I heard Wendy's footsteps approaching. She entered the room, a plate in hand, presenting a sandwich piled high with ham, bologna, red peppers, and a generous slathering of spicy mustard. My mouth watered at the sight—a stark reminder of the delicious meals I used to enjoy.
"Here you go, Natsu! One gourmet sandwich, just for you," she said, placing it on the windowsill beside the terrarium. With care, she opened it up, took me out, and set me in front of my lunch.
I could hardly contain my excitement. A giant sandwich, all for me! If only I weren't trapped in the body of a damn amphibian—this would be a dream come true.
"Now promise me you won't make a pig of yourself like you always do," she teased, a playful smirk on her face.
I croaked in protest, my froggy pride stung by her jibe. "I can't help it if I have a healthy appetite!" I replied, though my words came out as a series of croaks and ribbits.
Wendy laughed, shaking her head. "Just remember, you're a frog now. You have a tiny mouth and a tiny stomach. Eat too much, and you could hurt yourself."
Cautiously, I approached the sandwich, my little heart racing. The aroma wafting from it was intoxicating, a reminder of countless family picnics and backyard barbecues where I had indulged in delicious food. But now, here I was, about to dive into a meal that felt both foreign and familiar.
"Okay, okay, I promise I won't make a mess," I said, trying to sound as dignified as a frog could. Then I helped myself. I'll admit, the first bite was the hardest—try putting something in your mouth that's bigger than your entire body! But giant food was no match for my stomach. I once won a hot dog eating contest, devouring a hundred in under thirty minutes—a feat my sister would forever claim was the most disgusting thing she had ever witnessed.
As I took my first tentative nibble, the flavors exploded in my mouth—smoky ham, savory bologna, the zesty kick of mustard mingling with the sweetness of the red peppers. I closed my eyes, savoring the moment, letting the taste transport me back to those carefree days when I was human, free to enjoy food without the constraints of a frog's body.
"Remember to breathe, please," Wendy interjected.
I shot her a glare, but it was hard to stay annoyed while devouring such a feast. Each bite was a reminder of my past life, and with every chew, I felt a strange mix of nostalgia and longing. I missed my old self, but at that moment, I was determined to enjoy every morsel of this sandwich.
"So, about me finding Erza..." she began as I was halfway to the crust after about ten minutes.
"Hold on, you're not just going to go out and find her," I said. "We need to plan this out. Get you ready for any inconveniences. They are witches, after all."
"Okay. Well, how about I bring a bucket of water with me when I go see her? Water melts witches, right?"
"I don't think we're dealing with those kinds of witches, sis. Why don't you go to the library and see if they have any books on witches and stuff like that?"
"I guess that could work."
Wendy nodded, her eyes sparkling with determination. "I'll head to the library right after I finish my lunch. Maybe I can find some spells or potions that can help us."
I croaked in agreement, my mouth still full of sandwich. The thought of her diving into dusty old tomes made me chuckle, even if it came out as a series of ribbits. Wendy had always been the studious one, while I was the reckless dreamer. It was a strange twist of fate that had landed me in this predicament, and I couldn't help but feel a twinge of guilt for dragging her into my mess.
A month passed, and Wendy and I searched every book and website on witches and witchcraft that we could find. Tragically, all we could come up with were the Salem Witch Trials, stereotypical witch roles in movies and television shows, and bizarre online clubs started by teenage girls just trying to piss off their parents. Nothing truly useful—nothing that could help Wendy defend herself.
Mom and Dad were still looking for me, and they hadn't noticed Wendy sneaking off to buy unusual things. But I could hear them talking about me every night in their bedroom. My mother cried for her lost little boy, while my father tried so hard to be strong for her.
It was painful, knowing that my disappearance was tearing my family apart and that there was nothing I could do to make it better. And if that wasn't hard enough, I started to feel lonely—lonely and restless. I was developing Cabin Fever. Or, to be specific, Terrarium Fever. I couldn't just stay in my bedroom and this glass box for the rest of my life.
"Wendy, I want to go outside," I told her one morning.
Wendy paused, her eyes widening in surprise. "Outside? But Natsu, it's dangerous out there! What if someone sees you? What if a snake or a huge bird gets you?"
"But I'm bored!" I whined. "All I've done for a month is sit in here. I want out!"
Wendy bit her lip, clearly torn between her protective instincts and my desperate plea for freedom. I could see her weighing the risks, her brow furrowing in thought.
"Okay, okay," she finally relented, her voice softening. "But we have to be super careful. We can't let anyone see you, and we need to make sure you're safe."
I felt a rush of excitement at her words. "Thank you, Wendy! You won't regret it!"
She carefully lifted me from the terrarium, cradling me in her hands as she opened the window. The fresh air rushed in, carrying with it the sounds of chirping birds and rustling leaves. It felt like a whole new world was waiting just beyond the glass.
