Hey Mom,

So, I’m basically the furry leader in a post-apocalyptic ghost town called Pawsburg, dodging zombie dogs (Stray Walkers) with my trusted pack—Max, Bella, and Oliver. We’re on a high-stakes mission to find safety and reclaim our home. Don’t worry, I’m staying strong and determined in this eerie adventure!

– Littles

In the eerie silence of Pawsburg under the crisp, indigo sky, I watched from the shadows of Quartz Qimmiq Quarter. Every paw-step seemed to echo through the vacant streets, as though the entire ghost town was whispering our names. My eyes, sharper than usual, scanned for any sign of movement. “Stick close, and stay low,” I bark-whispered to Max, Bella, and Oliver. The tension was as thick as the brussels sprouts I detested.

We were on a mission—one that might be our last. The night pulsed with an electric sense of urgency. When dawn broke, we needed to be far from here, away from the threat that was swiftly closing in. Hound Heights beckoned in the distance, with the promise of safety and, perhaps, Hound’s Hotdogs still had that stash of peanut butter treats. The thought alone made my tail puff with determination. But I couldn’t let distraction sway me.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a flicker of dark, mangy fur. They were here—the Stray Walkers with their hollow eyes and chilling growls. No longer family, they were foes. “Max, take point!” I ordered. His strong, golden frame surged forward, muscles rippling like power chords. Bella, ever elegant even in crisis, kept her head high and her eyes sharp. Oliver, the old sage, limped but held steadfast, his stories having prepared us for moments such as these.

“I smell peanut butter up ahead,” barked Max with a hopeful tone, his nose twitching. “Maybe at Husky’s Hotcakes.”

“Excellent,” I replied, my heartbeat quickening at the thought of safety and sanctuary. Our paws padded silently as we moved through Quartz Qimmiq Quarter and crept past the deserted Jade Jack Russell Junction. The cold moonlight glanced off the cobblestones, making the frost-covered pathways glitter like my fur in the sunlight.

But then—crunch— a stray paw hit shards of broken glass. Bella stumbled, her regal bearing slipping for just a moment. The Walkers’ growls grew louder, closing in on us like a tightening noose. A low rumble escaped Oliver’s throat, “The barking, it’s coming from the old Barking Boutique.”

“There’s no time. Move to the Pawsitively Purrfect Pet Store; it has a cellar!” I said, nearly dragging Bella with me. We sprinted, our breaths puffing visible clouds into the frigid night air. The Pet Store’s wooden door creaked loudly as Max shoved it open with his shoulder.

Inside, the darkness enveloped us. The scent of dried kibble and missing toys filled my nose. There—the hidden cellar door beneath a pile of neglected beds. We dove in, hearing the unmistakable scratching and gnashing as the Walkers pounded at the door above us. It was our pause for rest, however brief.

I took a moment, letting the tension ebb slightly, feeling the exhaustion weigh my limbs down. My eyelids fluttered heavily. And then—a single squeak echoed through the cellar. There, in the corner, my yellow rubber duck. Amidst the chaos, a semblance of peace. I winced around the space, feeling a slight surge of optimism.

Sniffing our sanctuary, Oliver recited an old tale, “This town was built on determination, little Angel. We too are warriors— warriors with tails and whiskers capable of any feat.”

Keeping close to Oliver for warmth, Max’s sturdy frame to my right, and Bella gracefully poised slightly ahead, my eyes flickered shut for a second. I could hear the steady bump of tail against stone, welcoming the brief respite, plotting the next steps. Surrounded by friends, even in the heart of danger, confidence surged through my veins.

“Tomorrow,” I murmured into the chilled air, “we find the others, and reclaim Pawsburg.”

And as my eyes closed in finality, the warmth of their presence wrapped around me like a promise. In the post-apocalyptic world, family wasn’t just a bond—it was a lifeline. And we were far from broken.

The End.

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