the shelves and saw no one. Then Johanna tried knocking on the librarian's office door, but no one answered. But as Johanna and Hilda began to search the second floor, they heard talking coming from behind a bookshelf. Reaching it, Johanna leaned her ear against the bookshelf that was right next to the stairs, hearing a lot of talking behind it.
Johanna then pressed her hand against the edge of the bookshelf and nudged it, feeling it move! Johanna then placed her both hands on the edge of the bookshelf and slides the bookshelf to the side like it was a sliding glass door, amazing here that there was a room on the other side. Peeking down, Johanna and Hilda both saw a bunch of familiar people down there. There was Frida, David, Kaisa, David's marra Jaden, Kelly, Trevor, a girl with puffy blonde hair, the sparrow scouts Raven leader, Frida's parents Anton and Eli, David's parents Andy and Erika, Kelly's mother, and Trevor's mother Karen. But something was wrong. They were trolls! Well, not all of them. But only Frida, David, Trevor, puffy blonde hair girl, Jaden, Kelly, Kaisa, and Raven leader were trolls, but everyone else were not.
Johanna and Hilda saw the parents talking to each other and asking each other lots of questions, David and Frida were speaking with each other, Kelly and Jaden were just arguing for some reason, Trevor was hiding in a corner and was sobbing from all this while his mother was speaking with the adults, the blonde puffy girl was sitting on top of a nightstand and just flicking her nose, Raven leader and Kaisa were near the bookshelves and scrolling the books, supposedly trying to find this whole mess out.
Johanna: Everyone?
Everyone then suddenly looked up the the stairs and saw Johanna and Hilda looking down at everyone with confused faces. But everyone had saw they've been turned into trolls, just like them. The whole room became silent as Johanna shut the bookshelf behind her and she and Hilda then walked down the stairs and reached the bottom. Everyone just looked at them and became worried how they had become trolls too.
Erika: Johanna? Your...
Johanna: Yes. By the looks of it.
Frida: Hilda!
David: Hilda!
David and Frida both looked up and saw Hilda looking down at them with a confused face, wondering if how they knew her name. Then the pair rushed towards Hilda and wrapped their arms her, hugging in a group hug. But suddenly
Hilda: Whoa! Whoa! Let me go.
Frida: What? But Hilda?
Hilda: How do you know me? Do I know any of you?
David: What? It's me! David! Remember?
Hilda: David? I don't know you. Do I?
Frida: Hilda? Don't you...recognize us?
Hilda: No.
David and Frida's faces fell with shock and confusion, having no clue what was going on. Everyone else heard it and became confused themselves. Pair of friends just looked at Hilda, who looked at them both with confusion, then looked up at her mother, wanting an answer.
Johanna: I don't know either. She didn't even recognize me. I think it has something to do with...well, this.
Johanna then gave some pats to Hilda's head, hoping things will go back whence Kaisa and Raven Leader find a solution. Back in the corner, Trevor looked up and unmistakably saw Hilda wrapped in a large blanket, standing next to her mum. That's when it hit Trevor in the back of his head like a brick. That witch, she was responsible for all this. Troll Trevor then stood up on his feet and clenched his hands into fists, and glared at Hilda with rage rising to his head, like water filling a cub.
Trevor: Tou...
Hilda: Me?
Trevor: You...YOU!
Trevor then immediately rushed towards Hilda and made a loud angry roar that shook the fear in everyone's minds, including Hilda's. Trevor then ran towards Hilda and shoved Frida and David out of his way, then reached to her and grabbed her by her blanket. Trevor shoved his face against Hilda's, glaring at her with such rage.
Hilda: Wha? What-
Trevor: Shut it, you dumb witch! I hate you! I know your responsible for all this! What did you do, you wicked witch?! I HATE YOU, NOW TELL ME WHAT YOU'VE DONE!
Hilda: But I don't-
Trevor: SHUT UP!
Trevor just kept tugging and gripping on Hilda's blanket, shaking her and demanding for an answer at the top of his lungs, shouting. Everyone just watched from the side and we're becoming nervous. Johanna looked at Hilda as Trevor was shouting, seeing her so scared and her eyes were tearing up in fear. If Hilda had no memories, then no memories of being brave. The 2 mothers saw it and had it break it up. Karen then rushed over and pulled Trevor away from Hilda, tugging his arm away from her.
Karen: Trevor! That's enough.
Trevor just grumbled and everyone looked at Hilda, seeing tears flowing her eyes and she went to Johanna, wrapping her arms around her legs, hugging her in fear as she begin to cry quietly. Johanna just then knelt down and wrapped her arms around Hilda as she began to cry.
Karen: Apologize, Trevor.
Trevor: What?!
Karen: Now, Trevor!
Trevor: What?! But she's the one who turned me into a troll! And all of us!
Karen: Really?! Then why did she become a troll?
Karen finished her scolding and looked down at Trevor, raising an eyebrow in concern. Trevor just thought about what his mother said and thinking for a moment, she was right how Hilda is a troll like him and the rest, and a witch wouldn't turn themselves into a troll either. Trevor then looked at Hilda, seeing her looking at him scared, before Trevor reluctantly lowered his head in defeat.
