Nera's eyes opened, and immediately she knew something was amiss. Her heart felt empty, her mind completely lost in a daze. She rose from her bed, swinging open her bedroom door. Nobody, not a single soul within the orphanage.66Please respect copyright.PENANAjvNxexIWOj
"Ms. Melody? Nurse Chiaka?" Neither of the adults answered her. She ran into the nurse's office, and the old man was gone as well. She heard a sound, footsteps, small footsteps, likely another orphan.66Please respect copyright.PENANAVz3UtfTOBx
"What are you shouting about, Nera?" Eri yawned, rubbing her eyes out. "Where is everyone?"66Please respect copyright.PENANAYO2KYj2Q6O
Eri now realized the situation. "Are we alone here?"66Please respect copyright.PENANA9TYpj8OvRg
"I think so. We should probably check outside."66Please respect copyright.PENANA4otsvaHgAs
"Yeah, that sounds like a good idea."
Exiting the orphanage, the two girls noticed all the other orphans staring across the hill. "Oh, you two are still here as well? I guess all the orphans were left behind as usual."66Please respect copyright.PENANAq4vPPymmPG
"What are you talking about, Winter?"66Please respect copyright.PENANAZNDVQOuJFH
She pointed towards the city, and every vehicle in the road was either crashed or fully stopped. "W-What in the-"66Please respect copyright.PENANAoOZ95cSWbh
"Did your dreams tell you anything?"
Nera hesitantly answered. "No. I don't think I could've ever predicted something like this. Do you think some sort of apocalypse happened?"66Please respect copyright.PENANAsHugvSRThO
"You mean like zombies?" Dud butted in, trying to hide his fear. "If it was that, we would of heard it, right? Zombies would've ate us already."66Please respect copyright.PENANA3LyhkNmWnP
"I was thinking, maybe some sort of mass abduction?"66Please respect copyright.PENANA1jdbqHE5DM
Winter sighed. "Why would we be left behind? It doesn't make any sense, unless they only wanted the adults for some reason."
"Should we go down there and check?" Delta suggested.66Please respect copyright.PENANAnbkuqOxxxF
The children were all hesitant. After all, every person they ever known or wished to know, disappeared from the face of the world. They were a group who barely understood the necessary measures to take to stay alive.66Please respect copyright.PENANAuMCyZ0JoTY
"We should explore in two groups. Winter, I trust that you can lead the first one."66Please respect copyright.PENANAIvk4VRDGZh
"Nera, you know I'm not a good leader."66Please respect copyright.PENANAiClShr8MzA
"Winter, this will be the time to change that. I'll go with you, and we can take Eri as well."66Please respect copyright.PENANA0rfu6hGthw
"I'll lead the other group." Nester decided. "Delta should come with me, along with Dud."66Please respect copyright.PENANArbsrSBf3cd
"What about the twins?"
Sage and Nova looked at each other, and split between the two groups. "Well, this is the best option." Delta commented. "These two are kind of like radios. If something bad happens, we might be able to alert each other."66Please respect copyright.PENANADiWERZKnA7
"Well, I guess this is goodbye for now." Nester said softly. "Just... be careful, all of you."66Please respect copyright.PENANAEyn7Ygqdqw
It was a surprise to see him being the team leader, but in this situation, it was the only thing keeping them alive. In the silent ghost town they now lived in, any further silence would drive them to insanity.
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"Where to first, Winter?"
"I was going to ask you the same thing."
"Well, I was thinking about searching the hill."
"Up here? For what reason?"
"The others are searching the city, but I feel like answers might be here. Let's explore the playground, then the forest. I have a strange feeling about that forest."66Please respect copyright.PENANAMOStGnrB2I
"Now that you mention it, Nera, the old man said something was chasing him."66Please respect copyright.PENANAU58HfhfPML
"Alright then, it's decided."66Please respect copyright.PENANAo0MYSleNf5
In the playground, the swing moved without life. The only thing guiding it back and forth was the wind blowing behind it. Like a metronome, the sound of squeaking was constant from the chains. A playground without children was nothing but haunting.
"What do you expect to find here?" Eri asked Nera politely. "If the nurse or our caretaker left out the back door, we might be able to find a trace of them."
They searched for an hour, digging through the sand, traveling beyond the fence surrounding the area, but there was nothing. Eri got worn out easily. Whether it was from the stress or the lack of communication from her sisters, she just continued to swing gently with Nova.66Please respect copyright.PENANAisuJyhgOlk
"I'm scared, Eri."66Please respect copyright.PENANA5OuXZkDWhT
"I'm sure we'll figure things out, just like that puzzle we did together."66Please respect copyright.PENANAUBn7zvjwp0
"This isn't the same thing. The whole world might be dead and we might all die alone."66Please respect copyright.PENANA1JDgVLLGst
"Now, I'm scared."
