EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the 11th chapter in a 12-chapter fictional tale that will run through Christmas Day. Parents are encouraged to read aloud to their children.

It took all of 30 seconds inside of town square for them to be spotted. Elliot Spicer, assistant to Mayor Gingerman, looked up from his clipboard as he exited Town Hall.

Jax was busy watching the cinnamon stick bugs fly in and out of the large town square fountain that had melted butter, instead of water, cascading into a shallow pool.

“Molly Gingersnap,” Mr. Spicer said in a stern voice, but not taking his eyes off Jax. “Would you like to explain why you’re standing here with a Peppermint Boy, which is expressly forbidden and breaks too many laws to count?”

Jax grinned. “Well, they’re more like policies…rules, actually, if you think about it.”

“They are our way of life! Our traditions and recipes are all kept safe because of these rules!”

“Mr. Spicer,” Molly cut in. “I’ve brought my friend here with me today because we’ve spent the last few days journeying to every realm of Candyland, and I’ve put together an idea for — ”

“You what?!” Mr. Spicer’s face turned red. “You, a child citizen of Gingerbread Island, went into our competitors’ homes and…and…”

“We gathered samples of their ingredients.”

“You stole! This is getting worse. I have a headache.” He aggressively rubbed his temples.

“Molly!”

Molly turned to see her mom and dad running toward them, wearing aprons smeared with evidence that they had been working when someone must have told them she was home. At the sight of them, a rush of affection filled Molly, quickly replaced by a crushing guilt that she had left so suddenly.

Her mom fell to her knees in front of Molly and threw her arms around her. “Oh Molly, I’ve been so worried. I knew you’d be okay, but I was still worried. You should have told me. Honey, I would have gone with you.”

“I’m so sorry Mom, I’ll never leave that way again. I promise. I just felt like I needed to do this on my own.”

“Ahem.” Jax cleared his throat from beside her.

Molly giggled as she glanced at him. “Ok, not completely alone. Mom, Dad, this is my friend Jax. He’s from — ”

“Peppermint Valley, yes. That much is obvious, kiddo,” her dad said. He held out his hand for Jax to shake. “Nice to meet you, young man. Thank you for keeping my little girl safe.”

“Daaaad, I’m not a little girl.”

“You’re my little girl forever.”

Molly blushed and busied herself opening her backpack and pulling out her sketchbook.

“I enjoyed the adventure, sir,” Jax said. “And I think she’s the one who kept me safe,” he added with a grin. “Molly has an amazing imagination. She’s going to be a great Ginger Inventor. Actually, she already is.”

“Excuse me. Not to interrupt the happy reunion,” Mr. Spicer said as he interrupted the happy reunion anyway, “but I find it my obligation to uphold the integrity of Rule 1A of Candyland, among a dozen others I might add, and hereby demand that Molly Gingersnap come with me straight to the Mayor. We need to discuss the repercussions of her irresponsible behavior and prepare for the fallout!”

“Good, yes! That’s where I want to go!” Molly exclaimed. She turned to pick up her sketchbook, but her mom was flipping through her newest pages with awe and wonder on her face.

“Molly. These are amazing, honey.” A tear ran down her cheek as she handed the book to Molly’s dad. He looked thoughtful as he thumbed through the sketches.

“It’s never been done,” he murmured. “I’m proud of you, Mol. This is pretty cool. You thought of this all on your own?”

“Jax helped.”

“Pfft, please. My contribution was annoyance at best.”

Molly laughed and took her sketchbook back from her dad.

“We’re running out of time for the contest. Let’s go see the mayor!”

Thirty minutes later, it was done — Molly finished her speech. The entire Ginger assembly had been gathered. The council, board and curious residents were crammed into the Town Hall event room. At the front stood Molly, Jax and Mayor Gingerman, who had thus far remained very quiet. Too quiet, Molly thought as she looked to him now for a response. She glanced nervously over at her parents who smiled back encouragingly.

With a deep breath, she waited for Mayor Gingerman to speak and seal her fate.

Read the final chapter in tomorrow’s newspaper.