Original Fiction - Tumblr Posts
I haven't read this book yet, but "Lantur" (her fan fiction nom de plume) is a fabulous writer. Her Fullmetal Alchemist fic "Delicate" is truly one of the best fan fictions around. I'm sure that her novel is of equal or better quality. I am looking forward to reading it.
2006: A conversation with a military recruiter prompts 18-year-old Tessa Halifax to enlist in the US Army after graduation. This pivotal decision takes her from her New Jersey suburb to the streets of Baghdad, as a military working dog handler. In Iraq, Tessa meets disillusioned soldier Ryan Chao. Their experiences as soldiers lead them to make a dramatic departure from the careers they envisioned for themselves. 2025: Tessa’s ultimate goal as Chief of Staff to Vice President Ryan Chao is to help him win the White House in 2028. However, fallout from the events of the 2024 election cause a ripple effect that permanently alters Tessa’s life. A Box Full of Darkness is an intensely personal story of strength and resilience, of healing and rebuilding after loss, and of devotion to the causes - and people - that matter the most.
So many of you have read my writing (Strings, Lights in the Shadow, Delicate) over the past several years, across different fandoms. Thank you for being so supportive. All of your encouragement on tumblr and Archive of our Own helped me take the step toward writing an original novel. I'm so excited to share this with you.
Paperbacks are available here and on Amazon. The ebook is also available on Amazon. Unfortunately, Kindle devices are experiencing technical difficulties at the moment, and if you plan on reading on a Kindle device you may want to wait for the next update coming soon. However, the ebook works great on iPads and other browsers. As you can see from the screenshot, the paperback is beautiful and is well worth the wait. :)
Thank you to @chewytriforce for her cover art and design, and @broomchickabroom for her interior design and typesetting!
If you have any questions about purchasing the novel or ebook, please don't hesitate to contact me. ❤️
In the kind of world that’s being built in SotS (the story I’m writing with @ironthingcreation; can be found @sleep-deprivation-arts), a lot of traumatic shit’s gonna go down. People are going to get hurt left and right.
BUT
I promise the following:
I will not mortally wound/break the gays. //Maris, Salem, Peri, Celeste, you’re welcome//
Friends stay friends.
Assholes get what they deserve.
And the dragons... well, that’s... complicated (*cough* Firebrand *cough*).
I literally only have one rule in my writing and it is this:
No matter what I put my characters through, they make it. They get to make it to the end of the story and have everything work out and be ok.
Because that’s the story I need. So it’s the kind I write.
A snippet for the next chapter of Plagued
Sometimes, I like having free reign ::3
Fic summary: Crow and YW bond through Gambit
BEAUTIFUL IN WHITE
Context: For our Creative Writng class, we were tasked to either write a short story or poem using figurative languages. I’m really proud of how it turned out! Hope you’ll enjoy it as much as I did! :]
Genre: psychological thriller
“Hello?” I called out in anything but confusion, yet all that ever answered me was my very own voice – each reverberation was intensified until I felt too numb to attempt to find secondary voices aside from my own. From where I lay, I could only stare directly back at the void, who stared back at me like a father looking at his son in chagrin.
Ah. Was what escaped my lips before I looked at my hands in futile.
Recounting what everything looked like before I was set in a field of vacuum, I remembered standing someplace elsewhere.
It was the crows yelling blasphemies in the distance that woke me up from the trance, and I was greeted by seagulls shaking their heads in disdain. For some reason, I had forgotten that my feet were buried underneath a pound of pulverized coral skeletons. The warmth was intensely pricking my skin, plucking it red and rash; yet I had not noticed it.
Raising my head to drink in my surroundings, all I could see were people animatedly conversing among themselves. I needn’t to hear the intensity of the crowd; the vibrations travelling through my system were enough of an evidence to tell me so.
What blockaded all my senses were the turmoil within my heart and the flurry that brewed within my mind. It had gotten hazy. It was so hazy that..
Clutching my chest before I was to be fully enveloped in the haze, someone silently announced their presence like that of a wave sweeping the bays.
She got all heads turning her way.
A ring and a bouquet of sunflowers clutched in palms, illuminated by the sun plastered on her lips. An everlasting linger where amber and green mix willingly, that I asked myself if this was a dream.
“Darling,” you called out to me as you floated across the pathway like a balloon. I could only glint at the ringing of bells as I slowly watched your figure grow into size.
“You look so pretty.” She tells me as she joined with me. She looked, to a fault, beautiful in white as the sun inhabits every flesh of the dress – hanging a mirror in the living room, and putting up curtains to trap the outside heat; I asked myself if this was a dream.
My hands began to sweat as it was tucked behind.
For some unknown reason, as I took in the sight of her wholly, it did not help the tremor that I withheld. It worsened. What was the reason? Why is it shaking? Maybe I needn’t to delve more into it as I knew that it was linked to her overall presence.
How could you laugh as I stood here in comfortable misery, as all wires in my neurons are short-circuiting – all because of you?
“You look beautiful in white,” I whispered to her, and she smiled yet again.
Oh darling, you look beautiful in anything. Purple skies would suit a majesty like you. The pinks of the fragrant roses could wrap your fragile body perfectly. Citrus colors, too, would ideally capture your quirk. But, oh.. Would red perfectly suit you best as well.
You dripping and stained with red from my sleeves that I am not coy to unroll, and we’d dance the night away as you smiled helplessly with your head thrown aback with laughter that was past its ember.
I smiled to myself as I could not wait to see her buried in sheets, stained with her very own maroon.
“Indeed, you look so beautiful in white.” I repeated myself, ensuring that she heard every meaning of each word was packed with.
She looked at me, smiling with pretty crimsons that rivulet down her powdered chin. Her eyes shone darkly at me though, despite the appearance that she is insisting to the public. Of course, no one in the crowd was foolish as they all fell into a collective gasp of terror.
I remember now; I needn’t a light to know that my hands were stained of her maroons that occurred days ago.
I could only laugh to myself as I recalled that very scene. Her, holding that bouquet of flowers tightly as if it were hers – shamelessly facing her own family with a beam.
I regret nothing.
She was nothing but a poser who ensured her sister was now lying in a field of white chrysanthemums.
The Girl In The Mirror
Okurrr, so another work from my creative writing class! The story will appear trash because it is rushed. This was written as our summative, so it was literally timed. I was surprised I was able to fart this out, lol. In this, our tone, diction, and style were tested. I’d say I have a better skill than average (but most definitely not the best-) but this wasn’t one of my best moments LMAO. Anyway, you be the judge of it ig
Over yonder the halls of an abandoned house hung a tale that’s decades old. It had been built with genuinety and passion — now though, it could only present itself in cracks and shards. The Frames no longer scintillate like that of a sun. People who have visited the place themselves described it as merely reflecting the people who have wronged her. Every now and then, as the past manifested itself against the reflective surface, a feminine shriek would emanate from the mirror.
