Little Red

"Don’t yell at me," Riley snapped, "I’m not exactly happy right now either. I wake up, everything smells of werewolf and it isn’t exactly pretty. Especially now you’re soaked in water. But that’s my fault. Your mattress is horrifying too." He had decided it wasn’t best to argue with Annabelle, only to argue anyway - not a huge problem, after all she was generally compliant and kept her mouth shut when other people spoke. That’s what he thought anyway. He’d also thought Annabelle never raised her voice over usual speaking volume, which had turned out to be a wrong assumption. So he followed her orders to sit on the unappealing arm chair, his eyes constantly watching her in case she tried anything. Of course, it would have been hilarious if she did but Riley was starting to feel the ‘Miss Sunshine’ personality was a mask.

Annabelle didn’t know how to react to all the criticism she was receiving other than to just take it, accept it and move on. Sure she stank of werewolf; she was a werewolf for Merlin’s sake. He smelt as every bit as inhuman as she did, there was really nothing new there. At least he hadn’t called her a dog or any other derogatory names regarding her species. It wasn’t as if she’d chosen this fate – okay, that was a lie. She could have chosen death, but had preferred to keep a beating heart with warm blood pumping through her veins. Unlike Riley who... well, she wasn’t exactly sure if he had a beating heart and warm blood running through his veins. She suspected not.

She doesn’t seem to have a purpose except for getting Katniss to volunteer. Her death didn’t bother me at all.

She helped a lot during Mockingjay - you know, before she died.

I did! It’s rather deep for a young adult novel, although I never did like Prim.

Really? I thought she was strong for a minor character.

I find it rather sad that I’ve only started reading the Hunger Games series now. Am I the only one?

Did you like it?

Oh, you don’t need to thank me, they confused me a lot when I first tried using them, too. Okay, a trade it is. Now let’s just hope it doesn’t get stuck in the rings.

Hope what doesn't get stuck in what rings?

It’s okay, just remember what the instructor did. If you lean back or forwards you can control your speed, more or less.

Okay, thank you. On the count of three?

Well, um, wrinkly pieces of paper don’t fit very well and vending machines won’t take them. You can use one of mine?

That's very inconvenient. Really? Thank you. You can take my wrinkly one and use it... somewhere else that isn't a vending machine, I guess. Thank you, again.

Come on. You’re going to be perfectly fine.

Says the ex-Gryffindor who has probably said that plenty of times before breaking an arm.

I don’t mean to be rude, but I don’t think you’re doing that the right way.

Oh. Could you please tell me how?

Any particular reason as to why not?

For starters, it's illegal.

Have you ever flown a broom before? It’s sort of like that but without the broom.

Yes, though I tend to avoid that method but at least I can control a broom. I can't control this once I've started.

Why not?

I like my bones exactly where they are at the moment, thank you.

Might.

A very large might.

Look how far down the ground is.