The Unity of Spellbound Threads

12

_-_Lilith's POV_-_

I'm still trying to wrap my head around what just happened. One moment, I was yelling at Andy for his betrayal, and the next, a squirrel is scurrying around in front of me, chattering about stopping The Darkness. I'm not even sure how it got here. Is this thing even on our side?

No, we need to find them, even if that means trusting a squirrel. I roll my eyes. It's common sense that squirrels are one of the least helpful animals to ask for help, and now I'm putting the lives of Dave, Daleyza, and my... what would I call her? My best friend? A stranger I've dragged into this chaos? A possible love interest - ha! like anyone could love a mess like me, I'm a walking disaster, a bundle of flaws and fears, completely unlovable. 

Wait, stop. Enough. I take a deep breath and shake my head, forcing myself to focus on the present moment. I can't get bogged down in my own thoughts right now. I need to focus. I need to think faster. I need to find them.

I push myself to clear my mind. I try to think on other things, something, anything, to stop the spiral of self-doubt that could slow us down. I push myself harder and harder, trying to shake off the negative thoughts and focus on the task at hand. Come on, Lilith, get it together. Think about anything, anything at all. Then I decided to think about what's in front of me right now.

It's silly that I went from a princess to a girl on the run from a supernatural villain, who is now trusting an rodent. Despite my reservations, I know we need all the help we can get. So, I take a deep breath and nod at the squirrel.

Rick's chatter was contagious, and I found myself swept up in his enthusiasm as he led the way. His tail wagged like a metronome, which reminded me of something. I remember the days my mother would sit me down at the piano and try to teach me how to play. She would reach towards the top of the piano and turn the metronome on.

I used to hate it the tick tick tick tick over and over again is headache inducing. Sure, you can change it to be something like tick-ticka-tick-ticka-tick-ticka, for 4/4 time with 16th note subdivisions, but that's worse. Everytime she would do it I would make a face, and she would laugh. Her laughter was the best thing in the world. I miss it.

But I can't dwell on memories now. Rick's tail wags faster, urging me to keep up. I follow, lost in thought. I can't believe I'm trusting a squirrel. But what choice do I have? I need all the help I can get to find them.

I think about my old life as a princess. How different everything is now. I miss the comfort and luxury, but I also feel free. I think about my parents, the king and queen. How they would be shocked if they knew what I was doing now. But they'll never know, they'll never be able to tell me off for it anyway. There gone, and there not coming back. No matter how much I want them to.

I think about Dave and Daleyza. How they've become my new family. And Rick, this little squirrel who's leading the way. I feel a sense of gratitude towards him. Despite my reservations, he's helping us.

I push aside negative thoughts and focus on the present. I need to think faster. I need to find them. I take a deep breath and nod at Rick. His chatter is contagious, and I find myself swept up in his enthusiasm.

We race through the forest, and I'm lost in my thoughts. Trying to make sense of everything. Trying to wrap my head around this new reality. But for now, I just need to keep moving forward.

As we storm through the forest, Andy trudges beside me, his silence a palpable weight. Rick the squirrel darts ahead, his chattering a constant reminder of the absurdity of our situation. I'm still fuming, my anger at Andy's betrayal simmering just below the surface.