They laughed together, but it was short lived. With their head towards the ground, Eri continued the conversation. "Well, if you think about it, we have a lifetime supply of food in the city..."66Please respect copyright.PENANAr5YMXQFdOW
"...and we don't need to worry about being homeless! We can also travel anywhere. Like the carnival, the aquarium, the-"66Please respect copyright.PENANA68lwWWNA4u
"Yeah, it can't be all that bad... but I miss Nurse Chiaka and Ms. Melody."66Please respect copyright.PENANAbEbeZZ9Y7p
"I'm sad about that too, but we would've lost them someday anyway."66Please respect copyright.PENANATXuFnvqnDv
"What place do you want to go, Nova?"66Please respect copyright.PENANAi9S0evHf6l
"A museum."
"That's boring."
"I like learning, and so does Sage... it's the only thing we really have in common. I thought if we could see sculptures of dinosaurs or something, we might be able to share a hobby together."66Please respect copyright.PENANAfVy8Dk1c5t
"That hobby being?"66Please respect copyright.PENANAIZWuraxuQI
"Paleontology."66Please respect copyright.PENANAJAElSrbuim
"That word is too big for me, let's stop talking about it." They shared another laugh together, and like a metronome, they stared at the ground once again. This time they remained silent, waiting for their sisters to return.66Please respect copyright.PENANAFSnRKshc5d
"Eri, Sage, why are you just sitting here?"66Please respect copyright.PENANAliSv34zlv1
"We got tired of searching." Eri answered. "We're sorry."66Please respect copyright.PENANAyHyxjegLI4
"It's fine, we're not mad. I just want to make sure you're keeping an eye out for anything. I don't want you two getting hurt."66Please respect copyright.PENANAb6PlHDR7Ee
"Are we checking the forest now?"66Please respect copyright.PENANAfPWwWS8wOS
"Yeah, we better hurry before the others get back. I just hope they packed enough food."66Please respect copyright.PENANASlLzM8ZMUo
"Whose going to cook it though?"
A good question, and nobody in their group had an answer. At this point, their only hope was for someone to learn. "If nobody else volunteers, I'll do it." Winter decided. "I have watched Ms. Melody prepare meals, so at the very least, I should be able to handle the basics."66Please respect copyright.PENANAUOFCTlEhuz
"Alright, and we'll all try our best to help."66Please respect copyright.PENANAWS5ukQRwtE
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The crunching of the leaves under their feet caused every creature to flee. "Hey Nera, do you think we'll ever need to hunt for our food?"66Please respect copyright.PENANAfy3HB7Sf7m
"Hunting? I'm not sure. It depends on whether the food we find can be preserved. If not, then I'd rather try building a farm instead."66Please respect copyright.PENANAnsrlvdoUp8
"I guess I forgot about that option."
Eri stopped in place, her face lighting up with joy. "Hey, I think I found something." The other girls rush over, finding nothing but a stream. "We could probably purify this if we need to, right?"66Please respect copyright.PENANA1ogRV4uXZI
"It would be quite challenging, but possible. I think I read that boiling water will kill bacteria."66Please respect copyright.PENANAyKeiJNN4yE
"But do you know how to boil water?"
"Like I said, I'm willing to learn how to cook." Winter answered. A white rabbit in the distance stared directly at her. Its beady red eyes, seemed almost surprised to see human life.66Please respect copyright.PENANASVCSJ7y7uR
The rabbit fled, as the sound nearby was a common predator. "Did I just hear something growling?"66Please respect copyright.PENANAUmak8yA4jo
Dashing through the trees was a red fox, scaring Eri enough to make her fall over. "Are you alright?" Sage asked. "It don't think they are harmful, unless they have rabies."66Please respect copyright.PENANAPequTQslek
"Well, does it?"66Please respect copyright.PENANA0sNKVbWWBv
Nera stared at the fox, not really knowing what to look for. "No, I don't think so, or it would've attacked us on sight."66Please respect copyright.PENANACDamfFXGLA
"I don't like this place." Eri whined. "It's cold, there are rabies, and now my leg hurts."66Please respect copyright.PENANAEcODSJuv1F
"You'll be okay, Eri, just stay close to us."66Please respect copyright.PENANAb6RjAgmDVy
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"Eri." A voice called out to the youngest child. "Follow me, Eri. Don't let them know where we're going."66Please respect copyright.PENANAk5xZ6F30Bq
"Eri, is everything okay?" Winter asked. "Yeah, let's just keep moving."66Please respect copyright.PENANASNUwlb2jcH
As the group followed the stream in one direction, Eri explored the opposite direction on her own. "This will take some getting used to, but I should be fine." Navigating rough foliage and unmarked paths, Eri found a cave that seemed to lead deep underground.66Please respect copyright.PENANA1JSvG0nyOd
