I analyzed my map again, “Alright… so the town should be just around this…” I looked up from my map as I walked a small trail, I rounded a tree, soon spotting a train station, with a sight hanging above the road reading, “Heart Ville Station”. A smile spread across my face, “I found it! See, Todd, I didn’t get us lost!”
A small mew sounded from behind my head as Todd layed on my backpack, his white fur glowed in the sun as I walked from the treeline into town.
I walked along the road of the Village, in the center was a large area with a giant oak tree in the middle surrounded in a wide, almost full circle, of smaller trees, this would be where the Morning Star Festival would take place. All of a sudden as I walked toward the center I heard a woman scream from behind me, and people started running past.
My heart dropped and I grabbed Todd, careful so he won’t fall out of my arms as people bump into me, screaming. I turned around to see what was happening, “Man, this town is more jumpier than I…” I was cut off, I felt locked in place as I saw what everyone was running from, along the roofs and streets were large dark creatures. Black mist dusted from them as they ran, and more screams rang out. My eyes became wide as I watched the creatures pick people off.
I squeezed Todd as one stopped in front of me, the large beast gaped its mouth open, showing long needle-like teeth, Its puny eyes that dotted its head burned in rage. It raised a ghostly paw in the air, its claws blocking the two suns from my view.
My feet felt frozen to the ground, ‘Move!’ I shouted in my mind, but I didn’t budge. I gasped as its paw raced down towards me, “Move!” I shouted aloud this time, leaping back out of the monster’s deadly blow.
I turned and ran, my heart pounding, Todd’s claws gripped my clothes tight. I heard a booming voice call from beside me, “Hey kid! This way!” I skidded to a stop and ran out of the way of the shadow-like monster's jaws as they snapped behind me.
I ran towards the voice, a man crouched down lifting a wooden board. Under the board looked like a tunnel, my feet pounded on the mud as I ran to it. As I reached it I slid on the course, wet ground and fell into the tunnel, the man right behind me.
The board closed and I hugged Todd against me as I layed on my back, a light glowed from further down the tunnel. I sat up, cold mud soaked my clothes, Todd meowed in protest.
I looked down the tunnel to see a line of people looking at me, the deep voice behind me whispered, making a shiver run down my spine, “What’s your name?” I turned my head around to see the man, he looked older, his hair was short and black and his eyes dark.
My voice trembled but I kept it quiet, “C-Charlie.” Loud sniffing, similar to a dog, Deep and loud sounded above us. The man gently grabbed Todd’s short muzzle to keep him quiet, he waved a silent hand and everyone started to carefully crawl down the tunnel.
I tucked Todd into my jacket, he also kept quiet and the sniffing turned to a snort and heavy steps walked off. I felt my heart drop and I sighed in relief. I followed the strangers down the tunnel, it would open up to a small cave.
I stood up but instantly stopped, planting my feet into the ground. One of the men in front of the group turned around, facing me. As he walked through the small crowd towards me I noticed what seemed to be a drop behind him, like a thin downward tunnel leading down a large rabbit-like hole.
The man had brown hair tied in a low ponytail and copper eyes that stared into me, “Who is this?” His voice was quiet, but demanding. I felt a hand on my shoulder, it was the older guy. I tensed as I saw how much he towered over me, his voice was deep and made by chest rumble, “His name is Charlie, he was probably here for the festival.”
He turned my shoulders to look at me, “Listen, I don’t know where you came from, but if you ever leave Utopianople you cannot speak of this.” I nodded but was scared of what he meant.
I was led to the drop, the dirt around was muddy and I struggled to not slip. A few of the people gave me a quick glance before leaping down the muddy slide, my heart pounded seeing them quickly disappear into the dark.
The older man stood behind me, “This place should be safe, for now at least.” I turned my head around, “What do I call you?” The man grinned, “Humphery.” Just as he spoke he pushed my legs out from under me and I fell into the drop.
I gripped Todd tightly, he meowed loudly as mud splashed up, it soaked my clothes and his fur. My golden hair is now damp and filled with mud and dirt. The slide-like drop became steeper and steeper, I closed my eyes tight.

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