The Treasure Thief.
Quiet forest path
Snickering whispers of the green lease, the light enjoying its playful game, dancing across nooks and crannies of the marvellous forest-fired theatre. You, full of wit and quick-footed, the nimble squirrel chosen to move quietly as a ghost. Your tender little paws making patterns on the cool loamy carpet beneath, carefully picked a path better known to you, adorned with your pawprints from days past. This isn't any everyday adventure on a wide, ever-so-familiar world. It is the risky pursuit of the hidden troll cave, the oracle of the magic acorns, masked deep within this veiled emerald dreamscape.
Breathing in deeply, you smell the heart theme of the timber house, gossiping leaves conspiring, hidden treasures mildewing and, oblivious to most, the grave undertone, distant and chilling - unmistakeably of the wolves. You shudder subconsciously, your fluffy tail twitching nervously. The dotted grey shadows amongst the tall stoic barks gradually start taking shape. A true realisation of the spectral stories wears heavily on you. Eye-cornered, hidden partly by the playful dance of the forest charm, and light playing puppeteer in this grand spectacle, they grace you with their hunting physiques and quick steely eyes.
Your heart begins to race, little wings fluttering stubbornly against it, reeking of anticipation and fear. A sense of familiar unease wrapping around you, your ears poke upwards, reaching out to every forest whisper, shriek and murmur, a million times amplified, spreading a silent dread. But nothing, nothing feels a mistake. All too calmly, remembered from false notes before, courageous encounters with avid, teetering avalanche, tumbling river drops. From each, a lesson. Now anxiously noted as you observed the wolves, oblivious to your nebulous presence, their noses excited, exploring the theatre's carpeted gourmet menu. Day zero of this venture? Not really as you realize... all along, it's been the grand prologue, the magic acorns and their elusive hint-game still ahead, waiting for your bravo act!