Smarty
No one tried to keep the herd away from the big gap after stopping for the bright-time; it would have been impossible, no matter what the toughies tried. You can hear the long-water from where you’re resting, and it’s not far from where everyone’s getting water. The best you can hope for is making sure no one finds out they’ll have to cross over the tree, until it’s too late.
That makes you feel like a pile of poopies; old poopies made by a fluffy with sickies, who ate something really bad. There’s just no choice, though; to reach the new safe-place in time, you need to cross over this long-water. It’ll be here, or not at all. Still, keeping it from your family is tough, and feels worse than keeping it from the herd.
As the sky-ball disappears, you think about the bright-time to come. The herd will find out what’s needed to reach the new safe-place and make it through the cold-times. It won’t be fun and sure, nothing on this trip has been. But who knows, maybe this will finally be too much for everyone. Maybe next bright-time is the last time the herd will be a herd. That’s all a problem for then, though.
Right now is for sleep; you’ll need it more than nearly anything.
The bright-time comes, too quickly and too soon enough at the same time. Once everyone’s ready, you assemble the herd and begin the march. It would be nice if the march could last a bit longer before the crossing. It would be nice if the humans never found the safe-place, and if Flower and Daddeh weren’t forever-sleepies…
Well, here you are.
‘Wai am hewd stahpin hewe?’
‘Wat am dat?’
‘Hewd nu am gun go ovah-’
‘Hewd, wisten tu Smawty!’
You jump on the forever-sleepies tree and face the herd. All you see is confusion and scardies. Well, you can fix the confusion at least.
‘Hewd knu dat cowd-times am cumin,’ you start. ‘Hewd knu dat nee get tu nyu safe-pwace befowe day stawt. Hewd knu dat if nu get dewe befowe cowd-times stawt…’ You leave the last few wordies off; no one here has any doubt what it means to be stuck in the forest during the cold-time. Hopefully, that’s enough to make them accept this next part.
‘Fow hewd tu get tu nyu safe-pwace, hewd nee tu go ovah dis wong-wawa. Onwy can du dat hewe,’ you tap the tree with your hoof ‘ovah dis twee!’ You expected at least a few moments of silence before the yelling started.
‘Dat nu am gun wowk!’
‘Fwuffies nu can go ovah dat!!’
‘Smawty hav tinkie pwace siwwies!!’ That one gets your attention; you focus on the fluffy who said it, leap off the tree and go smack them on the head. ‘Screee!’ The mare, you noticed that a little late, drops to her tummy, trying to cover her head.
‘Dummeh tink knu bettah way?!’ You yell. There’s no time to feel bad about being a meanie.
‘Wai nee go ovah dat?’ Someone else asks. ‘Wai hewd nu can go tu oda-’
‘Dewe nu am oda pwace!’ You tell him. ‘Id take hewd tuu wong!’
‘How wong?’ Someone else yells.
‘Smawty am jus-’
‘Smawty am wight!’ Leaf steps forward. ‘Id take tuu wong tu find oda pwace hewd can get ovah wong-wawa. Dah wookie-fwuffy say dat!’
‘An oda wookie-fwuffies say dewe nu am oda pwaces dat am cwose.’ Hoofie adds. That’s good, you nearly forgot about the lookie-fluffies you set out to check for any crossing points close by. ‘Id take tuu many bwight-times fow hewd tu get to oda pwace. Hewd nee get ovah, an nee get ovah hewe!!’
‘Bud fwuffies nu can get ovah dat!’ The stallion yells pointing at the tree.
‘Fwuffy gun hav tu.’
‘Bud if fwuffies faww ma gun get fowewa-sweepies!!’
‘If hewd stay hewe,’ Leaf says, ‘ow twy find oda pwace tu get ovah, aww fwuffies gun get fowewa-sweepies!’ Things quiet down then; taking the opportunity, you go back to the tree and keep speaking.
‘Dewe am way tu get tu nyu safe-pwace befowe dah cowd-times cum, bud nee go ovah dat twee!’ You announce. ‘Smawty am sowwies! Nu wan du id, bud dewe am nu oda way!!’
‘How Smawty knu dat?’ Someone calls. Before you can respond, an older fluffy speaks up.
‘Shud up, dummeh!’ He yells at the one who asked. ‘Hewd nu hav time. Fwuffy nu wan go ovah dat,’ he points to the tree, ‘bud nu waned wun way fwom dah owd safe-pwace. Ow dah owd owd safe-pwace!’
‘Bud-’
‘Wat can hewd du?’ The old fluffy says. ‘Am aww gun go fowewa-sweepies if nu am in safe-pwace when dah cowd-times cum! Nu hav time!!’
‘Dat fwuffy am wight!’ You yell, hoping his support is what you need. ‘Nao hewd nee huwwy an go ovah dah twee! Nao!!’
‘Dis am how hewd gun get ovah dah twee!’ Leaf yells without waiting for the herd to settle. ‘Hoofie an sum tuffies go fiwst! Den mowe tuffies go, den Smawty, den famiwies, den-’
Deciding to cross in this order made everyone’s thinkie-place hurt. You thought you should go first, being the Smarty and all. Never mind looking at the tree makes your poopie-place twitch. Leaf pointed out what would happen if the tree gave out with you on it, or right after. Someone suggested Leaf go first, but that was only a little better.
After what felt like half the dark-time, well, what you’ve decided doesn’t make anyone happy, but at least it’s some kind of plan.
‘Hewd undewstan dat?’ Almost everyone nods. You’re sure some are nodding even though they don’t, but they should pick it up pretty fast. You hope. ‘Gud. Nao, yu am gun wait tiww tuffies say tu go. If fwuffies twy go ovah twee when nu can, yu get sowwie-hoofies!’ Again, nods, more than last time. Everyone understands sorry-hoofies, that never changes. ‘Otay. Hewd am gun du dis nao!’ Leaf turns to Hoofie; he nods, and turns to the toughies near him.
‘Wets go.’ The toughies nod, but their scardies are clear to see. That’s no surprise, since they’re some of the younger toughies. Thinking about it makes you sick, but you can’t really argue with what was said last dark-time.
‘Id am bettah if Hoofie take tuffies dat nu am owd.’ He said. ‘Hewd nu can wose tuffies dat knu wots.’
It’s mean to think that way, but it’s right; the herd can’t afford to lose the older toughies who know a lot about fighting. The only reason Hoofie is among the first over is there’s no one else you can trust. What really bothers you is, you didn’t even try to argue. But, that’s something to worry about another time. You can’t focus on anything else with Hoofie about to cross the tree.
Approaching the tree, Hoofie pauses and turns to the other toughies. ‘Do wat Hoofie du. Keep goin, an no wook at dah wong-wawa.’
You can’t hear if the toughies’ answer, it wouldn’t surprise you if they’re too sacred for wordies. Your tummy wriggles and twists around at sending toughies so young over the tree, no older than you. But there’s no choice. Hoofie turns back around and gets onto the tree, slipping a little but otherwise looking completely solid. Slowly, he starts to walk across the big gap.
Carefully, one hoof after the other, Hoofie makes his way across the tree. Each step makes your tummy feel tighter, and you need to remind yourself more than once to keep breathing. Somehow, you manage to notice Hoofie’s looking straight ahead. Has he done this before, or does being a toughie as long as he has just tell you what to do?
‘Huwwy up!’ Hoofie calls to the young toughies. ‘Dewe nu am anyting fow hewd ovah dewe!’ Bristling, the young toughies step onto the tree one after another and follow Hoofie. They’re much shakier on their hooves compared to him, but they seem to be coping. If they can get across, the rest of the herd should be able to.