Also additional note, we were told that we need to write it in 5 sentences. Can you imagine the pressure I had?? Especially when I had to rewrite my story LOL (it was a fun a challenge doe, 100/10 would do it again)
¿who would be my characters?
okay i never tell that I have an original story right? okay, my four pricipal FEMALE characters are:
Leia: bad*ss, attractive, agressive AND A SUPER VULGAR WOMAN
Kiara: a Relaxed, charismatic, cheerful and frank
Lara: a Emotional, reserved, romantic and charming
and
Nya: she's rude, overprotective, intense and sincere
"UNDER THE CUT WE HAVE WHO I THINK THEY WOULD BE:"
so I was thinking, if my characters were: Abby, Mei, Priya and Miriam who would they be?
so, we know the fact that Abby has no patience at all right? so NYA, would be Abby, because she isn't from USA (where my story elapses) she's from Italy
Next we have Mei, who is calm, cheerful, charismatic, soo, my character woul be KIARA, she's the most cheerful girl of the grup, and doen's like a guy named Tyler at first but the ended up liking him
We have Priya, that girld doen't want to live bro (it's a joke cuties don't worry) she's calm, relax, reserved, loves to read thing's about werewolfs, it's literally my character Lara, she doesn't talk to anyone exept for Leia, Nya and Kiara
AND LAST BUT NOT LESS WE HAVE MIRIAM, IT'S THE MOST BAD*SS GIRL IN ALL THE MOVIE GIRL, WHO DOESN'T LOVE HER TELL ME, LIKE I LOVE THE PART WHEN SHE RESPONDS TO A GIRL "WHAT'S WITH YOUR FACE??!" BROOO THAT GIVE ME LEIA VIBES SOO BAAAAD GIIIIIRL, AND THE FACT THAT LEIA IS RUSSIAN IT IS TEN TIMES BETTER SHE'S VULGAR AND STRONG
(i just remember that tik tok who the girl says "i want to get strong to fight bears in the forest" hahahahha omg)
I just published "#1" of my story "Renegades of Fate". https://www.wattpad.com/1346521733?utm_source=android&utm_medium=com.tumblr&utm_content=share_published&wp_page=create_on_publish&wp_uname=AmCa-14
Hail, True Body (masterpost)
Artworks by @corvidaeconundrum
'Hail, True Body' is a religious horror series that focuses on what it means to be human in a world that God has abandoned. For Mark Owens, 1993 is shaping up to be the worst year of his young life - and that's saying a lot all things considered. When his best friend Cesar Hernández calls him one night in October, Mark ignores the broadcast warnings to help him out. But Cesar is acting... strange.
Though perhaps that's understandable. His mother did just die, after all.
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Please be aware of each story's tags before you read. All Parts are in the order that you should read them.
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Overview/Summary of the Series (a quick guide)
PART 1: Mimicry (complete, 6 chapters)
PART 2: Where Is Your God Now? (complete, oneshot)
PART 3: Old Rugged Cross (ongoing, 5/6 chapters)
PART 4: What's In A Name? (coming soon, oneshot)
PART 5: The Good Samaritan (upcoming, 0/13 chapters)
PART 6: An Eye For An Eye (TBA)
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Character Designs: Mark Owens & Cesar Hernández (1993)
My Boundaries
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This masterpost will be updated as and when new Parts are posted, designs are released, etc. If you have any questions please ask!
Hail, True Body (masterpost)
Artworks by @corvidaeconundrum
'Hail, True Body' is a religious horror series that focuses on what it means to be human in a world that God has abandoned. For Mark Owens, 1993 is shaping up to be the worst year of his young life - and that's saying a lot all things considered. When his best friend Cesar Hernández calls him one night in October, Mark ignores the broadcast warnings to help him out. But Cesar is acting... strange.
Though perhaps that's understandable. His mother did just die, after all.
Or: An eldritch beast tries a little too hard to be human. It goes about as well as you'd expect.
-
Please be aware of each story's tags before you read. All Parts are in the order that you should read them.
-
Overview/Summary of the Series (a quick guide)
PART 1: Mimicry (complete, 6 chapters)
PART 2: Where Is Your God Now? (complete, oneshot)
PART 3: Old Rugged Cross (complete, 5 chapters)
PART 4: What's In A Name? (complete, oneshot)
PART 5: The Good Samaritan (ongoing, 11/15 chapters)
PART 6: An Eye For An Eye (TBA)
(more info + reviews under cut!)
HAIL, TRUE BODY ANIMATIC by freezie!
Character Designs (busts, fullbody art coming soon!):
All character pronouns
All character ages
Mark Owens & Cesar Hernández (1993)
Cian Daniels (1993)
Mark Owens post-Mimicry (face scars)
My Boundaries
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PLAYLISTS:
(Playlists will be updated/added to as and when - you are also welcome to suggest songs!)
'Imaginary Boy' - Mark Owens' 'The Cure' Mixtape
'Good Old Fashioned Lover Boy' - Cesar Hernández' 'Queen' Mixtape
'Mixtape 1964-2000' - Cian Daniels' Mixtape
'Ghoul Huntin' - Azzy's Playlist
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Other Information:
All Locations in Patmos County
Main Character Family Trees
This masterpost will be updated as and when new Parts are posted, designs are released, etc. If you have any questions please ask!
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Reviews from readers:
"really good. only almost threw up like 4 times. also a vaguely deer shaped creature gets bested by a well aimed stick so 10/10" @b0nkcreat
"this story broke me into pieces and then crushed them into a fine snortable powder for the devil to enjoy. 10/10 would read again. like bottling every feeling at a funeral and making it physical. god I love these little sillies so goober core heart emoji. i am forever changed. the person i was before is dead and buried in an open casket... darcy is cute btw" @corvidaeconundrum
"Unironically, this story made me feel emotions I forgot existed. 10/10, would recommend!" @kade-is-here
“This story made me wanna explode out of both happiness because of how great the writing is, but also out of sadness because of how depressing it gets. 11/10, would erase my memory just to read it for the first time again.” @kyliebirdie
"Reading HTB makes you appreciate the good things in life. You need some positivity to counterbalance all the angst that was just shoved into your soul. Live your life to its fullest because some of the characters didn't live long enough or lived good enough." @didasgomas
"10/10; I have gone through emotions unknown to both man and shrimp, have wanted to bash my head against the table too many times to count due to said emotions, and have placed the author on a hitlist. highly recommend. also screw the deer" @itsjustaturt
"hail true body has been the first story to make me unlock shrimp emotions. 10/10 would read eldrich beings accidentally getting humanity again" @cookierye
"amazing story makes me feel like i need to vomit <3. i hope the Deer gets eaten by bugs and that Mimic!Cesar gets to live out his greatest dream and eat concrete at some point. it's so well written and feels like a swarm of insects. 10/10 would eat if it was edible." @stormco0l
Art dump of two of our OCs for a fantasy series we have planned. Also sorry for disappearing again, one last week of terror and we’ll be back to smooth sailing🙏
There are things all around you in the world, trying to survive, that you'll never get a chance to notice.
There's a werewolf in the café that you always go to, working on his laptop. It's already far enough into the lunar cycle so that he's becoming semi wolflike at night. He'll spend to weekend upstate this month when the full moon finally hits, like he always does. He tells himself it'll be nice to get the fresh air, and he's glad he's privileged enough to not end up hurting anyone. You just think of him as taking business trips every month.
There's a ghost whose possessing a human body for the first time in a long time, standing on the subway platform with some of her living freinds. She's laughing about how weird it is to walk around as a person, and slightly nervously commenting on how there's plastic in this body's blood. This is her first time she's possessing a male body, and the awkwardness of it has given way to a strange fascination and euphoria as to how it feels compared to her body when she was alive, she likes how people look at her, and how handsome she feels.
There's a goblin whose been stealing food from that deli that you always go to, and petting the cat every time he get a chance to. He lives in subway tunnels, because it's safer to dodge trains then dodge the eyes of humans. The world is a much bigger place to someone so small, and the streets and buildings weren't built for him, and neither were the trees or animals. He wakes up every day hoping to survive, in a world where humans are giants that stalk the streets, and where scaring someone is a crime that may cost him his life. He prays he won't die for the crime of being small, or the crime of being ugly.
