William walked through the forest, he's usually with someone, so it felt different this time. It was quiet and peaceful, yet every movement behind the bushes and in the branches could be a recipe for disaster for a small rat.
He found himself in an open meadow, with a small pool of water surrounded by flowers of plenty in the centre. It was an immaculate sight, of pure perfection and beauty.
"It's pretty isn't it?"
William turned around to be met by the beady eyes of a snail, but not one he was afraid of, one he admired.
"It's you-" William started.
The snail cut him off, "Let's do proper introductions, shall we? My names Renée, yours?"
Williams heart was beating two times speed and he had no idea why, at least that's what he tells himself.
"William. I- uh my names William," he spoke fast and awkwardly, he innerly cursed himself for it. "You have a pretty name," he smiled.
The snail smiled back at him, "You too."
They walked over and sat side by side next to the pool of water, William tucked his tail underneath his paws, keeping it close to himself as to not accidentally hit Renée with it.
"So, how's it going with the rats, did the herbs help?" Renée asked, his voice soft and hushed yet loud enough for Willian to hear.
"It's great actually, the herbs really helped, thank you," he smiled.
"I'm glad, I was worried," Renée sighed. "It's terrible that the snails and rats have to fight all the time, I just don't understand."
William beamed, someone who finally understood how he felt. "Yeah, I agree, like why can't we just live in peace, like we used to."
Renée nodded before grabbing something that was stored in his shell, "This is one of my favourite berries, there isn't much around this area but I found some when I was travelling, they're called strawberries," He nudged them towards William, "Would you like to try some?"
William gazed at the red berries and began leaning down to taste them before he was suddenly knocked away, hitting the ground and becoming winded.
"William!" He heard Renée yell as he was still trying to process what was happening and trying to catch his breath. He saw another rat hissing at Renée before leaping at the snail, Renée dodged before giving a look of sympathy at William and turning and fleeing.
The other rat was about to pursue the snail before clearly changing its mind and turning back to William, which he noticed as his best friend as his breathing steadied and he stood back up. "You idiot! You could've got poisoned or killed! You know the snails can't be trusted!" She scolded him.
"I was fine Brooke! I can look after myself!" William retorted, before storming off.
"Well I'm sorry that I actually care for you!" Brooke called After him but he ignored it and kept walking.
William scuttered through the woods, he wasn't going back home yet, he just couldn't bear to see any of their faces, not one. His mind was full of thoughts of Renée, he could only hope the snail was okay and escaped uninjured.
