Back in the village, as the men worked on clearing the fallen tree, the remaining villagers—mostly the women, children, and the elderly—waited with a mixture of curiosity, concern, and quiet determination. The wind had only grown harsher, and the subtle drizzle from earlier had turned into a steady rainfall, bringing an almost eerie quiet over the village as everyone sought shelter indoors.
Hanna kept herself busy in the bakery, her hands kneading dough with a focus that betrayed her nerves. She'd heard the men talking before they left, their voices filled with worry over the blocked water source. And while she trusted her father and the other villagers to handle it, she couldn't help but feel a knot of anxiety forming in her stomach.
"It's just a tree," she murmured to herself, though her words sounded less convincing out loud. "They'll be back soon, I'm sure of it."
Her mother, standing nearby, offered her a reassuring smile. "You know your father—he's stubborn as an ox. If anyone can handle a little tree trouble, it's him."
Hanna nodded, but she couldn't help glancing at the window, watching the rain as it trickled down the glass. The sight of Blue and Wobbles scurrying around the village earlier brought her a small measure of comfort, though. If those tiny creatures were brave enough to face the elements, surely her father and the others would be okay too.
.
Mira's mother had spent most of the morning trying to keep her daughter entertained indoors. Normally, Mira would be outside, playing in the fields or watching her father work, but with the strong winds and rain, she'd had to make do with toys inside.
"Mama, will Papa be alright?" Mira asked, her voice a soft whisper as she held her favorite doll close to her chest.
Her mother smiled, reaching out to tuck a strand of Mira's hair behind her ear. "Yes, sweetheart. Your Papa is strong and smart. And he has friends helping him, remember?"
Mira nodded, her gaze drifting toward the window. "And Blue, too. He'll keep them safe."
Her mother chuckled, her heart softening at her daughter's faith in the little scorpion. "Yes, Blue is out there too, doing his best." She only hoped that faith wasn't misplaced. Deep down, she couldn't deny her own worry. The idea of their well drying up was frightening. Water was their lifeblood, and without it, life would become much harder for everyone.
Rina, who helped care for the village's youngest children, was doing her best to keep their spirits up despite the dreary day. She gathered them in a circle, leading them in songs and stories, her voice cheerful even as the wind howled outside.
One of the older children raised a hand, his face serious. "Miss Rina, is the well really broken?"
Rina knelt down to meet his gaze, nodding gently. "It's not exactly broken, but something's blocking the water, and that's what the men are trying to fix. Don't worry—they'll find a way to make it flow again."
Another child tugged on her sleeve, his eyes wide. "I heard Blue is helping. Is that true?"
Rina laughed, nodding. "Yes, it seems Blue is helping in his own special way. And he has his friend, Wobbles, with him too."
The children's faces brightened, and they began talking excitedly about Blue and Wobbles. Rina felt a pang of gratitude for the little creatures—without meaning to, they had become symbols of bravery and hope to these young minds.
The elder sat quietly in his chair by the window, watching the rain pour down as he sipped his tea. He had lived through many storms and hardships over the years, and he recognized the nervous energy spreading through the village. Everyone was worried, but they were also resilient.
One of the older women approached him, carrying a basket of herbs. "Elder, are you sure the men will be able to clear the tree?"
The elder nodded thoughtfully. "They're resourceful, and they have a clear plan. With determination, they'll find a way."
The woman placed a hand on her heart, glancing toward the direction of the forest. "It's just… such an unusual time. And with this storm, it feels like the whole forest is restless."
The elder smiled, his gaze steady. "Perhaps it is. The forest has its own ways, and sometimes it tests us. But this is nothing we can't overcome."
He looked down, thinking of the tiny scorpion that had played such a large role in guiding them to the source of their troubles. It amazed him how fate had brought such a small creature into their lives at just the right moment. In his mind, it felt like a blessing, a small gift from the world beyond.
.
The healer prepared poultices and balms, anticipating the scrapes, bruises, and possible injuries the men might bring back with them. She was well-respected in the village, her knowledge of herbs and healing a comfort to everyone, especially in times like these.
As she worked, a younger woman came in, eyes worried. "Do you think… they'll come back safely?"
The healer gave her a reassuring smile, handing her a small vial of calming tea. "Of course, my dear. Our men are strong, and they're working together. And besides, they're not alone." She chuckled softly, adding, "I heard they have a little scorpion friend guiding them."
The younger woman laughed, her shoulders relaxing. "It's strange, isn't it? I never thought I'd feel grateful to a creature so small."
The healer nodded, her gaze soft. "Sometimes, the smallest things make the biggest difference."
Hanna's mother sat with a few other women near the bakery, each sharing what they'd heard from their husbands and sons before they left for the forest. There was an unspoken understanding between them—a quiet strength as they braved the waiting, holding onto the hope that their men would return with good news.
One of the women shook her head, a smile tugging at her lips. "And to think… a scorpion was the one to warn us about the water. I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't seen it myself."
Another woman, holding her child close, nodded. "They say he's a friend of the elder's granddaughter. Maybe that's why he helped us."
Hanna's mother chuckled, glancing down at her hands. "Or maybe he's just kind. Perhaps, in his own way, he understands that we're all trying to survive together."
Meanwhile, little Mira sat by the window, her eyes fixed on the forest. She didn't know the details of what her father and the other men were doing, but she knew Blue was with them, helping however he could. That thought comforted her, and she whispered a quiet prayer for their safety, her small fingers pressed together.
"Please, keep Papa and Blue safe," she murmured, her voice barely a whisper.
As she sat there, her mother joined her, placing a hand on her shoulder. "They'll be alright, Mira. And when they come back, we'll all celebrate."
Mira nodded, but she didn't take her eyes off the forest. Deep down, she felt a small spark of hope, a belief that Blue and Wobbles would see her father home safely.
.
As the elder continued watching the rain, he couldn't help but reflect on how unusual this situation had become. A scorpion and a slime had managed to bring the village together, each person finding comfort in the small creatures' courage and persistence.
The elder raised his tea cup in a quiet salute to the storm outside, a smile forming on his lips. "Strange times call for strange heroes, it seems. May they keep our village safe."
And as the rain poured down, each villager held onto that hope—waiting, believing, and trusting that those who ventured into the forest, no matter how big or small, would bring back the water they all so desperately needed.