Page 178 - Nuts to You - The Nutcracker Retold

Drosselmeir stared at the fogbank formed by their fear. They’re alive, he thought, and dropped to his knees beside the shivering and shaking Gingerbread Men.
“It’s me! Drosselmeir! I’m back!” Drosselmeir wanted to gather them in his arms and hug them tight, but he was afraid they would shatter if he tried to touch them.
First one, then another, snuck a peek – then jubilation, and a rushing of little Sweeties into the arms of the man, who, they’d always felt was weird and a bit scary, but now who equaled home and happiness, and a life for which they longed. The Sweeties were remembering Hamelin, and with Hamelin they were remembering their parents, and life before a diet of pure sugar.
They almost longed for fried liver. At least, it would be hot.
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