‘Wook wike dis gun wowk,’ Leaf whispers.
‘Mmm,’ So far, anyway. But that’s just it; this has to work. The herd doesn’t have other options. Not good ones, anyway.
‘Day nu am ovah dewe yet,’ another Next bestest-toughie says. He’s right, tough as that is to admit. Still, they’re halfway across. Well, Hoofie is, but the other two aren’t-
‘Gahh!’
One of the toughies cries out as his back hoof slips. It doesn’t look like much of a slip, but any slip on that tree is bad. The toughie stops where he is, staying perfectly still; perfectly still aside from the shaking. Gasps and other scared cries erupt for the herd and a few, who must be his family rush forward before the other toughies stop them.
Most of the herd, you included, just watch; it isn’t like there’s much you can do if things get worse. You can see it, the toughie losing grip, slipping more until he goes off the tree into the long-water. You saw what that drop is like; not even the Bestest-toughie, the old one, could make it through that.
‘Hey, keep goin!’ Hoofie calls, not looking back.
‘T-tuffy nu can! Nu can!!’
‘Tuffy can du id! Tuffy nee du id!!’ Hoofie yells back. ‘If tuffy nu du id, hewd nu can get tu oda side! So fowwow Hoofie ow faww intu wong-wawa!!’ It’s harsh, telling the young toughie to cross or fall and get forever-sleepies. But, it seems to work. With a lot of effort, the young toughie steadies himself and starts walking again, step after step until he’s on the other side. The second toughie joins him soon after, and rushes off to some bushies. You see him come back a moment later; yep, he just made sickie-waters.
‘Otay, nao oda tuffies go!’ Leaf calls. A Next bestest-toughie gathers his toughies and make their way to the tree and crosses it. This group is mostly older toughies, so they manage not to have any stumbles or other scary moments. Though, you think you see a few shaky legs on the other side. Anyway, now that they’re over there,
‘Gulp Smawty gun go nao.’ Leaf nods and you step forward, heading for the tree. Every see-place in the herd is on you right now; it’s almost like standing right in the sky-ball. Each step you remind yourself, over and over, not to do anything that’ll make you look nervous or unsure. You told them you’ll be walking over this tree, after all. No way they’ll do it if-
‘Daddeh!’
Before you can react, Gred’s at your side.
‘Daddeh-’
‘Go back to famiwy, Gwed. Nao.’ You snap.
‘Bud-’
‘Yu am gun cum ovah wif dah oda famiwies.’ You tell him. ‘Nao go back tu famiwy.’
Gred, hear-places hidden, nods and scurries back to wherever mummah and your other babbies are. Mummah, what must she be feeling right… No, don’ t think about that. Don’t think about anything aside from crossing that tree. Everything depends on you getting across that tree.
Everything.
The sensation from touching the Tree isn’t the same as last dark-time. The moment your hoofie makes contact, a strange crawling sensation moves up your leg into your chest. It’s horrible, but you grit your teeth and make the climb, pushing aside how much you wish you’d practised when you had a chance. No look down. Smarty no can look down. You nearly yell out loud to keep looking straight ahead, and who knows how that would look. Right, time to do this.
One step, two steps, one and two steps, one and two and, one? Ngh. Alright, don’t count the steps; that’ll just confuse yuo, and that’s the last thing you need right now. Just one step after another, that’s all you need to focus on; not the heat from the herd and your family watching on. Not how much longer the tree looks now that you’re walking on it, and especially not the roaring form below.
Keep goin. Smarty nee keep goin. Hav keep goin for herd!
There’s cold, sharp hurties all through your tummy and chest, and your leggies might stop listening to you at any moment. Your thinkie-place flashes up a picture of you falling from this tree to the water below, and you stop it just in time! Why is this tree so much longer now? It wasn’t this long before, wasn’t this long when you were standing there just a few moments ago and
‘Gah…’
You’re, here. You’re here! You made it!!
‘Smawty did id!’
‘Wook! Wook mummah!’
You jump off the tree, the whole herd on the other side yelling and cheering.
‘Am Smawty otay?’ Hoofie asks quietly.
‘Nu…’ You want to make sickie-waters, maybe some scardie-poopies and pee-pees going by how those places feel. Not while the herd can see though, not if you can help it.
‘Smawty am hewe nao. Dat am wat mattah.’ Hoofie says, then looking over the gap towards Leaf. ‘Teww dah hewd tu keep cumin ovah!!’
‘Otay!!’ On the other side Leaf turns to the herd and starts talking. ‘Famiwies am gun go ovah nao! Aww famiwies go ovah dewe,’ he points to a spot close to the tree ‘an wait! Weaf say when you am gun go!’ Without waiting for questions or asking if everyone understands, he heads to that spot himself. The families make their way over too, yours among them.
‘Gulp’ You should have brought them over with you. You should have. It would be a lot better than having to wait for-
‘Otay,’ Leaf yells, ‘dis am how Bestest-tuffy wan yu tu do dis; daddehs gu first, den babbehs, den mummah go! Aww famiwies du dat! Undewstan?’ No one speaks up; any fluffy could understand those instructions, and any who don’t are probably too scared to say so. ‘Gud,’ Leaf looks at one of the families. ‘Yu go fiwst.’
Even from over here you can see how the daddeh’s face changes. ‘Bud-’
‘Aww dah hewd nee get ovah dewe, an yu makin dat swow!’ Leaf yells. ‘Bestest-tuffy say go, so yu go!’
The daddeh looks at Leaf a moment longer, but you can tell he’s got no fight in him. ‘Y-yes, Bestest-tuffy.’ He swallows hard, and turns to his family. ‘Dis way. F-fowwow daddeh.’ Gathering everything he’s got, the daddeh walks to the tree and climbs up. He didn’t slip, so that’s something. His babbies, all of them quite big, don’t have any trouble either and neither does their mummah. Slowly, they make their way across the tree.
Watching them is hard; you find it hard to control your poopies and pee-pees, and nothing you can do will keep the feelings in your tummy and chest under control. The daddeh, scared as he is isn’t having much trouble; he is one of the nummie finders, they’re used to walking over tricky ground. His babbies and special-friend are another matter. All of them are a lot shakier on their hooves.
‘Jus keep wookin up!’ Hoofie yells. ‘Nu wook at dah wawa!’ To your surprise, none of them do. One of the babbies, well, they’re closer to little fluffies, tilts his head down slightly, but snaps out of it just in time. ‘Dat am wight! Keep wookin up!!’ You’re not sure how much that’s helping, but you’re too focused on the crossing to argue with Hoofie.
The family passes halfway on the tree; not far now. If they keep looking up they’ll make it just fine, and then everyone else will have to do the same thing. And for once, things don’t go badly at the end. The daddeh jumps off the end of the tree, followed by his babbies and special-friend last. The lot of them trot away from the tree, some of the babbies heading for bushies.
‘Otay, yu go next!’ Leaf says to one of the other families. Like the first, the daddeh gets on the tree and leads his babbies and special friend across. Again like the first, nothing bad happens and all of them make it to the end. The mare take a few steps away and makes sickie-waters, but so long as she’s over here that’s just fine.
Leaf sends the next family over, then the next, and the one after that. Things go fine each time, and you have to stop yourself from thinking this whole thing will go without problems. Not that it would possible to think that now; your family is next. Since you’re over here Gred takes the lead with Little, your other babbies and Mummah behind him.
