In a British woodland, nestled in the undergrowth is a civilisation unbeknownst to most humans. No bigger than the length of a human hand, 'The Cortarians' are an innovative and eco-friendly race, Taking humans discarded rubbish and repurposing it f...
I woke up the next day at the crack of dawn. First day of spring and the sky overcast didn't make for great visibility. Rumours state that Cortarians are very rarely taller than the length of a human hand, and a wicked fast and amazing climbers. So the chances of spotting one before it runs into the undergrowth or scurries up a tree are already incredibly slim.
Very few dog walkers are out this time of morning and I imagine I would have to go off the beaten track if I had any hope of spotting one of these creatures. With me, I took my sketchbook and a pen, but no phone as I didn't want to scare them of with an unannounced phone call or vibration of a notification. Local tales suggest that Cortarian Hunters (human enthusiasts who wish to find these guys), should dress not in camouflage, but in relatively bright colours and to use rubbish as a trap. Very little is known about why this is effective if at all, but these seem to be the prime targets within the village for "raids" (when Cortarians steal from humans).
I take a wonder off of my normal route and venture into the more dense trees and bushes. I tread carefully so to not spook anything that might be around here and to not damage any of the plants. This woodland is a wildlife reserve and so it must be treated with respect when leaving the designated paths.
I find a large oak tree which must have been standing here before most of the other trees. its intricate bark patterns broken up by holes and twisting branches that shoot off once they break free from the main trunk. I place a few pieces of rubbish around near bushes and at the base of the oak tree and sit on the floor leaning against a smaller tree. Now I wait.
[...]
I must have fallen asleep because I open my eyes to the sound of rustling leaves. Not the kind that I'm used to hearing here, but more rhythmic and on the floor as opposed to above me. They sound like shuffling footsteps. I move incredibly slowly so to not startle whatever it might be. A deer! A muntjac deer, common around here, makes eye contact with me as it stops to snuffle around on the floor in front of me. But I'm awake now and have no real interest in animals I have seen hundreds of times before. I let it walk off before reaching for my coffee flask; THEN I SEE IT!
Inspecting my flask was a tiny goblin-like creature with thin arms and legs, a little waistcoat and shorts made from old pieces of cloth and held together with string, and a head and set of ears that looked too big for its miniature body to keep up. It's big black eyes meet mine before he dropped a stick he was holding and bolted off on all fours. I quickly reach for my sketchbook to capture what I just saw before my memory erased it.
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What interest did it have in my flask? I wonder if it used the deer as a distraction? They are REAL!
I sat for another few hours before trying to trace the steps of the creature but to no luck. I began to get hungry and went home for lunch. But tomorrow I will try and capture another glimpse of one!
