Wishes

Who's Fault?

"WE NEED THE LAST OBJECT!" the baker yelled.

His wife sighed. "I know we do. But how? I got so close-"

"That's what you said last time!"

"Yes, and I'm serious. I was going to pull a strand of this girl's long, very long golden hair who lives in this far away tower, and..."

"There's a maiden in a tower with long golden hair?"

"Yes, pay attention..."

The couple suddenly spotted someone in the distance. Little Red sat atop a fallen tree, fingering her wolf-skin cape. "Why, hello again," the baker walked up to her. "Oh, hello Mr. Baker," she quietly responded. "Uh," the baker looked at her bulging basket. "What are you doing out here again? And I hate to say this, but I think your basket's about to explode."

Little Red looked at it, and suddenly burst into tears. The baker's wife sat down next to her and wrapped her arm around her. Little Red looked down at her feet. "You'd make a great mother," she said softly. "My mother wasn't like you. She could never be. She will never be. My wishes have been crushed."

Little Red took in a deep breath before continuing. "About two hours ago, I left Granny's to return home. But when I saw mother, she wasn't breathing. So I gathered all that could fit in my basket, and ran all the way back to Granny's. But when I got there, her house was destroyed, and I couldn't find Granny anywhere! Where's Granny? Where is she?!"

Little Red was now in hysterics, bawling like an infant. "Now, now," the baker's wife tried to calm her down. She turned to her husband. "Let's take the girl with us. We don't want her to be scared." Then, out of nowhere, "You can't scare her!" Jack rolled his eyes, stepping out of nowhere.

"Well," he added on. "Actually, from the looks of it, it seems you're scared of giants. You know this is all your fault!"

"Is not!" Little Red screamed, and they both ran towards each other, ready to clash. But, the adults pulled them back, the baker grabbing Little Red, and his wife holding back Jack.

"It's your fault!" Jack screamed. "It's because of your dare that there's a giant destroying our kingdom!"

"Nope!" Little Red made a face back at him. "That was a joke."

"A dare."

"A joke." She teased him, over-exaggerating, "Don't ya understand ENGLIIIISH?"

"Yes I DOOOO!" he yelled back.

"No you don't! You took my joke seriously. I tried to stop you, but you wouldn't listen! And now we've a giant stomping down this place just to find you! Giants are the worst! Giants have a brain! Giants are like us humans-!"

Jack raised his eyebrow.

Little Red added, "Only bigger!" They all looked around at their surroundings. There were fallen trees everywhere. She threw her hands into the air and shouted, creating an echo, "Much, MUCH BIGGA!"