‘Gulp’ This is it, the moment you’ve been dreading. You didn’t feel anywhere near this bad when you crossed; and your family isn’t even on the tree yet.
‘Day am gun be otay, Smawty,’ Hoofie says. You don’t answer; what would be the point? What else could Hoofie say. What else would he say? And you’re not thinking about what else might happen; if anyone if your family falls, you’re not sure you can stop yourself jumping after them.
Gred climbs onto the tree and starts walking, as carefully and calmly as he can. Little follows closely, not too closely though. Your other babbies are on next; it takes them a couple of tries, which sends your chest and tummy wriggling and running. If they’ve had that much… No, don’t let your thinkie-place go there. You can’t afford to let that distract you. Alright, your other babbies are up now, and so if Mummah. Now, they’re all walking across the tree.
This is the worst kind of bad feeling; your family are right there, doing something really dangerous, and all you can do is sit here and hope. You could call out to them but to say what? Be careful? Keeping looking up? If they don’t understand that now… It would only distract them anyway. You focus on Gred for a while, not for any reason, it’s just where your see-places seem to settle.
He’s doing everything right; looking up, not at the long-water, going slowly and carefully. Jus keep doin dat. You’re worried, no, really really really worried about all your family, but about Gred especially. He’s a lot like you, and that’s the worrying part. There’s every chance he’ll try to be too brave or do something stupid. You might have, and have done. Jus keep doin dat.
‘Day am awmost dewe,’
You flinch, and only just keep yourself from yelling at Hoofie for that. You have see-places, and they are still working. They’re probably working better now than they ever have before!! But, he is right; Gred’s made it half way; he’s nearly over here, nearly safe. Safer, anyway. But you can’t relax yet, not that you could if you wanted to. Most of your family hasn’t made it anywhere near half way yet.
Gred keeps going, taking one step after another slowly and carefully. He’s not far form the end now, a little more and he could jump the rest of the way. Though, you’re thinkie-place will break if he does try that. As Gred does get to that point, one of the worst things that could happen does; a breezie-monster runs past. You miss the noise of it over the water until it gets strong; then your tummy feels tighter than a rock, and ready to fall right out of you.
The breezie-monster is strong enough to ruffle your fluff and everyone else’s.
‘Scree!’ Little cries out, but manages to keep his see-places open and moving forward. Your other babbies, don’t; they stop where they are, see-places screwed shut.
‘NU DU DAT!!’ You scream. ‘BABBEHS! KEEP SEE-PWACES OPEN! KEEP GOIN!!’
‘Daddeh am wight!!’ Gred calls back. ‘Can du id!! Jus nee keep goin!!’
A few moments feel like half the bright-time, but your other babbies open their see-places and keep walking. Slowly, and a little shakily, they keep walking, passing the half way point and further on. Luckily, the breezie-monster isn’t that strong and leaves quickly. How long until the next one comes along? If only you had some way to know. If only none of this was needed…
Gred makes it to the end of the tree and ‘oof’ jumps off. He lands a little hard but it couldn’t have hurt him, judging by how he starts to run towards you. Then, thinking better, he heads back to the tree and waits for the others; Little, your other babbies, and Mummah last of all. Once you’re other babbies get off they don’t make it far before they fall down and start making sad-water. Little rushes over, even though he can’t be feeling much better, along with Mummah.
Heart hurties poke at you; you should go over there and comfort the m yourself. Even more than that, their Mummah, Flower, should be to help them. But, that would also mean her going through all those things; the bad herd attacking, Rock trying to get rid of you, the humans, and all this horribleness. Maybe, and it makes you sick to even think it, but maybe it’s better she never had to-
‘Hoofie can keep watchin if Smawty wan go,’
He noticed? Of course he did; anyone would have noticed you staring off into-
‘Smawty am otay,’ you tell him. ‘Nee keep watchin.’ Your family will understand. Maybe. You hope so.
‘Otay,’ Hoofie says, and goes quiet as the next family makes the crossing.
By the time the last few families have made it over the tree, this whole thing almost seems normal.
Almost.
No more breezie-monsters come past trying to knock anyone off, no one slips off from their own mistake, though a few get very close, and no other monsters try to attack. So much worrying was about getting over the tree, you all nearly forgot about that. It could still happen, but there’s enough toughies on either side now to… Well, better than having none.
Once the last family makes it across, Leaf turns to those left. ‘Nao am gun be fwuffies dat nu have speciaw-fwend, an speciaw-fwends dat nu hav babbehs.’
At least there are no soon-mummahs in the herd. You can’t think of anyway a soon-mummah would make it this far, let along get across that tree.
‘Smawty am suwe nu wan see famiwy?’
You glance in their direction; you other babbies have calmed down, but it doesn’t look like they want to move. Hmm, come to think it, this might be as far as the herd moves this bright-time. It’s taken long enough as is, and getting across that tree has to be as hard as moving a long way normally. Anyway, Little’s taking care of them, and Mummah and Gred are off taking care of the others. They’re doing good, no sense interrupting.
‘Smawty du dat soon. Aftah hewd am ovah hewe.’
‘Otay,’ Hoofie says like the other times, giving nothing away. There’s a lot of things he might be thinking, but he’s never let that get in the way of important stuff. You’re sure he won’t start now. ‘Nu tink can make hewd go any mowe dan dis.’
‘Yes. Dis am nuff.’
‘Shud onwy take dem intu fowest wittwe way. So am safe fow dawk-time.’
‘Den dat am wat gun du.’ you agree. The next little while you spend in silence, watching the last group of fluffies move across the tree. With no more babbies things move a little faster than before; there’s plenty of slow and scared movement, but it’s still faster than before. The sky-ball is half way across the sky, but the herd will still have plenty of time to rest. You all need it.
The last few pairs of special-friends without babbies cross over to the other side, joining the herd. Now the only ones left over there are leaf, another Next bestest-toughie and some regular toughies. ‘Otay Weaf, yu cum ovah nao!!’ Hoofie calls.
‘Am cumin!!’ Leaf yells back. You should tell Hoofie not to talk to Leaf like that, him being the Next bestest-toughie and all. Not now though; later. If you remember. ‘Fowwow Bestest-tuffy!!’ he yells to the others, about two and, three others all up. Leaf is the first one on the Tree and he starts walking.
A toughie follows not long after that, then another. The rest get on one after another, letting the one in front get enough space before. Before long they’re all on the Tree, the Next bestest-toughie getting on just as Leaf’s crossing the half way mark.
Maybe that’s the problem. Or it might be how many other fluffies have used the tree already.
Crack
The sounds sends icy shivers though your whole body before you’ve realised what it is and, more importantly, where it came from.
‘WUN!!’ Leaf starts running as fast as he can for the other side, for safety. Seeing him that other two and tree toughies start running. What happens next is nearly too quick to see properly; The tree breaks, just behind the half way point and just as the Next bestest-toughie bringing up the rear passes by. Both ends of the tree start to lift at the break gets bigger, and lower.
‘GAHHH!!’ Leaf and the toughies behind him run just a little bit faster and jump, slightly sideways as the end of the tree on this side of the gap lifts. They land hard, rolling and grunting loudly as they come down. But at least they make it.
The Next bestest-toughie doesn’t get a chance to scream before the tree tips further than he can run. He’s gone nearly before you notice. The one just in front disappears as quickly as with as little noise. The last toughie jumps for it like Leaf and the others; just looking at him is enough to tell it’s the hardest he’s ever jumped in his life, but it’s not enough. He misses the edge by a lot, and disappears.
