A Boy, a Dog Girl and a Winter Wonderland: Part Two

There were times in his new life when Zack paused and reflected on how weird things had become. As he watched Helline's head transform into a dragon’s visage, her gaping maw blowing fire to clear out a space in the snow to camp while Gratham set the tents up at super speed, he knew it was one of those moments.

“Come on. Let’s get some firewood for tonight,” Luca said as he led Zack and Honey into the nearby woods.

“Do I have to catch more bunnies? Its been a while since I had to forage,” Honey said, her dog nose already sniffing the air.

“No, we have enough food in the emergency kit I forced my parents to bring. It should be more than adequate until tomorrow morning when the tow carriage comes.”

“Smart move. I kinda don’t want to eat barbecued rabbit I cleaned myself ever again,” Zack said.

“You actually survived in the woods before Chistos found you?” Luca asked, a rare grin on his lips.

“Mostly thanks to Honey. She hunted. I luckily was good at a survival video game back home, so I was able to start fires and clean game with a rock I found.”

“Well, you have more than a rock this time.” Luca threw him a short metal rod. “Give it a try.”

The faint magic in Zack’s body activated the rod and a gleaming short sword popped out. “Whoa! Ain’t been able to play with an artifact like this yet!”

“See those small trees? Cut some down. This way we don’t have to worry about wet sticks in the snow,” Luca said.

“Smart,” Zack said, holding the sword steady. He gave one mighty swing and a small tree was chopped in a single clean stroke.

“My sweetheart is a manly lumberjack!” Honey said, jumping up and down in the snow.

After around fifteen minutes of tree chopping they had gathered enough wood for a fire which could sustain them throughout the night. They walked back to the cleared patch, two tents already up.

“You guys do this often?” Zack asked.

“Family is important to us. My mother wants me to take over the potion shop she runs with Isadora when she retires. I may not be entirely captivated by magical mutagenics, but business…”

“You are, like, eight.”

“I’m small. Not stupid.”

They dumped the wood in a pile on the dried out grass patch. Zack stretched, noting the sky which was rapidly turning dark. “So, now what? Wanna sing some campfire songs or…”

THUD.

Zack slowly turned, gazing at Honey as she glared at him, mischief in her eyes.

“The snowball game always looked like fun! I have thumbs now, so I can play too!”

“Bitch, you did NOT throw your cold little orb at my head!” Zack said, gathering large amount of snow in his hands, trying his best to look menacing while straining not to laugh. He threw the ball and Honey did a graceful backflip, barking and howling with laughter as she retaliated.

“What are they doing?” Gratham asked as he and Helline stepped out of their tent.

“I believe they are at war,” Luca said as Zack dodged return fire.

“Looks like marriage to me,” Helline said.

“Same thing, my love,” Gratham said, kissing the top of her head. “Same thing.”

*

“The girl was starting to get nervous. She wanted to go home. The report on the radio had upset her. The boy reluctantly agreed. He started the car and rather quickly pulled away. It was then they heard the evil, bone chilling scream.”

Zack looked them all in the eyes, one by one, slowly and purposefully.

“Drive! Drive! The girl kept shrieking, and the boy slammed the gas pedal, speeding out of the woods and back into town. Eventually they arrived at her home, and they began to relax. Their imaginations had gotten away from them. There was no hook hand man.”

The fire popped and crackled in the purposeful silence.

“But when he went to let her out, there hung from her door handle a stainless steel hook, blood dripping from its end.”

A wolf howled somewhere in the distance.

“Delightfully terrifying!” Gratham said.

“These are stories for children where you’re from? Fascinating…” Helline said.

“Yeah, I love scary stories. But it’s all in good fun, right Honey?”

Honey was curled up upon herself, her eyes wide, her body shaking. “Yes. Fun. I had fun.”

“Alright! Time for bed! Luca, inside. Zack…good luck with Honey,” Gratham said as he poured a bucket of melted snow onto the fire. They all abandoned their camping chairs, heading towards their tents. Honey remained glued to Zack’s back, her hands gripping his jacket tight.

“I didn’t scare you too much, did I?” Zack asked as he helped tuck Honey into their shared sleeping bag.

“No! I…I liked the story…”

“Are you lying?”

“I am lying.”

They laid near each other, much of their clothing shed, cocooned in the warmth capturing tent and sleeping bag. Honey shifted to her side, her tail needing room.

“Can I ask you something, sweetheart?”

“Anything.”

“I’ve been…like this all day. It’s the longest I’ve gone without turning back. Do you want me to…”

Zack pulled her closer to him, his arm slipping around her.

“Are you warm now? It’s why you changed.”

“I…could be warmer.”

It was her turn to slip an arm around him.

“I’m not making out with your snout, Honey.”

“Mean.”

“You put up with me, sweetheart.”

Outside it was cold.

Inside it was endlessly warm.