Billie clawed her way out of the shallow grave, gasping as she spat out a mouthful of dirt. Her fur was matted with soil, which she quickly dusted off before glancing back at the disturbed earth. How had she ended up buried there? The last thing she remembered was blacking out… The rest was a blur. Oh well.

As she turned around, her eyes locked onto a looming mansion just beyond a tall, rusted fence. It looked straight out of a horror movie—ominous and silent. With a determined huff, she scaled the fence and crept toward the mansion’s grand, weather-worn doors. The inside was just as eerie: creaky floorboards, cobwebbed chandeliers, and a chilling stillness.

She wandered cautiously until, finally, her eyes lit up—the gem she’d been hunting for was right there on a pedestal! Victory! She jumped up to grab it, her fox companion, Oscar, trying to boost her from behind. But before she could celebrate, a sudden whoosh of wings echoed through the room.

Barnaby—the twisted owl who ruled this haunted estate—appeared out of nowhere, talons flashing, his yellow and orange eyes glowing with malice. Screeching for her to join his party for the dead

Billie didn’t wait. Clutching the gem and Oscar, she dove headfirst through a stained-glass window, glass shards slicing past her as she hit the ground and tumbled into the cold grass outside. She didn’t stop—leaping over the fence again and vanishing into the forest.

Later, breathless and shivering, Billie slowed down. The dark woods wrapped around them like a cold blanket. She hugged Oscar close.

“It’s so cold… I think we should stay here for the night,” she whispered, voice quivering.

Gently setting Oscar down, she began gathering sticks and stones, trying to spark a fire. Eventually, the warmth flickered to life, casting dancing shadows across the trees.

Billie leaned back against the rough bark of a tree, finally catching her breath. A soft sigh escaped her lips.

Then—rustling.

Her ears twitched.

Something was moving in the bushes.