HOME | DD

Description
Sometimes Fear doesn't leave you alone... and for good reason. At times however, it's not enough to save you.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It was towards the end of another hunt for many Folks, the kits rushing around to hear of their new adventures at the current Borough that had been nearly attacked. Aneira was no different, her eyes sparkling under the mask she’d been wearing the past few weeks. After her venture in the dark forest, she’d been becoming more and more confident in her travels. Although she was still careful and weary, sticking to the well travelled paths set for the Folks, she no longer flinched at every passing figure or noise along those tracks. …After the celebration had occurred, Aneira was set to head back home, setting her mask on straight.

“Be careful out there!” A folk called to her, causing the blue kit to pause and turn, ears perking, “I’ve heard rumors that Cauliflower was showing up around that forest last week!” “Right…!” Aneira began to head towards the path, her mind buzzing slightly, *If Cauliflower really did show up there and rumors are spreading… why hasn’t anyone closed off the route yet…?* Aneira shook her head, shaking the doubt clouding her mind, *It’s probably nothing, right? …They probably already caught him, and that’s why the route’s still open.* Taking a breath, she marched on into the foliage, putting on a brave face even as the light vanished from nearby. …Of course, it wouldn’t matter much… seeing as no one was there to see the display, and the fear she’d manage to get a grip on began to resurface with a vengeance.

As she pushed through a more foliage covered part of the path, she heard something… breathing? A growl? …it was hard to tell, but the branch that scratched her neck was enough to send her running once more… though she managed to stay on the path all the way until the marked cliff. Leaning on it momentarily, she caught her breath, following it until a part of it was lumping outwards, and she laid down to gather her mental bearings. “...Half-way home… half-way.” Her heart was pounding, and she had to remove her mask to catch her breath. She blinked in confusion, however… as a blue mist came from her jaws. “...When did it become so cold…?” shaking as she felt a cold wind pass by, she then felt… the fuzzy stone? Wait, rocks weren’t… a distorted scream came from behind her, as she turned to see… “CAULIFLOWER!” She got up, trying to flee… but she was too slow. Cauliflower’s claws closed around her lower back, dragging her-

“NOO!” Aneira stirred and struggled quickly in the darkness, scratching around in the air. “I can’t see- I can’t see!” She had gotten out, hadn’t she? Or was she eaten?! A calm voice and warm touch settled on her shoulder, “Stop! You’re okay! It’s just bandages…” It was… a doctor’s tone. She’d heard it a few times around the floor she was kept at. “...I’m… safe?” “Yes. …Folks got to you in time and chased away Cauliflower before too much damage could be done.” Aneira sighed, sinking into the bed while the doctor removed the bandages to let her see the room surrounding the two of them. …White and bland… sterile. …It really was a hospital. “So… I’ll let you rest up, little one… but we will have to speak later.” The doctor spoke up, looking towards Aneira’s confused features, “...Alright. Is something wrong?” The girl asked softly, only for the doctor to sigh, “...You may have contracted a Blight, I’m afraid.”

“..what?”

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[584 Words]

Acorn Tracker: docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d…

Description
Sometimes Fear doesn't leave you alone... and for good reason. At times however, it's not enough to save you.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It was towards the end of another hunt for many Folks, the kits rushing around to hear of their new adventures at the current Borough that had been nearly attacked. Aneira was no different, her eyes sparkling under the mask she’d been wearing the past few weeks. After her venture in the dark forest, she’d been becoming more and more confident in her travels. Although she was still careful and weary, sticking to the well travelled paths set for the Folks, she no longer flinched at every passing figure or noise along those tracks. …After the celebration had occurred, Aneira was set to head back home, setting her mask on straight.

“Be careful out there!” A folk called to her, causing the blue kit to pause and turn, ears perking, “I’ve heard rumors that Cauliflower was showing up around that forest last week!” “Right…!” Aneira began to head towards the path, her mind buzzing slightly, *If Cauliflower really did show up there and rumors are spreading… why hasn’t anyone closed off the route yet…?* Aneira shook her head, shaking the doubt clouding her mind, *It’s probably nothing, right? …They probably already caught him, and that’s why the route’s still open.* Taking a breath, she marched on into the foliage, putting on a brave face even as the light vanished from nearby. …Of course, it wouldn’t matter much… seeing as no one was there to see the display, and the fear she’d manage to get a grip on began to resurface with a vengeance.

As she pushed through a more foliage covered part of the path, she heard something… breathing? A growl? …it was hard to tell, but the branch that scratched her neck was enough to send her running once more… though she managed to stay on the path all the way until the marked cliff. Leaning on it momentarily, she caught her breath, following it until a part of it was lumping outwards, and she laid down to gather her mental bearings. “...Half-way home… half-way.” Her heart was pounding, and she had to remove her mask to catch her breath. She blinked in confusion, however… as a blue mist came from her jaws. “...When did it become so cold…?” shaking as she felt a cold wind pass by, she then felt… the fuzzy stone? Wait, rocks weren’t… a distorted scream came from behind her, as she turned to see… “CAULIFLOWER!” She got up, trying to flee… but she was too slow. Cauliflower’s claws closed around her lower back, dragging her-

“NOO!” Aneira stirred and struggled quickly in the darkness, scratching around in the air. “I can’t see- I can’t see!” She had gotten out, hadn’t she? Or was she eaten?! A calm voice and warm touch settled on her shoulder, “Stop! You’re okay! It’s just bandages…” It was… a doctor’s tone. She’d heard it a few times around the floor she was kept at. “...I’m… safe?” “Yes. …Folks got to you in time and chased away Cauliflower before too much damage could be done.” Aneira sighed, sinking into the bed while the doctor removed the bandages to let her see the room surrounding the two of them. …White and bland… sterile. …It really was a hospital. “So… I’ll let you rest up, little one… but we will have to speak later.” The doctor spoke up, looking towards Aneira’s confused features, “...Alright. Is something wrong?” The girl asked softly, only for the doctor to sigh, “...You may have contracted a Blight, I’m afraid.”

“..what?”

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[584 Words]

Acorn Tracker: docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d…