Little Red grinned. According to her map, she was halfway through the PVP zone. This was a piece of cake—she made a mental note to ask her mom to expand her grimoire repertoire to include cake. She was back on track to reach Granny’s by late afternoon. So far, she hadn’t even seen any signs of another person, let alone encountered anyone dangerous. What was the big deal, anyway?
Underneath her, the ground suddenly sprang up. Black metal spikes clawed at her bike, catching the wheels and holding them tight. The sudden lurch threw her head first over the handlebars with a whoosh of air. She slammed into the hard-packed dirt and slid to a stop against an old oak tree.
The good news: her picnic basket didn’t spill.
The bad news: her bike was held fast in a high-level trap.
Greater Bear Trap: Immobilize. 10 piercing damage.
A low growl raised the hair on her neck. She spun around just in time to avoid a snap from a hulking wolf.“My mom is going to kill me,” she groaned, touching the cuts and scratches on the bike frame. “Late to Granny’s, no bicycle, and definitely in the wrong part of town.”
He reared back, snarling, and shook his head. Flecks of foam formed on his lips, which parted to reveal long, yellowed teeth. A dim, blood-red light swirled around him, and he transformed into a Wolfman.
“Need help, little girl?”
“Nope! I’m just disabling the traps so no one gets hurt around here. Know where I can find some more?”
“You’ve got spunk, I’ll give you that,” the Wolfman chuckled. “I can’t seem to recall any other traps. This one I know pretty well, though, since it’s mine.”
Little Red backed up a step. “Oh.”
“‘Oh,’” the Wolfman repeated in a mocking falsetto . “Lucky for you, I gorged myself just yesterday, although I could always do with a snack. I’ll give you thirty seconds to convince me why I shouldn’t eat you right now.”
“You like snacks? I’ve got cookies and pastries with me. How often do you get a chance to enjoy exquisite baked goods out here in the forest? You could eat them and let me go.”
The Wolfman threw back his head and howled in laughter. “You think I’m going to let you go? The choice is eat you now, or eat you later. And I prefer the taste of meat instead of sugar, so no more cookie suggestions.”
Little Red clutched her basket close, mind racing. She squeezed her fingers tighter on the handle to stop the trembling. “How about a race? I’ll trade you a mincemeat pie if you free my bicycle. If you can finish the pie and catch me before I leave this zone, I’m all yours. But if I get out of the zone, you’ll let me go. Wolves enjoy a good chase, don’t they?”
The Wolfman sniffed twice. “You’re telling the truth. I do like a good mincemeat pie.” He released the bear trap, but held the bicycle in a clawed hand. “Why are you in a PVP zone this high-level, anyway?”
“I need to take treats to my Granny’s house.”
“Ah. What a sweet little girl, risking your life for your Granny. I accept your gamble,” the Wolfman said, licking his chops.
Little Red dug the Mincemeat Pie of Mindfulness from her basket and shoved it toward the foul-smelling beast.
Mincemeat Pie of Mindfulness: Remember something you’ve forgotten, learn where to find things—no more losing reading glasses or tea cozies.
He tossed the bicycle to Little Red, knocking her over with the force of his throw, and ripped into the crust, saliva dripping from his jagged teeth. “Better ride, little girl!”
Little Red scrambled to her feet, jumped on her bike, and spun the pedals as fast as she could. I'm never getting a subclass at this rate! She leaned over the handlebars, digging in with her feet as hard as she could. Tag! You’re it! kicked in, pushing her along, but behind her, she heard a bone-chilling howl from the Wolfman.
He’d outpace her nearly two-to-one. As soon as he finished the pie, she had no chance to survive. He’d pounce on her with bared teeth—
Little Red shut down that line of thinking. Double-checking her remaining mana pool, she cast Mischievous Machinations (2). Her mana dropped from 7.5—she had gained one and a half with an hour of regen since Charm Strangers—but she slipped into Stealth for 30 seconds, allowing her enough time to pull off her plan. She hoped.
Mischievous Machinations (1&2) 1) Ground-targeted, channeled for 30 seconds: weak localized effect, Chaos/Order (class: Phenomenon. cost 6 Mana. cooldown: 1 day. range: 30 feet) 2) Self-cast, instant: Step into Stealth for 30 seconds (cost: 6 Mana. cooldown: 1 hour)
If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.
She dropped the second Mincemeat Pie of Mindfulness on the ground, breaking it open to release the juices and smells within, then doubled back as quietly as she could, hiding behind a tree.
The Wolfman roared past her, tongue lolling between its teeth.
