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Jack Russell groans as he sits up from the forest ground, his limbs sore from his transformation last night. He needs to rest and recuperate before going back into the world, but there's just one problem...
He needs sugar. Specifically, candy.
It confuses him, for he's never had this kind of craving before. Maybe his body needs certain supplements after a "wolfing out", but he's never had this kind of craving for sugar. As he thinks about it, he hasn't had sugar in a while. Maybe he has low sugar levels and his heightened needs for certain foods has caught up to that.
"Nnnguuhh," He groans again, getting Ted and Elsa's attention.
"Hey," Elsa greets when she walks over after tending to their dying fire pit. "You okay?"
"Yeah," Jack grunts out. "I just... I have this weird craving for sugar right now, and I don't understand why."
Ted grumbles in understanding with a sympathetic nod. He knows how it is to be deprived of something you want or need, especially after having been stuck in that humungous, horrible hunting maze.
"Can you stand up?" Elsa asks.
"I don't... I don't know. Probably not yet," Jack admits, wincing at his sore limbs and exhausted brain. "I really need to recharge before going anywhere."
"Mm," Elsa nods. "Ted, you stay here with him. I'll go to the nearby town, they should be doing trick-or-treating today. I mean, it's Halloween today, so..."
"A good coincidence, then," Jack sighs. "Thank you, Elsa."
Elsa nods with a small, hesitant smile. While the three of them are now friends, it still isn't easy for her to let her guard down fully around people.
Elsa leaves, heading through the woods towards the nearest town, with Jack and Ted calmly watching her go.
"She's good," Jack states simply. "I'm glad she is with us."
Ted nods, a contended grumbling sigh leaving him. He holds up some playing cards, and Jack chuckles.
"Yes, let's play. Hopefully it can help get my mind off of my sugar cravings."
About twenty minutes into their playing, Jack feels more faint.
"Guuhghguh..." He groans, wincing.
Ted rumbles with concern.
"I really need that candy..." Jack wheezes out. "I don't feel great."
Ted reaches out, offering a helping hand, which Jack gratefully takes. Ted pulls the man into a hug, cuddling him close for comfort.
"Thanks, Ted," Jack mumbles, body shaking slightly. "Let's hope Elsa returns soon."
Roughly ten minutes later, Elsa returns with two plastic bags full of candy. Ted waves her over quickly, making her known of Jack's weak state.
"Shit," Elsa swears, setting the bags down. "Jack, are you okay?"
"Sugar..." He moans out, and Elsa gets to it. She opens up the bags, and inside are so many wonderful treats. 5 packs of Dots, 14 Reese's cups, 15 pieces of gum, 7 Kit Kats, 9 Hershey bars, 3 packs of Sour Patch Kids, 3 packs of M&M's, 2 Snickers, a Twix, 3 candy apples, and 10 Starbursts.
"Yes," Jack sighs in relief, plunging in for a KitKat. He quickly unwraps it and pops the sweet chocolatey bar in his mouth. "Mmmm, thank you, Elsa. Much appreciated."
"Sure thing," Elsa replies. "Want some?" She asks Ted, who gratefully takes almost all of the Reese's cups and a pack of M&M's.
"Hey, leave some for me, big guy," Jack chides jokingly, taking a Reese's before they could all disappear. Elsa downs the singular Twix before chewing on some gum.
"Did anybody ask you why you didn't have any kids with you?" Jack asks Elsa, almost cautiously.
"I just lied and said it was for my kids at home who couldn't come out," Elsa stated simply. "Which is, in a way, kind of true. You gotta stay hidden and you both are big kids."
The two of them scoff at her, lightheartedly rolling their eyes. While Elsa wants to add to Jack that he's more like a dog, she keeps it to herself, not wanting to put him off or offend him. It does remind her of how she's changed since prowling for Ted in the maze with the other hunters. She didn't want to be a part of it. She just wanted the Bloodstone, which was rightfully hers. There was no need for bloodshed, but there they were, swinging axes and shooting arrows into each other. While the experience was unwanted, it did help her learn some lessons about life, hardship, trust, and the toils of the mind.
Now here she is, chilling in the forest at a tiny makeshift camping area with her new friends, a werewolf and a lab accident. She shakes her head to herself, wondering how it's come to this, but not unhappy with it at all.
The three of them munch on their candy, telling stories and taking it easy. While everyone else goes wild to celebrate Halloween, the three of them stay under the radar. For unlike all those cheapy costumes people wear, these three are real monsters. One of fur, one of nature, and one of revenge. All... of bloodshed.