A Strange Encounter
1121 Words
2024-10-14
A journal, found in the middle of the woods, seemingly left behind.
Early morning
I’ve found a strange area in the woods by pure chance when wandering around. Two things caught my attention: A large treehouse with seemingly no easy way up and, not too far from it, a large ball seemingly made of moss and sticks. Both are very odd things to find all the way our here, and I can’t see any way to reach either of them. I’ll look around a bit to see if I can figure out who built these.
I heard some movement coming from inside the moss ball. Maybe I won’t need to look too far to figure out who built this. I’ll hide nearby and keep a look out for anyone coming out, just in case they’re dangerous.
Morning
After a few hours, someone, or rather, something finally poked its head out of the large hole near the top of the moss ball. At a glance, it looked like a giant bunny. A bunny that is way too big and way too long, with a huge tail trailing behind it. It was black and white in color with some blue in its ears and on its tail. Strangest of all, it had a neat little bow tie marking on its neck. I’ve never seen anything like it.
The creature left the ball and went straight for the tree house. It climbed the trees with surprising ease and grace, especially for something of that size.
Not too long after, a second creature; green, cream and pink this time; also left the moss ball. This one, however, did not go for the tree house. Instead opting to sit on the ground near the ball.
The two creatures were communicating with each other and, surprisingly, I understood them! They were speaking english! I couldn’t quite make out what they were saying. The few words I caught made it sound like they were talking about tea? Something about what kind they want? Not too sure.
I was right! The black and white one came out of the tree house carrying two steaming cups of tea. So… I have two English speaking tea drinking giant bunny-like creatures in front of me. I have to admit, I’m very curious to learn more about them. I’ll keep on watching them for some time and see where they go from here. I still need to see if they’re dangerous too. They could probably easily hurt me considering just how large they are so I should remain cautious.
Noon
This whole “staying hidden to watch them” thing didn’t work out too long. They walked away to forage some food and, by following them, I guess I made a bit too much noise. The green one instantly spotted me when it heard me. It did not look too happy to see me either. Or at least, it made sure I was very aware of its large teeth.
Thankfully, the bow tie one seemed a bit more open to my presence. It also seemed cautious of me, but actually talked to me while the green one was looking at me threateningly. It was… very chatty. After offering me a cup of tea as well (very tasty earl grey tea, by the way), it explained that they’re “amphimorpho”, but that they used to be humans, just like me. Apparently there’s some sort of virus that turns you into one and they both got infected by it and, at the same time, carry it. It recommended that I stay away from the goo that makes up part of their bodies.
The green one seemed to lower its guard and open up a bit over time but, even then, it did not talk much. It seemed content to just listen to my conversation with the other one, only occasionally interjecting.
They were both foraging for food together while chatting with me. Berries, mushrooms, roots, and more. They seemed very familiar with these woods, knowing how to traverse each part of it, where to find food, and more.
Just from being around them, I can tell there was a pretty strong bond between the two of them and, honestly, it looks like a pretty peaceful life. Part of me can’t help but feel a bit envious of them.
Afternoon
I ended up parting ways with them after they got done foraging. I was planning to head back home, but something inside me has been holding me back and telling me to stay.
These two both lost their humanity and… they seemed happy despite that..? They’re all alone out here, isolated from the world, but they also have each other.
I should really go back home… but… after seeing them, after learning I could have part of what they have, can I really go back..? All I have to do is get infected by whatever virus they’re carrying… right?
Can I really do this though? Can I really throw away my humanity, my friends, my family? Can I really give up on everything I’ve ever known? I don’t have a bad life back home…
At the same time, though, this is just calling to me. It feels like what I should do; like what would make me the happiest in the long term.
I have to go back there. I have to do this. If I don’t do this now, I don’t think I’d be able to find them again. I will forever regret it if I don’t.
Evening
I found the treehouse and moss ball again but the “amphimorpho” were nowhere to be found. Instead, I found a pair of rabbits chasing each other around. Nothing really out of the ordinary, all things considered. Once they noticed me, the rabbits stopped chasing each other and I swear they just stood there and started staring at me.
I ignored them and kept looking around. I quickly found exactly what I was looking for: Some of the creatures’ goo, left behind on a tree. The exact goo I was specifically told to stay away from.
After a lot of back and forth, I ate it. I ate it and it tasted absolutely vile. It was extremely sweet but the actual flavour of it is something I can only describe as the contents of a used petri dish.
I don’t know if eating that was the right decision. I don’t know if it’ll even do anything and, if it does end up doing something, I don’t know how long it’ll take.
Maybe I’ll–
The text suddenly stopped mid-sentence. No further entries can be found in the journal. A bright blue paw print is imprinted on the page of the last entry.
Author's Notes
I wrote this as part of a birthday gift for my partner, with it meant to show our daily lives from an outside perspective.
It is also the story that I mentioned in my recent blog post that turned me into a rabbit.