Snap!
The familiar sound of death rung in Templeton’s ears. The same crack that sent his whole family, brothers and sisters, aunts and uncles, to their wooden graves. Templeton gingerly crawled forward, ears pricked, eyes widened, trying to get a glimpse of the latest victim. It’s Edmund. “I was never very fond of him anyway,” murmured Templeton. Now he was to wait, as he had been after the last few killings. He had been too frightened to pursue the fellow who collected the corpses of his friends and family, although he knew the human who reaped their poor little souls. Caius was the town’s fur trader and dealer, and he had been working on a special pelt, one of mouse skin. As the meaty hands grasped the lifeless body of one of his own, Templeton prepared to pursue the psychotic creature and find out where his brethren had gone. Footsteps thundered, and his heart hammered in his tiny chest. He scurried after the huge leather appendages, hoping to find the source of his misery. He followed Caius in the shadows of his store, dashing through holes in the wall and making sure to avoid any more traps. He entered back of the store, surrounded by coats made of any animal fur imaginable: fox, rabbit, beaver. Then he saw it. A shawl made of tiny brown pelts, stitched together, a quilt of demise. Templeton barely held back a horrified squeak. The skins of his family and friends hung on the wall...it disgusted him.
The opening of a door led Templeton to run to the nearest dark corner, and he watched as an elegant young woman entered the store. She was dressed wealthily, as if she were a princess, but looked extremely distressed. She heaved her purse over her shoulder, and walked up to the counter. “What can I do for you, ma’am?” questioned Caius. “I need some help,” the woman replied. “I need something that will guarantee me a husband, and a rich one at that. Daddy kicked me out with no money, and told me to figure it out. I only have a couple hundred dollars left, so what do you have?” “Well,” Caius leaned over the counter, getting closer to the woman. “I’d be more than happy to let you stay with me…” “How about that one?” the woman said, pointing to the back of the store and ignoring Caius’ attempt at seduction. Caius stood erect, smoothed his balding head, and glanced at the mouseskin coat. “That’ll be about $400, ma’am.” “I’ll take it.” She placed four crisp bills on the counter, and the transaction was completed. The woman put the pelts over her arm, and made to leave the store. Templeton scurried after her.
Days later, the woman, whom Templeton named Corinthia, had found a partner. Templeton had followed day and night after this woman, wearing his family like a prize. He scampered in and out of holes and shadowy corners and never paused unless she did. He had been reduced to nibbling on grass and crumbs, and was thoroughly exhausted. Corinthia had been staying in one place for a few days now, and there was always a ruckus at night. Templeton even had a shoe thrown at him once.
Corinthia had been planning to seek revenge on her father by giving him what seemed like a gift, but what was really something unusual and disgusting. She stared at the coat that was strewn on the floor.
More days passed and Templeton was on the verge of starvation. He had no idea why he was still pursuing Corinthia, and made to leave soon. On his way out, a mouthwatering scent tingled his nostrils. He peered around the room, looking for the source of this delectable smell. He locked his eyes on a piece of a yellow, creamy substance. He dashed towards the treat, unable to resist his famished stomach’s continuous growl. He couldn’t focus on anything except the food and the wood beneath his feet. He went to devour it in one chomp…
Snap!
The woman arrived at her father’s house, accompanied by her new partner, Kent. She had in her hand a few cheeses and crackers, and a mysterious meat Kent or the father had ever seen or tasted before. The father took a bite. “Fantastic!”, the father exclaimed, “although it is in need of a bit of salt.”