There's a vampire on your college campus, trying to still have a normal life after being turned. She knows everything from her human life will be gone in a hundred years, it was supposed to be gone the momment she was bitten but she tries to make it so she can still keep moving forward. Her body lacks so much that it used to, she doesn't sleep, doesn't desire sex, doesn't eat, but she's still a person, who can talk to her freinds, and still go to classes like she used to. She'll survive like this as long as her family is supportive enough to let her stay in their apartment, and as long as her girlfriend let's her drink blood from her hand, as if she was handfeeding an animal. And for awhile it'll be like she's still a person.
There's a demon on the sidewalk near your campus, standing right near the subway station, whose having to focus their energy on a spell that makes them look human, knowing their true form would terrify the humans around them. They're walking every street so excited, so amazing by the city around them, by the world around them, the glistening towers, the people outside talking, the sky that's so very blue. It's all so mundane to the humans around them, but to a demon, who was told they never deserved any of it, that they'd never see anything but the underworld, it's the most amazing thing possible. And the world is so pretty, so hopeful, through their doomed eyes.
Obsessed with the idea that the villains 'help' being more powerful than the villain itself.
☆°•¤▪︎.☆°•¤▪︎.☆°•¤▪︎.☆°•¤▪︎.☆°•¤▪︎.☆°•¤▪︎.☆°•¤▪︎.
The Villain had never underestimated their abilities to kill without remorse. In fact, they knew very well of their dumb Lackeys ability to do so.
Though the Villain had one classic flaw. The one thing that is such a cliche but usually the key to their downfall. The Villain was overconfident, believed that they were invincible.
And as soon as they approached their quite expendable goon, they pulled out their gun, aimed at their head. After all, they wore out their usefulness. The Villain didn't need them anymore.
Though as soon as they cocked the gun, the Lackey was facing them, barely a foot away with their own gun pressed between the Villains jaws. And that damn Lackey looked unbothered, as though this never came as a surprise to them to be betrayed this way.
The Villain felt their eyes widen at the words following the 'clack' of their Lackey cocking their own gun.
"And now, why don't you beg for me to not blow your brains out and just forget this ever happened, my dear?"
Part 1: Asylum
Hey friends! Here's the first in a two-part original story. I first wrote this back in 2012 (I was 14 at the time), but I took some time to make some significant edits today (a full decade later), so hopefully it turned out okay. Anyhow, please be nice, and enjoy!
Alone I sit, suffocating in the near-silence as I hear nothing but my own thoughts and the ticking of the clock on the wall in the distance.
Click. Pat, pat, pat.
A woman enters my vision, hand gently lighting on my shoulder as she dodders down into a crouch. “How are you today?” she asks. Her eyes are blue, but not like warmth and joy and summer. Her eyes are as stormy as a summer squall, rain held back just barely. I continue staring blankly at the white-washed wall across the room, holding back my own inevitable tempests.
After a moment, she heaves to her feet, turning to leave as the mist begins to cloud my eyes like the fog at the end of a waterfall. As she closes the door, one single droplet escapes, landing in my lap. “I didn’t do it,” I whisper, only to be met with echoing silence. She’s already gone.
Every day is the same; breakfast, lunch, dinner, sleep. Everyday I remain on my bed, legs crossed, eyes on the white wall, locked away within the prison of my own mind. There is nothing to do but think, always think. Occasionally I hear the faintest sound of clomp, clomp as someone plods past, likely to the family room; they have a visitor. I never receive any visitors.
I have all but lost count of the time when a noise cuts through the silence of my mind, new and unexpected. Far off, as if miles away, I hear my brother; he is calling my name, trying to reach me. No, he cannot be here. I must have finally lost my mind. This place meant to heal those who have gone mad has, finally, unhinged me. I blink, and his voice is at once louder, closer. Once more, and I hear the stomping of many feet. The guards are rushing. I have never heard them in such an uproar before.
Crash!
I flinch in my seat as the door is flung open wide. I glance at the intruder as if through a haze, my ears ringing as he utters my name. The sound of a sigh as the mirage steps closer. The dam breaks as the monsoon that I’ve fought for months finally escapes my eyes, pouring like waterfalls down my face.
“They said you killed him,” he breathes, “Did you?”
“No,” I croak, my throat scratchy and soar, as I speak for the first time since I entered this room.
“I’m going to get you out of here,” he pronounces before his voice falters. “It’s not going to be easy, though.”
One month later, and I’ve finally escaped my white prison. Rough hands reach for me, grabbing at my hands, arms, shoulders, feet. I feel the cold bit of metal around my wrists, as they tug me through the building, yanking every so often on my arms. At the court, question after question are hissed at me. I breathe in, knowing this is the last time I will breathe outside air, and begin to answer slowly, calmly. Regardless of the truth, they already seem to have decided my fate. I know my family sits nearby, a mere twenty feet away, but I dare not venture a glance. From the corner of my eyes, I watch as my mother rests, so still and stoic one might mistake her for a statue. At the sound of the jury, my brother’s head drops. I knew I never stood a chance.
Alone I sit, suffocating in the near-silence to the sound of the ticking clock on the wall. There had been too much evidence. Nothing to protect me from the sharp slices each piteous glance made in my heart. Nothing to defend me from the shame placed upon me for a murder I did not commit. It doesn’t matter that I did not know about it, had never heard of the victim; I will spend the rest of my life in this place, this white-washed prison.
Every day is the same; breakfast, lunch, dinner, sleep. Everyday I remain on my bed, legs crossed, eyes on the white wall, locked away within the prison of my own mind. There is nothing to do but think, always think. And no visitors; I never receive any visitors.
The Moreau Manor.
This is part 1 of an ongoing series I'm doing. :D
It was cold. empty and cold. To be fair it was raining outside. But this was a different type of cold, I could feel it in my soul. A dark looming presence that invaded something I used to call home. All the furniture, appliances, and clutter were completely gone. The rooms were locked. Even hers. Granny always said that the house was filled with mysteries, curses, blessings, and even secret rooms. No one believed her of course, I chose not to believe her but something inside me screams that she was telling the truth. I mean.. what other than a curse can cause the tragic calamity that rained and assaulted my family?
I promised. I promised her I would never come back. But when I found out that I inherited this very manor, I couldn't control it. It felt like it was beckoning me to come home. To solve whatever the mystery this house once held was.
When I stepped inside everything was cleared out. The living room, the guest room, and the dining room. All except the kitchen. I don't know whether or not the rooms we used to live in were also cleared out. I'd have to check soon. The kitchen was dirty. Piled high with unwashed dishes, rats scurrying across the floor, Food leftover in the fridge that hasn't been cleaned out since I left. But there were a few letters both hung on the fridge and scattered across the counters.
One read: "Evelynn, please. You cannot keep everyone here. It is best if you let them go and move on. For all our sakes." Signed, Frank. Another said: "Frank. If you have something to say, say it to my face. Do NOT scribble it on a piece of paper before you leave for work. Coward." Signed, Evelynn
My grandmother's name is Evelynn. And Frank is my Uncle. I've lived here for years yet I never realized any tension between them. Could this be after I left? Or perhaps I was just too young to recognize it?
I picked up more letters and decided to decipher my question. "You know I don't have time to stick around. Listen, everyone here is only going to suffer the longer we stay. I know you miss him but it's not worth risking the happiness of our family." Signed, Frank. "You have all the time in the world when you get home. Yet you choose to ignore your family and close yourself off in your room. You have NO RIGHT to judge me when you yourself have never done anything to interact with our family. We are staying. That is final." Signed, Evelynn
The rest of the letters that I found were either burnt or scratched out. As if someone did not want anyone else to read what happened between them.
