Notes: This is set immediately after the witches they're hunting in the desert in the end of the movie. I guess I'm going to do my try at a multi chapter fanfic because I have a long story to tell, some background I want to play with and some different ends to our heroes (no death, or anything like that! Though the road may be rough ahead).

Basically this is my attempt in continuing with the movie, but adding some twists and backstory. Nothing ended when the movie ended because there's still A LOT to be dealt with and I wanted to do my own version.

The siblings, Benjamin and Edward are off to another hunt and while they deal with a very complicated witch hunt, they have to deal with a town that doesn't want them around, and secrets that are uncovered and some truths about Adrianna's history and how all of it will impact Hansel and Gretel's relationship.

I picked Munich as the town where it all happens because it's "close" to Augsburg and it's bigger, so I figure it could be considered a big town back then. Besides, it's Munich, a beautiful setting and a place I imagine they'd appreciate :)

Anyway, without further ado, on with the fic!

x

"What the fuck was that?" Hansel cocked his weapon, wiping it in the general direction of the sound, stepping between the low shriek and his companions. He knew his sister was more than capable of taking care of herself but instinct forced him forward, to protect what was his.

The ground had become unsteady, humid, letting out a foul smell with each step they took and the darkened stormy sky wasn't doing much to help them cross the swamp. The sun would be setting soon, and if they didn't reach town before dark they'd get stuck in witch territory in the most dangerous time of the day. Even Hansel and Gretel knew better than to threaten a witch in the hours she could use nature to her best advantage.

The shriek had been low and sharp and quick and as soon as it came it went. Benjamin stepped closer to Edward, an unconscious move to protect himself with the closest best weapon while the siblings moved closer to each other, their own weapons drawn.

"Do you hear that?"

Everyone strained their ears, trying to catch whatever Gretel mentioned, then looked at each other confused.

"I don't hear anything." Hansel still had his weapon ready even when the shriek was long gone, alert and in position to attack be it necessary. He looked over at Gretel, waiting for her clarification and was met with an annoyed glare. That's the fucking point; he got the message all right.

There was nothing, no birds chirping, no crickets, no frogs, not even the wind was making a sound as it brushed against half dead tree leaves. The forest was as dead as the creatures they hunted.

"We need to get the hell out of here. We have what? Half an hour before the sun sets completely?" Hansel took the front of the group and quickened his pace. They had dangerously miscalculated their travel; the town they were headed to was a few miles farther away than registered on the map and files they were carrying, and falling right into witch's territory so close to town was definitely not something that was in their plans.

"We should have reached town hours ago," Benjamin said, his voice filled with worry. He may have loved the witch hunt, but he was still frightened by their power.

"Can't be that far now," said Gretel, following Hansel close behind. This swamp was making her nervous, conscious of the eerie silence in a place that should have been alive with sounds, of the strange humming behind her ears and the way the hair on the back of her head were standing up in complete attention. "Let's get the hell out of this place."

Nobody argued, they picked their pace, making their way through the swamp as quickly as possible. Benjamin slipped a couple of times and by the third time his feet threatened to give out under him Edward grabbed the teenage by the arm and threw him over his shoulder, ignoring the boy's complaints.

Gretel didn't bother try to hide her smile and even during the tense walk into town she managed to share a relaxed look with Hansel. She felt like this was what their life resumed to, little memorable moments within the long, hard road.

They moved as quickly as their heavy weaponry permitted, their few belongings stuck inside a couple of travelling bags they carried on their backs. Gretel had nothing more but a change of clothes, her mother's book and Muriel's wand; there was nothing else she needed, her guns were there and so was her brother, the only essentials she really needed.

They were all exhausted when they reached a bridge that took them from the swamp to a clearing in the woods, a thinner line of trees, making way to the roads into town. The sun had finished dipping below the horizon several minutes before and they were all anxious to leave the woods behind and get into the safety of town walls. Once they crossed the bridge and reached the end of the trees they were suddenly met with an open pasture, a wide expanse of grass that went for a couple of miles until it reached civilization. From the high slope they were on they could see the bubbling town ahead, alight and alive, more reminiscent of a city than a town.

"Wow," Benjamin exclaimed, being let down when they had reached more steady ground. The boy's face glowed with excitement and both Hansel and Gretel understood the feeling.

"Seems like our luck's changing," Hansel said and Gretel could hear the hint of his own excitement in his voice.

"Maybe. We still have witches to kill." Gretel smiled at her brother even when she tried to keep a level head. The three of them made their way into town quickly, leaving Edward to find a sleeping site amongst the trees. He never came with them and he preferred it that way.

x

Just like they assumed, the town was bursting with activity even after sundown; people still milled the streets, houses and stores open, and to Hansel's delight they counted at least three taverns on the way to the Mayor's house. He hadn't been at his office anymore, so after asking for instructions the small group had taken off to where the Mayor lived.

