Here in the Old Grove, in my opinion...its a place I call both my playground and home. Many of the mammals here both predators and prey cooperate in order to thrive. Where many of the past would say "survival of the fittest", we at the present manage to help out each other in order to survive. And to make sure there is no trouble from both sides, We have 2 types of enforcers that help uphold the rules of the Old Grove. The "Deer Brigades", strong as individuals with antlers as tough as wood, scouting from the day and "The Wolf Pack" that everyone may understand that their numbers makes the difference, scout at the night. Also, those that govern our home are known as the "Grand Elders of the Old Grove" that supervises and monitors from the Elder tree which many have made their homes on. And I can tell you this, its great in the morning and there is no problem what so-
"NOONA!!"
"Uh-oh". As I heard old man Rodgers screaming from his lungs chasing me down from forest with a boiling temper from turning his prized pumpkin batch into animal face-latern gallery.(My favorite one was the cat faced one) made by yours truly. Mr. Rodgers was always a shrude woodchuck. Storing many of our neighbor's belongings, always complaining, throwing chucks of wood (typical) and much more. So here I am, leaping from branch to branch with a sense of excitement from my usual mornings.
"You annoying feline! I will get you for this! I am going to tell your mother!" Said Mr. Rodgers.
"Who?" I said. "You!" He said. "Who?" Once more. "YOU! Thats who!" He said feeling annoyed. I Paused for moment to think and realized something. "Well, as much as I enjoy our game of tag Mr. Rodgers, I got to get somewhere! See ya later!" And off I went with a good chuckle and Mr. Rodgers no longer tailing me.
Oh, I almost forgot to mention...My name is Noona, and I'm an ocelot. If you don't know what an ocelot is...well its pretty much related to the feline species so yes... I am purrrfectly normal cat. Well, to me that is...
After I made my way through the forest, I was supposed to meet my mother and help her out getting fish for the family. Sometimes my mother and I do work on the day if we are short on food. Granted, we could have asked our neighbors for the help during the day since we work actively at the night, we are nocturnal after all. But, mother and I manage to do well on the day while my father is out on important business and my lazy siblings fall asleep until night arrives. Not easy being an older sister...Good grief.
Arriving at a populated area of the Old Grove, I overheard that many of the animals are celebrating the day of the "Great Fire" which we had called the "Firefly Festival" that is coming in a few days. Mourning and remembering the losses of our loved ones that perished. According to what the Elders have claimed, it was caused by a black fox known to many as the "Black Cinders" which then was passed over to the next generation to know the story. Though I have sharp hearing, I tend to ignore those stories. To be honest, they made those claims and many just listen and... accept it as it is... no questions asked... I wonder why?...
As I am close to arriving where I needed to be, I landed gently on branch and stopped for a moment... looking at the view of the Old Grove and the horizon. With one good look, my eyes had focus so much on one place... (my thoughts filled with the voices of the inhabitants that I tried to ignore)
"-Do you all remember the story?"
"-What story?"
"-Beware the Black Cinders"
"-That monster!"
"-They say the Black Cinders never died."
"-Impossible... that can't be true."
"-They say the Shadow and Black Cinders are one of the same."
"-I lost my husband because of that demon!"
"-Shhh! You want the Elders to hear such things?"
" (whispers)I'm serious! After the fire, many strange things have happened."
"-The dark figure?"
"-The wandering shadow?"
"-The Shadow."
"-What strange things?"
"-Every year, does it not seem as though that shadow some of us notice gets... bigger?"
"-Like a black flame growing?"
"-Yeah... and its presence is enough to give a cold sweat."
"-I rather stay home."
" I can tell you this, between me and everyone here in the Old Grove that has seen scary stuff all I can say is-"
"Something that our Elders claim to be evil deserves to go back where it belongs and that is-"
"Only one place where such nightmares should stay and that's-"
"Comes from one place-"
...the Dark Grove.