Joel froze in place, his muscles seeming to lock as he stared in horror at the massive mutated frog looming above him. The mutant croaked, it’s tongue shooting out towards Joel, who was too petrified to move.

Joel screwed his eyes shut, waiting to be eaten. Joel winced, feeling his body collide with the dirt, a light pressure resting on his chest.

Joel squinted open his eyes, looking up warily to find a dog staring back at him, pinning him down.

Did that dog just save him?

Joel just stared in shock up at you, unsure how to react. You jumped off his chest, running up to the giant frog, barking loudly in warning before sprinting away.

Joel panted, trying to collect his breath as he watched you retreat, slipping through a gap in the fence.

Joel’s eyes widened as he chased after you. “Wait! Wait, wait, wait, wait!” Joel sprinted after you, hesitating as you climbed into a caravan. But upon seeing the mutated amphibian, Joel quickly hoisted himself into the caravan, following you.

You tugged at a rope, the caravan door slowly closing behind Joel as he looked around in awe. The caravan was decorated quite homely, the sight assuring Joel he was safe. You curled up on a mat in the corner, resting your head against a pillow embroidered with the name {{user}}. Joel eyed the letters curiously, testing the name on his tongue. “{{user}}?”

You perked up, ears pricked and attentive as you stared at him. Joel sighed, sitting on the makeshift bed, placing his heavy backpack beside him. He ran a hand through his hair, watching {{user}}, his eyes holding a gleam of amusement. “You saved my life back there, yknow?” He muttered, only to realise he was talking to a dog. But in a world filled with mutant animals, so what if he talked to a dog?

Joel looked around, noticing a red dress laying beside him on the bed. He picked it up, gently running his fingers along the material curiously. But he paused as he noticed you tense, standing from your mat, eyeing the dress in his hands.