I pondered for a moment, trying to understand what Uncle Frank meant by 'Everyone is going to suffer the longer we stay.' and 'I know you miss him but it's not worth the happiness of our family.' It didn't make sense, our family was happy here. What could he possibly mean? Does he know something we don't?
My grandmother was always a happy lady. A cheerful force of nature that could brighten everyone's day. So why was she arguing so deeply with Uncle Frank?
It seems I might have to delve a little deeper to uncover the mysteries of this house. Along with the secrets my family might have kept from me.
Summer Memories
First Tumblr post wooo! Decided to post an old fic I had never posted, hope you guys enjoy.
Warnings: Kinda angsty, bittersweet ending, fluff
wc.6k +
Childhood! Kitsune! Miya twins AU x afab reader (she/her pronouns used)
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Waves lapping against the shore, cicadas chirping as they nest on dappled trees, the smell of the lilting breeze and bitter goodbyes; golden sunsets tinting our summer memories.
It was summer again. This was made clear to the melancholic nine-year-old as you watched the trees blur past the back seat SUV windows. You never liked summer. To most children, summer was an exciting escape from scholarly activities; a time to visit beaches, wear flowing floral dresses with straw sun-hats or eat chilled melon by the lakeside- but to you, summer was hot and unforgiving. The sunshine that should have brought you joy only stung your eyes. To you, summer tasted no better than bitter orange rinds.
Ma didn’t like summer either. You had to spend the entirety of it away from her.
“You ought to be a big girl now” she would say. “Spend time with your Pa, it's only for a few months”.
A few months felt like forever- forever with a stranger. Pa was never home when you were young, even less when your Ma spoke through tears telling you he was never coming back.
Di-vor-ce. Divorce? You had a hard time wrapping your head around the pronunciation, but you reckoned that ‘divorce’ was what your Ma had meant. You had heard a few concerned teachers talking about it in the hallways, only ushering you off frantically when they saw your head peeking from the corner. You scoffed. Adults were always hiding secrets. You guessed that they didn’t think you would understand because you were ‘too young’.
The juxtaposing jubilant melody of summer hits hummed quietly in the background, the occasional rhythmic clicking of the turning signal or the jolt from bumps in the road served as a distraction from your stewing feelings of pensive sadness. You didn’t like summer, and you didn’t really like your Pa.
I wish I was home.
----
The crunching of gravel and the slow swaying of an ending turn woke you from your stupor. Your father briefly opened his door to stretch before giving you an awkward smile.
“Hey squirt, we’re finally here. Let me get your things and put them into your room”.
When you gave no answer and only stared at the collar of his shirt with empty eyes and pressed lips, he sighed and ran a hand through his hair.
Laughing to fill the silence, he smiled again- no less awkwardly before, but a little more dejected, you noticed.
“Say what- how about I fix you a bento and you can go explore in the woods?” he gestured to the bountiful nature attached to his property. “There’s a frog pond close by and there’s some pretty nice weather today- leave the boring adult stuff to me”.
Still silent, you nodded, to which upon noticing, the tension in your father’s shoulders lifted slightly.
“Sounds good squirt”.
You watched as he disappeared from the car and into his cottage home, leaving the trunk and car doors open. A good way to let in flies, but you weren’t going to tell him that.
Trees shifted slightly in the warm breeze, the dappling of the evening sunlight casting shadows of foliage onto the warm wooden deck you had retreated to while waiting for your promised bento.
Your father was wealthy, you supposed. You constantly heard the prim ladies of your mother’s office gossip about his famed writing career- something to do with traditional Japanese literature and poems- (though you noticed that the ladies gossip was snide regarding your Ma, which is why you never brought it up). You knew nothing about poetry or writing but you could definitely see the connection between your estranged father and his esteemed job. It simply made sense that he was eccentric, yet reserved and awkward. Most artists seemed to be that way, like Ms. Maraday; a European woman dressed in vibrant purples and eclectic, clashing, patterns that lived next door to your flat in Tokyo. She often wore long feathered caps and copious scarves, chemises, and silks. Your Ma told you she was an ‘interior designer’ (‘someone who made houses look pretty’-she later said when you told her you didn’t understand).
If you remember correctly, you were now in Hyogo. It was a simple village with an emphasis on nature. The traditional Japanese home that laid amongst the towering trees made it look peaceful. You supposed that is why your father moved here, away from the bustle of the glowing city where he could concentrate on his work and be inspired by the elements that simply weren’t of abundance in a place like Tokyo. It made sense why he left-you knew this. People with passions like him needed suitable places for creation, yet this reasoning didn’t seem to cure the bitter ache that left a taste too pungent in your mouth.
The sliding paper door caught your attention when your Pa returned, a cloth-wrapped bento in hand.
“Go explore, squirt, just be careful and come back before it gets too dark”.
He gave you an unappreciated head ruffle and limped back to the car to unpack (he’d always had a funky waddle- your Ma always called it his ‘penguin walk’).
‘Time to explore’ you thought before stashing your bento into your yellow backpack and trekking down the forest pathway leading away from the house.
---
The warm breeze flew past you gently, stringing along stray leaves and bending the branches above you in a graceful arc. It was more shadowy now; the shade from the canopy casting flowing shadows akin to when sunlight hits the sea. These woods seemed quite magical. Quiet; yet unexplored and imbued with mystery. You enjoyed the silence away from the reality of summer, and the fresh air that filled your lungs brought you temporary relief.
You were no longer following any sort of pathway, having strayed from the main areas in a moment of distraction whilst looking at the rays of vibrant light peak through the leaves. This didn’t bother you much- you were keen on exploring and any bought time away from the house was time well spent as far as you were concerned. Birds chirped and creatures scurried along the tall blades of grass. Perhaps you would find a fairy- that would certainly make your adventure more exciting. You continued on, unwavering heat beating on your brow and causing gleams of sweat to form.
How long have you been out? It didn’t matter you supposed. It was just fun to wander in an unfamiliar place- plus you had been hoping to come across the frog pond your Pa had mentioned so you could hold them. There weren’t many frogs in Tokyo for you to hold.
Though, despite your efforts to trudge on, you couldn’t ignore the rumbling in your stomach. The bento was looking more appealing by the second, and eventually, your hunger outweighed your determination to continue, as you settled by a sunning rock and dug around your belongings for the wrapped bento.
Untying the pink patterned sheet, you unveiled your lunch, the rice from your tuna onigiri sparkling in the sunlight like a polished stone. You couldn’t wait to eat.
Before you could even take a bite, a harsh rustling from a nearby bush caught your attention. You narrowed your gaze on the shaking bush, fear making hairs rise along your neck. Surely it was just a woodland creature- a rabbit perhaps? You wanted to find a fairy, not a monster, but when you creeped closer in fearful curiosity, the two identical pairs of glowing brown eyes within the shadows of the bush-branches made you leap away with a yelp.
You squeezed your eyes shut and brought your chubby little arms to brace yourself from the bush-monster.
Two small shadows with pointed ears loomed over you and the bantering whispers of hushed voices made you peek cautiously.
“I told ya I smelled food!”
“You said ya smelled something, not food.”
“Did not-”
“Did too!”
“Yer a liar-”
“Ya? Yer justa’ scrub.”
Two brunette boys around your age stood over you, bickering as their colored kimono- blue and red respectively- swished with each dramatic flair of their arms. The two were perfectly similar, like looking at your reflection in the mirror, and even more odd than the traditional clothing they were wearing, was the pointed fox ears and matching orange tails they donned. Were they real? They looked eerily realistic and the fact that the red kimono-wearing boy’s tail was flicking violently, affirmed that they were.
