All Thumbs

Rito shrank against Delia’s skirts. The street vendor’s wares clattered in aimless circles around the hem of his coat.

“How adorable!” Delia cooed.

“Little works of art, every one,” the vendor agreed. “Scissorboys from the Scissors Man. He grinned snaggletoothed at Rito, who was gnawing a thumbnail. “Scissors Man comes to cut off your thumbs,” he crooned. “Best break that habit. Your teeth’ll come in crooked.”

Rito whipped his hand from his mouth.

“Come along,” said Delia, her smile cooler.

Rito glanced backward. The scissorboys clacked their bladed beaks at him, straining on the ends of their leashes. The Scissors Man lifted the hand that held the strings and winked.