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The blanket of night covered the sky. Lightening bugs flew through the air, their behinds glowing like the stars splayed out in the heavens. The sounds of the swamp weren’t as noisy as it usually was. Instead, there was a sort of soothing lullaby emitting from the trees. It lulled Wartwood into a peaceful slumber without a worry in the world.
The residents dreamt of different things such as bugs, magic, not being in debt, tulips, and more. A wondrous night for many (especially the parents with babies that cried in the middle of the night).
All except for one frog twisting and turning in bed. A sheen of sweat covered his pink skin and his breathing was unsteady. His face scrunched up in anguish, trying to escape the prison that was his nightmare. His blanket was kicked off of him and sat discarded on the floor from the struggle going on within his mind.
Finally, the young frog broke free. His eyes snapped wide open. Sprig shot up in bed and let out a short scream. He quickly covered his mouth, realizing that it was all just a dream and that others were sleeping in the house (considering it’s still late). He soon removed his webbed hands, somewhat breathing heavily like he was just running from something.
Sprig’s body still trembles and nauseousness twisted within his stomach. His mouth felt dryer than Hop Pop’s beetle bread.
What bothered him the most was the wave of uncertainty washing over him. Both concern and fear raveled around his soul, needing to quickly find answers. Sprig is old enough to recognize when he has just awoken from a nightmare. He understands that everything he experienced was all in his head. It wasn’t real.
But it definitely felt real.
He knows he has nothing to worry about. Everyone was probably fine and spouting z’s.
But he still slips off his hammock-like bed. The young frog quietly walks out of his room just to make sure his nightmare was only a figment of his imagination.
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The moment Sprig closed his eyes, he was met with a void of ebony. He didn’t mind, assuming it would be one of those dreamless nights. It was quite calming in a way but it was also kind of boring.
It didn’t really matter though because an entire night will go by in a few seconds flat. Then, he’ll be out adventuring with Anne after taking care of the farm in the morning.
Everything was going alright for the ten-year-old until the world around him shook. He blinked, looking around for the cause of the quake.
“That’s a bit concerning,” Sprig said out loud. Another shake followed along with some muffled screaming coming from above him.
Now, Sprig was really on his toes. His heart began to beat faster than Bessie when things were getting messy. Sprig looked around, practically snapping his neck to find the problem. His adrenaline kicked in, ready to fight. He instinctively reached for his slingshot but found it wasn’t there.
“What’s going on?” he shouted, throwing his arms in the air. The ground shook again.
Sprig paled at the sound of a loud screeching. He recognized that terrible sound anywhere. It made his legs turn into beetle jelly and nearly freeze up.
A second screech made the pink frog stumble back and fall onto the ground. The reality of the situation flicked him hard and fear corrupted his consciousness. Sprig pulled his knees up to his chest, forming his trembling body into a ball. His hands clutched the sides of his hat, pulling at it in a panic.
“No…not again,” Sprig begged, forgetting that this was all a dream. It felt so…real. Like he was back in the basement and hugging Polly close to him-
“Wait,” Sprig thought, quickly scanning the area, “where is Polly?”
“Polly,” Sprig called out for his little sister, “Polly, where are you?”
No answer.
Where was she?
Now that he really thought about it, where are Hop Pop and Anne too? What happened to them? Are they okay? Did they…
Sprig gasped when another loud screech tore out above him. He curled into himself deeper. The ten-year-old amphibian had to pull himself together and face his fear. He needs to find his family and make sure they’re not in any peril.
He can’t afford to lose anyone else like the last time the herons attacked Wartwood.
No again.
Never again.
With all his willpower, Sprig stood up onto his webbed feet and trudged out of the basement. He tries to tune out the bloody screams and ear-splitting screeches. The pink frog poked his head out of the trapdoor, shuddering. He looked around, seeing the same old house with a few things knocked down from the shaking.
Sprig climbed out from the basement and over to the front door, opening it slightly. He peeked through the open crack at all the damage. There were some buildings demolished on the ground, carts ablaze and quickly spreading, and…frogs being devoured.
Sprig whimpered, looking away from the horrifying scene.
Two herons loomed over Wartwood. The humongous birds occasionally spread their wings but never took off. Drool oozed from between their razor-like teeth and out their beaks. Their haunting, yellow eyes looked hungrily as they searched for their next snack to eat. They mindlessly walked around and destroyed everything in their path.
It was mayhem.
Sprig’s breathing was unsteady but he gained enough courage to open the door. He clutched his hand against the doorframe as if not wanting to leave its side—his last lifeline.