Wendy placed me on the windowsill, and I hopped out onto the ledge, my heart racing. The world looked so much bigger from up here, and I felt a thrill of exhilaration mixed with a tinge of fear. I was a frog now, but I still had the spirit of a boy who craved adventure.
"Just stay close to the house, okay?" Wendy cautioned, peering down at me with concern. "And remember, if anything happens, you jump back inside."
I nodded. With a determined leap, I hopped off the ledge and landed on the grass below. The sensation of the cool earth beneath my tiny webbed feet was electrifying. I felt alive!
Wendy watched me with a mix of worry and amusement as I began to explore. I hopped around on the sidewalks and the street, marveling at how much the world changed when your size did.
But as I ventured further, I couldn't shake the feeling of vulnerability. I was a small creature in a vast world, and the thought of predators lurking nearby sent a shiver down my spine. I quickly made my way back to the safety of the apartment, but not before catching a glimpse of the next building over, which had its own Japanese garden.
Now that was something.
The garden was a vibrant tapestry of colors, with cherry blossom trees in full bloom, their delicate petals dancing in the breeze. I could see koi fish gliding gracefully through a pond, their scales shimmering like jewels in the sunlight. It was a slice of paradise, and I felt an overwhelming urge to explore it.
"Wendy! Look over there!" I croaked, pointing my tiny froggy body toward the garden. "It's beautiful! Can we go check it out?"
Wendy hesitated, glancing between the garden and me. "I don't know, Natsu. It's not our property, and we could get in trouble. Plus, what if someone sees you?"
"But it's so close! Just a little hop over there, and we can be back in no time. Please?" I pleaded, my froggy heart racing with excitement.
She sighed, her resolve wavering. "Okay, but just for a few minutes. We have to be quick and quiet."
With that, she carefully scooped me up and tiptoed toward the garden, her heart pounding as much as mine. As we reached the edge of the property, I could hardly contain my excitement. The scents of blooming flowers and fresh grass enveloped me, and I felt a sense of freedom I hadn't experienced since my transformation.
Wendy set me down on the soft grass, and I wasted no time hopping into the garden. Every leap felt exhilarating, and I reveled in the sights and sounds around me. The gentle rustle of leaves, the distant sound of water trickling from a small fountain, and the soft chirping of birds created a symphony of nature that made my heart swell.
"Just stay close!" Wendy called out, her voice laced with both excitement and caution.
I nodded, but the allure of the garden was too strong. I hopped toward the pond, mesmerized by the koi fish swimming beneath the surface. They were so graceful, and I couldn't help but wonder what it would be like to swim alongside them.
Suddenly, I heard a rustling noise behind me. My heart dropped as I turned to see a shadow looming over me. A large cat, its eyes gleaming with curiosity, was stalking toward me, its movements slow and deliberate.
"Wendy!" I croaked, panic rising in my throat. "We need to go! Now!"
Wendy's eyes widened as she spotted the cat. "Oh no! Natsu, jump back!" she shouted, rushing toward me.
I didn't need to be told twice. I leaped away from the approaching feline, my tiny legs propelling me as fast as they could. The world around me blurred as I dashed through the grass, narrowly avoiding the cat's outstretched paw.
"Over here!" Wendy called, waving her arms frantically. I veered toward her voice, my heart pounding as I sprinted for safety. Just as I reached her, the cat pounced, but I managed to slip through Wendy's fingers and back onto the grass.
"Get inside! Quick!" she urged, her voice filled with urgency.
I hopped as fast as I could, my little heart racing with adrenaline. We dashed back toward the fence, and I barely made it through the gap before Wendy scooped me up and hurried back to the safety of our apartment.
Once inside, she slammed the window shut, her breath coming in quick gasps. "That was too close!" she exclaimed, her eyes wide with fear.
I could hardly catch my breath, the thrill of the chase still coursing through my veins. "I didn't think it would be that dangerous!" I croaked, my voice trembling with excitement and fear.
Wendy set me down on the windowsill, her expression softening as she looked at me. "You scared me, Natsu."
"I'm sorry, Wendy," I said, my froggy voice filled with remorse. "I just wanted to experience something new, to feel alive again. But I didn't mean to put myself in danger."
She sighed, running a hand through her hair, her expression a mix of frustration and concern. "I understand, really. But you have to remember that you're not just a frog; you're my brother. I don't want to lose you too."
I felt a pang of guilt at her words. I had been so caught up in my own desires that I hadn't considered the risks I was putting her through. "I promise I'll be more careful," I croaked, trying to convey sincerity despite my amphibious form.
Wendy smiled softly, her tension easing as she reached out to gently stroke my back before returning to her research. I hoped she'd find something soon.
