Campsite Chaos
Raine stomped her foot, sending a small cloud of dust swirling around her pink sneakers. 'He's doing it again!' she exclaimed, pointing an accusing finger at Dale. Dale, sprawled on a fallen log, barely glanced up from his thick science textbook. 'Doing what, exactly? Breathing?' he retorted, a smirk playing on his lips. Their parents were busy setting up the tent, their voices a low hum against the backdrop of rustling leaves and chirping crickets. Raine hated when Dale acted like he was too good for everything. 'Ignoring me! I asked you to help me find the perfect stick for roasting marshmallows, and you're just sitting there, acting like you're too important.' Dale sighed dramatically, closing his book with a loud snap. 'Raine, finding the 'perfect stick' is not exactly a pressing scientific endeavor. Besides, I'm trying to study,' he said, holding up the science textbook. A flash of red fur darted from behind a nearby tree. 'They're at it again,' squeaked Nutsy, the squirrel, though only Raine seemed to hear him. 'Can't they ever just get along?' Nutsy shook his head, his tiny paws clenching as they argued louder.
The Disappearance
The argument escalated, as their parents were busy setting up the campsite. Raine was so upset she decided to go off into the woods to find one herself. 'Fine!' Raine huffed, turning her back on Dale. 'I'll find my own perfect stick! I don't need your 'scientific endeavors'!' she yelled, marching off into the trees, her pink glasses bobbing on her nose. Nutsy scampered after her, his red tail twitching nervously. 'Raine, wait! Don't go too far! It's not safe!' he called, but his voice was lost in the rustling leaves. Dale watched her go, a flicker of guilt crossing his face. He knew Raine was impulsive, but he also secretly liked that about her. He sighed again, pushing himself up from the log. 'I guess I should make sure she doesn't get lost,' he muttered to himself, grabbing his backpack and heading in the same direction. He called out 'Raine!' but she was already out of earshot. He walked deeper into the woods, passing tall trees, the sun barely peeking through the canopy. He started to get nervous because he heard a howl in the distance. 'Raine this is not funny, come out now!' Dale yelled but all he was answered with, was his very own voice.
