Digging a Way Through

Florisha's POV

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I hated him.

I didn't want to have anything to do with him.

But I also loved him. I mean, why shouldn't I?

They abandoned me. They treated me like a burden, like a liability. And maybe I was. But I was only 5. I didn't know what the world was—I didn't even know what I was.

They left me out in the forest. They came back to pick me up at the thirteenth hour of the day (1 a.m.). They always had a disappointed look on their face when they saw me there, alive.

They hated me.

They didn't want to have anything to do with me.

But they also loved me. Why did I think so?

I could see it in their eyes—the way they frowned and were also relieved when they saw me. The way they smiled when I did something as little as talking.

...

But why?

Why did they keep leaving me in this forest every day till late in the night?

...

I got used to it though. It was like a routine to me.

Wake up, bathe, eat, play—then off to the forest. That's how it was. Until...

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"What is the deal about all these Cropgores anyways?" Inno said indignantly.

She snapped out of her thoughts. She took a deep breath, removing the twisted smile on her face and rubbing off the tears.

She sheathed her two blades and turned around.

"I doubt you had any issues with them. Even the Council will probably be unaware of them—those ignorant and uncaring ********," she tsked. The Council didn't really involve themselves with the matters of the villagers and preferred to regulate things in the background. Only urgent matters would get them involved, and this didn't seem urgent enough for them.

"These creatures have been around for a while. But they just recently started their operations around two months ago," she said, turning around to look him in the eyes.

"They are drawn to where humans thrive. E.g., the farms and the barns. There, they take our harvest and our produce for themselves. They do it stealthily without being spotted. But there have been a few sightings," she paused.

"Each eyewitness described what they saw a little differently based on the time intervals," she continued.

"Are you saying that the first eyewitness description is different from another if the time interval between them is long?" Inno raised an eyebrow. He was really stunned about the complexity of these... Cropgores.

"Ding! Ding! Correct," she replied.

"This suggests likely evolution, but it is still pure speculation." She placed a hand on her chin. "But that isn't the major issue."

"These Cropgores literally came out of nowhere. But at least they didn't do more than be pesky thieves—up until now..." Her face darkened.

"What happened?" Inno was intrigued.

"Cases of death have been rising up, each similar. The victims are mutilated and either left dead or half-dead," her tone became grave.

"Most recent case, a young boy. Name: Arnold. He was... mutilated on the farm and left half-dead. Suspect is highly likely to be a Cropgore." A tinge of regret clawed at her throat, but she quickly hid it.

"How are you so sure the Cropgores are the cause? It could be a wild animal for all we know." Inno didn't want to jump to any conclusions. He wanted complete facts to avoid a wild goose chase that may amount to nothing.

She placed her hands into her pocket and brought out a little glass bottle with a cork at the top. Inside it was a greenish goo.

"This was found around each scene. Coincidence? I think not," she said, raising the bottle high enough for Inno to see while tied to the chair.

"It has corrosive attributes, causing anything it touches to sizzle and possibly pop if in high amounts. The most recent victim had markings of scarred skin at the top of his head, which may likely be caused by this." She spun the liquid around lightly.

Inno stared at the bottle. These things were turning out to be much more of a threat than he thought.

"I can see how much of a threat this is, but why haven't I heard of them?" Inno said with a frown.

"Based on my research, they like to avoid embodiments like yourselves and the Council. That's probably why you haven't seen them before. But that changes now," her voice became more stern.

"So you want my help? What difference will I be able to make?" Inno said.

Ignoring his questions, she continued.

"I located the main entrance, but going through there is as good as willingly taking our lives. So, I came up with another plan." She walked up to him and began untying him.

"Florisha!!" Inno shouted.

She froze.

"Please. Just trust me. I know it is difficult, but please. Don't hold me back, just this once," Florisha said with unwavering determination. She finished untying him.

Inno grunted, and with a sigh said, "Fine. How are we going to do this?"

WHOOSH!!

She tossed a shovel to him. He caught it a little shaken at the unexpected throw.

"We are going to dig our way there," she said bluntly.

"D-DIG!!!"