|| The heart of Home, Wally Darling, becomes reclusive suddenly. And a once-welcoming neighborhood is now a shell of itself. Trying to find safety in their favorite activities. Yet they all know it's to distract them from worrying. ||
"The forest i...
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"I got it."
Wally's monotone voice rang out as he stepped in to catch the ball, arms open. Only for it to bounce low to the ground and off into the path behind them. Arms crossed, Sally took a seat on the grassy floor frustrated but not wanting to tell the little guy. She'd fetched the ball over 12 times now. Naturally, she wasn't up for finding it again.
Julie pouted as it bounced away out of sight, baseball bat in hand. She'd made up a new game with Sally that they were eager to share. Everyone else was busy so they opted for Wally who'd had nothing better to do. Though as they played Wally kept on failing to catch the ball.
Missing where it had gone, Wally stood still looking around for the baseball. Then put his arms down walking around to find where it was. A ladybug landed on a grass stalk nearby that he eyed greatly.
"Is it gone?"
"Oh, it's not use, we're never going to get it right." Julie faced Sally who agreed with a nod. They'd been at it for an hour, and that left them feeling drained.
"Ooh. Do you think Frank will be okay with "make-your-own-sandwich" day?" Sally asked with a newfound excitement for food.
"What do you think Wally? Should we play something else or eat lunch?"
Only to be met with no answer. Turning around Julie didn't see Wally. Sally peeked behind her wondering why he wasn't answering. And realized he was gone. They looked at each other worried about where he went. Remembering the baseball question they rushed down the path to find him. Above the sky turned a menacing grey.
Wally carefully walked on the path. The ladybug from before flew away smaller into a small red speck. In the distance, it stretched into the forest surrounding the neighborhood. The was something that he never understood. His other neighbors must've felt it too. It always was too quiet if they headed away from the center of home. Almost as if the heartbeat in your ears was a blessing.
Each step forward made him wonder how the baseball had landed so far. The colorful trees around him seemed faded now. But he knew that by not catching the ball, it was his responsibility to get it back. Eventually, the red speck landed on a white sphere object. That Wally immediately reached out for. As he crouched down his eyes were met with the dark path entering the forest. His eyes darted frantically upon realizing he'd gone too far.
Had it always been this dark?
Why were the trees taller than he remembered?
Which way did he come from?
SNAP!
The ladybug took off. Wally bumped into a tree behind him trying to see what made the noise.
