chapter 4

“But, forever? Do you think we would really be trapped here forever?” Greg questioned.

Hans bit his lip, “Well, yeah, like the riddle said, there are really only two options, right? To ‘remain thin forever’ or ‘free ourselves’, and that door seems like it isn’t going to move without magic.”

“And what about ‘a well fed body thou hast gained’?” Greg said. “How well fed do we need to be for it to let us out?”

Hans thought carefully about this and responded slowly, “Plenty wide, a fleshy proof, ample supply…I don’t think it’s letting us out until we’re properly fat.”

Greg chuckled dispiritedly. “Fat, I don’t think I could gain a pound of fat if I tried,” he said, lifting up his shirt and revealing his bony hips and pinching at his thin waist.

Hans just shook his head, “We’d both better learn fast, because we’re not escaping unless we start getting the pounds to stick somehow.”

The day had started turning into evening by then, and it was exactly 5:00pm according to Greg’s fancy hiking watch when the pleasant sounding bell sounded again, and, by magic, a feast once again appeared on the table. Instead of a traditional picnic lunch this time, the table styled itself after a traditional Mexican restaurant, with enormous enchiladas, tamales stuffed to overflowing with meat and seasoned fillings, tacos al pastor, and quesadillas. Ornate bowls of queso fresco and guacamole were within easy reach, and goblets of horchata appeared to quench their thirst (though it seemed strangely thick and creamy).

Although they had stuffed themselves just hours before, the boys once again pulled up chairs to the table and began enjoying the feast before them. They once again ate heavily, though with their heavy picnic stuffing only hours before, their pace began to flag somewhat.

“Uggggh, this is never going to work.” said Greg leaning back in his chair and rubbing his distended stomach.

Hans however took a more pragmatic line: “Well, as long as we’re trapped here, what else are you going to do? If these feasts keep coming through like this I’m sure you’ll get better at stuffing yourself.”