Yet, he had to make sure Polly, Hop Pop, and Anne were okay. He wouldn’t be able to live with himself if he just sat in the basement like a scared little tadpole (no offense to Polly) when his family needed him. They were all the family he had left.
With a deep breath in, Sprig let go of the frame and ran toward town.
He didn’t know how it happened. One moment, he was heading toward Wartwood. The next he’s in the middle of the village by the toppled founder’s statue.
Everything happened so fast. Yet, he didn’t stop to think how he got there so speedily. Sprig had to find his family.
The ground shook.
Sprig stood as still as a statue when he saw two toes of a bird on both his sides, giant talons scraping in the dirt. The paralyzed frog regained enough movement and slowly looked up.
A heron was right above Sprig, looking down at the small frog.
Sprig couldn’t move—couldn’t even croak a sound from his mouth. He stared death straight in the eye with a mind too frazzled to think clearly.
The heron let out a screech that shook Sprig to the core before bending down toward him. Its teeth glistened menacingly, beak like an entryway to a bad place.
Sprig has been eaten by predators many times before, whether it was accidentally or purposely. Yet, this couldn’t compare to all those other times. This was different—more horrifying.
He screamed, closing his eyes and throwing his hands up in a defensive position. He waited for the end to come.
Without his conciliation, his eyes opened a moment later.
And there stood Anne.
She had a giant branch lodged in the heron’s beak to keep it from closing and somehow holding it back from approaching any closer.
“A-Anne?” Sprig stuttered out, flabbergasted. Her face is all scrunched up, using all of her strength. She looked down at her best friend, grunting out, “Sprig, move!”
Without having to be told twice, the amphibian ran out of danger and turned to see how Anne was holding up. The heron finally pulled away, irritated by whatever kept its mouth from shutting. Anne ran toward Sprig while the bird was distracted.
“Come on! We have to go!” Anne yelled. Sprig followed the human back to the house and heard a distant snap of a branch.
Then came a furious screech from the heron.
Anne and Sprig managed to make it inside. The two friends took a moment to catch their breath before Sprig turned to Anne. He wrapped his arms around her leg in relief.
“Anne, I’m so glad you’re okay!” Sprig spoke, feeling a little better before worrying again, “Have you seen Hop Pop and Polly? Do you know if they’re okay?”
Anne looked down at Sprig, suspiciously keeping silent. Her face contorted into one of despair and tears formed in her brown eyes only to shed down her cheeks. Her shoulders began to shake with every sob. She fell to her knees, covering her face with her hands.
“I’m sorry…” she apologized with heartbreak laced in her voice, “I’m sorry…I’m sorry…I’m sorry…this is all my fault! I…I…c-couldn’t protect them…”
Sprig walked backward in disbelief when the reality of the situation began to sink in. He too fell to his knees and covered his mouth in disbelief. His vision started growing misty at the awful news.
He didn’t want to believe it was true. He was hoping Anne was playing a sick joke on him…but why would she joke about something like that? She wouldn’t. It’s not like her to go that far.
There was no way more of his family was gone. There’s just no possible way…
Unfortunately, the tight feeling in his chest didn’t help.
He shook his head.
“You probably hate me now…and I don’t blame you,” Anne cried, “I’m sorry…I’m so sorry…”
Sprig was in disbelief with how many levels deep Anne had sunk to believe he would ever hate her. He knows Anne would do everything in her power to protect them and they would do the same for her.
He couldn’t let her think something that wasn’t true in the slightest.
“Anne…” Sprig started, reaching out to his best friend to reassure her.
Suddenly, the entire house was shaking. The top half of the house was ripped off, exposing the friends’ hiding place. A heron loomed from overhead, making the frog and human scream. The giant bird quickly snapped down and nabbed Anne’s hair. The heron began to lift her off the ground.
The Thai-American girl screamed from the utter fear and pain of her hair being pulled. Anne tried to fight back but she was in a bad position to do so.
“Anne! No!” Sprig yelled out, voice cracking. The pink amphibian ran over to his best friend and grabbed her foot with the shoe. He tried to pull—tried to save the only one he had left. He couldn’t lose her too!
Yet, his tiny body wasn’t enough and started to feel himself leave the ground.
“Sprig…” Anne called out in a saddening tone. The frog looked up at her with tears rimming his eyes.
“…I’m sorry.”
Sprig didn’t know why she was still apologizing. She didn’t do anything wrong!
Then, he watched as Anne used her other foot to slide off her shoe.
