The Frog and The Beast

The Frog Chapter 10

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.