Page 44 of Switched

In the distance, we hear a roar. My hand goes to my bow and arrow again. The others touch the coal miner daggers strapped to their waists.

“Either way, we should probably stay on high alert,” says Ollie. “You know, just in case.”

AG looks positively green.

ROAR!

There it is again. We look around, but the streets are still deserted. Jack runs ahead of us. When he reaches the next block—which takes him a while since we’re so small compared to giant dwellings—he stops short and stares at something we can’t see. With the threat obviously low, we all follow, bouncing on the clouds to get there faster.

ROAR!

When we reach Jack, I see why he’s stopped. It’s another giant, but this scene is different from the one before. My stomach clenches. This giant is being pushed around by a bunch of kids. Kids wearing familiar gold crests on their gold shirts. It’s the Stiltskin Squad.

I immediately step forward to look for Anna, but Jax holds me back. We huddle behind a giant garbage can, which smells like dead fish. I watch the kids bark orders.

“I said move! You didn’t do your job, and now you’re punished!” one kid yells at the giant.

“Don’t you get what we’re saying, you big oaf?” another girl barks, and I wince.

I recognize that voice. It’s Gretel! My eyes narrow sharply as I hone in on the evil candy thief who corrupted my baby sister.

Hansel walks up behind her. “You were supposed to be forcing other giants to go down the beanstalk, and instead you let them escape!” He steals the giant’s food, and it roars so loudly that Kayla falls over. We pick her up and pull her behind the garbage can again. “We could have flattened that stupid school, but now thanks to you, we’re down more giant slaves. Where are they hiding?” The giant just blinks. “Tell us!”

Maxine starts to tear up. It’s awful to watch them bullying this poor giant. I look at Jack. His face is pale. I don’t think he had any clue the giants were being abused.

“Now we have to worry about that moronic hero and her friends coming up here to stop us!” Hansel yells at the giant. “No food for you today!” The giant’s face looks so sad. “You get back to that beanstalk and climb down it to keep those kids from climbing up, or your friends won’t eat either. You hear? And bring some others with you or you’ll be punished for that too.”

“Stop hurting him!”

A girl runs over to the giant and touches his arm tenderly. My heart catches in my throat.

It’s Anna.

CHAPTER 15

The Rescue Mission

My eyes fill with tears at the sight of my little sister. Anna doesn’t look like she’s in danger, but she does look pretty dirty. Her prized brown hair, which was always combed neatly and held with a clip, is stringy and frizzy. There are dark rings under her eyes like she hasn’t slept in weeks. It gives me hope that maybe my hunch was right. Anna isn’t happy here anymore. Maybe she’s actually learned her lesson.

The giant bursts into tears.

“Stop crying,” Hansel yells at him. “Just get the job done so we can get out of the sky already. I’m so ready to go home.”

“We’re not going home, remember?” Gretel tells him. “Stiltskin is going to create a new Enchantasia for us.” She glares at the giant. “As long as you people don’t mess it up.”

“You people?” Maxine forms a fist. “Who does she think she is?”

“Anna,” Hansel demands. “Get this giant to do his job. Stiltskin wants FTRS destroyed so there are no more complications. Got it?”

Anna hesitates. “I think so.”

Gretel grabs Anna by the collar and glares at her. “You’re not going to let another giant go, are you? He’s not going to go easy on you a second time.”

“I know.” Anna’s voice is shaky. “I won’t screw up again.”

“Don’t disappoint him.” Gretel walks away, leaving Anna alone with the giant, who is still crying. Soon Anna is too.

Before anyone can stop me, I’m bouncing onto the nearest cloud and calling Anna’s name. “Anna!” I shout, running toward her.