Fluffies rush over to the edge, looking over, screaming for the toughies who just, went. You know the next bestest-toughie had a family, and one of the others had a special-friend. A deep pit opens in your tummy. There’s no point looking over the edge; you know they’ve got no chance.
‘Tink dat wookie-fwuffy knu id was gun du dat?’ Hoofie’s voice is low and mad. Dangerous.
‘Stiww nee him tu find safe-pwace,’ you say through your teeth. If that wasn’t the case though…
‘Wat gun du when find dat safe-pwace?’
Good question. Very good question. ‘Tawkies boud dat when get dewe,’ and you will. For now though, ‘Teww hewd to get way fwom here. Nee get tu pwace dat can west.’
‘Yes, Smawty.’ Hoofie walks away to help the others gather the herd. The tension in his body is clear, and it has to be the same with you. That… Did that Lookie-fluffy know the tree was going to do that? Did he?! Well, doesn’t matter now; almost every one got across. You only lost three toughies! That’s what counts as good news for the herd now!!
‘Gnngh.’
And now, you’ve got to convince the herd things are still fine. If things like this keep happening, you don’t think you can blame anyone for running away.
Shelter
Are these sales agents getting younger, or am I just getting old?
Kim found herself asking that question more often these days.
Not like this place hasn’t aged me at least twice what I would have normally. It didn’t help that the particular sales agent under her escort looked like he’d been plucked right out of his high school graduation. Maybe even before that. His face didn’t look clean shaven so much as never shaved. His suit fitted, it had too Kim told herself. Yet, the kid still looked like he’d borrowed one from his dad.
At another time and another place, Kim might be pissed at having to deal with someone so fresh. She’d heard often enough that getting a young sales agent, a guy anyway, was a sign whoever sent them weren’t even trying. That they had little regard for the people they were trying to deal with. That was a long time ago.
These days Kim didn’t mind getting the young sales agents. In fact, she preferred it; they were so much easier to deal with.
‘These kids they send us know so little about buying and selling,’ Dimitri often said, ‘if they walked into a bazaar they’d leave naked, penniless, and thinking they got the deal of a lifetime.’
So far, this one was fitting the profile. While Kim escorted the young agent through the barn, he spent an excessive amount of time looking into each pen. It was almost comical; did he think he could find something Kim and the others had missed in the weeks the fluffies had been here? Of course, it was nothing but theatre; look like you were filling a whole dictionary of reasons to argue the price down.
Kim let him play his game, hardly speaking unless he asked a question. That wasn’t often, and they were all questions one could answer just by looking carefully instead of just pretending to. When they reached the end of one lane, Kim lead the way back down the adjacent one. Then again when they got back to the front. It wasn’t necessary, not by a long shot. But, the agents seemed hell bent on wasting their time so Kim liked to return the favour.
It was something of a game; how many lanes could they make an agent walk before they cracked. This time, it was eight.
‘Alright, I think I’ve seen enough.’
Kim nodded. ‘Okay,’ let’s head back to my office.’ Eight lanes. I*'ve got you beat, Dimitri.* Kim spent the walk from the barn wondering what she’d use the $50 dollars they had riding on this game. She managed to come up with about 6 to 7 ideas by the time she was settled in her faithful well worn computer chair. ‘So, how many do you want?’ She said before the agent had time to settle. The look on his face, though it lasted second, was obvious.
The young man cleared his throat, buying a few precious seconds to get his pitch rolling. ‘Well, you certainly have quite the selection of-’
‘We have about 200 fluffies, mixed families and individuals.’ Kim shrugged. ‘Give or take 15.’
‘Yes, well, there’s a lot to chose from but since they’re all feral stock,’
Here we go… ‘We screened each of them for parasites and pathogens when they arrived.’ Not immediately after they arrived, but agents rarely if ever knew that. ‘They’ve also been fully vaccinated and we do daily checks for injuries and illness.’ Kim folded her hands on the table, watching the young agent try to load up his next talking points, if he had any. She was enjoying this, she had to admit. ‘Plus, forest ferals are known to be far healthier than urbans and runaways. Just about ever breeder knows that.’ So long as he doesn’t notice I’m enjoying it.
‘Okay,’ the young man drew the word out, buying time to salvage an answer. ‘Okay. Still, my employer takes investments and new acquisitions very seriously,’
“Acquisition?” How new to this is he? Kim had never heard a serious buyer use that word. Most of the agents she had to deal with steered well clear of it. *Well fuck it, I know what comes next. ‘*Sounds like you’re worried about being lied to.’
The young man’s mouth opened and stayed that way for a moment, his mind scrambling for a response and finding none. Kim decided to help him out.
‘I’m guessing you’ve heard of Sunnydale, right?’
‘Y-yes I have,’ The agent leapt at the opening, not knowing it was a trap.
‘If you like,’ Kim pulled her phone out, ‘I can get them on the phone right now. We’ve been supplying them for years, and I’m sure they could answer any questions you have.’
The agent stayed silent for long moments. Kim found it hard not to grin, watching the kid’s mind over-load in real time. Eventually, he came as close as any of them ever came to admitting defeat. ‘I’ll have to call the office,’ he said in a flat tone. Standing up. Kim stayed sitting.
‘Alright. Let me know what they say.’
‘I will,’ the agent said, clearly not meaning it. ‘Thank you for showing me around.’
‘You’re welcome,’ Kim said to the agent as he turned and walked out the door. Kim honestly didn’t expect to see him again. A few moments later, Dimitri poked his head in the door.
‘How many lanes did it take?’
‘Eight,’
‘Shit.’
‘I’ll take the 50 out of your pay if you like.’
For an answer, Dimitri pulled a 50 dollar note out of his wallet, balled it up and flicked it in Kim’s direction. ‘Don’t bother.’
‘You guys are assholes, you know that?’ Tony said from the hallway.
‘Why’s that then?’
‘They’re just kids, man.’ Tony said. ‘Kids on the bottom rung doing the shit work for not much more than what they pay a fucking fry cook. Shit, they probably have to pay for their own gas.’
‘Guess the travelling salesman gig ain’t what it used to be.’ Dimitri shrugged. ‘Whatever. I’ll stop toying with them when they stop asking so many dumb fucking questions.’ With that he disappeared, off to complete, whatever jobs he had penned in. Kim didn’t keep track as carefully as she used to. Wasn’t the smart thing she knew, but it only mattered with newbies and volunteers. No sooner than he’d left, Tony came into the office.
‘So mind games aside, are they buying any?’
Kim shrugged. ‘Who knows? I doubt that agent,’ Kim nearly said “kid” ‘has the final say. Hell, his bosses probably already decided yes or no before he got here.’
‘Then why did they even sent him?’
‘Mind games,’ Kim said. ‘Just tricks to budge us off our asking price. If it gets that far.’
‘I thought this place was a not for profit deal.’ Tony said.
‘Fantastic. From now, you’re a volunteer.’
‘I take it back; be as capitalist as you want.’ Tony sighed. ‘Anyway, got some bad news.’
‘Yeah?’ Kim hardly felt anything, even reassignment; there were only so many times one could get ground up.
‘Frankie’s x-ray,’ Tony walked forward and put a folder on Kim’s desk. Opening it, she pulled the film out and held it up to the light.
‘Shit,’ The mass around Frankie’s rear leg bone looked so big Kim thought how the hell it was so unnoticeable even without the fluff, and that it was no wonder the poor thing could hardly walk any more.
‘Now I haven’t done a biopsy,’ Tony said, ‘but there’s almost no chance that’s not cancerous.’