His house was a modest two story cobblestone apartment squeezed between a bakery and the town post office and Benjamin seemed to be amazed by the layout of the place; unlike the siblings he had never set foot outside his shitty little town until he had tagged along with the and this was the first time they were visiting a decent looking town with him.

The Mayor's wife greeted them at the door, a late thirties lady who carried her age well, despite the assembly of curious children trying to peek from behind her dress. Gretel counted at least four and briefly wondered why someone would willingly choose to bring into this fucked up world children that could be taken away from them at any moment.

"You must be Hansel and Gretel!" she exclaimed, opening the door wide for them to go inside. "Your guns gave it away," she completed, in a way of explaining. "I'm Kate Frohlick. My husband is waiting in his office." She showed them the way, leaving the group to do business as she ushered the whispering children out of the way.

Benjamin was immediately distracted by the collection of books along the far wall while the siblings got down to business.

"Five children," the Mayor said, wiping the cold sweat off his forehead. Gretel wondered the pressure they went through when children disappeared under their watch. They had been in more than enough towns and huntings to know the blame always fell upon the authorities, the Mayor and the Sheriff always the first in line. "No trace, nothing we could do. We burned people," his voice faltered as if the simple act of ending a life was disgusting enough for him, "without even being sure they were responsible. They were accused of witchcraft and there wasn't enough evidence to prove otherwise. This town is falling apart."

"You did a good thing hiring us," Gretel took the initiative, as she always did. Hansel liked it this way, to let her deal with business the way she wanted. He liked the guns better, the hunting, beating the shit out of those witches, while his sister preferred the boring end of the partnership; research and facts and planning, that was her. That didn't mean she didn't like her share of ass kicking. And she was great at it. "How long ago were the children taken?"

"In the span of a month. There isn't any particular pattern to when they were taken so we have no idea what to wait for."

"Don't worry, Mayor. We'll figure it out," Hansel said, resting his gun on his other shoulder to share the weight. He looked forward to the money; big towns usually meant big pay. "Is there any decent place for us to sleep?"

"Yes, yes!" The Mayor suddenly seemed to get out of the mood he had gotten himself in, distracted by the change of topic. "I actually have rooms for the two of you at our best Inn."

That seemed to catch Benjamin's attention and the boy immediately left the book he was skimming through and joined Hansel and Gretel. The idea of a good bed to sleep on definitely changed everyone's mood.

x

The Mayor hadn't been expecting a third party to come along so he had only two rooms reserved for them, but it wasn't something that would become a problem because Hansel and Gretel always slept in the same room. This time he wouldn't have to use the floor as a mattress and his boots as a pillow, because as the Mayor had promised, he had indeed gotten them the best rooms in the best Inn in town.

Gretel stared at the large double bed, already trying to adjust to the fact she'd be leaving in a few days, trading the comfort of a soft mattress and clean sheets to uneven forest ground and her brother's warmth. She inspected the bed as her brother looked out of the window.

"The Mayor wasn't kidding." Gretel flopped onto the bed, not bothering to remove her clothes or wash the day's sweat. She was far too tired to care about the details and the bed seemed to mold around her body. It was soft like she expected and exhaustion started throbbing in her bones and she felt herself slowly drifting away as the sounds of her brother moving around the room lulled her to sleep.

The journey to this town had been long and tiring and they hadn't had a day's rest after killing the Desert Witches. Her shoulders and face still stung from the sunburns she suffered.

Unlike his sister, Hansel had removed his jacket and otherwise unnecessary garments, piling their guns and travelling bags over the table, having the thought of mind to wash his face and hands so he could settle in for the night more comfortably. When he saw the way his sister was sprawled across the bed he rolled his eyes; she was using both pillows and both sides of the bed to lie on, leaving him with little to no space.

Hansel moved to the bed, removing her boots gently, trying not to wake her up in case she was already gone, but Gretel grunted against the pillow something he assumed was approval. "Turn around," he whispered softly and when she did he loosened the strings of her corset but didn't bother to try and remove it from her body. She was far from being in a cooperative mood, but just knowing the garment wasn't tight on her chest gave him comfort.

He nudged her so he could lie down, but she moved only enough to give him room then immediately moved back to settle into his arms, head against his shoulder and nose tucked against his neck.

"You smell like shit," she said, but snuggled closer and dipped her hands under his shirt until there was skin to skin contact and her fingers were splayed against his ribcage.

"And you smell like fucking roses and soap, princess." His voice lost any real malice when he leaned in and pressed his lips to her forehead, arms tightening around her.

They were both so tired they fell asleep within minutes, wrapped around each other's arms like they were used to.

x

tbc

This is a tentative first chapter. I have most of the story already planned in my head (important plot points and whatnot) so if people show interest I'll continue it. If you like the fanfic and is looking forward to see how it will unravel, please don't hesitate to say so! Reviews is a writer's payment :D