Dangerous Game

Laura and Chris both look at Danielle, who stares at her mother with conviction from her chair by the counter.

"Circe, let Danielle go, please." The snake does as its told, unwinding from around Danielle before slithering away. The young witch gathers herself as she walks toward the standoff unfolding in the center of the confection shop. The flash of green swoops in again from one of the far shelves, landing gracefully on the wide brim of Danielle's hat. The creature resembles a bird, but instead of feathers, it is covered in fine leaves. It's beak and claws appear to be made of a dark brown, almost black bark-like material. 

Danielle stands next to her mother. Laura raises and eyebrow and asks, "You wish to dispose of him?"

"Yes." Danielle looks calmly at Chris, her expression not at all like that of someone prepared to kill. Chris watches her closely, confused by her sudden outburst and recent appearance.

"Really, dear?" Laura questions, "Quite frankly, I don't think you're up to the task. And don't even think about making an opening for him to escape."

"Not this time, mother." Danielle's expression finally changes into an approximation of the same twisted look that Laura gave her earlier. "After watching you butcher those humans, I was inspired." Laura looks at her daughter with newfound respect, while Chris' anger is reignited.

"I always thought what you did was terrible, but now I understand that these animals are nothing compared to us. Killing them is no different than squashing an ant." Danielle smiles brightly, "but twice as entertaining!" 

"Excellent dear!" Laura says proudly, pulling her into a side hug. "I'm glad you're finally embracing your destiny as a witch."

Laura motions toward Chris encouragingly. "Well, go on then! He's all yours!"

Danielle does nothing. Laura, seeing her daughter's inaction, snaps her fingers in realization. "Oh! Silly me!" With a wave of her hand, the antique cash register behind the counter ka-chings loudly, it's cashdrawer audibly sliding open. An object rises into the air from the open register and zips into Laura's waiting hand. "Here you go, dear."

Danielle accepts the object that Laura hands her. The young girl doesn't recognize the device-it seems to just be the handle to a tool, made from polished bone and metal. "What is it, mother?" 

Chris watches the two witches interacting with each other, not paying attention to him. The Toothy Tier Cakes are flanking either side of the witches, seemingly inactive until Laura says otherwise. Taking the opportunity, he bolts for the door to the confection shop, grabbing the handle and pulling on it, but it remains closed. He starts tugging on the door with all his might, looking back and forth between the door and the witches, who don't seem to care that he is trying to escape. Despite his efforts, the door remains shut, glued by some supernatural power. Through the glass pane, Chris watches the blizzard outside with longing before turning his attention back to Laura and Danielle. 

"Press this." Laura indicates a small metal button on the handle. It takes a moment for Danielle to figure out how to properly depress the stiff button, but when she does a gleaming blade snaps into position. From across the shop, Chris looks at the weapon incredulously, surprised by how out-of-place it is in a magical candy shop with killer cakes. Danielle is holding an Italian stiletto switchblade.

"I've enchanted it with a powerful spell." Laura explains. Danielle inspects the weapon, handling it with extreme care now that she knows what it actually is. The blade ripples with a visible aura, indicating its magical power. As Laura shows her how to retract the blade, Danielle asks, "Why a knife?"

Laura looks at the weapon with no small amount of disdain. "It was your father's. He tried to kill me with it."

"He did?" Danielle looks at the switchblade with newfound interest. "Father..."

Chris has slowly made his way along the front wall of the shop, staying just in view of his would-be murderers. Hoping that his opportunity hasn't passed, he makes a run for the far side of the shop, keeping on eye on the witches and tier cakes as he passes each short aisle. He is surprised to find that they aren't making a move to stop him as he passes the counter behind them. He pauses, waiting for them to do something, realizing that he might be stepping into a trap. However, with one last look at Laura, Danielle, and the cakes from Hell, he gathers his courage and plunges into the darkness beyond the brick wall partition. Danielle's familiar takes off unbidden, flying quickly after him.

Laura adjusts Danielle's hat after the sudden movement. "Alright dear, the boy is heading farther into the shop. Keep in mind that humans are very dangerous, especially when cornered, but my monsters will protect you." She looks strongly into her daughter's eyes, "And remember, I'm always watching."

"Thank you, mother." Danielle shares her mother's look before turning and jogging into the darkness as well.