Chapter 1: "Conspiracy Theories"
Honey looked out into the distance.
Nothing.
She pricked her ears up in hopes of hearing something.
Nothing.
Those pesky humans were always destroying the forest in which Honey lived in. Then they suddenly just disappeared in the span of three days?
Honey was a red fox, six moons old, with the red on her surprisingly light in comparison to other foxes. The vixen lived in the Heart Skulk, one of the most peaceful groups of foxes in the entire Hope Forest. They always displayed kindness towards any foxes, or almost any animal, in need. The only animal they despised from the bottom of their hearts?
Humans.
Humans did a lot of things to the forest. They chopped down trees, mercilessly killed animals, and trespassed frequently with no apparent reason. Elders in the Heart Skulk enjoyed mouthing on and on about how “the humans never used to be like this” and “they let the trees grow and the animals run.”
A week ago, however, the humans...disappeared. Out of nowhere.
The skulk rejoiced and was significantly happier and more laid-back.
Except for Honey.
Honey thought it was suspicious that humans would suddenly leave with no explanation, especially after being so cruel to all the animals of Hope.
She bounded to a clearing of the forest and watched the sky and the sun shining brightly.
Until something disturbed the sky.
She quickly stood up and squinted her eyes.
What is that? Honey thought as she glared up at the sky, at the strange object floating through it.
She suddenly realized what it was.
Her mother had always told her of the distant stars in the sky, how they may support life too, just like the sun does for the Heart Skulk. That there were planets, life forms, so many things far beyond some small foxes.
The humans...were a lot larger and more advanced.
Should I be happy for them, for the skulk...or should I be worried? Why would they leave like this? Is something seriously dangerous going to come that threatens the lives of everyone here? Something more dangerous than humans?
. . . .
“Hey, where were you?”
Honey walked back to the skulk’s cave and was quickly faced by Birch, her best friend, who was a male.
“Oh, uh, just exploring the forest!” Honey exclaimed.
“Honey,” Birch replied, “I have known you since you were born.”
“Well, my mother does tell me you were always coming and checking in on us for some reason?”
“That’s not the point.” Birch started to blush with guilt and embarrassment. “The point is, you’re lying to me.”
“What?” Honey said in a very unconvincing tone, “No way!”
“Honey.”
“Yes.”
“Seriously, I know you are lying to me. I’m two moons older than you, so I’m a lot wiser.”
“Uh-huh.”
“I’m serious!” Birch insisted.
“Okay, fine,” Honey mumbled. “I saw something strange appear in the sky. I think the humans left to go to one of those stars far away, the ones you see at night.”
“What did the strange thing look like?”
“I don’t know...it was pretty far away. It was orange and white and gray…”
“Really?”
“I know, right?” Honey remarked.
Suddenly the leader of the skulk, Jewel, towered over Birch.
“Honey,” Jewel snapped.
Birch scrambled to his feet and dipped his head after facing Jewel. “Hello, uh, sorry to bother you, Leader.”
“Oh, don’t worry, Birch. You are not bothering anyone.”
Birch glanced behind him at Honey and bounded out of the way between the two vixens.
Way to support me, best friend, Honey thought.
Honey quickly stood up and dipped her head as well.
“Stop spreading your conspiracy theories,” Jewel calmly said.
“Excuse me, Leader?” Honey asked.
“I said, stop spreading your conspiracy theories.”
“How are they conspiracy theories, Leader?”
“Because you know nothing about them, and they could be false. They are accusations and conclusions without facts. You know I do not approve of them.”
“Why would they disappear from our forests and with no explanation except to escape?”
“Like I said before, you have no proof that these are true. They never explained anything to you. You don’t understand their language either, and neither do I and nor does every other animal in Hope Forest. You know, you should be happy they left. They are finally gone from our lives, and there will be no more of their tormenting.”
“What if something worse is coming, something worse than humans?” Honey remarked.
“You don’t speak to your leader like that! I hear another of your bear-dung theories, and you will be banned from leaving the skulk’s cave for a week! Understand?”
Honey sighed, “Yes, Leader.”
But I will still believe in them.