"Good job, Eri. Now, let me guide you through." A sparkle of light ignited, and the creature was revealed to be a fairy. "You're so pretty!" Eri cheered. "Why thank you! You are quite pretty yourself."66Please respect copyright.PENANAJk6sXdxxvS
While seeing such a mythical creature would naturally be a warning sign, Eri was too hypnotized by its friendly charm to ignore it. With no further hesitation, she entered the cave.66Please respect copyright.PENANAXSVSqVOyvz
Water dripped from the top of the cave, along with stone icicles that hoped to pierce an unaware passerby. "What is down here exactly?" Eri asked. "A kingdom full of fairies of course! I know this cave looks quite grim, but if we stayed in the open, something would kill us without question."66Please respect copyright.PENANADCkUVM7gUV
"Will I even be able to fit? Fairies are quite small, so wouldn't there homes be as well."66Please respect copyright.PENANAExkSeuQVzE
"We have made them human size, just in case we got any visitors."66Please respect copyright.PENANAagyEFupJVd
"That's quite bizarre."66Please respect copyright.PENANAglUT7eFFvr
In the deepest part of the cave was a bridge, brightly lit from the hanging lanterns nearby. "What is lighting those?"66Please respect copyright.PENANABJxPCi95se
"Stardust."66Please respect copyright.PENANAWhKjzVd9Zp
"How do you obtain something that's all the way in space?"66Please respect copyright.PENANAnQ33bQvJRY
"There is another place you can get stardust, child."66Please respect copyright.PENANAt0kc8uRHIQ
"Where?"66Please respect copyright.PENANARr2YaC4VDb
"You will see soon enough."66Please respect copyright.PENANAEIPkr7qRjM
The gates of the fairy kingdom opened before them. There were crystalized buildings of plenty, various shapes and sizes, all connected together with wooden bridges. "So pretty!" Eri cheered once again. "Yes, it took us so long to build this place. That stardust you saw on the way in, was used in the kingdom's development."66Please respect copyright.PENANAAijTMGjJAr
"It does more than light lanterns?"66Please respect copyright.PENANAngZP8Z3FKh
"Much more. It gives us energy; the energy to build, cast spells, and it's a necessary food source."66Please respect copyright.PENANAA2VsPCEv6x
"You eat stardust?"66Please respect copyright.PENANACjdgmJkyRD
"All living things need something to eat, child."66Please respect copyright.PENANA3rXuIBuWm0
"What sort of spells can you cast?"66Please respect copyright.PENANAfqbqXXqH4W
"Why don't you take a guess."66Please respect copyright.PENANASNhvxgKdjE
"Well, fairies are sometimes associated with dreaming, so they should have a sleeping spell."66Please respect copyright.PENANArm9HABojaD
"Yep, we have a spell like that. We also have a charming spell, a transmutation spell, a stardust extraction spell.66Please respect copyright.PENANAJxRx09YDMg
"You still never told me where you are getting it from."66Please respect copyright.PENANA8bEzB0O3Zq
"Patience, child."66Please respect copyright.PENANA388Fn874b1
"Sorry, miss fairy. Oh right, do you have a name?"66Please respect copyright.PENANA0jLR2R41Pe
"I'm Rosaline, the queen of the kingdom."66Please respect copyright.PENANAyzDMHRlVg2
"I already got to meet the queen!"66Please respect copyright.PENANAvpxcgg8yfb
"Yep, and our next stop is the castle. I have a large banquet prepared just for our human guests."66Please respect copyright.PENANAASiZVHebDs
"Really? Then let me go get my brothers and sisters."66Please respect copyright.PENANATs4RRFDn7z
"Actually, that's not possible. I have a feeling they wouldn't be as accepting as you, my dear child. Fairies have a good intuition for things like that."66Please respect copyright.PENANAWWuVV7Zl4d
"Dud and the twins might be fine with it."66Please respect copyright.PENANA5ZPzCtlEnX
"I'm sure they would, but getting them here would require causing quite a commotion. For now, just stuff your belly, and we will discuss this later."66Please respect copyright.PENANASXLwJjTdxt
Eri did just that. Once she arrived at the queen's castle, a group of fairies with chef hats laid down plate after plate. After she had her fill, the queen guided her to a room where she could rest.66Please respect copyright.PENANAeyHDsW6vat
─━━━━━━⊱✿⊰━━━━━━─66Please respect copyright.PENANAcAGVeW4eVC
Nera and the others, finally stopped and realized something amiss. "Where is Eri? Eri! Come back to us, Eri!" Nera shouted. There was no response. "S-She was just behind us a moment ago! S-She couldn't have gone far, we should be able to find her if we backtrack!"66Please respect copyright.PENANAmPrqWQwfuP
"Winter, calm down. You're starting to panic. We'll find her, I'm sure of it."66Please respect copyright.PENANAZyHgddecrN
Nova remained silent, remembering the voice that she heard only a while ago. She thought it was her imagination, but maybe deciding so soon, was a grave mistake on her part. In the cave, a place they never could imagine existed, an unintelligible scream went silent.66Please respect copyright.PENANA9M5G9qGuJl