‘Think you could remove it?’
Tony let out a deep breath.’ With where it is and how big it’s gotten, shit I’d have to take the whole leg. And it’s butting up close to the hip and pelvis,’ he pointed out on the x-ray. ‘I’ll be honest, pulling that off and having Frankie survive might be above my pay grade. Fuck, I think even Clara wouldn’t try it.’
Kim had to agree, sadly. They just weren’t set up for that kind of surgery, and there weren’t many vets who were. Even better, none of them were cheap. They don’t pay Rodger a fortune to take care of that park, and like hell the city will foot the bill…
‘It’s not looking good, huh.’
‘No,’ Kim said. ‘Have you made the call, yet?’
‘No,’ Tony said. ‘I, I thought I’d show you the x-ray before-’
Kim cut him off ‘Look, I’ll do it this once. But you owe me,’
Tony stayed quiet a moment, eyes looking anywhere but Kim’s. ‘Thanks,’ He cleared his throat, adding ‘I should check on some of the guys in the recovery room.’
‘You do that,’ Kim said as Tony retreated from the room. Taking a moment to centre herself, Kim picked up the phone. ‘Hi Rodger, it’s Kim form the shelter. Yeah, this is about Frankie. Can you step out for a bit?’ Half an hour later Rodger was in Kim’s office, looking over the x-ray.
‘I’m not gonna pretend I can read these things,’ he said without looking up. ‘But I don’t think I need too to tell there’s no good news.’
‘We don’t have a lot of options,’ Kim admitted. ‘We could go for surgery, but we’d need to send Frankie to a specialist.’
‘Specialist?’
Kim sighed. ‘Look, we can handle simple operations. Removing things from stomachs, removing other things people put in these poor things, hell Tony is getting to the point he could spay and neuter in this sleep.’ Kim shook her head. ‘But here, we’re talking a whole limb removal. It’s complicated even without the tumour. There’s risk of nerve damage or death by bleeding because of how close to the hip the thing’s grown. And that’s all before if this is cancerous or not.’
‘I see.’ Rodger didn’t look up, continuing the study the x-ray in his hands. Kim stayed quiet; she’d learnt fast to give people all the time they needed after delivering bad news. ‘Not gonna be cheap, will it.’ It wasn’t so much a question as a statement.
‘No,’
‘And I’ll bet recovery would take a damn long time.’
‘A month. Maybe two.’ Kim said. ‘She probably wouldn’t be able to run again. There’d also likely be lingering pain, and-’
‘This thing coming back elsewhere if you don’t get it all, assuming it is cancer.’ Rodger finished.
‘Yes.’
There was another long period of silence. Kim distracted herself by glancing at her computer screen; silent notifications trickled in, telling her about another non committal form letter from a fluffy mil that should know damned well she’d never answer them. After what felt like an hour, Rodger sighed and shook his head.
‘I don’t think I can go for that,’ he said. ‘The city don’t pay me that kind of money, and won’t spend it themselves. Plus,’ Rodger paused, not for long but it was there. ‘That wouldn’t be any kind of life for her either. She can barely hobble about for a few minutes right now.’ Rodger Sighed. ‘Breaks her damn heart.’
Silence fell over the two. Kim let it be for the moment, you always wanted to be gentle when things got to this point. Plus, talking about that kind of appointment never failed to fill Kim with dread. Luckily, this time Rodger solved the problem for her. ‘I’ll give her a couple more days, nah, till next Monday. Let her enjoy the park as much as she can until then. Hell, maybe some of her old friends will show up. Never know.’
‘Yeah,’ Kim nodded, glancing at the calendar; Thursday. So a little over four days left. Coils formed in Kim’s stomach; they always did, when she effectively signed a fluffy’s death warrant. ‘I’ll tell Tony to be ready for you.’ Hope shuffling the appointments around won’t cause too many problems.
‘Thanks,’ said, then after a deep breath continued. ‘Anyway, since I’m here, mind if I have a look around the barn?’
‘Shouldn’t be a problem. They’re not so stirred up by strangers now.’
‘Good. I might as well get starting on picking a replacement. I’ll admit, I’ve been,’ Rodger cleared his throat,‘Putting it off. Figured I’d wait for the x-rays.’
‘I get you,’ Kim stood from the desk. ‘Well, follow me.’
Big Red
You’ve spent a long time getting Tree to talk, really talk about what’s wrong with him; it’s been about as hard as getting an actual tree to talk. You can’t complain now after you’ve got him talking, especially with how much work you’ve put into this. Still, you won’t be surprised if Tree goes on for the entire dark-time. He started how you thought he would, talking you all about the heart-hurties he’s been feeling since leaving the Bestest-toughie behind.
What Tree told you after that, you weren’t expecting and wouldn’t have guessed. Ever.
All the thinkie-place pictures going through his head, no matter how much he’s tried to stop them.
How his thinkie-place seems to shut out the rest of the world and focus on those pictures, often without any warning.
Hearing the Bestest-toughie’s voice when there’s no way he could be there.
If you’re honest, there were more than a few times you were worried, sure even, there was nothing you (or anyone could do to help Tree. But you stood there the whole time, letting Tree talk for as long as he needed. That turned out to be a long time; by the end, he was lying flat on the ground, voice quiet from all the use and saddies. You couldn’t see clearly in the dark, but you’re sure the fluff under his see-places was soaked.
‘Miss Daddeh…’
It’s strange how it all come back to that; Tree missing his Daddeh. You out of everyone should understand that.
‘Big We knu.’
Tree doesn’t respond, with wordies or otherwise. He just stays lying down, quietly making sad-water. You let him carry for a while, but it’s not safe for either or you to stay here like this.
‘Go back tu dah odas an go sweepies.’ You tell him, trying your best not to be mean but making sure Tree understands you’re not asking. ‘Big Wed stay hewe fow dah dawk-time.’
‘Sniff Otay…’ Tree says, getting up and slowly walking back to where the others are. You want to follow him, make sure he gets back safely. But you’ve got to keep watch here now he’s gone. Besides, you think it’ll be better if he has some time alone after all that. You’ll talk more in the bright-time, when he’s (hopefully) ready for it. There’s a lot you need to deal with.
That’ll be for then, though. Right now, you’ve got to keep watch.
XX
‘Big Wed knu Twee hav wots of weawy big saddies boud yuw daddeh,’
It’s the bright-time now, not long until you have to move off in search of the herd, again. Before that happens, you take Tree to a quiet spot to say as much as you can.
‘Am sowwies had giv sowwie-hoofies. Bud Big Wed twy oda ways an id nu wowk.’ Tree nods a few times; he doesn’t look directly at you but the fact hes standing here and listening at all is good so far. ‘Big Wed had du dat. Twee was gun du sumtin dumb ow get fowewa-sweepies. Den aww fwuffies hewe maybe nu get back tu hewd.’
Tree nods again, some sad-water sneaking out his see-place. You can tell he knows he’s nessed badly, and for far too long. He probably wants to kick himself, very hard and a lot. You’re kind of surprised he hasn’t asked you yet. Either way, that won’t help anyone.
‘Fwuffies stiww nee find hewd an get tu nyu safe-pwace, an dat onwy gun happen if aww fwuffies hewp. Wook at Big Wed, dummeh.’ Tree looks up; slowly, but he does meet your gaze. ‘Twee nee be tuffy gain. Nee hewp Big Wed an oda tuffies keep fwuffies safe. Undewstan?’
