The Squirrel King

3 • Chapter 'Tree'

My friend , Maryann, dragged me to the mall after she saw me under the tree.

"You need a social life, quit sitting under dirty trees!" She nagged at me. Maryann always does this, and she always leaves me as well; just like he did under that tree. She'll come back soon enough though. I had a feeling he would too.

I left the food court and started walking around. Looking through the windows at the stores was the only thing I had to do since I hadn't brought any money. I finally got to the middle of the mall where they somehow kept a giant tree. It was a gated off area where you could only get in if you payed. The tree was like a jungle gym at the bottom so I had no use for it anyway. I started walking away in the hopes of finding my friend, it was getting late.

I felt a hand on my shoulder and assumed the best. "Hey, I've been looking for y-" I froze because what I saw holding my shoulder was not my friend.

"You were looking for me? Thats so nice of you!" Bennett said smiling. He waved his hand in front of my face, in an attempt to snap me out of it. Maybe if I didn't move he would go away. He waited a little after that but he didn't go away. Instead, he dragged me with him to the gate. It looked like the woman at the counter gave him a nod. He gave one back. With that, Bennett dragged me to the bottom of the tree.

"Can you climb okay?" He asked me.

"Not that well." I replied.

"Then get on my back." This guy is really out of his mind.

"What the hecky, man? I'm not doin' that!" I almost yelled.

"Start climbing then, come on." He encouraged me to go up before him. I mean, I could totally just run away now, if he wasn't watching me so closely. Looking up at the tree, I could see this was gonna be a real big battle. I've never climbed a tree this big. I'm not even sure how to start going up. I put my hand on the tree, maybe it'll give me some spirtual energy or something. The little kids started watching me now too, probably judging me for not being able to go.

"Oh my god, you're bringing attention now, lets gooo." Bennett complained grabbing me, and started going up the tree.

"Hey, I said I wasn't doing this! I get you don't wanna be friends but this isn't cool at all." I started complaining too, because seriously, what the heck.

"Who said I didn't wanna be friends?" He smirked. Now he's just fooling around. I rolled my eyes and stopped talking.

"Did I upset you? Are you that easy to make upset? I wouldn't have thought that. That will only make things more fun with you." He smiled for the hundredth time. I really wish he'd stop smiling at me, its so annoying.

"Gee, not one, single word? I'm bringing you to a fun place, up high in a tree, and not a "thanks" or "wow"? Now you're upsetting meee." Bennett made the fakest frown but it turned into a smile again. So tired of this kid.

"Sorry..." I mumbled. He laughed a little bit like the weirdo he is and continued climbing. "Are we almost there?" I asked looking up.

"Uhh yeah, just about. I hope you liked my squirrels too." More smiling from him.

"Are you serious..? I don't wanna see them again." I sighed. More weird laughing. He kept climbing for a while until we stopped on a branch close to the top. I could hear some chirping sounds.

"Don't mind this- but it's gotta be a surprise." Bennett said. I was about to question it but then I lost my vision.

"What...?" I whispered to myself trying to feel my face. When I finally got to the right place, I felt cloth on my eyes.

"It's only so you don't get scared, okay."

"I'M ALREADY SCARED??" I yelled not knowing where he was. I heard a "shh" sound and decided to just stop.

We didn't talk until we reached the top. When we got there he removed the blindfold and what I saw just made my day even stranger.

There were dozens- no, hundreds of squirrels. Sitting on branches, moving around, everywhere.

And they were all staring at us.