The Badlings

Chapter 20. The Sleigh Chase

Most books have villains, evil destructive characters that do evil destructive things. To conquer them someone has to face them. That's one scary prospect. Luckily, most books also have heroes who shoulder this noble chore. But what if the villain is the book itself? And what if this book doesn't have any heroes to face it except four desperate children?

Huddled on the hard seats, they peered up at the passing pages of Mad Tome. On the front bench, Peacock shifted closer to Prince Prospero, still dazed from the Snow Queen's spell. On the back bench Bells and Rusty sandwiched Grand, and for a good reason: his body radiated enough heat to keep both of them warm.

"We're idiots, absolute and total idiots," whispered Bells to Grand, her cheeks flushing. "All this time we could've just walked back."

"We didn't know," objected Grand. "How could we know?"

"We could've figured it out," said Bells resolutely. "We could've tried and tested every possibility, including gravity reversal. Some scientist I am." She crossed her arms. "Now we're stuck here and it's my fault. I'll know better in the future."

"Don't be so hard on yourself."

"It's Peacock's fault, not yours," piped up Rusty.

"What's that?" Peacock turned his head.

Bells' eyes widened. She stomped on Grand's foot who in turn pinched Rusty who choked on whatever it was he wanted to say. The source of their distress was unsettling.

Peacock looked like an identical copy of the blond vampire sister. Even his voice was not his own anymore. He didn't seem to be aware of the change, regarding his friends with his signature mockery. "Why are you staring at me like this? Is something wrong?"

"Nothing, nothing," said Bells quickly. "I was just talking about...how much I was worried about you."

"Seriously? And you guys were listening to that?"

Grand and Rusty vigorously nodded.

"I can't believe it." He turned away. "Girls and their worries." Prince Prospero glanced back and whispered something to Peacock. They laughed.

It appeared to Bells that they were making fun of her and of all things girly. A curious sensation spread through her chest, an anticipation of sweet, long-awaited vengeance. "I'll see what you have to say once you realize you're a girl," she said inaudibly.

"Did you say something?" asked Grand.

"He replaced her," whispered Bells. "She bit him, and he replaced her."

"I see that."

"Did you hear what the Snow Queen said? About the vampire sisters helping Dracula lure us to his page so he could spill our blood and claim us? So if she spills my blood, I'll replace her?" Bells glanced at the Queen's sparkling mantle, at her pale bluish hands snapping the reins, and shuddered at the thought.

"I think so," hazarded Grand. "The Headless Horseman wanted to behead me, so I think—"

"Hey, not fair," blurted Rusty, "I can't hear what you guys are talking about."

Bells pushed her head behind Grand's back. "Peacock has changed into the vampire sister because she spilled his blood."

"Whoa. Is that why? I thought it was because the Snow Queen breathed on him."

"No, it has nothing to do with that, that's just her own power. At least that's what the book says. Anyway..." Bells pulled out from behind Grand's back and leaned over his knees, fervidly talking to both boys.