Page 129 of Death and Do-Overs

“What do you think?” Levi asked.

This wasn't just any present. It was a symbol of our connection, and I felt a surge of love so strong, it could carry me for the rest of my life.

I saw his reflection in the fox’s eye.

“The glass eye is the window to the soul.” I grabbed Levi’s collar and I kissed him on the cheek with every ounce of joy andadoration he’d given me. I kissed him on the chin with my belief that neither of us had to be perfect, only perfect for one another. I kissed him on the nose with a promise that whatever weirdness life threw at us next, I was grateful to face it together with him.

NOODLES

“Release me. Release me now or you’ll rue the day?—”

With the flick of my wrist, I pulled upward on the magical handcuff that bound Finnian’s magic. As that cuff was affixed to his neck, his words blissfully died on a gagging breath.

“You’ll shut your trap or you’ll be the one ruing,” I told him.

He coughed and gagged and pinned his yellow fox ears back, his beady black eyes filled with hate.

When he didn’t protest, I released the cuff, allowing Finnian to fall back into my duffle bag.

The forest was filled with too many trees. It was filled with too many thorny vines, too. They kept getting caught on my tights and scratching my ankles.

That was all well enough, as I’d reached my destination—a tiny stone well in the middle of nowhere.

I was pretty sure there was something I was supposed to remember to do before using it, but when I searched my memory for what that something was, I came up blank.

Oh well.

Ha. Wellwell. Hilarious.

“Why are you laughing?”

“I told you to shut it.” I shook Finnian’s bag.

The hateful little monster growled.

“You’ve brought this on yourself,” I told him. “You’ve been bad, and naughty boys must be punished.”

He chuckled. “Is that a promise? I would much enjoy a spanking from you, Serrap?—”

I snatched him around his middle and bopped him on the nose. “I told you, my name is Noodles McDoodles Butterbelly now. I’m brand new. Good.”

“You don’t have a singlegoodbone in your body Ser?—”

Well, that was certainly enough of that. I threw Finnian at the well’s opening.

A massive, furry tentacle shot out of the well and caught the naughty fox mid-air. It wrapped so tightly around him that I heard at least a few bones crunch.

Ah, that’s what I was supposed to remember.

It was important to bring a slab of meat to throw in the well before entering the portal to reach The Library, to ensure safe entry.

The tentacle shot back down into the magical depths.

I’d intended to deliver the naughty fox to The Library for his punishment. That’s exactly what I’d done, minus a hiccup or two.

I smacked my hands together.

Job well done. Everyone will agree: Noodles is good.