Perhaps they were the mischievous kitsune fox-spirits from folklore. You gulped. They were talking about food- you just hoped they weren’t meaning you.
“P-please d-d-don’t eat me” you stuttered quietly.
Your meek voice managed to catch the attention of the twins as they gazed upon your crumpled form.
“Ha- we don’t eat humans, ya scrub.” The red kimono-wearing boy said, gazing down at you with a look that said ‘you’re an idiot’.
“We want soma’ that onigiri ya got there.” Chimed the second boy, his face stoic; a contrast from his more fiery counterpart.
You hesitantly put down your arms and stood back up from the ground, getting a better look at the twins who gazed at you with intensity.
“What are ya waiting for, human?” the red kimono boy hollered “Stop ya starin’ and share yer bento with us”.
You listened, grabbing your bento and holding it out for them to take.
The two wasted no time (you noticed the blue-kimono boy was the first to snatch a bite) gobbling up the tuna onigiri. You were safe for now, you hoped, and so you sat along with them near your rock and began to eat as well.
“Uwahhhh~ these re’ delicious!” the boisterous red-boy spoke rudely through a mouthful of tuna and rice. You could practically see stars in his eyes as he chewed in delight- it reminded you of Ms. Maraday whenever she saw ‘handsome younguns’ pass by your neighborhood (you didn’t quite understand, but your Ma said you would when you were older-you weren’t too sure).
You were very curious about these strange boys and who they really were. You desperately wanted to know, but you remained quiet, afraid to bring more attention to yourself.
“We’re kitsune” the quieter one spoke, rice grains littered around his mouth. When you gave him a look of confusion he replied with a mouthful of onigiri “Ya looked like ya wanted to ask”. Nodding in understanding you smiled at the two, which caused them to stop chewing.
“What’cha smilin’ for, human?”
“Just happy that you aren’t monsters- and that you’re not gonna eat me”.
The boys gave each other a mirrored look of shock and proceeded to burst out laughing.
“This again? Of course we aren't gonna eat ya, human,- yer probably not even tasty” the red boy cackled, showing his miniature pointed fangs.
“Yer such a scrub” he added.
“Super scrubby” his brother agreed.
Ignoring the insult, you started to feel more comfortable around them. You didn’t think that they were going to bring you any harm.
“What are your names?” you asked, chewing on some grapes.
“I’m Osamu,” the blue-wearing boy pointed to himself “and Atsumu is my idiot brother over there”
Atsumu lit up in indignation as he swatted his tail to flick his brother- ending in a small tussle between the two that you awkwardly witnessed.
“I- my name is Y/N!” you exclaimed quickly, hoping to break up the fight. It thankfully worked, as the two separated (albeit glaring at each other) and nodded along, ears flicking in irritation.
“Sounds likea’ pretty scrubby name to me” scoffed Atsumu as he dusted off his Kimono. He looked at you deeply, his more golden-flecked eyes searing into your mind.
Though Atsumu seemed to be the more loud of the two, Osamu was just as intense. He had this aura of coldness and aloof eyes to match, despite his age.
“Let’s call ya froggy instead. Ya look like the dopey frogs by the pond.”
Atsumu agreed with his brother, snickering at the suggestion, while you simply nodded in indifference.
“You know where the frog pond is?” You asked.
The two boys quit their teasing and looked at you with identical squinted eyes of suspicion. You felt a little nervous.
“Can you show me where the pond is? My Pa said it was close by but I can’t find it” you continued, hoping they would lead you so you could see the frogs they had named you after.
“Hm… I dunno Froggy, that’s mine and Samu’s secret spot…” he trailed off with a pout on his lips and a mock-questioning expression, and you looked crushed.
Atsumu quickly realized your fading expression as he piped up quickly with feigned disingenuous interest “I guess ya can tag along Froggy. Yer a scrub, but yer kinda cool I guess”.
“-Cool enough ta’ give us onigiri” Osamu joined, hands folded inside his kimono sleeves.
Your eyes sparkled like river stones in the sun as you gripped your yellow backpack straps in excitement.
“Let’s go ‘Samu-’Tsumu!”
The two boys bashfully looked away with pinkish faces, but you were too stoked to notice.
The three of you traversed to the pond, you doddling behind the two twins as they playfully told you to hurry up.
----
Meeting up by the frog pond became a regular occurrence throughout the summer spent at your father’s cottage. No longer was it ‘Tsumu and Samu’s secret spot’- it was your secret spot as well. Times when your father had to work on manuscripts, became times for the three of you to explore the plentiful woods together and gather by the frog pond for a lunch of tuna onigiri (you made your Pa pack extra routinely, and though he was confused at first, agreed- you were a growing girl, he reckoned).
“I’m going to catch the biggest frog today!” Atsumu beamed with unwavering confidence. You giggled and cheered him on despite Atsumu frequently proclaiming this and never living up to it.
“Good luck catching a frog ‘Tsumu. Yer ugly face scares them all away”. Osamu sneered, grinning cattishly. He stood knee-deep in the muddy pond with his kimono robe hitched up into undershorts and his sleeves rolled to his shoulders.
“Ya have the same face as me ya scrub!” Atsumu barked back, similarly in position like Osamu, but on the opposite side of the small pond. You simply sat on the banks, dipping your toes in the luke-warm shallows as you didn’t want to dirty the yellow sundress your Ma had given you.
“Just ya watch ‘Samu! Yer gonna be cryin’ once ya see the fat toad I catch- Froggy! Watch me!” his fluffy orange tail flicked around as he wriggled like a cat in a hunting crouch. His eyes were focused on the water underneath him as his brother merely rolled his eyes with an irked huff.
“Y/N could catch a bigger frog than ya and she’s not even in the water, ‘Tsumu.”
The boy gave Osamu a deadpan glare and returned to his concentrated form.
A quick fox-like dash of a hand and an unceremonious splash (not appreciated ‘Tsumu) later, Atsumu cupped his prize delicately with both little hands, trodding out of the water towards you with Osamu following. He unveiled the grayish frog to you, basically the size of his entire palm.
“Ha! What did I tell ya ‘Samu? Look at my frog!”
Osamu paled when you cooed, fascinated at his brother’s catch, and rolled back his sleeves preparing to go back into the water- this was a competition now.
Atsumu had looked pretty pleased with himself, a cocky smirk and high-raised tail, only feeling his ego inflate larger when you complimented his frog-catching prowess. This was only temporary of course, as Osamu reappears by your side, cupping a perfectly same-size frog to Atsumu.
“Ah- my frog is still bigger than yers ‘Samu!” Atsumu stomped bitterly, the puppy fluff by his ears riled. “Froggy- ya measure ‘em up. Tell us which frog is bigger!”
You analyzed both frogs carefully. They were utterly identical- a lot like the twins facing you with beaming anticipation for your decision.
“They’re both the same” you concluded, bringing faces of disappointment as the two bickered about which frog should have won the competition.
“Here-” they stopped their fighting to look towards your smiling face as you stood to perch a daisy-link crown around the two ears between them. “You both can win the prize.”
They stood tensely with synchronized blushing faces- both frogs long gone by now from the lack of watchful eyes.
“Yeah…w-whatever. I guess we can both win..” Atsumu pouted as his hands fidgeted with your gift. Osamu similarly looked bashfully, whispering a ‘thank you’ and playing with his damp kimono sleeves.
