A caravan of cars raced through the twisting country roads of Ferryport Landing. In the first, there was Sabrina, Puck, and Daphne in the back, with Granny, Uncle Jake, and Briar Rose squeezed into the front. The second was driven by Snow White with Prince Charming in the passenger seat; Little John and his wooden staff took up the backseat. The third car held the rest of the Merry Men.
Uncle Jake pushed the family car to the limit. Driving around the block was more than the old car should have been able to take, but Jake managed to get the vehicle over the speed limit. Small flickers of flame flashed from under the hood. Sabrina tried not to notice. She suspected her uncle and grandmother were doing the same.
Next to her Daphne held the kazoo. She turned it over and over, studying every part of it. Daphne caught her staring and mouthed that she was preparing herself. No one could have a conversation in the noisy car.
Soon they found the entrance to Hatchettland. Uncle Jake slid into an empty parking spot and turned off the ignition. Everyone leaped out and gathered together.
“Do you think we beat him here?” Robin asked.
Somewhere down the path, Hatchett screamed and there was a terrible roar.
“I wouldn’t bet money on it,” Puck said as he freed his sword. Then he turned and raced down the path. Everyone followed until they came to the ancient house. Once there, Sabrina could see the door had been ripped off its hinges and tossed aside.
“Children, you are to keep your distance from Mr. Canis,” Granny said.
“I came here to fight,” Puck complained.
Granny ignored him. She turned to Daphne and smiled.
“Are you ready?”
Daphne held up the kazoo and nodded.
Granny turned to the house and called out to Mr. Canis. There was no response, so she called out to the Wolf. A moment later, the hulking creature stomped through the doorway. He dragged a kicking and screaming Hatchett behind him.
“Well, well, well,” the Wolf said. “If it isn’t everyone’s favorite family, the Grimms. And look, you’ve brought friends. Good, I’m famished.”
“Let Hatchett go,” Granny begged.
The Wolf laughed. “Relda, you really do make me laugh. You truly don’t understand me. I am a beast and I must do beastly things. You tried to help Canis keep me locked up. But I’m free now, no longer bound by the old man’s chains. I’m back in action and I’m eager to spill some blood.”
“I know that Mr. Canis is still in there,” Granny said.
The Wolf chuckled. “You’re right, Relda. If only you’d come closer, reach out to me, take my hand, maybe you could coax him out. Come on, give it a try. See what happens.”
“Let the man go!” Robin Hood shouted. He had an arrow trained on the Wolf.
Hatchett squealed and begged for someone to save him.
“Can you believe this guy? He built this place to honor his bravery,” the Wolf said. “The brave hero who destroyed me is sobbing like a baby.”
“Wolf, I’m going to give you one last chance to stop this now,” Granny said, sternly.
The Wolf raised his eyebrows in surprise. “Relda, you’re threatening me!”
“I’m serious.”
“We should talk about this,” the Wolf said, looking at Howard Hatchett. “Just let me finish my lunch.” He opened his jaws wide and bit down hard on Hatchett’s arm. The man cried out in agony.
“Daphne, do it,” Granny said, as she stepped aside. Daphne placed the kazoo in her mouth and blew a long, fuzzy note. The wind appeared from nowhere, blasting through the surrounding trees and sending leaves and branches flying in all directions. The Wolf released Hatchett and glared at the little girl.
“That belongs to me!” he growled and leaped forward. He was nearly on top of Daphne when Robin’s arrow sank into the Wolf’s arm. He howled in pain and pulled it out. He continued toward the little girl but was knocked to his knees when Little John pounded him on the back with his staff. Puck leaped into the air and landed on the Wolf’s shoulders, standing. With his sword he smacked the beast on the top of its head, and then he backflipped out of the way. None of this had much effect on the monster, and the beast lunged forward once again.