[ TT ] Hilda is a Valkyrie , one of the oldest . She 's collected the souls of many a great warrior and war hero ... even an accountant , once . Still shes is quite surprised to find herself in a school playground to collect the soul of a very confused 9 year old child .

A trumpet overture blasted out of the air above John Prince Elementary School. Dodge ball games halted, hopscotch players fell in surprise, and underpaid teacher ’ s aides cowered in fear. 
 
 A blonde woman, dressed in ceremonial Viking garb shot down from heaven like a lightning bolt, and landed squarely on the plastic slide, crushing it to petroleum dust. She stood from her landing crouch, rising to her full height of well over six feet. 
 
 “ I am Hilda of the Valkyries! ” Her voice echoed across the pavement, louder than the morning announcements. “ I seek Taylor the Large! ” She waited, hands on hips, a huge sword slung over her back. After a moment all of the kids began looking around, but no one answered Hilda ’ s request. 
 
 “ Bring me Taylor the Large…NOW! ” She shouted. 
 
 Everyone stood rooted in fear, until finally first-grader Jenny Hopkins stepped forward, smoothing her green dress, speaking in her mouse like voice. “ Miss…we don ’ t know what that is. ” 
 
 Hilda laughed and kneeled down, showing what some might consider affection. “ I am not here for you child. I am here for a great warrior, whose time for eternal reward has come. I am here to deliver a soul to Valhalla. Where are your parents, that they may show me to Taylor the Large? ” 
 
 “ My parents are at work. Daddy sells TVs and Mommy teaches Zumba. ” Jenny smiles with pride. 
 
 Hilda looks down at her, confused by the jobs she is not familiar with, but she decides not to get off topic. She pats the little girl on the head and stands again. “ Someone must know who Taylor the Large is. ” 
 
 A quiet scuffle breaks out by the politically-correct mural on the wall, and finally a boy gets pushed forward. He doesn ’ t look Hilda in the eye, but says in a clear voice “ My name is Taylor DeLarge. Are…are you looking for me? ” 
 
 Hilda almost gasps in shock. “ No child, there must be a mistake. You can not be… ” She stops herself mid speech. She reaches into a pouch on her back and pulls out a rawhide, covered in runes. She peruses it carefully, and then hesitantly places it back in its place. 
 
 She takes one large step towards Taylor and kneels before him. She looks him in the eye, and Taylor swears he can see a tear form. “ Taylor, have you been sick? ” 
 
 Taylor shyly shuffles his feet. “ Yes. My parents have taken me to the doctor ’ s office lots of times. ” 
 
 “ For what reason? ” 
 
 “ I have had cancer since I was five. But I feel good now. ” 
 
 Hilda stands and extends her hand to Taylor. He hesitantly takes it and she turns to make a pronouncement to the playground. “ Taylor DeLarge, is truly the bravest of warriors. He has fought a battle many men much larger than he would not have had the courage for. Come Taylor, it is time for your reward. ” 
 
 There is another Trumpet blast, and suddenly Hilda is gone, and Taylor ’ s body falls to the pavement, his long battle with cancer over, his reward received. 

