Valerie stared at the verdant expanse of the forest canopy above her in
amazement. The deep green, freckled with a glimpse of blue, red, and gold from
the sky behind it, always filled her with a deep calm. Many of the other
villagers consider the looming trees to be terrifying, as if the massive
vegetation mocked them for being small and helpless. Not Valerie though! The
colossal trees with their turgid vines, the dainty mushrooms that often
sheltered her from the rain, the tiny streams that trickled through the forest
floor… if it wasn’t for Ruth, Valerie would spend all her time here in the
jungle. Her little village wasn’t too bad. For one, it was definitely safer
than the jungle. And she supposed that the grass huts were nice and cosy. Of
course, there was Ruth as well, but Valerie was sure Ruth would follow no
matter where she goes.
Dusk was steadily approaching, and with the cacophony of the jungle
birds’ cries the atmosphere turned eerie. Valerie brushed her hand through
Jorg’s coarse fur, feeling the warmth of her gentle capybara mount and finding
comfort in his presence. Jorg let out a low grumbling sound, unintentionally
indicating his unease at the growing presence of nightlife. She could see his
fuzzy head dart from looking at cobwebs housing spiders that could gobble them
both up, to bats swooping overhead searching for tasty blood-filled treats. He
was a bit of a scaredy cat, but she couldn’t really blame him.
“We’re almost there, Jorgi.” Valerie whispered into his ear, hoping to
steel his nerves. “And when we get back, I’ll make sure Ruth gives you a nice
big helping of peas!” At the sound of his favourite treat, Jorg immediately
picked up the pace. Valerie’s thoughts turned to Ruth. Valerie couldn’t wait to
see her in her purple flower petal dress again, to hold her close, to walk into
their newly built thatch home. Ruth was her world.
The tang and stink of perfume suddenly overwhelmed her senses. Coughing,
Valerie wrapped a shawl around her lower face, hoping to block out most of the
sickly-sweet scent. Jorg came to a halt and let out a low “hiss.” Peering over
his bulk, Valerie could see enormous tracks, maybe those of sandals she
thought, trailing into the depths of the now dark jungle. They were lucky, who
knows what would have happened if Valerie and Jorg were here a little earlier.
Tugging on Jorg’s harness, Valerie directed his attention away from the
footprint and toward the destination home.
They soon reached the small hidden path. On either side, and decorating
its entire length, stood ghastly scarecrows. Their heads were that of bird
skulls, adorned with berry-red crowns. Some of the gaunt figures were bedecked
in feathers, while others were armoured with a spiked carapace, and they all
stood staring at Valerie. She felt a brief shiver travel throughout her body,
and a tremble from Jorg as well. She was almost as frightened of them as the
creepy crawlies the scarecrows were intended for. Nevertheless, their
frightening visage couldn’t entirely remove the excitement that their presence
symbolised. She was almost home, and that meant she was almost with Ruth again.
Spurring Jorg forward they raced through the sinister passageway. She could
faintly see the warm glowing red bonfire in the town square and the squat
shaped huts that comprised the village. Valerie passed through the town-gate
nearing the settlement when she saw… the town square was engulfed in flame,
with blotches of red gore dotting the surrounding area. Her eyes scanned the
huts only to see parts splintered or destroyed. Finally, her eyes saw a small
bundle of purple… a purple flower dress, drenched in spit, and the wearer
nowhere to be seen.