Tree doesn’t answer at first; the pause seems to hang around like those big, dark sky-monsters and your scardies grow. Before you have to think about hitting him again, ‘Twee undewstan.’ He says. ‘Twee knu wat nee du. Am sowwies.’
All sorts of coiled-up, tight spots let go nearly at once. It’s nearly enough to make you stumble. Despite that it’s still obvious how many saddies he has to carry and deal with. Even if he at least looks well enough to do what he needs to, he’s no where near fixed. But, you have to start somewhere.
‘Gud.’
‘Fwuffies nee wawkies nao!’ All Mummah calls. Tree starts heading in that direction and you fall in beside him.
‘Big Wed an gun wawkies wif yu,’ you tell him, making it clear as you can it’s not something Tree can stop without a fight. Luckily for you and everyone else, Tree especially, he doesn’t so much as ask “why”. He just nods and keeps walking. The two of you join up with the others, and your on your way for another bright-time.
Smarty
Meeting with the Next bestest-toughies after the tree collapsed wasn’t pleasant. No one yelled, no one screamed and no one tried to fight, and none of that matters.
‘Shud giv dat wookie-fwuffy fowewa-sweepies.’
‘Wai du wat he say du? Wai nu wook fow mowe safe way tu get ovah?’
‘Id was onwy two an one fwuffies dat hewd wose’
‘Hewd wose tuu many fwuffies aweady dummeh. Wat tink happen if keep wosin fwuffies? Hewd awmost wose Bestest-tuffy. Gain!’
You can’t help yourself from glancing at Leaf; he hasn’t spoken much, and looks pretty awful. Chances are he isn’t even paying attention. You’re torn between understanding, and wanting to smack him out of it because this is no time to fell like that. Daddeh probably wouldn’t have trouble deciding. Sigh
‘Tuffies be quiet nao. Shud up!’ You yell when no one listens the first time. ‘Hewd nu can du anyting boud wat happen. Yewwin an makin tawkies wike dis nu hewp.’ There’s quiet after you finish. A long enough quiet for you to know this won’t end easy.
‘Den wat am gun hewp?’ Someone asks. ‘Dat dummeh wookie-fwuffy gun hewp gain? Hewd knu wat happen when he hewp.’
‘Shud up, dummeh,’ Hoofie speaks up. ‘Smawty am wight, nu can du anyting nao. Hoofie wan giv dat dummeh fowewa-sweepies, bud stiww nee find dat nyu safe-pwace.’
‘Wai stiww tink dewe am nyu safe-pwace?’
‘Wat Hoofie sposed tink?’ He says back. ‘Id nu mattah if cowd-times cum an hewd am stiww in fowest.’
‘He am wight,’ Leaf says, speaking up at last. Maybe he was paying attention. ‘Am bettah if hewd keep goin.’ He’s speaking quieter than usual, but at least he’s on your side. Things go quiet again, the Next bestest-toughie looking amongst themselves.
‘Fine,’ a Next bestest-toughie says. ‘Tuffy keep goin wif hewd.’ He gets up then and walks off. ‘Nu tink id gun mattah.’
‘Hey! Dummeh!’ Hoofie yells, making to go after him.
‘Stahp,’ you tell him. ‘Deaw wif dat in dah bwight-time. Aww hewd nee sweepies nao.’
Hoofie looks at you, then sighs. ‘Otay.’ He gets up then, joining the other Next bestest-toughies as they leave. Hopefully things will be better in the bright-time, and you don’t find half the herd and toughies gone when you wake up.
‘Smawty,’
You look over at Leaf.
‘Nu wan du dat gain,’ he looks at the ground while he speaks. ‘Nu wan du sumtin wike dat gain, even if wookie-fwuffy say nee du id.’
He’s speaking as quietly as he had before, but the scardies in his voice are obvious. That, and you can tell as clearly as you can see Leaf means what he says. ‘Fine,’ you tell him. ‘Smawty nu make yu du id. An nu make hewd du id.’ Even a quick walk of the herd made it clear everyone’s on edge after that crossing. You’re not sure how much more you can ask of the herd, but it can’t be much.
‘Go get sweepies,’ you tell leaf as you get up. ‘Smawty watch hewd fow yu.’
Leaf looks up at you. ‘Tank yu, Smawty,’ with that he leaves. You head off too, not wanting to hang around doing noting. So, you settle into a patrol of the small clearing you’ve had the herd set up for the dark-time. Most of them are asleep, or doing their best to look like it. You can’t blame them too much for that, you’re not sure you’d want to talk to anyone who made you cross a tree like that.
Sigh’
Are you being too soft about this? If you’re think place keeps talking like that, could you get to the point you just let the herd wander off? This wouldn’t be a problem if Daddeh was still in charge, or the Bestest-toughie was still here. Well, nothing you can do about either of those.
Reaching the edge of the clearing you turn and head in the other direction, nodding to the toughies keeping watch there. They return the nod, which is something. If the toughies turn against you…
‘Daddeh,’
You snap your hear back to the front; you didn’t notice Gred following you, or being anywhere close. Just how out of it are… Never mind that.
‘Yes?’
Gred doesn’t hesitate; ‘Wai hewd had go ovah dat twee?’ Before you have a chance to answer, or even open your nummie-place, Gred continues. ‘Wai had du id? Wai hewd nu cud wook fow oda way?’
He’s not angry, not that you can tell at least. He just wants to know, why. For some reason, that makes the hurties worse. Well, you might as well answer him. ‘Dis way.’ You turn around, leading him back to the edge. ‘Smawty nee be awone.’ You tell the toughies.
‘Bud wat if sumtin-’
‘Smawty happies yu bein gud tuffy,’ you say, cutting him off, ‘bud Smawty nee be awone. Dis nu take wong time.’
The toughies look at one another, unsure if they should listen to you. Listening to their smarty wins out in the end, and they leave. ‘Be woud if nee tuffies gain,’ the tuffy says.
'‘Smawty du dat,’ you tell him. When you’re sure Gred and you are alone, you turn to him. ‘Gwed nee wisten nao; Smawty nu waned make hewd go ovah dat twee.’
‘Bud den wai du id?’ Gred asks right away. ‘Hewd wose tuffies doin dat! Wai nu-’
‘Daddeh was boud say,’
Gred’s hear-places flatten; ‘Sowwies.’
‘Jus wet Daddeh tawkies,’ you tell him, then go on. ‘Smawty knu wose tuffies. Knu dat cud happen, bud stiww had du id. Gwed nee undewstan; when yu am Smawty, nee du tings nu wan du. Tings dat hewd nu wike. Tings hewd hate.’
Gred opens his nummie-place to speak, thinks better of it, and closes it. You can guess well enough what he wants to know. ‘If Smawty twied find oda way, id take tuu wong.’ You tell him. ‘Id am saddies hewd wose does tuffies, an nu am gud fow hewd dat happen. Bud if twied oda way, tings be wowse.’
‘Wowse? How.’
‘If twied find oda way, den hewd nu hav nuff time to make nyu safe-pwace weady fow cowd-times.’ You look right at Gred; ‘Dat am wowstest ting.’
‘W-wai?’ Gred’s scared, but you can tell he wants to know. Well, fine. You don’t have the best answer, but you’ll do what you can.
‘If hewd nu am weady fow cowd-times, den, wots of bad tings happen.’
‘Wike wat?’ Gred’s face changes, a few maddies. ‘Daddeh nu am sayin anyting.’
Well, he’s got you there. The truth is, Daddeh didn’t tell you much about the cold times, other than the herd absolutely had to be ready for them. He never talked about cold-times that happened before you were born, and you learned very quickly not to ask. Still, maybe there’s something that can get the point across. It’s not the nicest thing to share, but you weren’t much younger than Gred when you heard it.