Not daring to even breathe, Little Red held still until the Wolfman swooped down on the pie and continued onward, now on the false trail. It wouldn’t fool him for long.
She’d intentionally gone at an angle to Granny’s house, but now she struck out in the right direction, praying that he wouldn’t know where she was going. There were probably other retirement communities nearby, right?
Right.
=+=
Little Red slipped out a Blueberry Spirit Pastry as she approached Granny’s community. Free of the PVP zone at last, she started to plan. She was up to almost 3 mana through her passive regeneration, but if anything went wrong, she’d only be able to conjure a weak Soap Bubble to soak a tiny bit of damage. The Blueberry Spirit Pastry was a higher-tier magical creation than she should probably mess with, under ordinary circumstances, but she couldn’t afford to be without her other abilities if something went wrong.
Granny would understand. Better alive to ask for forgiveness, than dead and asking for permission . . . at least, that’s what Little Red thought her mother said sometimes. Grownups had funny ways of putting things.
Blueberry Spirit Pastry: Gain 2 HP and 12 mana instantly.
The mana spread through her in a comforting wave as soon as she finished the last crumb of the pastry. She wiped blueberry juice off her mouth and rounded the final bend to her Granny’s private cottage at Peaceful Glen.
A brand-new tin roof gleamed in the early evening sunlight. She blinked against the glare and stepped off the bike, studying the house. It wasn’t all that big, but the red wooden shakes and cheery, yellow trim on windows and eaves reminded her of Granny.
Little Red started. The front door was slightly ajar.
She prepped Soap Bubble, just in case, wishing Mischievous Machinations (2) were already off cooldown. Ten more minutes and then she could sneak away, if needed. Maybe she should just wait. C’mon, Red. Granny needs my help.
Little Red drew in a deep breath. She rode up to the front of the cottage, leaned her bike against the wall, and pushed open the door.
Inside, the entryway opened to a living room to the left and a sparkling clean kitchen on the right, but no one was around. She peered into the corners to make sure Granny wasn’t just playing a trick on her, but the cottage was empty. Straight ahead, a sliding door led to the back of the little house. Little Red assumed it was the bedroom.
She tiptoed up to the door and slid it aside.
“Come in, come in, my dear!”
Little Red jumped at the sound. “Granny, you must be really sick. Your voice is so deep and scratchy tonight.”
From the big, frilly bed came the gravelly voice again. “I’m just sick with worry. You are quite late, young lady.”
Little Red squinted in the dim light. She groped through the room until she found a lamp in the corner and turned it on. “What happened! Your eyes are all swollen and yellow.”
“All the better to see you with.”
Little Red stared at the claws sticking out of her Granny’s flannel pajama sleeves. “And your hands. You’ve been skipping pedicures again, haven’t you?”
“Now that’s a ghastly accusation! Nothing to worry about, child. Sometimes my arthritis acts up.”
Little Red inched toward the door, gather her mana for Soap Bubble, just in case. “Mom said you’ve been having dental problems, but I didn’t know you’d grown new canine teeth. That seems like a very rare condition.”
“All the better to eat you with!” the Wolfman growled, tossing aside the covers and the pink bonnet on his head. Crimson light flashed around him for a split second as he channeled an ability. He pounced with a ferocious leap and slashed at her with his claws.
Little Red put every ounce of strength into her Soap Bubble.
Soap Bubble: Chromatic barrier, absorbs 10 damage; self-cast. Cost: 4 mana. Additional 1 Mana per 5 Overkill damage. No cooldown; successive casts use double mana.
The rainbow-whorled bubble burst, and half of her mana flowed out to power the ability as well the overflow shield. She jumped away from the Wolfman, who staggered back, eyes blinking.
Little Red turned and fled outside, screaming for help, but the forest was strangely quiet. No one could hear her cries. And Granny—she didn’t want to think about what had happened to Granny.
=+=
Rolling clouds of darkness washed over Little Red. The outside world faded into shades of gray. A deep, rumbling growl shook the ground under her feet. She stumbled, falling to her knees as the horrifying sound grew louder and louder, drawing ever closer.
Little Red huddled on the ground, scrabbling at the dirt with her hands. Visions of death at the Wolfman’s snapping jaws filled her mind. She squeezed her eyes against a sudden rush of tears. Strength ran out of her like water poured onto the ground.
The scratch and click of claws on rocks announced the Wolfman’s approach. She turned to look over her shoulder, trembling.
The Wolfman’s claws glowed blood red. His lips peeled back in a malicious grin. “Game’s up, little snack!”