Sprig’s eyes widened and felt his heart completely stop. He shook his head, unable to express how he’s feeling in words.
Once the show was completely off, Sprig fell while clutching his best friend’s shoe.
“Anne! No! Please, don’t leave me too!” Sprig begged, watching the heron fling the human up into the air.
“Run, Sprig!” Anne yelled her final words until falling into the heron's mouth.
Once again, Sprig couldn’t move and clutched the yellow sneaker close to him. He couldn’t comprehend what just happened. This dreadful feeling sitting in the pit of his stomach. The anguish clenched in his chest. The tears silently rolled down his face and fell onto the floor. His shocked, agape mouth was left hanging open without anything coming out, not even a sob.
Finally, he managed to speak with a watery voice.
“Anne?”
A second heron appeared, watching its mate chewing its food and swallowing. That very heron spotted him and suddenly shot at him, releasing a horrid screech.
Sprig woke up.
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The ten-year-old quietly opened his sister’s door and peeked in. The little tadpole slept peacefully in her bucket with a sleep mask over her eyes. Sprig listened to her soft snores before closing the door. He let out a sigh, a little relieved Polly was okay but there were still two more he had to check on.
Sprig quietly tip-toed downstairs in the dark. He had to use the wall to make sure he didn’t accidentally fall. He had to make sure his grandpa and best friend were doing as well as Polly.
He could stand the itch of not knowing how everyone is doing after that night terror. It also might help him get some more sleep tonight. He was really shaken and needed some kind of comfort to settle his entangling mind.
Before checking on Anne, Sprig walked past the trapdoor to his Hop Pop’s room. The pink frog opened the door slightly ajar enough to peek inside. Hop Pop was tucked away in bed, loudly snoring and croaking in his sleep. He murmured in his sleep, readjusting himself in his sleep.
Sprig nearly flinched back, thinking he was caught. Yet, the old frog settled down on his side with a smile on his face.
Sprig smiled a little, wondering what his Hop Pop’s dreams were that made him smile.
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“Congratulations, Hopediah Plantar! You win first prize for the best vegetables at Amphbia’s Grand Harvest Fair!” the frog announcer congratulated, giving the orange frog a giant trophy.
“What?!” Hop Pop gasped out his usual catchphrase, feeling honored for receiving this prize. He could feel his eyes welling up with emotion, close to ugly crying. He held the trophy and smiled at the camera.
Sylvia ran up out of nowhere to Hop Pop, placing a kiss on his cheek and hugging him. Monroe sat in the Shame Cage, getting pelted by shame nuggets.
“This is why I married this hunky frog and his hair is extravagant!” Sylvia exclaimed.
“H-Hair?” Hop Pop questioned, reaching up and feeling his thick locks.
“Oh yeah!,” the announcer said, holding up another trophy, “You also won first place for the best-looking hair.”
Hop Pop began to ugly cry.
“THIS IS THE BEST DAY OF MY LIFE!”
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“This is…best day of…life,” Hop Pop murmured in his sleep.
“It must be nice,” Sprig thought, a bit envious. He shut the door and finally arrived at his last stop. Anne’s room (or the basement). He had to admit, that checking up on Anne was the hardest. He watched her die in his dream unlike the other two.
He watched the heron’s beak snap shut once Anne was in its mouth. He watched as it chewed his best friend and swallowed her. He even saw some blood spill out from the heron’s beak before the other heron launched at him.
Just like in his dream, Sprig clutched the sides of his hat with quaking hands. Sprig closed his eyes and shook his head, trying to get rid of those awful images. Yet, it seemed closing his eyes was a bad idea. The images appeared behind his eyelids and played out like Anne’s makeshift movie theater.
He snapped his eyes open and let a small whimper out.
“Don’t think like that! She’s okay just like Polly and Hop Pop. She’ll be in her bed fast asleep. There’s nothing to worry about,” Sprig tried to reassure himself, taking in a few deep breaths in and out. Sprig released his hat and pulled the trapdoor open.
A cool breeze escaped from the basement causing Sprig to immediately be cold. He didn’t care though. He had to see Anne. He began to trek down the steps, unable to see the bed in the dark from where he stood. Yet, the young amphibian still wasn’t able to see once he made it to the end of the stairs.
Unlike the rest of his family (or maybe, it was a human thing), Anne was a quiet sleeper. He learned that when she roomed with him when the basement flooded. She didn’t snore, croak, or roll around in bed. Sprig almost thought she was dead one time if it wasn’t for the rise and fall of her chest.
So, he couldn’t listen for any sounds when there weren’t any.
