Ted the tubby

Dust to Dust

Henry's heart was beating out of his chest. He listened to Ted speak of his journey, but barley took it in. Sylvia was right there, breathing down his neck. The other witch, Thursday, paid him no attention whatsoever. Henry was afraid. Very afraid. He could stand no more suspense.

Henry scrambled on the table and drew his sword from his belt. Three chairs skidded backwards, and three faces turned upwards. Henry turned to face a shocked Ted. "I'm sorry Ted. I love Jessica and I gave her a promise."
Henry spun on the worn wood and sliced out at Sylvia.

Thursday saw the sword coming. Sylvia spread her wings and shrieked as the sword lined up with her neck. Her hands flung up to protect her face and Thursday moved faster than she thought possible. Her own body smashed against the sword, which rebounded so quickly that Henry was flung off the table by its momentum.

"Thursday?" Sylvia pulled her friend up into her lap. Thursday's green eyes searched hers frantically and blood bubbled around her stomach. There was a gap in her armor where it connected, and Henry had hit it perfectly. Sylvia screamed, pulling Thursday's armor off, pressing her hands to the wound. "Thursday? Can you hear me? Thursday?" The fallen witch started to crumble. Her red hair melted into clay, chunks of dirt fell from her fingers. "No no no NOOO." Ted pulled on Sylvia's shoulders, trying to get her away from the body, but Thursday wasn't even there anymore. Her body was replaced by a mound of dirt and clay.

Henry peaked from over the table. He had not hit his target, he had struck the red haired witch. Guilt sunk into Henry's stomach, for in truth, Henry had a very guilty conscience. He could no longer stand Sylvia's screams. The air felt constricted. Henry couldn't breathe. He dug his elbows into the ground and moved towards the door.

Sylvia screamed and screamed. With each one her voice grew lower. It was so subtle, Ted didn't even notice. But then Sylvia's black wings exploded into red ones. The veins popped out vividly from her skin, her eyes turned completely black. Ted's gut sunk. He was afraid of her. Afraid of his maiden. Sylvia's voice was a hoarse growl. "Where is he? Where is the oh-so-brave knight who had the courage to slay... THE WITCH."

Ted backed away. He could hardly breathe. Sylvia stroked his arm with her claws. "Come my knight. We must hunt down this menace." Ted's eyebrows drew together. Sylvia threw Ted his jacket from a chair. "We must find him. And we must kill him."

Sylvia was different. Her eyes were hungry. "Heeeennnrryyy.... Come out and play Henry." Sylvia prowled like a tiger threw the woods her nostrils flaring. Her voice wavered over trees. Ted noticed her black eyes were twitching. Ted was worried. For himself, for Henry, but especially for Sylvia. She was a monster, and this wasn't his maiden any more.