《Random Road》A Road For One is a Toad For All
Advertisement
"Billy..." Peter said, when they had walked only a short while.
"Hmm?"
"Where did all the grass go?"
"What grass?"
There was no grass at all to be seen. Not anymore. What before had been a lush and endless field of flowing green grass, was now a clearing in the middle of a forest, where a single hut stood as the sole evidence of culture within the grasps of nature.
"What do you mean, 'what grass'? Where did field full of grass go? Where's the bloody road, for pete's sake?"
The little man twisted his head, disturbingly turning a full circle, then said, "I told you, the road is random. Where you go doesn't matter. The road will take you where you need to be; unless you tarry, of course, then the road just might throw you into a pit of... something nasty."
"What's the point then? If the road is going to take me wherever I need to be, why should I walk it at all?"
The little man gasped, putting both his hands up before his mouth. After a moment of silence, Billy removed one hand and said conspiratorially, "You know, I've never thought of that."
Throwing his hands up in the air, Peter gave up on his useless companion, and instead walked into the little hut. Perhaps there would be someone with a bit more sense in there.
It was a primitive thing; put together by several unfitting - and probably rotten - trees, the construction was roofed by interconnected branches and insulated by a combination of soil and leaves. All in all, it looked like it might fall apart at any moment.
Stepping into the hut, a stench of decay ripped through Peter's nostrils. It was so overwhelming he had to back away from the opening and breathe hard to regain his senses. Billy, on the other hand, walked up to the opening and sniffed in deeply, saying, "Goodness me, you are in luck! There might actually be a transmogrifier here! Hurry, hurry, and get in there! You need to get rid of that ugly mug of yours."
Advertisement
"A what?" Peter asked, having not quite caught the little man's outburst. Billy growled something about no-name idiots, then took Peter's hand and dragged him into the hut.
Inside, once Peter had overcome his overwhelming gagging reflex, a dim light could only just reveal what was inside. Within a deepened hollow, raised slightly above a churning fireplace, hung a a black kettle with its contents simmering.
Billy laughed and clapped his hands, circling the little kettle like a kid who had just got a new toy for his birthday.
"What's the deal?" Asked Peter, still trying to overcome the stench within the room.
"Why, it's a transmogrifier, of course! Quick, take down the kettle and pour its contents into one of those cups! Hurry, No-name!"
"My name is Peter," he said, although his very own name had begun to take on the strange quality of words repeated one too many times; a meaninglessness brought on by existential dread.
"Whatever, just hurry!"
Seeing the little man so angsty, Peter finally did as he was bad, taking down the kettle and pouring its contents into one of the cups sitting beside the hollow in the center. There were a few cups, and whoever owned this hut would just have to deal with his intrusion. All of his socially mandated politeness had begun to shave off in this peculiar place.
Gingerly, he picked up the cup and looked down into its contents. The waft of decay was clearly originating from the concoction, now tickling his gag reflex. The liquid within looked no more appetizing, with its brown color and consistency of heated wax. "What is this stuff?" Peter asked, spitting the bad taste out of his mouth.
"Maybe you need something to clean up your ears with.. IT'S A TRANSMOGRIFIER!" Billy yelled, right by Peter's ear. The loud noise startled Peter, and he lost a bit of the liquid onto the ground. It fell upon the dirt-floor, and immediately started smoking. With eyes wide open, Peter watched as a patch of dirt transformed from inanimate to very-much-animate, as it bulged out and took on the contours of a small creature. Indeed, it took the shape of a big frog, quacking joyfully and jumping towards the hut's exit.
Advertisement
"Are you crazy?!" Billy hissed, hands on his head and eyes wide.
"Are you?!" Billy screamed, nearly dropping the cup in his hands, "I'm not drinking that stuff! I'm not gonna be turned into a frog!"
"Oh, you won't be... I think. Maybe.. You see, the effect is random, so... You never know."
With his heart up his throat, Peter put the cup back down before backing away very slowly. Only, he was currently heading for the rotten walls of the little hut.
Meanwhile, the little, earthen frog was happily jumping towards the hut's exit; on its way to enjoy the many fruits of animation. That is, until its short life was violently and suddenly cut to an abrupt end by the heel of a boot.
A shadow invaded the lighted entrance to the hut, stepping mercilessly upon the sacred little life. A miserable 'Queeek' was all the deathroes the little creature managed, and all the warning Peter had.
"Oh, a transmogrifier. I suppose that's good enough," a voice, angelic in its normality, said out loud, "And already served. I mean, of course it is; it's only proper after all."
Peter watched, spellbound, as the shadow contorted into the shape of a woman. She was the very picture of normality, as she approached the kettle and cup, with brown hair cut shoulder-length, a thin mouth turned downwards, and a pair of extra sharp glasses fastened onto her nose.