Trevor: Fine. I'm sorry.
Karen: That's better.
Karen nodded firmly.
Kaisa: Everyone! Can we have your attention?
Hilda then began to stop crying and let go of her mum, looking at Kaisa and Raven Leader. Kaisa held out the book and Raven Leader stood next to her with her arms behind her back, making a firm expression.
Kaisa: I believe me and Alva, Raven Leader, have figured this out.
Anton: You mean what's wrong with our kids?
Kaisa: Yes. We read this book about transformation, and we found this article about a warlock.
Eli: A warlock?
Alva: Yes. He calls himself Balthazar, a trickster warlock. He spends his life casting curses on others and turning them into all kinds of creatures. He does for his own amusement.
Andy: So, that's what's happening?! Our son, and everyone else have been cursed by a warlock for his own benefit?
Kaisa: Well, yeah, but it says that Balthazar turning his victims into trolls has never been recorded. This might be his first time.
Kelly: Oh, that rotten old man! When I get my hands on him! I'll skin him alive!
Kaisa: Now, now. First we need to find him.
Puffy Blonde Girl: How?
Alva: Well, this book has a picture.
Kaisa then shifted the book in her hands, showing everyone a picture of this Balthazar. Everyone then looked at the picture with close eyes and were blown away by who it was. It showed the picture of Balthazar, but everyone saw him and immediately recognized him.
Eli: That man...we know him!
Johanna: What? You do?
Anton: Yes! He's a good man that lives outside the wall. He helped our community, but...
Andy:...but we never thought that he'd...
Everyone then just looked to the floor and made faces of discomfort.
Johanna: Well, what does this have to do with my daughter?
Kaisa: Well, the book says he targets a victim and their friends, family, or any other people they know. He looks into the victim's memories, but some of us were mistaken for being friends.
Karen: Oh, great.
Kaisa: And Hilda not remembering any of us was also Balthazar's doing. He erases the memories of the victims to avoid them catching up with him.
Johanna: So...my baby will...
Kaisa: Oh, no! It's not permanent! The only to bring the memories back, is to trigger them piece by piece, you know like show some familiar things see if it will fix her memory.
Kaisa then closed the book and placed it back on the shelf, before turning back to everyone with her arms folded. The adults looked at each other with concern and stern faces, for what Balthazar has done. They wondered how a man like Balthazar could have done this. The kids were innocent and didn't deserve this. This shall not stand. The adults looked at each other with stern faces, minus Johanna, and
Eli: Let's go!
Frida: What?
Anton: Me, Eli, Andy, Erika, and Karen will go find Balthazar. We know where his house is, so we can head there and hopefully talk some sense into him.
David: What? By yourselves?
Kelly's Mother: Yes.
Kelly: But what if the wizard dude turns you into a animal?!
Erika: Don't worry.
Frida: You should be! But I'm a witch and-
Anton: What?! A witch? But...
Just then everyone looked at Frida with faces of surprise, especially Eli and Anton because they were the most shocked on learning their child has been doing magic. Frida just looked up at her parents and everyone and just looked down with an nervous frown, feeling a little embarrassed.
Frida: Oh, uh...I never told you that.
Eli: So, you've been magic?
Frida: Uh, yeah.
Anton: For how long?!
Frida: Um, for a year now-
Johanna: AND YOU DIDN'T SAY A WORD!?
Johanna shouted at the top of her lungs and placed her hands on her hips, looking at Frida with such rage. Frida just looked down at floor with fear, knowing she'd get this reaction. But suddenly Eli placed her hand on Johanna's shoulder, giving a stern face to not shout at her daughter, making Johanna looking at the floor with remorse.
Eli: We'll deal with this later. But now...to Balthazar's.
After saying their farewells the adults of Andy, Anton, Erika, Eli, Karen, and Kelly's mother Marion, all left the library to confront Balthazar the Warlock. Before they left, they instructed the kids to stay where they were and not go anywhere, but stay in the library. When the kids begged them not to go, or at least let them come with, the adults turned them down and claim they've already been turned to trolls and don't need anything else to make it worse, making everyone reluctantly back down.
Soon all the adults left the library and got into the car, driving down to the home of Balthazar, remembering where it was too. After a half hour drive, the adults made it outside the wall and reached the red house, parking the car in the driveway before getting out. All the adults were walking up to the house that stood on the outside of the city wall. Walking up the steps, they stood in front of the door before looking at each other with nervous faces.
Erika: Let's hope this doesn't screw up.
Karen: Doesn't think about it.
Andy then knocked on the door hardly, and after a moment no one answered. Everyone looked at each other before Eli just grabbed the doorknob, and in one swift motion, swung the door open. The door cracked open and everyone peeked inside the dark house, seeing no one expect an empty hallway leading into the house. The parents then stepped into the house with nervousness and looked all around, but seeing no one.