Sprig approached the bed.
By this time, his eyes adjusted to the dark but were still not able to see clearly. He couldn’t really tell if there was anyone in bed or not even though he stood beside it.
Yet…he thought it looked quite empty.
“Anne?” Sprig called out, quietly. He reached out to see if he could feel her there but all that he came in contact with was a deflated blanket laying on the mattress.
“Anne?” He called out again, a bit louder and in a panic. He tried to feel for a warm body but only felt cold sheets in his mitts.
“ANNE!” He shouted. He ripped the blanket off of the bed and tried to search for the Thai-American again.
No luck.
He stumbled back, not wanting to believe it’s true. Not wanting to believe Anne was gone. The rest of his family are still here but why isn’t Anne? Where did she go? Why isn’t she here?
Did she…did she really…
“ Anne …” Sprig’s voice cracked. The pink frog fell to his knees, the weight of losing his best friend being too much to bear. Too much. Too much .
“Sprig?”
Sprig nearly jumped out of his skin. His gaze shot to the right when recognized that familiar voice.
Anne turned on her phone’s tiny sun and pointed it at the wallowing amphibian. She was sitting up on her sleeping bag splayed out on the floor. She used her free hand to rub the sleep away from her eyes.
“What are you doing down here? Wait…dude, have you been-oof!” Anne was cut off by Sprig running over and embracing the human in a tight hug. Anne wrapped her arms around her small pal, bringing him closer to her. Anne listened to the quiet sniffles and felt his body trembling from crying.
“What’s wrong, Sprig? Did you have a bad dream?” Anne asked her froggy friend.
“Y-Yeah,” Sprig shakily answered, not letting go. Not only was Anne warm (the basement was really cold for him), he just didn’t want to lose his best friend. If he did let go, he was afraid she would disappear.
“Sheesh,” Anne commented, “Must have been one heck of a nightmare if it makes you this rattled.”
“Yeah,” Sprig agreed, seeming to be the only word he can manage to say at the moment. Anne felt slightly awkward with the somewhat one-sided conversation. She shoves it aside though, knowing Sprig really needs someone at the moment.
“Do you…I don’t know…want to talk about it or something?” the Thai-American questioned.
“I…” Sprig began before backpedaling, “No. Not right now. I should be letting you get some sleep. I'm sorry for waking you up. Besides, it was just a dumb dream.”
The pink frog backed away from Anne and headed for the stairs. He was stopped when Anne grabbed his wrist. Sprig looked at her in confusion, wondering what was going through her head.
“Sprig,” Anne started, guiding him back, “If that “dumb dream” had you come down here and flipping out about my whereabouts-”
“Oh, you saw that,” Sprig winced under his breath, feeling embarrassed about the display of panic.
“Yep,” Anne answered simply before continuing her explanation, “Anyway, if that nightmare had you of all frogs acting the way you did, it must have been a really intense one.”
Sprig frowned. He shifted his gaze down to his fidgeting fingers and nodded.
“Yeah. It was so intense, I checked on Polly and Hop Pop before I came to see you,” Sprig admitted.
“Wow, I see I’m the least favorite if I’m checked on last,” Anne tried to joke. Sprig faltered.
“Okay, no. That was a stupid joke. I’m sorry,” Anne quickly apologized, realizing how dumb that was.
“No, it’s not that,” Sprig reassured her, “It’s actually the opposite. I was worried about you the most. You were the hardest to check on.”
“Seriously, dude. What happened in that dream?” Anne questioned, concern laced within her tone. She pulled the pink frog to her side, giving him a side hug to reassure him that she was here for him.
Sprig took a moment to gather himself before deciding to explain his nightmare to Anne. Anne’s heart cracked more and more the longer she listened to the gruesome dream.
It got to the point where Anne just wanted to keep her protective hold on this innocent frog boy from all the world’s dangers and never let go. She hated seeing her best friend so scared.
He was usually so fearless. Anne knew if something terrified Sprig, it was really bad. And from what he told her, Anne wouldn’t blame him. She probably wouldn’t be able to fall back asleep.
“That’s…a lot,” Anne responded after Sprig concluded in telling of his dream. He nodded. Anne’s concern inflated like a frog’s throat puffing out. Sprig was never this quiet. She didn’t want to leave Sprig in this distressed state.
“But,” Anne added, it was just a dream. “We’re all still here. I’ve seen this family go through a ton of dangerous situations and kick butt. Trust me, it’s going to take a lot more than two big feather dusters to stop us.”