Despite their many differences, you could definitely see their brotherly similarities as they stood with mirrored shyness. You could only giggle.
----
“I’m King of the rock today!”
Osamu huffed, a frown on his rounded face.
“Yer always King of the rock ‘Tsumu!”
Breeze ruffled the long fronds of grass, the sound akin to brushing the fur of a large pooch (you imagine that such a pooch would need to use a pool as a bathtub and a rake as a comb). You pleasantly tuned out the background noise as you relaxed in the golden evening, serenaded by the season’s cicadas. This had been going on for a while now, the sharp tang of clashing voices sometimes pulling you out of your sleepy daze.
Two twins perched on the highest ledge of the sunning rock, billowing tails irate and ears pinned flat against their brown locks, bickering about who would be crowned the prestigious title of ‘King of the rock’. This was often a game the three of you would play, Atsumu and Osamu rotating between the ‘King’ role and you faithfully claiming your position as the court advisor (neither of them knew what that meant, and you only knew about it because of your father’s habitual tendency to spout oddities at the dinner table). Though you certainly had no opinion on the matter, you knew for certain that the two trouble making brothers would rope you into it somehow.
“Froggy!” “FROGGY” (said simultaneously)
And here it was.
“Ya agree don’t ya? ‘Tsumu would make a better princess than a King”.
You held in a laugh at Atsumu’s blinking shock as the twins pounced on each other; frolicking fox kits in the summer sunlight. You could tell there was no real malice behind the two’s actions, they were brothers- hearts intertwined and spirits invigorated by each other’s energy. It almost made you envious. You grew up relatively lonely, only enjoying the presence of Tokyo and your imagination; the subway was your carriage, the chimes of streetlights your music, and the songbirds and alleycats, your friends- you wondered if a sibling would help fill that void.
“OW! ‘Tsumu!”
You snapped out of your reverie, lying up from the flattened grass you nested on. Osamu sat on the mossy rock, eyes watering, lip quivering, and little hands nestling the bottom of his foot. You got up immediately, looking back to see Atsumu guiltily shuffling beside his brother, wringing his hands. He looked unsure what to do, and you could see tears beginning to well in his eyes as well, as he saw what he caused to his brother.
Gently you took Osamu’s muddy foot into your hand and inspected the scrape from the fall. It was bleeding slightly, running a crimson pathway down his heel and pooling between the crevices between his toes. Running your sleeve along his heel to wipe the blood, you caught him wince- you tried more delicately this time, removing residual grime as well, seeing as the two fox-boys never wore footwear.
You turned back to Tsumu who by now was sitting on the opposite end of the rock, looking ashamed and wilted like an unwatered houseplant. “‘Tsumu-” you called for his attention.
He turned.
“Help me bandage your brother up?” You pawed around your yellow backpack looking for the small first-aid kit your mother insisted you carry around- finally the heavy tin box would be put to use.
You instructed Tsumu to hold up his brother’s foot while you held up two bandaids- a hello kitty one with polka dots, and a blue one with patterned hearts. Both brothers grimaced at the ugly choices, but you gave them a look that got them to settle down.
“Hello Kitty or hearts?”
Osamu sniffed and chose the blue one (of course), to which you complied and stuck it to his heel. You prodded Atsumu who had returned to sulking, and whispered at him to apologize.
It didn’t take long for his pride to break. He started to sob as he hugged his brother in a tight embrace and tugged at his kimono sleeves “Sorry ‘Samu! I didn’t mean ta hurt ya!”
Samu pouted his lips pretending to still be offended, but you could tell it was all forgiven as he flicked his tail atop of his brother’s head like a strange hat and patted his arms.
“Ya ya. Yer alright ‘Tsumu”.
It was genuinely heartwarming to see them interact and you began to enjoy your summer a little more while watching your friends. Atsumu’s sniffling ceased, as he looked up at the two of you bashfully.
“Hey ‘Samu?”
“Ya?”
“Ya can be King today”.
----
The smell of cedar is strong in the midnight forest as you trek with your fox-eared friends. Cicada’s chirp loudly, framing the sounds of wooden sandals and calloused feet on the grassy pathway.
“‘Saaamuuu, how long till we’re there?” You complained for the nth time that night.
Looking to the right, with a mopey face to ‘Samu, posture slouching from what seemed to be hours walking in your young body, you were interrupted by the wrong twin.
“Keep it down, ya, Froggy?! Yer gonna scare the buggies with all ya groanin’!”
Osamu flicked his plume of a tail and nipped his twin’s ear at his snappy response. Atsumu only shrugged it off, but clearly looked peeved, taking the heel of his palm and smoothing out the fur of his ears with a huff.
“We’re nearly there, Froggy. Don’cha worry ya little Froggy head, ya?”
You giggled as ‘Samu ruffled your hair like a wet umbrella. Only to giggle louder when ‘Tsumu joined in the attack- the two boys relentlessly tickling you and making you forget about your aching tiredness.
They two stopped only when spotting a scooping hill in the distance.
“C’mon, Froggy! The night waits fer no one!”
You attached yourself to the racing twins by holding on to their obi, venturing to the moonlit meadow just outside of the forest.
You sucked in a deep breath as you gazed upon the endless expanse of the glittering indigo sky. Arcs of night clouds circled the pearl moon, trees bending in a graceful embrace around the tickling sweet grass, the scent of chill and clarity enrapturing the senses. The flickering stars reflected in your irises; gleaming with some wondrous awe the two boys became utterly fascinated with, as their own sharp eyes studied your tranquil ease.
Placid lips, once silent, parted to speak- though it was clear your focus was still diverted to the summer heavens.
“This place is so…” you paused; gentle winds jostling your locks and chirping creatures filling the silence.
“Beautiful” you finished.
The sway of the long grasses caressed your body as you laid to stargaze in the meadow. The twins, still entranced by your contentment with their surprise location, sat on either side of you- mirroring cheshire grins of success lacing their canine smiles.
The more boisterous fox chirped as he flattened his arms behind his head like a pillow.
“Just ya wait. The best part hasn’t even started yet”.
You directed your starlit gaze to ‘Tsumu, wondering what else could be more magnificent than the ether above. Anticipation paid off, as in the corner of your eyes (next to a pair of smirking foxes), golden, floating, stars started to come from underneath the grass.
“They’re stars!” you burst out in excitement. You look at the faces of your two cherished friends, watching them giggle at your unlady-like outburst. They didn’t bother correcting you, as you looked like you were having too much fun hopping like a grasshopper in the meadow, a huge grin on your face as you attempted to catch the floating stars.
“‘Tsumu! ‘Samu!” you called. “Come catch the stars with me!” Atsumu was the first to wriggle his tail and pounce like a hunter towards you, tickling you as you absolutely beamed. Osamu watched on, laughing identically with his brother at your giddiness. When was the last time he and his brother had a friend like you?
It had always been him and Atsumu, facing the world together. Foxes are solitary creatures, and it’s rare that Inari, the fox goddess, would send such young kits to work in the human realm. You truly were a treasure. A glittering golden stone like the bright sun; something so ultimately precious to them, as if you were worth more than the tastiest fatty tuna onigiri or the high of winning against his brother- you were family. No longer was it two unlucky twin fox kits facing the shadows of the earthly plane- it was ‘Tsumu, ‘Samu and Froggy-forever.
“-forever” Samu turned to your voice, you and ‘Tsumu panting and tired after chasing each other, and lying in the ticklish grass.
“Let’s stay together forever” you repeated, turning to face Osamu with glittering fireflies reflected in your endless gaze.
“Forever” the twins agreed in unison.
