Tales of Raiverin: Mayflower

Chapter 4

It had been a few hours after the argument, the four wandering down various paths in the woods. They all knew that they were looking for different people, but they all equally felt like they could assist one another. Paris walked slightly behind everyone else, his thoughts still on what the creature had said. He still didn't know if it was real, and it was stressing him out. The more time passed, the more he believed the thing had just been his imagination. He knew that if he were to see the creature again, he would have to tell the group. They needed to know, but he didn't think the others would understand, and he didn't want to worry them.

Cricket looked back at him, her face still stoic, but she could see the pain in his eyes. She knew the look well, she'd seen it in herself countless times. It was the look of regret, and it was one that she was tired of seeing. She slowed her pace, waiting until Paris was beside her.

"Do you need anything?" She asked, her tone as monotone as ever.

"I'm alright, don't worry about me," Paris replied, his voice cracking.

"That's a lie, you're not good at hiding it. Let's get this out now, alright? Don't drag this out, tell me what's on your mind."

Paris nodded, his mouth going dry. He had no idea how he would begin to explain this, or how the others would take it. He took a deep breath and began.
"I found a creature in the woods yesterday. It didn't speak to me directly, but it kept talking about how the world is imperfect. Something about how it wanted to restore it all."

Cricket listened intently, keeping her eyes forward and not saying a word.

"It's really freaking me out. I didn't tell the others about it, I didn't want to worry them. But, I need to figure out what the hell that was. Do you think we can search for it together?"
"We can try. Give me a second." She spoke, walking back towards Leon and Ant.

"What's up?" The kit chirped, staring at her with a big smile.

"Paris wants to look for something. We'll be back soon, okay? Stay with Leon, we'll meet up with you two soon."

Ant looked disappointed but nodded and stood beside the larger male.
Leon stepped in front of Cricket, putting his head down. "Protect him, he's the only family I have left and I don't want anything to happen to him."

Cricket rolled her eyes and gently pushed him aside, her fur bristling. "I'll keep him safe, now get a move on."

The Ragamuffin didn't argue, instead, he just turned and walked toward the kit. Cricket walked back to Paris, gesturing for him to follow.
"So, tell me, what did this creature look like?"
Paris slowed down a bit as he thought back to the visual on the cat.
"It was dark, I didn't see it well. It had bright pink eyes and its fur was raggedy. I can't tell if it was black or dark brown. Apart from that, I don't remember anything else."

Cricket laughed softly to herself, shaking her head. "You sure you didn't just see Leon out there? That sounds like him."
"No, Leon wouldn't even joke about things like that, and his eye isn't that bright. The creature had both eyes, Leon only has one. You know that."
"Right, I'm kidding. I don't think I've ever seen anything like that before though, maybe it was a dream?"
"That wouldn't be possible, I fell asleep right after I saw it," Paris said softly, looking at the ground. He wasn't sure how to think, he knew this creature was real...
Cricket noticed how quiet Paris was getting, and she wasn't going to stand for it. She grabbed his ear, tugging on it and causing him to yelp.

"Hey, cut that out! What was that for?!" He hissed, shaking his head and rubbing his ear.

"I'm not letting you get lost in your own mind, we have a job to do."

"Still, you didn't have to hit me."

Cricket giggled to herself, starting to trot down the forest again. She... smiled.

It was strange, it was a genuine smile, but it still felt like it had years of hurt behind it, similar to when Leon would rarely smile. There was something off, compared to Leon's, her smile seemed more pure.

Cricket flicked her head, silently commanding Paris to follow her. He shuffled to his feet, quickly heading to her side. Somehow, he felt like something had changed between them.