Star Builds A Shield For Today

Star knelt in the mossy dirt of Troll Valley, her small toy hammer from her tool belt tapping gently against a smooth pebble. She was constructing a miniature bridge, just like the ones she used to build when she first discovered her love for architecture. Her voluminous rainbow hair bounced in waves of red, blue, and yellow with every strike of the hammer. "Perfect," she declared, her wide smile revealing two small tusks. Then, Mama Troll stepped out from their cave. "Star, time to pack up. Dr. Flint is waiting for your checkup and your shield-shot today." A vaccination. The word made Star's soft, sage green skin prickle. A shot meant a needle, and needles meant a sharp pinch. Her purple and blue eyes widened. She dropped her toy hammer. The beautiful pebble bridge didn't matter anymore. Star sprinted into her bedroom, her orange sneakers skidding on the stone floor. She threw open her closet. She needed armor. She grabbed rolls of silver duct tape and a stack of shiny foil cardboard. If a poke was coming, she was going to build a special suit to block it entirely.