Into a Strange world of Anthros

Prologue

Summer break began, the weather grew hotter, as kids eagerly left school one by one for their much-anticipated summer vacation, families and friends made plans for picnics in the park, days at the beach, and lazy afternoons by the pool. Ice cream trucks played cheerful tunes as kids rushed to them for ice cream. Sidewalks became canvases for hopscotch, chalk art, and games of tag in lively neighborhoods

But in one of these lively neighborhoods, a family comprising a mother, two teenagers, and a young child living comfortably in a single-family home.

One of the teenagers, a boy named Tennessee Brooks, often called Tenn, sat on his bedroom floor, packing the things he'd need for an upcoming three-week-long summer camp he had been accepted into. As he carefully placed clothes and a toothbrush into his bag, he couldn't help but daydream about the adventures awaiting him.

Tenn knelt on his bedroom floor, folding his T-shirts and carefully arranging them in his open duffel bag. As he packed, he couldn't help but get lost in his thoughts. Excitement bubbled within him as he envisioned the adventures he'd have during the summer camp.

"Man.. I've been waiting for this trip since April," Tenn talked to himself excitedly,

"I wonder if we'll get to hike those mountains like in the brochure! And tell campfire stories under the stars, that will be amazing." He happily zipped up his bag, a big grin spreading across his face.

Suddenly, his phone rang on the nightstand, startling him for a second. He got up from the floor and walked over to his phone to see who was calling. It was his friend Francis. Tenn's mood lightened up even more as he quickly answered the call.

Francis's voice crackled through the phone as Tenn answered, "Hey, man! How's it going?"

Tenn replied, "Hey, Francis! It's going great. Just still getting packed for the camp."

Francis, sounding taken aback, "Wait what?! you're still packing!?"

Tenn, with a sigh, admitted, "Uh.. yeah, a little... but I'm almost there!"

"Dude! What the fuck?! The bus is coming in 30 minutes!" he said anxiously through the phone

"What?! Dammit!! Okay, I'll hurry up. If the bus comes before I'm there, can you hold it for me?" tenn asked panicking a little,

Francis grumbled for a second before responding, "Fine, but you owe me big time for always covering for you when you're late. Remember 6th grade?"

"Yeah, I remember. But I'll make it up to you by buying something from that camp gift shop." Tenn sheepishly laughed

Francis agreed, "Deal! But I got to go, my dad's calling But I'll see you there!"

Tenn said, "Yeah, See you there."

As soon as he hung up the phone, He let out a small groan as he slid his phone into his pants pocket,

"Shit..!" He muttered under his breath before he slid back over to the duffle bag,

After wrapping up his speedy packing. He hurriedly slung the bag over his shoulder and dashed out of his room, his sun-kissed skin reflecting the summer vibes as he hurried through the hallway and into a bathroom,

he shot a quick glance at the mirror, his light brown eyes widening with urgency. His messy short brown hair was a bit unruly, so he gave it a swift fix, trying to look somewhat presentable. He looked down and unwrinkled his shirt and patted down and realigned his shorts.

After that little Dilemma, he darted out of the bathroom and raced through the hallway and down the stair set, taking the stairs two at a time. He sprinted past the living room and finally burst into the kitchen, where his younger sister Dahlia was caught off-guard to the sudden entrance,