Tuesday: The Mysterious Calm
Ivy Mae woke up first, blinking in the bright sunlight as she slowly regained her senses. She groaned, touching her forehead, still dizzy from the effects of whatever gas had knocked them out. “What happened?” she asked hoarsely, her voice thin and weak.
Roman stirred shortly after, his eyes squinting against the light. “I... I don’t know. Everything feels off.”
They both looked around, noticing how the forest seemed to be holding its breath. The animals were all still—too still. The only movement they could see were the trees swaying slightly in the wind, and even that felt strange. The birds, the animals, the whole world around them had gone silent in the wake of the shadow.
“I think I was knocked out,” Ivy Mae said, sitting up slowly and rubbing her temples. “But what was that thing? What was that gas?”
Jas didn’t immediately answer. They were focused on the small chipmunk in their hands, which was now starting to open its eyes. They’d wrapped it in their scarf, keeping it warm, but it was still incredibly fragile. “I found this little guy,” Jas finally said, their voice soft. “I think... I think it was knocked out by whatever happened. But it’s alive. Just barely.”
Roman leaned in closer to see the chipmunk. “You’re keeping it?” he asked, his voice still groggy.
“I think it’s going to be okay,” Jas said, looking down at the tiny creature in their hands. “I’m going to take care of it. I’ve got this.”
Ivy Mae raised an eyebrow but said nothing, a silent acknowledgment that Jas had found something to cling to in the chaos.