" Oh! My little heroes!"
Shayna exclaimed as she stood up to her knees placing Kairu on a nearby pillow before walking on her knees toward Little One. Blain seeing this moves away from Little One as Blake and Rehaa both joins his side.
" Noble heroes! You have journeyed far to rescue me from the Evil Vegetable King. I now shall present to each a kiss from your gracious Queen as a token of my gratitude."
Shayna declares as she bends down and kisses Rehaa on the cheek, Rehaa giggles in response. Richard upon hearing this, pulled himself off the ground, sitting up straight as he stares at the whole ceremony in utter shock.
" A kiss?! Awww... I would have liked actual candy. "
Blake whined as he sat down with a pout, disappointed at his prize.
" When I have some, I promise to share with you but for now, let this be enough."
Shayna promises to Blake as she kisses him on the cheek, Blake receives the kiss with one eye closed and a wagging tail, happy with the promise of candy. Richard in the background couldn't help but turn a little green with envy. Making him perfectly represent his character, since now, he was green like a certain type of vegetable.
" Thank you for saving me Knight Milk Scent."
Shayna whispers to Little One as she kissed him on the forehead, making him squeal in delight.
" Alright, kids! Lunch is ready."
Emma announced as she walks into the playpen with a tray filled with milk bottles.
" Thank you darling for being mummy's sweet little angel."
She says with a huge smile as she kisses her daughter on the forehead.
" I made you, your favorite today for being such a good little helper. It's on the dining table, you can share it with Richard later."
She informs as she passes out milk bottles to each toddler. Richard sulkily takes a milk bottle from the tray and moves over to feed Kairu.
" Oh, Little One! Were you waiting patiently for your turn? Such a good boy, even sitting up so it's easier for me to carry you."
Emma praises as she picks up a very confused Little One. Little One let turning his head, looking around worryingly as he desperately searches for something... or should I say someone.
" You seem a little worried. Is it because you're afraid that you won't get your share of milk? Don't worry Little One. There's plenty for you."
She reassures as she slowly starts feeding Little One. Little One was reluctant to eat since he was to find what he was looking for but his hunger soon kicked in. Little One for the first time, drank slowly as he constantly tries to look over Emma's shoulder trying to see the crib, but she was holding him too low and his line of sight was blocked.
" Good boy."
Emma praises as she holds Little One to her chest and burps him. Little One gets excited finally about seeing the crib but then realized that Emma was sitting on the ground. Which meant his line of sight was completely blocked by the playpen's wall.
" Uhh...."
Little One whines as Emma puts him back onto the ground.
" Alright kids, nap time. You know the drill. "
Emma announces as she collects all the milk bottles back onto the tray. Little One quickly grabs Emma's ankle, trying to stop her and get her to pick him up.
" Oh! What's wrong? Want someone to rock you?"
Emma questioned as she looks down at Little One before turning to Shayna who brought in the sleeping mats.
" Shayna, Hunny, could you rock Little One to sleep for me? I have my hands full. We'll have lunch together after I'm done with these."
She smiles at her daughter as Shayna picks up Little One.
" Sure mummy."
Shayna answered and immediately fell silent when she felt the fear and anxiety in Little One's heart.
" Good girl."
Emma praised as she leaves the playpen.
" Uhhhh... "
Little One mumbles as he pulled himself over Shayna's shoulder finally seeing the crib. Just for reality to come crashing before him as he watched the thin white curtain flap against the wind, a strong color of red from the red brick well right across the street. It wasn't Amon, Amon wasn't in sight, Amon isn't here.
" Uhh... Mmmmm."
Little One frowns in agony as tears stung his eyes. Abandoned once again... Little One starts screaming out in fear and sorrow as tears stream from his eye. The turmoil of emotions brought Shayna to her knees as the sudden feeling of watching her mother turn away from her, leaving her behind fills her heart.
Blake" Mummy!! Don't leave!!!"
Rehaa" Please!! Don't go!! I promise I'll do better!"
Blain" *Sobbing* I'm sorry. I'm sorry just don't leave me here."
Blaze" I'm the strongest, I am the first to walk! Didn't you praise me?? Don't you love me?? Why... Why did you go?"
Rufus" Why ... Why... why... why is this happening to me again?"
All toddlers suddenly started screaming out all crying for their own parents, fearing that they won't see them before nightfall.
Richard" Is all I am, truly unlovable?!"
Richard exclaims as he held his heart. Shayna sat there in shock holding Little One in her arms, as tears streams down her face. The sudden urge to run, to run after someone suddenly overwhelmed her.
" What happened?! Oh, oh please don't cry."
Emma quickly scoops Kairu into her arms trying to calm the little kangaroo down. Shayna leaped to her feet, making a dash to the door.
" Shayna?!"
Her mother yelled after her, but Shayna didn't stop, she could, time was running out, and this could be the last time Little One ever sees his parents again. She pulls open the door with determination, sparing a glance at her worried mother before dashing out the door and into the stress with Little One in her arms.
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