Jacqueline and Gill stroll through the forest, enjoying the cool shade of the leafy canopy. They jump occasionally at the soft sounds of creatures in the underbrush. The birds in the treetops sing soothingly to calm them again.
“I love being able to be outside without sweating my skin off.” Jacqueline releases her dark hair from a ponytail.
“Who knew I’d love trees so much?” Gill asks with a glance at her high-heeled boots.
“Even a trendy, city girl can be a treehugger.”
“Given the right trees.”
They laugh and settle into peaceful silence, calmed by the sound of their shoes breaking twigs and shuffling through old leaves. Eventually, Gill’s pace slows. She finally pauses to lean against a tree, unzip her boots, and rub her feet.
“This city girl will have to buy some country shoes before our next walk.”
Jacqueline glances at her watch. “We have been walking for over an hour. We should head home.”
Gill nods agreement. “I have never been this far into the woods before.” She bites her lip.
Jacqueline glances up and down the deer path. “Head back the way we came?”
“That seems like the wisest choice.”
Jacqueline offers Gill her arm. Her weary friend takes it gratefully. As they head back along their previous path, they chat softly. Their conversation comes to a halt. Their mouths drop open as they gaze at the obstruction before them.
“I think I should have drank more water. I’m hallucinating.” Gill whispers.
“If you see a Christmas tradition large enough to move into, I think we are sharing one.”
They look at each other then back at the house rising before them. White ribbons accented by colorful gumdrops break up dark gingerbread walls. Chocolate beams form a sturdy door. An immense globe of spun sugar makes a doorknob too sweet to turn without a taste.
“It can’t really be…” Gill begins as they step closer for a better look.
“Of course not…” Jacqueline pauses and sniffs the air. “Or can it?”
Ginger, cinnamon, and a billon traces of sweetness mingle in the air. The closer they step to the house, the more their minds swirl. All thoughts filter from their brains except sweet, sweet deliciousness. Soon they their lips are close enough to kiss the door frame. As spiced, delicate cookie fills their mouths, their eyes close. They remain closed as the door swings inward and a wizened old woman steps out. She cackles softly.
Gill’s eyes open slightly. She eyes the woman suspiciously until she takes another bite. As the cookie caresses her tongue, she forgets about the strange woman. Jacqueline doesn’t react at all, too lost in flavors to give attention to any of her other senses.
The old woman reaches into the oversized pockets of her black apron, producing a warm gingerbread woman in each hand. She dangles these in front of the girls. They stop gnawing on the windowsill. Their noses twitch as they hone in on the freshly-baked sweet treats. Their eyes remain closed as they follow the old woman into the house.
~~~
What happens next? Help decide.
- The girls escape.
- The girls become a savory meal for the owner of the sweet house.
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