She went right ahead and picked up the cup which Peter had just vacated. Only when she stood back up did she notice there were others in the hut with her. "Oh, is that you, Newt?"
Billy gave half a salute and grinned."Billy, at your service... I think," the potato head had to look down on his name tag to be sure.
"Very well, 'Billy'. Will you be coming with me, then?"
"No... I'm stuck with him," Billy pointed in Peter's direction. The woman finally turned her gaze upon Peter, and he gasped. Although everything about her seemed normal, the one thing that was anything but normal were her eyes; sizzling with fire, they looked like molten orbs of lava floating within her sockets.
Advertisement
- In Serial33 Chapters
The Strange Life of an Elf From Sydney
A fanfiction of Wutosama's Metaworld Chronicles following a (mostly) original cast of characters. Set at the end of 2002, The Strange Life of an Elf From Sydney follows the story of Luna and co. as they navigate their way through their teenage years and find their place in the world. But in this world, death isn't uncommon and it takes tenacity to thrive. Will the girl's survive into their adulthood or die trying to get there?
8 111 - In Serial25 Chapters
The Golden Monarch
The Golden Monarch: For countless ages gods and powerful beings have protected the universe. At the fringe of known space a darkness encroaches that threatens to consume all. Which heroes will rise to combat the darkness and stand in the light? Book 1, Rebels Rising: Artien is born into a village on the border of the beastial Wildlands. Warned by his parents never to enter, he lived within the village and it's rules. When a demon hunting party arrives, he is pushed into the Wildlands to escape. Why was he targeted? Will he be able to go back home?
8 204 - In Serial29 Chapters
For Queen and Country [An Interactive Novel]
Purpose: I'm posting on Royal Road to keep me consistently writing and to collect beta testers/readers for my interactive novel app. Elaine It’s been five hundred years since the unified nations denounced superstition. In this age of reason, Elaine, the recent Queen of Vallis, has become the most celebrated ruler. So beloved by her people to be dubbed the ‘Millenium Queen’, the ‘Sun Queen’. Diane It is this love that makes it all the more unfortunate that she has met an untimely demise. To her only daughter, Crown Princess Diane, she leaves behind a kingdom in mourning. And though the rising sun dries her subjects’ tears, a growing shadow still lurks behind them. You It is up to Diane to protect her people from this looming threat. It is up to you to decide how she does so. Disclaimer: This story was built for an interactive novel app. There were no changes made to make the story more accomadating for this platform. The most notable lack of accomodation is that chapters will be much shorter than the site's average. Help?: If you would be interested in beta testing/reading the interactive novel, please join the story's discord server. The link is posted from time to time in the author's notes. Updates: Mondays and Thursdays* Pacific Time *: Sometimes there will be bonus votes throughout the week. Make sure to look at the chapter updates on the scheduled days if you don’t want to miss out.
8 228 - In Serial21 Chapters
Killers remorse (male purple guy reader x Rwby)
A mysterious young man named y/n has arrived at beacon academy as a transfer. No one knows where he came from or why he's here, but something seems out of place. Like he's hiding a darker side of himself. Will a group of four beautiful girls be able to save him...or will he fall to his own insanity? (Disclaimer, I don't own RWBY or any art/songs used in this story)
8 245 - In Serial24 Chapters
Soulmates/ Jolby
Colby Brock has known he's a werewolf since he was eighteen, and ever since his father told him the news he has been anxious to meet his mate. A mate, the reason for every werewolf to live. What happens when Colby discovers that his mate has always been around? How will Colby's mate react?
8 139 - In Serial68 Chapters
Long Story Short, The Condom Broke ✔️
There's a story behind every person. There's a reason why they're the way they are. They aren't just like that because they want to. Something in the past created them, and sometimes it's impossible to fix them.Everly Adams has a different story than most teenagers would like to admit. She's stepping into a new phase of her life with just her older sister to care for her. Life can get a little bit tricky if you just got kicked out of the house. Why? Just keep on reading my dear reader. Liam Wells has a cliché story. He's rich, school's bad boy, leader of the D&D's ( Devils Deciple ) and he's got the looks of course. But no cliché boy has a story like his.It all starts with a chicken nugget. It's amazing what a chicken nugget can do. Follow the rollercoaster that's waiting for the both of them. Drama, loss and humor all combined in one adventure.This is : Long Story Short, The Condom BrokeBy: prinses1010Word count (108,000 words) Currently being edited!!! (✔️=edited) Rankings :~#1 Teen fiction 10/19/2019~#1 Teenagepregnancy 09/8/2019~#1 Teendaddy 09/8/2019~#1 Heartbreak 10/27/2019~#1 Teenromance 10/29/2019~#1 Teen love 05/01/2020~#1 Highschool 03/01/2021~#3 Humor 13/01/2021~#2 Mystery 18/04/2021
8 233

