Chapter 40 Nibble, Nibble


    “That did not do it.” Hansel opened the front door only to find another door and then yet another only with the handle on the opposite side. He slammed them all and the house spun around while he clutched to the frame.


    “I know you are a living lock but do you have to be such a keyhole!” When it finally stopped he walked straight up to the roof as easily as if the walls were floor. He blew the straw symbols he had rearranged back into place. He walked halfway back down to the other wall where Love was perched on a wind chime of simple cinnamon sticks as opposed to all the dried fruit and herbs he had been careful to avoid.


    “Are you sure Love? This doesn’t look right. Maybe you are still tired, delirious even” Hansel tried to pet her. She hopped away a little. Making the chimes clatter. The window pane next to them melted away a little as if it were sugar just hit with hot water.


    “Sorry I doubted you.” Hansel grinned. He peered inside to see all the usual witch’s objects. “Well let’s see a fever skull, more fertility charms, and three pairs of white gloves. Why can’t they ever keep the good stuff in the open, Love?” Hansel expected at least a flap. Love was usually partial to his humor. She only stared blankly then coed.


    “No Love I’m not going to try to squeeze my head into that small of an opening. For all I know one of her house charms is ready to cut off my head.” Hansel hoped she was being sarcastic or he really was worried.


    “I am going to try to make it larger. Well here goes then...” He blew the wind chimes and nothing happened. He tried again confused only to see a white glove hover down from the inside ceiling above. It threw a knife down it had been holding it had been holding in wait and slammed the shutter in his face.


    “Ugh this is infuriating! We have meddled around here too much. I say we just go!” Hansel hopped down to the deck. “Where is Sister? I hate when she plays with them.”


    Love suddenly began to coo loudly flying around a particular brick beneath another window frame near the very bottom of the house.


    “Alright, fine the last thing we try.” Hansel grumbled. He eyed the brick carefully and then realized it wasn''t a brick at all. It was gingerbread. Love sounded that it was safe on his shoulder. Perhaps only put there to blend in well. Once he pulled it free he suddenly found himself starving. He tried to focus on the little cavity revealed beneath it. He just could not stop his mouth from watering.Stolen story; please report.


    “I think I’m getting too used to a baked diet.” He sniffed, and couldn’t control himself. It was only moments before it passed his teeth. The whole house began to shudder and shake, it then shot up in the air fast with a spin of force that flung Hansel off to the path below. Hansel got up feeling out of sorts. Dimensions were strange and it did not help that in reality they were really changing.


    With one mighty swoop the great pillars holding up the house moved like stilts. Its order of business was to make Hansel its new foundation. The possessed beams trampled at him and with much dashing and avoidance Hansel turned to make for the fence. It was right behind him looming, the laughing skulls laced with silver matched the impossible height of the standing building. He felt ill as he turned, hopping under and through giant pegs for the trees, determined branches went to pierce, whip or snare him until they changed direction to hold off the house from turning them into splintering wood beneath its strange three pronged feet.


    “Love which way?!” Hansel began to stumble following his flapping bird into the open. His stomach cramped and his legs stiffened the moment he could no longer move he was kicked in his side and then smashed beneath a giant chicken’s foot. The hata didn’t completely crush him which he knew wasn’t good. It was only slowly crushing him and he watched helplessly as his dove flew over to the shoulder of Baba Yaga emerging from the woods dragging the body of his sister by her hair. She paused to twirl in her disguise pulling down her fake face with a swipe of her hand she cackled thoroughly amused, “Did you enjoy your little nibble my little mouse?”


    She meowed like a cat and cackled even more. Ivan emerged from the wood.


    “Mistress did you summon me.” He bowed.


    “No, just teasing our prey.” She waved a flippant hand. “No more breadcrumb paths or silly children to chase. No more jaded heroes who might still have something to prove. No more protective mothers to smile and make nice too. After tonight I can continue my work without annoyance and you my boy will be locked in a cellar to age like fine wine so I can enjoy you properly!”


    He let his eyes flicker and his canines grow. “Our family will not stop. The more you kill the more will come. Gluttony will become a bone you cannot swallow.” Hansel managed to use the breath he had gathered from his little wheezes to change his voice to sound deep and menacing. He would have interrupted her loathsome gloating even if he had nothing to say.


    Baba Yaga looked unperturbed. “Your brother went away with me of his own accord. No one knows he needs to be rescued. You are only here due to your sister’s meddling and I’m sure the rest of your clan is unaware. Due to the sensitive nature of his banishment by your pack leaders you probably didn’t even tell them you were seeking him out. I have more than enough ability to take down scouts until I’ve drained this valley dry of its power and by then not any being will be able to face me!”


    “Ugly enough to face as it is!” Hansel spat speaking in the ancient tongue. His spit hit her face like sizzling acid and melted the mask of her disguise.


    Ivan approached from the other side and kicked him. This display only improved Baba Yaga’s mood as she crouched down turning over Gretel’s body. “If you weren’t such a dish I would cut out your tongue. I think it will be a better torture for you to watch the torment of your sister.”