04 - Coffee machine
This happened last week: Little Red is now trying to defy gravity. So far gravity wins.
Not long after meeting the superhero that no one had heard about, a black cat crossed right in front of her. It was an omen of danger, because shortly afterwards she met an ashen man standing in her way. He reeked of evil and death.
"Where-are-you-going?" he asked in a dark, monotonous voice, like a robot from hell. And perhaps he was. Who was Little Red to know, at this point she was scared shitless. She tried to regain her speech. "I- I- I." "H-h-h." Help! She wanted to scream, but couldn't. The man walked towards her, raising his arms and reaching at her.
"Come-to-me," he said. "Come-to-daddy." Little Red jumped backwards a few steps. She tried to think of what to do. She wished she had the superhero at her side. She wished she could call him. But that was too late. She had to save herself now.
She turned and ran. But not for long. In two huge leaps he was by her, his arms grabbed her shoulder and brought her to an abrupt stop. Ashes dripped from his fingers and onto her clothes. She fought with all her might. It wasn't much, but just enough to tear herself from his grip. She ran again, faster this time. Around a tree, through bushes, into a puddle, through more bushes and around another tree.
She had managed to open up a little gap, but still he came after her. He was moaning at her, "Come-to-daddy! Come-to-daddy! I-have-come-to-take-you-home. Home! Do-you-hear? Home! Come-to-daddy."
She stood behind a tree panting. She couldn't run any longer. All her strength was spent. She had to find a way out, and now. His feet came thudding towards her at an alarming speed. "Come-to-!" his voice was cut short, and there was silence. Then he muttered painfully, "Oooof!" as he landed heavily on the ground. He had not watched were he was going and that made him fall over.
It bought Little Red some precious time, but not for long. Soon she heard him crawling to his feet. Suddenly she remembered. Use the coffee machine, Little Red! Use the coffee machine! She bent down and opened her bag as the evil man came around the trees. "Nice-little-girl," he said flatly. "Come-to-daddy."
She brought out the coffee machine. Horror crossed his face. "No!" he cried out. "Not The Coffee Machine!" Then he vanished in a puff of smoke.
Little Red laid down and rested for a long time.