---
“Ya know, Froggy” Astumu chirped, hands lazily folded behind his fox-eared head, “Those weren’t stars, they were buggies”.
You gaped, eyes wide. “EHHHHHHH!!??”
---
The last day of summer vacation came too fast, and it also just so happened to land on the rainiest day in years. The weather was torrent, trees lashing by aggressively amidst the sharp drops of rain and the howling wind. Roads were closing, trains were halted- all in fear of the upcoming storm.
“You can’t go out today sweetie, I’m sorry-” your father tried to placidate your rising temper. He gestured his hands towards you, in a friendly embrace, only for you to whip out of his grasp in anger.
“It’s not fair!” you cried, fat tears rolling down your soft face. “Why can’t I go out to see my friends?- I won’t-” you paused to catch your breath as you continued to choke on your emotions. “I won’t be able to see them for a long time!”
Battling his confusion at the mention of your unheard of ‘friends’, he ached in sympathy to see you in such a state, but your safety was his uttermost priority “Now, sweetie-”
“NO!” you stomped your foot in utter outrage. You couldn’t believe the audacity of your Pa, to try and stop you from seeing your friends-no-your family- before you left. You hardly spent the summer with our own father, as he was too busy, and now he wanted to take you away from your only reprieve of loneliness?
“You can’t tell me what to do when you’ve never been there- you- you’re barely my Pa anyways!”
Your father looked on in horror, not only at your stinging words,but your small form dashing away quickly past the paper doors and into the unrelenting storm.
“Y/N!” he shouted- you didn’t listen, quickly evading him even as he attempted to chase you on his bum leg.
The wind clawed at your tiny body- rain slicked your floral summer dress and chilled you to the bone. The bending trees, once so welcoming, were being tossed around like marbles in a dish, and the sun that watched over you all summer- gone without a trace in the pluming smoke-like clouds. You continued to run as fast as your legs could take you, every once and a while slipping on the wet stones and skinning your knees in the gritty mud. You couldn’t tell if it was the rain pouring down your face or your tears.
“‘Tsumu! ‘Samu!” you cried, eyes blurry, and snot dripping onto the bib of your yellow collar. Your socks were beyond ruined at this point, and the tears from the sharp branches and many tumbles you took, only worsened the burning sting of the raindrops and buffeting gale.
A gnarled, slippery root brought you to your bleeding knees, and you felt as if you couldn’t possibly continue any longer. You were there- at your secret hideout, but the absence of your foxy friends made your heart drop.
You were wet, bleeding, scared, and alone. Your small little paradise was crumbling, and the angels that once played such sweet melodies to lift your lonesome spirit had faded away into their now-melancolic tunes.
“Froggy!” You whipped your head with re-invigorated energy as you heard the voice of your twins. “Tsu--m mu-Sam…” you cried incoherently as they bent to hug your shivering form.
“I- I just want to go home”.
The twins looked at each other, and with a saddening, but newfound resolve, spoke.
“We can take you home, Froggy- if that’s your wish”
You nodded, feeling defeated, but also confused at how a gangle of small children would be able to pass through the bitter storm for the second time.
“Don’cha worry ya little froggy head- yer safe, with us- always-”
Chocolate eyes met yours in a teary gaze. You were caught in a spell; the familiar slitted eyes communicating their immense sadness, yet, determination as they continued explaining.
“We heard yer wish, ya know, the one about ya wantin’ to go home, and Inari sent us to fulfill this wish, as spirits of the forest”.
Osamu chimed in- “That’s what kitsune do- we grant wishes” he paused and took your frozen hands in his. You noticed he was still wearing the bandaid you put on his foot. “We can help ya, Froggy, but after, our mission will be done…and once ya step out of the forest- you’re gonna forget everything that’s happened…”
“No!” you interrupted, your gaze flicked between the two soggy-haired, solemn boys as you balked in disbelief. “N-no- I’d never forget you guys!” The tears that had slightly dried before came back tenfold as you squeezed ‘Samu’s clawed hands. “The frog pond, the buggies, sharing onigiri?? I’d never forget any of that!” you proclaimed. “We- we promised to stay together-forever! I won’t go home if I won’t remember you two- you are my home!”
“Froggy.” Atsumu silenced you, tucking the stuck hair off your forehead, to behind your ear. You had never heard the jovial boy so serious before. “Ya need to go back to your own world- to grow up in Tokyo-” “-to experience the other seasons-” Osamu added. “-to be with yer Ma and Pa and that crazy hag Ms. Maraday…” They could go on, but by the defeated look reflected in your eyes, they could tell you understood.
You shakily stood up.
“Let’s get ya home, ya, Froggy?”
With their hands joined with yours, they steadied you. Like a beautiful dance, they conjured ghostly blue flames with their spare hands and you watched as the foxfire shot up into the sky like bullets, and returned as glowing orbs leading a pathway through the forest.
Slowly, the three of you began to run through the rain, laughing as you splashed into cold puddles. This was it, the last you’d ever hear of their laughter, so you couldn’t help the tears that mixed into your giggles as they gazed upon you so fondly.
The trail of glowing sky-like fire reached an opening in the forest and you could see the engawa of your father’s summer home shadowed in the near distance.
You dug your heel into the mud and spun around right before the drop off out of the forest pathway. Your face glowed with the slick rain and the heavenly light emitting from the globes of fire that still surrounded the three of you.
The twins cried. You cried, but your signature smile overtook your face. They let go of your hands.
“I’ll never forget you two. We’re friends- forever”.
“Forever”, they agreed, smiling through their tears. You took one last look at their identical faces, tall pointed ears, and their plumes of fluffy white-tipped tails- committing it to memory. You’d remember them. That was a promise.
And with a leap, your muddied sock passed the border between the trees and the outside, and you looked back, seeing the two figures holding hands and grinning caddishly, fading away like transparent ghosts.
As you landed, you suddenly blanked. What were you doing here? You can’t remember, but all you know is that you’re wet, aching, and feel overwhelmingly empty- like something was missing.
“Y/N- thank god you’re okay-!” your Pa hugged you tightly, looking over you as you faded back into reality. Police officers, sirens, and a gaggle of old adults who bore the fireman’s uniform huddled around you and your father, making sure you were okay. You didn’t really understand what was going on, but you hugged your father tighter as your daze looked back at the empty, dark forest. You were ushered inside immediately to get warm, and though the forest seemed to have some sort of significance in your brain, you let it slip your mind as you were being coddled.
----------------
And though you could not remember quite everything that happened during your adventures in the forest by your Pa’s home, you were left with an uneasy feeling in your gut like something was missing. As the familiar crumble of gravel marked the beginning of the journey back to Tokyo, you couldn’t help but gaze upon the slowly receding forest. The tall trees swayed mystically in an enchanting embrace like they were reaching out for you; saddened by you leaving. You wanted to reach back too- only being separated by the pane of the SUV’s car window.
To you, summer was about catching frogs, playing king-of-the-rock, gazing upon fireflies, eating fatty tuna onigiri in the summer warmth, and oddly enough- about two orange foxes with identical brown eyes. To you, the feeling of summer was like home.
The trickling streams of the frog pond, fireflies fluttering in the dimming night sky, the smell of the deep amber woods and yesterday’s rain; vibrant dusk tinting our fading summer memories.