‘Daddeh am gun teww Gwed stowy; dis bound sumtin yuw Daddeh-daddeh du befowe cowd-times.’ You take a deep breath and start. ‘One bwight-time sum fwuffies, id was Big Wed, his daddeh an odas, bwing nyu fwuffy tu hewd.’
‘Nyu fwuffy?’
‘Yes. She was housie fwuffy, an hew namsie was…’ What was it again? ‘Wuby.’
From there you recount the details you know. Not all of them, only enough so Gred understands the story. Alright, time for the main point.
‘Nao, Wuby bweak one of hewd’s biggest wuwes; nu hav babbehs befowe dah cowd-times.’
‘Dat am biggest wuwe?’
‘One of dem,’ Daddeh never said which biggest rule was the biggest rule, but that’s besides the point. ‘Dis was weawy bad ting. Daddeh nee Gwed undewstan dat; id was weawy, weawy bad ting.’
‘Gwed undewstan dat Daddeh; nu can bweak biggest hewd wuwes,’ he tell you, more sure of himself than you are of anything. Not since you were like him, anyway.
‘Am gud dat Gwed undewstan dat,’ you tell him. ‘Id am wai yuw Daddeh-daddeh du wat he du tu dem.’ Then, you tell Gred what Daddeh told you all those bright-times ago; how he went into Ruby’s den, pushed the tummy babbies out of her, then gave her and her special-friend forever-sleepies. You don’t leave anything out, no matter how horrible.
It has the same effect on Gred as it did on you; for a while he just looks up at you, silent, shocked. You could guess what exactly he’s thinking, and probably, no, certainly get it right. Well, you would have had to tell him some time. ‘Gwed maybe tink Daddeh-daddeh am munstah fow doin dat,’ you start. ’ Daddeh tink id was meanies tuu. Bud Daddeh-daddeh had du id.’
‘W-wai?’ Gred asks. ‘Wai he hav du id?!’
‘Cause dat am wat he had du tu keep hewd safe.’ You say. ‘Sumtimes, Smawty nee be meanies fow hewd tu be safe. Nee du tings dat hewd nu wike. Make hewd du tings dat hewd nu wike.’ You sigh. ‘Nee be meanies wots of times. Maybe nee be munstah sumtimes. Bud fowest nu am happy pwace.’ Something feels different, saying that out loud. You’ve always felt it at some level but, oh there’ll be time for that later. Maybe.
‘Fowest am meanie pwace, and hewd nu be safe if du tings wike id nu am.’ You pause a moment. ‘If Gwed nu undewstan dat, ow nu wan undewstan dat, yu nu can be Smawty.’
Gred looks right at you, see-places going wide. ‘Wah?’
‘Yu heaw wat Daddeh say,’ you tell him. ‘Daddeh-daddeh say same ting tu Daddeh. He was wight. So, Gwed undewstan nao?’
Gred doesn’t answer at first. In fact, it’s a while until he speaks at all. ‘Nu knu. Gwed nu knu…’ His hear-places flatten, and you see sad-water form in his see-places.
‘Nu nee undewstan nao,’ you tell him. ‘Dis nu am easy ting, nu was easy fow Daddeh. Bud,’ you look at Gred, ‘nee undewstan id one bwight-time. If am gun be smawty aftah Daddeh.’
Gred, fighting through his saddies looks back at you with the bravest look he can manage. ‘Gwed… Gwed twy undewstan. Am gun undewstan!’ He says more confidently.
You nod. ‘Gud.’ You’d like to hug him too, but for some reason it doesn’t fell like the right thing. Well, another time. ‘Daddeh wan yu go back tu famiwy an go sweepies, otay? Hewd gun nee move gain when dah bwight-time.’
‘O-otay, Daddeh,’ Gred turns around and leaves. A few moments later the toughies return.
‘Tuffies can be heaw gain?’
‘Yes,’ you tell them. ‘Smawty am gun wook at west of pwace nao.’
‘Yes, Smawty,’ the toughies say as you pass by. You leave them to their watch and head off to check the rest of the clearing. Maybe if you do it long enough, you’ll be tired enough to have a few sleepies.
Big Red
The bright-time’s about halfway done, and so far so good.
In the whole time you’ve been walking with Tree, he hasn’t tried to slip away (either on purpose or by accident) once. He doesn’t seem all there, though, and he hasn’t once tried to talk. Still, it’s a start, and there’s no sense complaining about an improvement, just so long as Tree Keeps improving. It’s gonna be tricky though, keeping track of that and what’s happening around you in the forest.
Now then, the forest.
Again, so far so good. No signs of being followed, no sign of bad fluffies, monsters and especially not humans. It’s quiet, but not so quiet you should be worried; as close to normal as the forest gets. All that could change in a moment, which means you can’t afford to relax. None of you can. You glance at Tree; he could be better, but he seems to be paying attention. So is everyone else, even Darktime which is a surprise.
Come to think about it, Darktime’s been, well, fine; especially compared to, since she’s been able to walk basically. It’s not the time and definitely not the place, but you can help fell some mean happies. She’s wanted so bad to run away and live in the forest, live without the herd for so long. Well Darktime, how do you like it? How do you like having to move all the time, taking what nummies you can find and getting hardly any rest?
When you get to the end of this, if there is and end and if you get there, will she act the same way she did before? Only way to find out, and you only will by focusing on what’s ahead.
‘Otay, fwuffies stahp hewe nao,’ All Mummah calls, bringing you to a stop in a small clearing. You can hear a long-water not too far off; it sounds small, but so long as it’s running. Nummies are another matter; doesn’t look like you’ll find any nice ones here. If only digging for ground nummies didn’t take so long. Anyway,
‘Big Wed go an watch fow munstahs. Yu stay hewe with fwuffies.’ You tell Tree. You’re ready for him to argue, hoping for it even, that would mean he’s getting better. Instead, he just nods.
‘Otay.’
You can’t expect him to get all better just like than. Anyway, off to keep watch. You glance at your family then go find a place to keep watch. Hunkering down not to far away by some bushies. Back to keeping watch alone and by yourself. It wouldn’t be possible to count how many times you’ve done this. You’re not alone for long, though; someone’s walking up from behind. You turn, half expecting to see Tree but finding All Mummah instead.
‘Aww Mummah can teww Big Wed Tawkies tu Twee,’ she says. ‘Dat am gud. He nu actin wike he was.’
‘Yes. He nu am aww bettah.’
‘Onwy nee be bettah nuff tu keep fwuffies safe,’ All Mummah says. Then her expression changes. ‘Bud hope he get aww bettah one bwight-time.’
‘Big Wed hope so tuu.’ You hope your heart-hurties and saddies get better one bright-time too. Probably better to hope you get to see that bright-time, though. ‘Am dat aww dat Aww Mummah wan say?’
She shakes her head; 'Big Wed tawkies tu famiwy?"
You have to think about that; ‘Nu…’
‘Big Wed shud. Day aww gun hav big saddies.’
Duh. You can’t help feeling a little mad; wasn’t she the one who told you to focus on helping Tree sort himself out? Still, Tree’s on the right path at least; it wouldn’t hurt to check in with all of them. Snow as well. ‘Otay, Big Wed du dat.’
All Mummah nods. ‘Aww Mummah teww oda tuffy tu cum hewe soon. Yu nee hav nummies an wawa tuu.’
