Twisted Wishes - When Fairytale Dreams Turn Dark

Chapter 6: the Gingerbread House

"Who are you?" My words taste bitter on my tongue. I've never been so scared and at the same time I've never been so happy.

That's why no one knew where my orphanage was, that's why I don't know the names on the map.

I am in another world. A fairytale world.

"I'm Valerian."

"Not true!" My voice makes birds fly. I tug at the tips of my hair, then press my fingertips against my eyes. "That's not your name. I don't know anyone by that name. SAY ME YOUR NAME!"

With my knees drawn up, I wrap my arms around my legs and rock back and forth.

Then I stop.

"Okay, take it easy." I say it more for myself than for him. I had to count, I had to count down. I start at 10.

My breathing slows down as I count. I breathe in through my nose and blow out through my mouth.

Then I stand and cast an embarrassed look at Valerian, who has remained calm throughout my panic attack.

"I'm sorry."

Valerian tilts his head and studies me with an almost predatory look. "Why do you think I'm lying about my name?"

Because you are a character in my book and I know everyone.

"Because you don't look like a Valerian." I say instead. 

"True, my real name is Grimclaw, but in this form I'd rather you call me Valerian."

It's quiet for a while. The environment seems to have calmed down just like my mood. Now that I can finally breathe calmly, a wonderful scent enters my nose. Without thinking, I follow him, barely aware that Valerian is following me.

Then the forest stops and a landscape can be seen. In the distance is a large wall that divides the country. It stretches so far that it disappears into the distance, but I pay more attention to the house a few meters in front of me.

The most delicious smells emanate from it and make my mouth water. Without thinking I take a step forward only to be stopped by two strong arms around my waist.

I'm fighting to get out. My legs kick and my fists punch against the arms. A wail escapes me of which I am only half aware.

My eyes are still fixed on the house that will relieve my empty stomach of the hollow feeling.

Two fingers pinch my nose and pull me back into the woods.

Now that the smell is gone, the fog lifts in my head.

"The gingerbread house." Valerian sounds resigned. He sees that I am myself again and removes his hand from my nose.

The smell hits like a bomb and I almost turn back. Fortunately, Valerian pushes his hand against my mouth and nose again and looks at me intently. "As soon as I pull my hand away I want you to replace it with yours. Understood?"

"Yes." My voice is incomprehensible so I nod to him. He counts to three and then pulls his hand away. I quickly do as he says and pinch my own nose.

"What is that smell?"

"Sweets. Delicious, enchanted sweets. The place where the witch lives."

It does indeed smell delicious. The smell alone made me half a beast. It must be enchanted in some way because something as simple as a scent can't really change you.

"If this is the Gingerbread House, it means Hansel and Gretel are here." I turn to the house and try to peer through the windows.

"The sons of the farmer by the lake," he asks in surprise.

"The sons," I ask in the same tone. Because the story is not about two boys. It's about brother and sister, sister. A girl.

"Nibble, nibble, like a mouse, Who is nibbling at my house?" The raspy voice makes me jump.

While Valerian and I were talking, Hansel and Gretel came to the house. I see Hansel first because he is closest to us. But next to him I see someone else and when the child steps forward and shows himself, a stone sinks into my stomach.

Gareth.

"We're sorry witch, we didn't mean to nibble on your cottage. But you see, our father has left us in the forest and we are so hungry."

The witch shakes her head and throws open the door. "Poor children of mine. Come on in. Of course you are hungry. My granddaughter will immediately prepare something delicious for you."

A young girl about the same age as Hansel and Gareth beckons them in the doorway and the two children go in after her with a hungry gleam in their eyes.

"No!" I want to run towards them, but Valerian stops me again.

He really had to stop doing that.

"You can't do more for them. I know what the witch does to children. The stench of the burnt flesh lingers in the air for days and scares away any prey."

"We have to save them."

Valerian grunts unintelligibly and pushes me towards a tree trunk. He plants me on the wood and starts pacing.

"Prey?" That's what he had just said. Like he was a beast.

"Animals, wildlife, whatever you want to call it."

"Who calls an animal  prey?"

Valerian shows me all his teeth. "The hunter."

The hunter? "Is that you then?"

Valerian stops pacing and makes a questionable head shake. "In a way, yes."

The howl of the wolf enters my brain and I visibly cringe. "You are the Big Bad Wolf. The one the three men were looking for."

Valerian freezes in place. His gaze darts back and forth. "Were they with you? Those pigs?"

I lean back against a tree trunk and close my eyes. The Big Bad Wolf and the three little pigs.

I just had to make a list of every fairy tale I come across.

Although I encounter them in a very strange way. Goldilocks has a threesome, Gretel is a boy and the three little pigs are construction workers.

Oh yes, and the Big Bad Wolf is not a wolf but a boy.

"I sent them away, just one question. Can you turn into a wolf?" As soon as I ask the question I groan to myself.

What an unnecessary question.

"Yes. That's the whole thing about being a wolf."Another question burns on my lips but I manage to hold it in. Hansel and Gareth are still in there.

"Do we have a plan?"

Valerian folds his arms in front of his body and nods briefly. "You stay here and I'll get those kids."

"Woof." I bark which is hilarious in a way considering he's kind of a dog.

Paying no attention to me, Valerian goes to the edge of the forest. Within 5 seconds he is at the cottage.

I count to 3 and then lower my hand from my face.