Marion: Well, nobody is home. Let's just go-
Karen: No! Let's look around first.
Marion just nodded reluctantly in agreement as everyone began to walk through the empty house. As Anton and Andy checked the living room, Karen and Marion both went past the stairs to the back of the house, while Eli and Erika began to walk up the stairs to the second floor. As they reached the top, they walked down the hall on the left, approaching the first room down the hall. Eli couldn't help but feel nervous system kick in, fearing what's gonna happen. But Erika, David's mother, had the confidence as she approached the door, touching the doorknob, before she turned it and opened the door. Entering inside, Eli and Erika looked in and saw a bed in the room, realizing it was a bed room. But there was somebody lying in bed, and with his face exposed, they knew who it was. Balthazar. But his eyes were closed and his mouth shut, presumably asleep.
Erika: It's him...
Back at the library, everyone were just sitting around and waiting for the adults to come back. Kaisa, Alva, and Johanna were talking about somethings. Kelly and Jaden were just lounging about, Trevor just sitting in the chair with a pout on his face, blonde puffy girl was just reading. And lastly Frida, David, and Hilda were sitting in a circle and talking about things they've done together. Kaisa said to Hilda's memories will come back if something triggers them, so why not trying talking about them.
Frida: Then we placed the Vittra back into their holes and saved the day.
David: We lost the chance to get the badge, but we helped the vittra.
Hilda: But we didn't get the badge. Isn't that bad?
Frida: Well, yeah, but we
Hilda: Oh...oh, I can't remember anything.
Trevor: Ugh! I can't believe! My mum is looking a warlock and we're here by ourselves! We need to go rescue them!
Alva: Don't worry, Trevor. And kids, Your parents will come back and we'll-
Just at that moment, they heard the secret door open up on the stairs, making everyone look up and see
Anton: He's dead.
Johanna: What?!
Andy: Balthazar is dead.
Everyone: WHAT!?
Eli: We found him in his bed and as a doctor, I checked his pulse. He's dead. We think he died in his sleep, from old age, or a sickness.
Marion: So, yeah, we called the authorities and they're cleaning out his house right now.
Kaisa: Oh, dear...
Johanna: What?
Kaisa: If Balthazar is really dead, then we can't change back!
Everyone: WHAT!?
Jaden: What do you mean not?!
Kaisa: It says in the book! Balthazar is the only who can undo the curses. But if he's dead...so is our chance of returning to normal...
Eveyone then looked at each other with faces of shock, fear, and sadness. They woke this morning to find themselves as trolls, but when they learned it was all behind Balthazar they had a chance to confront him and make him undo the curse. But now he's dead, and there's nothing they could do now. Everyone then looked at each other and felt rocks in their stomachs and tears form in their eyes, feeling so hurt by this terrible news that there's nothing that can be done.
Johanna: We're...trolls...
Hilda: Trolls? We're trolls...
Hilda just heard sheepishly her mother's words and suddenly felt like she's heard of those words before. Then suddenly Hilda felt like she felt a shock zap in her mind, and things zooming through her mind like crazy. A bunch of things came back to Hilda, like things she remembered in life. They were good moments, but also bad moments, but they were filled with moments with the woman who claimed she was her mum. That was it! Hilda's memories of her mum have come back! Hilda felt herself smiling and turned to her mum.
Hilda: I remember!
Johanna: What?
Hilda: I remember you! I remember you, Mum! I...I...
But Hilda suddenly looked down at her hands and her hopes and smiles went down the toilet drain, seeing the troll skin. Hilda then slowly raised her finger and she touched her pointy troll nose, making her fears come true. What made Hilda remember her mum was by her voice and the memory of the pair reuniting a year ago when Hilda was a troll, but remembering she was a troll had restored memories of being turned into one by Trylla! Hilda was now becoming scared, she was supposed to be a human, not a troll! Hilda was now becoming afraid!
Johanna: Hilda?
Hilda: No...no...NO! AAAHH!
Hilda then began to walk backwards and her body was shaking and shuddering from deep fear, like she was having a panic attack. Which it was. Hilda then backed up against the bookshelves and slouched onto the floor, feeling her fear consuming her and tears streaming down her faces rapidly. Everyone saw and Johanna rushed over and knelt down next to her daughter, placing her hands on her shoulders as Hilda began to sob in pain, remembering her fear of becoming a troll. Everyone else watched with fear and pity, feeling sorry for her because she did not deserve this. Hilda was crying her heart out and Johanna immediately pulled her into her arms as she cried, wrapping her arms around her tight. Johanna then kissed her daughter's head and felt a tear fall from her cheek.
Johanna: Hilda, shhh...it's okay, I'm here...I'm here...you mum is here and I'm not leaving you at all.
To Be Continued In:
Deep Adaptation
Author's Notes: That's the end of chapter 2 folks! It's crazy, now they're trolls, they have no way of turning back. For the rest of the series they'll have to adapt to this. But remember: Germanempiror1914 gave me this story request, so all story rights belong to him. See ya in the next chapter!