Everything is a blur of dark greens, blacks, scratchy branches, and desperate panting. Running fearfully through the forest, away from an unknown danger, all three odd friends are thinking the same thing. What happened? And where are we?

Feeling watched and not yet safe, the three of them keep running at a fast pace.

The forest being pitch black now that the twilight is over has crept into darkness – it has become a death trap. The trees are tall shadows only just visible in the nightfall. Branches crackle beneath their feet, their footsteps and heaving is swallowed by the darkness.

Suddenly, with another step the ground seems to disappear from under their feet, and dreadful, endless falling ensues.

**

Fusty, thick air. Complete blackness. The creature lifts an arm to see if his hand is visible in the dark, but is quickly reminded that his arms are far too short to be seen anyway.

Friends?

His husky voice resounds in what must be a very large cave.

I’m here, the little girl answers. A low rustling comes from the opposite side of the creature. The rabbit being unable to respond in words, stomps its long feet on the ground.

It certainly is dark down here, the creature mumbles doubtingly.

Recognising the dark, the little girl has no fear. I’ve tried this before, there’s nothing to be frightened of, she proclaims, almost proudly. Or maybe I’m wrong, she says, when a low whispering sounds from behind them.

Teeth chattering. Shuffling in the darkness. A silent chuckle.

Welcome below, an alarming voice sounds from within the dark.

Startled, the three odd friends move closer together. Or at least they think they do; it’s quite impossible to see anything in this darkness.

Still completely blind, they clearly feel and hear the presence of somebody else. Of something else.

A dragging noise comes nearer and a low sound of what can only be described as rattling bones sound from all around them.

 

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