G/t one-shots and short stories

Sterling Household- Wax

Milton Borrowfield stood poised on the edge of the family's secret entrance. Beside him stood his eldest daughter, Agnes, her eyes wide with determination, eager to prove herself. She was getting close to the age and skill where he would trust her to borrow alone.

"Alright, Agnes," Milton whispered, his voice barely audible against the quiet backdrop of the giant's dwelling. "Remember the plan: we move silently and swiftly, keeping to the shadows. Our goal is the candle wax; it will be useful as a fire starter in our kitchen."

Agnes nodded. "I understand, Papa." Her fourteen-year-old mind quickly processed the importance of their task. "But what if we encounter the giant?"

"Stick close to me, and I'll protect you," Milton assured her, his eyes filled with love and concern. "While I don't think he'd hurt us, given his past actions, it's safer not to interact with him."

As they approached their destination, Milton couldn't help but feel a sense of pride in his daughter. Agnes was a natural, her curiosity and bravery shining through even in this tense situation. He knew she had the potential to become a great borrower, just like him.

"Papa," Agnes whispered urgently, pulling Milton from his thoughts. "The candles are just up ahead. We're almost there."

"Stay focused, my dear," he reminded her as their objective came into view. The used candles were clustered on the counter, their lower halves coated in precious wax - the very substance that would bring warmth and start their stoves in the Borrowfields' home. Milton knows that Sterling usually melts all the leftover wax down into one. The human seems to hate waste, which Milton can appreciate. But Milton suspects Sterling has purposefully left these out, postponing his task. It's become more of a pattern, the human leaving things out. Which has further confirmed to Milton that the human is aware of them. This knowledge drives Milton crazy with worry. He doesn't understand why the human hasn't tried to capture or trap them. The human had even kept his cat confined in his bedroom, making borrowing missions much easier. 

He squeezed Agnes' hand, then began scaling the cabinets leading up to the kitchen counter. His tiny hands found grooves to grip as he climbed. Agnes watched anxiously from below.

Once he was up on the counter, he gave his daughter the all-clear to throw her grappling hook up. He helped secure it. And he watched with pride as his eldest scaled up the string.

Milton and Agnes worked quickly, using their small chisels to chip away at the wax. They filled their packs,

At last, their packs were full. Milton scanned the tabletop. No trace remained of their presence.

"Let's go," he whispered.

Agnes nodded determination in her young eyes. They scurried to the edge and peered over. Milton slid down first, catching Agnes as she followed.

Milton and Agnes moved swiftly and silently through the walls, retracing their steps back home.

Agnes let out a small sigh of relief as the entrance to their home came into view. The familiar warmth and light felt especially comforting after the tense journey through the giant's domain.

As they slipped inside, Agnes' mother, Cassia, hurried over, concern etched on her face.

"Thank goodness you're back safely," she said, embracing them both. Then, spying the clumps of wax, her eyes lit up.

Milton put an arm around Agnes' shoulders. "Our girl is growing up. She'll be leading these missions herself before long."

Agnes beamed with pride.

****

"Are you worried about Sterling? Cassia asked, her voice barely above a whisper as she leaned over her husband's shoulder.

Milton sighed, his expression pensive.

"Of course I am," he said. "It worries me, he knows, but our best option is to wait and see if he is a threat. And if he if......Well, we'll cross that bridge when we come to it."