Erybelle: "Oh, don't worry about it. I'll just run into town, get some for you and be right back!
From Create Your Own Story
Maple blinks and then gives you one of her rare smiles. "Well sure, since you asked." She hands you the wicker basket and you test it's weight in your hand. "Would you mind trying to fill up the whole basket?" You give her a reassuring grin and nod as you begin to move away. "Remember that the cat mint is found outside the church." She adds as you turn around and giggle, giving her a thumbs up. Maple already knows that you know where the cat mint is found, you've collected it for her dozens of times. "Oh, and... Erybelle? Hurry back, alright?" There's a strange tone to her voice that sends a shiver down your spine but you try and shake it off as you wave goodbye and skip off.
A light mist is spread across the ground as you make your way down the road. Your strides begin cool and confident but soon you begin to hear footsteps behind you. Loud ones. Your throat constricts and you pause for a moment and take a look around but the road remains desolate and empty. You press on, this time a little hesitant, trying to convince yourself nothing is there though you still feel a presence somewhere behind you. You try humming a happy tune, already feeling Maple's sudden absence. Usually she was the one to notice those kinds of things. Being paranoid was her thing, yours was being reckless.
As you round a corner you begin to hear whispers, low and urgent. Your body is paralyzed as you realize the voices are getting closer, paired with the same footsteps from before. You duck into an alleyway and crouch down low behind a crate as you try to control your hysterical breathing. Shadows approach and pass by harmlessly. You let out a deep sigh of relief once you realize it's only two women gossiping and they continue on, oblivious to your racing heart and sweaty palms. As you steady yourself and crawl out from your hiding place, you grip your basket tightly and stand in the middle of the road.
You're more than a little freaked out now. You could continue onto the church and try and be brave, just like Maple. Or you could hurry back and explain what had happened. She seemed a bit tense today too, she probably wouldn't get cross with you.
Which do you choose?
