Chapter 1

Francis Hackmore was none-to-happy when she found them on her property, and even more furious when she saw it was a descendant of the Worrell family who was there. And on top of it all, the straw that broke the camel’s back, he was building on THAT tree. The one his ancestor had trapped the troll in. Trantor. That vile disgusting thing, which fed off the life energy of children. She hated it, and she had spent many endless nights researching everything she could about it. She had accrued books upon books to save them all from facing Trantor again. She knew of all of Trantor’s secrets. She had them all right there. As she entered her home, with Ernest right behind her, apologizing, she was ready to let loose on him. How could he be so stupid as to put the town in danger by approaching that tree. He didn’t know what danger he was reaching out towards. Ernest closed the door behind him. Francis spun around towards him.

“DIDN’T I TELL YOU TO GO?” She spat.

“But Ms. Hackmore! Listen, those kids just want to have fun! Don’t you remember what it was like being a child?” Ernest said.

“BOY! MY CHILDHOOD WAS RIPPED FROM ME BY THE VERY THING YOU RISK RELEASING!” She shouted.

“I’m sorry, Ms. Hackmore, I didn’t know.” Ernest said.

“Listen, Boy, the trolls controlled by Trantor...” She started.

“Trantor’s minions will suck the life force from a child anyway they can. I was just a lass, too old for them to take my energy apparently...” She added. “So they had their way with me. There I was, barely hitting puberty, and they cornered me, captured me, and raped me over and over again. It was a miracle that I didn’t get pregnant from those beasts.”

“Can a troll even impregnate a human?” Ernest asked.

“I don’t see why not.” She pointed out. “A troll isn’t just some magical creature that appears, it’s a human with a truly corrupted soul. One that was cursed, or came from a cursed line. At this rate, with the curse upon your family, I’d say two or three generations to go before they start breeding trolls.” She added. “Tell me, Ernest. Are your children looking a bit ugly?”

“No, Ms. Hackmore, I don’t have children, it’s just me and Rimshot.” Ernest said with a goofy smile.

“Who?” She asked.

“Rimshot, he’s my dog and my best buddy in the whole wide world.” Ernest said.

“Oh come now, I’m sure you’re the fancy of a few women around town.” Francis said.

“Naw.” He said with a laugh. “Haven’t gotten laid since high school. Cheerleaders always wanna sleep with a football player, but after high school that kind of status doesn’t matter. Only passed because I was on the team, and you see how well that turned out for me.”