‘Otay,’ you say, then turn back around. Nummies and water; yeah, you’ll need those before you get going again. Even if you have to eat a bunch of leaves, it’s better than tummy-hurties. Besides poopies, you’re not sure anything could taste worse than really bad tummy-hurties feel. Alright, enough of that; focus on the forest.
Well, there’s nothing out here at the moment. Nothing you can see or hear that’s out of place, no sign things are about ot go bad. That’s worrying in it’s own way. The forest is, well, the forest; there’s almost no end to the horrible things you’ve found (or things that have found you) that are scary and want to hurt fluffies. And as far as you can remember, you always seem to have a period of luck before things go really bad.
Could you be in the middle of, or worse, close to the end of one of those lucky periods?
Better not to think about that; you’re just making yourself scardies for no reason. No good reason.
You’re not left watching the forest for long though; hearing hoof-steps, you turn and see the blue toughie. Neither of you waste time talking, knowing full well what the deal is. Once he’s in place, you head back for nummies and water. At the clearing you check on your family quickly. They seem mostly alright, for the moment. Mostly. ‘Sigh’
This dark-time, this dark-time you’ll talk to them.
XX
Well, you tried talking to you family. Tried, but no one really wanted to talk much. Not that you can blame them; anyone would be sleepies after walking as far as you have, once. Doing it bright-time after bright-time, you should be thankful they said anything at all. You didn’t have much more luck when the bright-time started, though that’s different. Everyone has to get going, and quickly.
You’re walking with Tree again. He’s better, not enough for you to trust him to be alone, or to be with anyone other than you. This bright-time you’ve taken up position at the back, following All Mummah’s lead. You don’t like being back here; you’d rather be closer to the front, or at least have Tree up there. Not until he’s better, or as close yo “better” as is possible.
‘Big Wed tink ewa gon find hewd?’
Your head snaps around, surprised Tree’s talking without being prodded. A good sign, you just wish your answer was as good. ‘Nu knu.’
‘Twee nu knu tuu,’ he says. ‘Hope du.’
Yeah, hope; that’s about all you have left. It’s still more than nothing, which means you have to keep going for as long as you can.
‘Fwuffies can stahp hewe.’ The blue toughie says. As far as places to rest, this isn’t a bad one; it’s just not a “good” one. It’s just a small clear spot, with plenty of bushies with their leafie nummies. Just the same as countless ones you’ve stopped at before. They’re blurring together so much, none of you notice something isn’t quite right with one of the bushies.
‘Hav aww dah nummies dat can,’ All Mummah says. ‘Wawa am dat way,’ she points into the forest. ‘Nu tink id safe tu go awone.’
Hearing that, Snow, Flower’s blue baby and the yellow toughie head off in the direction. ‘Big Wed an famiwy go nex,’ you tell Mummah, Skyball and Darktime.
‘Otay.’ Mummah nods, and goes to help the others pulling branches off to get the leafy-nummies. What should you do until the other get back? Maybe just keep watch. The ones who went for water won’t be long.
Rustle
That was something moving through, no, under a bushie. And it was close. You’re already turning before you can figure that much, nummie-place about to yell for everyone to get behind you and Tree. Out the corner of your see-place you see him getting ready to fight. It’s a relief he still knows that much, no matter what else has happened. Together, you turn to face the bushies and, the strange fluffy crawling out from under it.
Wait, no; that’s not a strange fluffy. You’ve seen him, her before. A long time ago, at least it feels that way. It was dark, but you can’t forget that face. Can’t forget what it looked like when she heard you’d given Monster forever-sleepies. You glance at Tree; he recognises her too.
‘Yu… Yu am fwuffies dat, dat…’ The mare’s wordies trail off, the scardies in them obvious to anyone. No surprise there; the last time she saw you, you were giving a bunch of fluffies forever-sleepies. Who wouldn’t be scared of you after that?
‘Dat du wat?’’ All Mummah asks. ‘Wat day du?’
‘Dat am fwuffy fwom dah bad hewd,’ the blue toughie says, quickly adding, ‘Bud she nu was bad fwuffy! She an odas onwy dewe cause Munstah,’ the mare flinches at the name, but the blue toughie doesn’t notice, ‘say day nee be dewe.’ All Mummah stares at him; you can’t see her face but you can imagine what it looks like.
‘How tuffy knu dat?’
‘Cause was dewe when, when tuffies went to get dem.’ His hear-places droop slightly; you get why. There were hardly any bad fluffies there that dark-time; just enough to keep the others running away. It was hardly worth the effort to get them, even if you gave those fluffies like the mare a chance to escape. After a while longer, All Mummah looks away, turning her attention to the mare.
‘Wat am doin hewe?’
‘Dis am whewe fwuffies wive,’ the mare says. If she’s maddies at the stupid question, she’s too scared to show it. ‘Aftah wun way, Fwuffy an odas jus, stahp hewe.’
‘Odas?’
‘Dewe am oda fwuffies in hewe.’ She probably means in the den behind here. ‘An, ovah dewe an dewe…’ She points at spots slightly behind you on either side. Hot prickles rise up your back; how didn’t you notice dens there? How didn’t any of you notice? Still, you don’t think they’ll attack; they just don’t have it in them. Probably.
‘Wat… W-wat am gulp Y-yu doin?’ The mare asks, this time with a lot more scardies. No wonder; maybe she thinks you’re here to finish things for good. Come to think of it, would it be better they think that? Do you really want to tell them that-
‘Fwuffies am wookin fow hewd.’
Maybe you should have done the talking…
‘Huh?’
‘Hoomins found safe-pwace. Nu hav id nu mowe,’ All Mummah says, nearly spitting the wordies out. ‘Wose hewd when wun way. Nao nee find id gain.’
The Blue toughie steps back in; ‘Fwuffies onwy gun stay hewe fow wittwe time. Am gun go when nu have tummy an thiwsty huwties nu mowe.’
‘O-otay…’ The mare doesn’t seem to completely believe you, but does that matter?
‘Am gun go ovah hewe, otay?’ The blue toughie starts walking to an area not far from the clear spot. ‘Den fwuffies weave.’
‘Dat am wight,’ All Mummah adds. ‘Fwuffies nu wan giv huwties ow du anyting. Jus gun weave when am weady.’
‘Otay,’ the mare nods, seeming a little less scared. All Mummah nods back, then turns to you; ‘Wets go,’
‘Yes,’ you and Tree join All Mummah and the others, settling down not too far from the clear spot by some rocks before gathering some leafy-nummies.
‘Wat tink boud does fwuffies?’ Tree asks, a little while later.
‘Wat boud dem?’
‘Big Wed nu cawe boud dem?’
Where’s this coming from? ‘Big Wed onwy cawe boud findin hewd. Twee shud onwy cawe boud dat tuu.’ It takes a moment for him to respond.
‘Tink nu shud du anyting boud dem?’
‘Onwy if day twy huwt fwuffies,’ you tell him. ‘If day nu twy du dat, Big Wed nu cawe boud dem.’
Tree looks at you a moment, then nods and goes back to eating. Strange, but at least he’s talking to you aga… Why is that mare coming over here?
The instant she sees you’ve noticed her she stops and crouches; ‘N-nu huwt Fwuffy!’
‘Wat yu wan?’ You ask her.
‘Yeah, wat fwuffy wan?’ The Blue toughie adds. ‘Tuffy say fwuffies jun gun be hewe fow wittwe time. Wat yu wan?’ The mare doesn’t answer at first. It takes a few moments, actually.
‘Fwuffies… Fwuffies wan go wif yu.’