The Wolf's Den

Path 2: Ryland, Chapter 8: Part 1

        The first snag they hit was seeing Mr. Wolfe himself, making rounds and seeing if everyone was where they should have been. When he saw Red, Tom, Ryland, and Levi, he rose an eyebrow but said nothing, a half smirk on his lips. "Making friends in your little wooden house, piglet?" he said to Ryland, bemused by her frown.

        "I'm no piglet. If I were to be a pig, I'd be a glit, seeing as I've had no children yet. These are my friends regardless, they're showing me around so I don't get lost."

        "Well, looks like little Red and her goat friend have learned a thing or two, hm? If you don't be pests and try to get the other two piglets, we might just get along, now won't we? Especially since Mr. Thumb there and Miss Hood lost their family already. Don't be next, piglet." With a sneer, he left them, shaking his head in disgust at the four of them.

       "Well," Tom said when he was gone. "Looks like he's just annoyed if anything. That's cheerful news. Any news on your brothers' scouting out locations yet, Levi?"

       "Nothing yet, no, but they'll let me know soon as possible. They're good at finding me when I go out, if they have to scout for something."

        "Then what's our next step? We need an objective, and asking randomly might not be such a good idea," Red said.

        "Probably not," Ryland said. "But it's our best bet for now. Someone might have seen something, you know? Tilli or Adrieve might have been there and left when they got caught again."

        "While that's logical, there's only so far that could go. If we catch Cinderella's ball, one of the three, we're bound to catch her at a good time without pointing out who she is. Maybe even before she goes to the first dance. We've got some reusable doorknobs at our disposal, so we should be fine. I know exactly where Cinderella is."

        "Do I want to know why?"

        "Can't free food be a good enough incentive? We looks like servants at the party, but we can always dress up. My mother had dresses for women, girls, suits for boys and my father's suit... That might work."

         "Bit out of time for that, though. I may know someone who can help, so we can go there," Red said.

        "Who exactly is that?"

        "Mousina. She lives with Mr. Catly, who's a little eerie because he lies to her, but they're friends, which counts. I've been there with Tom before to help with garments. She's great at that sort of thing."

        "Ah, yes! I rather like talking to her," Tom mused, a grin to Red. Turning to Levi, he raised a silent eyebrow, to which the boy nodded. "Thank you, Levi."

        "What did you do, Tom?" Red asked.

        "Got permission. C'mon, to the left, then the right, and finally at the end of the hall. Soone the better, I'd like to avoid Catly."

        "I agree with that, to be honest."

        "What's so bad about him, other than being a liar?" Ryland said.

        "He... Ah, I'd rather not give any spoilers right now. I'll tell you later. I've seen their story play out about 45 times, and they never realize it. Red and I don't repeat ours, we can't without the missing people in our stories, well... Gone or dead? Yeah, gone or dead. Levi and his brothers could leave, they just don't because five are afraid, Levi stands alone on this, and the eldest you met earlier, that was Gregory who asked your name at breakfast, but their story cannot complete anymore because their mother died, too."

        "I see."

        "Which means we're stuck as we are," Levi said.

        "And we're not happy about it," Red added.

        "I can see why. Didn't know that's what happened to you guys."

        "You're lucky, Ryland, you really are. You have a chance to save them, it's why we help you like we do. We believe you deserve a chance out. You've died... A lot here, I'm glad you could be saved. Something changed, the path deviated and you're alive here with us, where you should be," Tom said.

        "What do you mean I died before? This is the first I've been here. I think I would remember this."

        "You'll remember eventually, just... Not now." Pausing, he grinned to his small party of three, sweeping his arm to the door. "Now, we're here. Who wants to knock?"

        "I will," Red said, a nod slightly to Tom as she stepped forward and Tom stepped back with a respectful bow.

        "Very well, Red, lead the way."

        Red knocked and watched the door open moments later.