"I think the Pumpkin Monster is back." Came a voice from behind them. It was a short
little fat man talking to a lady in her middle ages. They were huddled together in deep conversation. Melody couldn't
help but over hear the conversation.
"All those hunting parties that have gone out for their Annual 9 Kingdom Hunting Fest haven't
returned for almost a week now." The little fat man said.
"No, it can't be. Even if the Pumpkin Monster is still alive, it is still residing in the
deserted pumpkin patch right here in the Village of Mother Goose. The hunters went completely in the opposite direction."
The woman whispered back. "My son was one of the hunters that left with the first hunting party. It is very
unlike him to not send word for a belated return. I fear something terrible might have happened?"
The conversation also caught Virginia's attention and she began listening too. She turned to
the couple and introduced herself.
"Well, hello." The man greeted with a smile. He held up Virginia's hand to his lips.
"I am Lord Humpty Dumpty the Third. I am charmed, I'm sure. This is Mrs. Hillary Muffet. I apologize if we
have disturbed your meal."
"Oh! I thought the first Humpty Dumpty fell off a wall and broke." Virginia said.
"Well, he did. He broke into a million pieces and none of the King's men could put him back together. But
that happened AFTER he married my great grandmother, Rollie Dollie. They had a son. And then HE had a son. And
here I am!" The small round man gave a jolly laugh. His stomach jiggling beneath his hands.
"Uh, well. Good thing he fell AFTER then." Virginia said hesitantly at a loss for words.
"I couldn't help overhearing that you have hunters who are missing. We are also missing some of our friends
recently. I was thinking it might be connected."
"Oh you poor dear. Were they close friends? I am missing my own son. And I fear for him
every night." The woman announced when she heard Virginia.
"Well, one of them is my father, so yes, I am also very worried." Virginia explained
to them her situation and the odd couple listened intently.
"I do say, my dear....we have quite a mystery on our hands. But I shouldn't worry too much
about our great Hunters. They can take care of themselves wonderfully. They are our best hunters in the whole county.
I am sure they are doing quite well and have just lost track of time." Lord Humpty Dumpty assured Virginia.
"But I do hope you find your father and your friends. Do keep an eye out for our hunters if you might though.
You never do know." He laughed again. "Come, Mrs. Muffet, I shall walk you back to your home. Good evening
Ms. Virginia." He bowed his head and Mrs. Muffet patted Virginia's hand.
"Good night, dearie and good luck." Mrs. Muffet said and left with the Lord Humpty Dumpty.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Melody had stopped paying attention to the conversation after she heard about the Pumpkin Monster.
If she remembered right, there was an awful monster who lived in the Mother Goose Town's deserted pumpkin patch.
He had a pumpkin for a head and great sharp teeth. He terrorized anyone who was in his patch during the night and
most of the time ate the intruders. So if this Pumpkin Monster is around, I can perhaps get rid of Virginia once
and for all. Melody skeemed. Yes, I'll put some troll dust into her food later and when she falls asleep I'll drag
her into the patch and leave her there. She'll never find her way out.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Wolf prowled around their small room at the Inn. He was restless and agitated. He stopped at
the window and stared up at the moon. His eyes glowed bright from the moonlight.
"Huff puff, I got to go outside and see the moon. Virginia, can I please go outside? I promise
I won't eat any sheep or chickens, or cows, or pigs, or horses, or goats, or geese, or any shepherdess's of course."
He scratched at his forehead and panted wildly.
"Alright Wolf. The pill should keep you under control. But be back soon." Virginia
gently ordered.
"Of course, of course." Wolf panted his way out the door. But he suddenly stopped and
turned back to the room. "Melody. Would you like to come with me to look at the moon? A wolf should never
look at the moon alone." Wolf announced.
Virginia raised an eyebrow and looked over at Melody. Melody declined the offer and said that
she was pretty sleepy. So Wolf bounded out the door and into the night. A few minutes later, both Virginia and
Melody heard him howl at the bright full moon hanging low in the sky.
What in the world was that all about? Virginia thought. Why did Wolf ask Melody to go see the
moon with him? He normally goes alone. And he didn't even bother asking me, instead he asked Melody. How weird.
It must be that Full-moon thing. Virginia pushed the thought out of her head and she turned to Melody.
"Melody? Can you hand me my cup of cider by that shelf?"
Melody quickly got up from her cot and got Virginia her hot cider. Virginia gulped it down quickly
and immediately yawned.
Mmmm....all of a sudden I'm so tired. Tell Wolf good night for me when he gets in. I'm going
to bed." Virginia laid down on the cot she was going to share with Wolf and immediately konked out into a
deep sleep.
Melody quickly jumped up from her bed. "Virginia? Virginia? Are you awake?" She whispered.
"Virginia!?" She called out again, but louder this time. She shook the cot gently. Virginia just laid
still, snoring quietly. Melody shook the bed harder.
"Wake up, Virginia!" She yelled. Nothing.
She's out cold, Melody thought. Good.
And she quickly hauled Virginia out of her bed.
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