End~
The Law of the Jungle
TW: Clifford the big red dinosaur eats people in this one, so Dismemberment, blood, gore, violence, that sort of thing
Chapter 2: One-Eyed Beast
"That's a big fucking dinosaur"
Troy stood frozen by fear. This was a genuine dinosaur, a real fucking dinosaur. "Jesus Christ" He said in a hushed voice, as he slowly backed away from the massive beast. The red creature, which he knew to be a ceratosaurus, cocked it's head, looking at him with one good amber eye. Troy kept his guard up, as the ceratosaurus stepped off into the pathway, leaving deep prints in the muddy ground. It let out a large bellow, causing Troy to cover his ear and wince, as he slowly crept back to the rest of the group just as they were arriving.
Jacob felt the fear wash over all of them as the small army of mercenaries beheld the dinosaur. It was then that it clicked for Jacob, he knew where they were, they were on the abandoned Lost World National Park. It was supposed to be closed off since the incident, but Jacob figured this wasn't exactly a legal job. It was as he made this realization, that the beast attacked. it lunged forward, scooping a man up in its jaws, just barely missing Troy, who tumbled out of the way. The man screamed as he was torn apart and mutilated by the one eyed beast's mouth
"Scatter!" one of the mercenaries yelled, and all hell broke loose. Some marines tried taking shots at the ceratosaur, but nothing seemed to faze the dinosaur, as it trampled over mercenaries, taking bites out of those who could not escape it's jaws. Jacob found himself desperately searching for his crew, who were all scattered in the panic. In the chaos, he eyed the doctor he had seen earlier, the red haired woman running frantically into the woods, alongside another dark skinned man with glasses. Remembering his job, he chased after them, deeper into the jungle
Troy had gotten knocked back by a large red tail, and awoke to find himself lying helplessly next to a tree. He rubbed his head with his right hand, trying to ease the throbbing pain in his mind. As he stood up, he found his elbow had been lodged in the tree. Panic began to creep in the back on his head, as he tugged. The rumble of heavy, mighty footsteps crept closer and closer. Frantically, breaking his usual cool and calm composure, he pulled even harder at his arm, threatening to tear it off.
The monstrous red beast finally came into view, pushing the jungle aside with its massive bulk. Troy knew what this meant, but he stayed as still as he could as the creature approached. It stopped right before his limp forearm, sniffing it once, twice. Troy could feel its thick, hot breath against his skin. He forced back the urge to shudder as the beast ran its long, powerful tongue across his arm. Troy held his breath, and closed his eyes, praying for it to go away, to leave him alone.
That's when the ceratosaurus stuck, with a crack and the sickening sound of tearing flesh. It ripped off Troy's arm as if it were nothing but paper. Pain and addrenaline surged through his body as he took off running, stumbling through the jungle as the dinosaur roared after him. Clutching his arm, he tumbled over a vine, rolling further down the muddy slope, hitting his head on a root. The world faded into black as he landed on riverbed, the blood from his arm trickling into the river.
Law of the Jungle
TW: Missing an arm, blood, more dinosaurs choosing violence, the usual
Chapter 3: Blood in the Water
"Numerous dangers lurk below the murky waters of this ancient river, waiting for it's next meal. Don't let it be you"
Troy awoke suddenly, as the pain in the stump of his forearm surged back like a flood. "Fucking hell" He groaned, his breaths growing slowed and sharp as he gripped the stump, quickly tearing a strip of fabric from his shirt to tie a tourniquet. The bleeding quickly stopped as he began wrapping bandages where only seconds before his arm had been. He weakly stood to his feet, brushing off his pants and picking up his hat, placing it back on his dirty hair with a dusty thump.
Further up the river, Jack came to his senses. All he remembered was nearly getting trampled by a homicidal lizard. "Glad to see you up mate. Thought I lost you there" Jack turned to see William paddling the large raft he found himself in. "Where is everyone else?" William set down the paddle, squatting down to look his best friend in the eyes. "After that one guy yelled scatter, we all went seperate ways, I saw Jacob go chase after some scientists, and I saw Troy get smacked and fly down the hill." He said, his voice a bit more serious than usual "Then I saw you passed out on the ground, and I couldn't leave you to get eaten or anything, so I grabbed you and booked it" William punches Jack's shoulder gently. "Those two can handle themselves, I couldn't let you get eaten" Jack smiled, happy that if he was stuck in this green hell, he was stuck with in it with his best friend.
Troy trudged deeper down the river, waist deep in the cloudy river. He pushed the thoughts of whatever horrors lie beneath his view aside. His bare calves would occasionally brush against what felt to be slimy prehistoric fish, or something far worse. He eyed the shore, where the red devil of a dinosaur lurked, watching him with it's hollow empty socket. Troy had no doubt that it was eager to get enough bite of him, to finish the job. "Go find another meal, you red bastard!" He shouted to the beast, which responded back with a bellow. What Troy didn't realize as he vented his rage out at the dinosaur, was that there was a very important reason why it wouldn't enter the river, a reason that was slithering it's way towards the one armed sniper.
Deep in the jungle Jacob trailed behind the scientists. It was easy to track them, not only did they leave prints in the wet mud, but their path crosses into what appeared to be a maintenance road. Jacob readied his gun, as he made his way to a large gray building surrounded by fencing. Creeping into the facility, he heard sounds reminicent of a bird call. As the midday began to grow darker, turning to evening, he opened the front door, turning on the flashlight. His flashlight illuminated the facility, casting dark moving shadows as he crept deeper down the halls, his footsteps creating quiet echoes. Jacob rounded the corner to find a disturbing sight, a trail of blood and bloody footsteps leading down the hall, where a single birdlike call could be heard.
All he could do is walk forward.
The Law of the Jungle
TW: More Dinosaur related gore and violence. mostly just the usual
Chapter 4: The Terrible Claw
"Quiet, we're being hunted"
Jacob followed the trail of blood, his weapon trained on the hallway ahead, his breath becoming focused and methodical. Now that he knew the enemy, he could be prepared for it. He methodically checked every room, observing the strange, long dead moniters. It was nostalgic, looking back on the past of this national park. He grabbed a keycard on the desk, as something from further down the hallway began walking. Ducking behind a desk, he peered out into the dark hallway. It was like staring into a black void. He held his breath as the dinosaur finally showed itself. It was large and long, as it's neck craned into the office. It let out a small hiss as it entered, a large, viscious claw tapping on the metal floor. Jacob swallowed and held his breath, "This isn't good" he thought, as the dinosaur sniffed the ground, and began its hunt. It was almost nostalgic to Jacob, in a weird way. It reminded him of a mission in Peru, where he accidentally ended up being hunted by a jaguar. At the memory, Jacob instinctively scratched his eyepatch, and quietly slung his rifle over his shoulder.
He needed to play his cards carefully. If this dinosaur was anything like the jaguar, then it was a powerful animal, and a dangerous threat. So he began his own steathly approach, as the dinosaur continued to stalk him. It was uncanny the way the creature moved, like a bird, but it hunted like any other predatory animal. Navigating the office did not help ease his nerves, as the metal labyrinth continued to twist and turn. He could feel his heart pound in his ears, and he prayed that the creature couldn't hear it. It was as he paused to calm his breathing that the creature jumped up onto a desk, letting out a loud screech.
The sound nearly gave Jacob a heart attack, as he clutched his chest. Shaking his head, he steeled his nerves, and made a break for the exit. The dinosaur whirled around and hissed at him, before lunging after the merc. The chase was on, and it was anyone's game. He knew he couldn't outrun the beast, so he just had to outwit it somehow. But he had to come up with something soon, or else he was going to be extinct.
me: haaa maybe I should skip doing a Halloween special this year. I have no ideas coming at me. writers block galore.
comment I recieved this morning on Autumn Howls: I love the variety! If you did something this year, I'd look forward to it!
me: FUCK I HAVE TO WRITE NOW