“I don’t know, Anne…” Sprig said not very convinced, “With what happened in the past, it’s just hard to believe sometimes. I just want everyone to be okay in the end.”
“Yeah, I can understand that,” Anne agreed. For some reason, that somewhat upset the pink frog. How could Anne possibly know what he’s going through? She still has her parents! And even if she didn’t, she still has pictures and videos of them to remember them.
To remember what they look like.
To remember what they sound like.
To remember the kind of people they are.
Sprig didn’t have any of that.
“How can you possibly understand what it’s like?” Sprig questioned, trying to keep his voice steady. He wanted to yell it out but didn’t want to disturb the sleeping inhabitants of the house.
“Well, I can’t say I fully understand and know exactly how you’re feeling. But it doesn’t mean I’m unwilling to at least try to understand,” Anne replied, making Sprig relax, “You’re my best friend, Sprig. Of course, I want to understand what’s hurting you so I can punch the frog darn thing in the face.”
Anne punched the air, causing Sprig to chuckle a little. Anne knew just how to cheer her little buddy up. She hated seeing him so down.
“I’ve seen this family go through heck and back. There’s nothing in this world or any other that’s as tough as the Plantars,” Anne added, “You guys are like mean green fighting machines.”
“I don’t know what that is but I love it,” Sprig responded, “Thank you, Anne. I may still not be fully sure but I know my doubts will take time to go away, especially with you here.”
Anne felt her heart melt, nearly squishing the pink frog in her arms. Like a water sprinkler, she burst into moved tears and sniffled.
“Th-That’s so s-sweet of you,” the human cried out.
“Anne, you’re being a little over dramatic,” Sprig commented.
“Sh-Shut up,” she said back.
Sprig smiled. He closed his eyes and leaned into the human’s warmth. He couldn’t think of any other frog (or creature from any other world) he’d rather be best friends with. It’ll always be Spranne against the world.
The two sat like this for another minute until Anne finally pulled away.
“This is weird to ask but can I stay down here with you. I don’t want to be by myself,” Sprig asked, sheepishly twiddling his finger.
“Hey, it’s not weird at all since we’ve already roomed together before. Besides, I was going to ask if you wanted to stay anyway,” Anne replied, earning a glimmering facial expression from the pink amphibian.
“Really? Thanks, Anne! You’re the best!” Sprig exclaimed before asking, “Why are you sleeping on the floor anyway?”
“Oh, I was getting super hot in that bed so I moved to the floor to cool off,” she answered, laying down. After hearing of the cold floor, Sprig finally noticed how chilly the basement is.
“Now that you mention it, it’s kind of cold down here,” Sprig said, starting to shiver.
“That’s right. You guys don’t do so well in the cold,” Anne muttered to herself. The Thai-American teen grabbed a corner of her sleeping bag and zipped it up into its usual form. She scooted over and patted the small space next to her.
“I’ll keep you warm and in return, you can keep me cool. It’s a win-win,” Anne explained. Sprig slid into the sleeping bag, immediately noticing a difference. It definitely was a lot warmer.
Anne winced, “Woah! Hop Pop wasn’t kidding when he said you have cold feet.”
“Deal with it!” Sprig jokingly said, laying down. Anne followed, chuckling.
Soon, the best friends fell asleep without a single nightmare to haunt their dreams.
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Hop Pop was reading the newspaper when hearing the thump thump thump of Polly’s bucket coming downstairs. Usually, Sprig would be downstairs first or at the same time as Polly.
So, Hop Pop found it strange when seeing his granddaughter appearing by herself.
“Morning, Hop Pop,” Polly greeted before letting out a yawn, “I had the best dream last night. I took over the world and annihilated my enemies in many torturous ways.
“Mornin’, Polly. That’s nice,” the orange amphibian said before questioning, “Is your brother still sleeping?”
Polly blinked in confusion.
“He wasn’t in his room. I thought he was down here with you,” the purple tadpole explained.
This greatly unnerved Hop Pop in more ways than one. If Sprig wasn’t in his room or the kitchen, then where in frog’s name is he? Hopefully not causing too much trouble…or getting into too much trouble.
“Maybe, Anne knows where he is,” Polly suggested, not sounding concerned for her sibling in the slightest.
“Maybe…” Hop Pop somewhat agreed. He knew Anne liked to sleep in late but she’d sometimes get up early. For all he knew, she was causing trouble with Sprig somewhere too!
“I’ll go check to see if she’s still downstairs,” Hop Pop declared, setting down his newspaper. The elder frog walked over to the trapdoor and pulled it open. He didn’t see Anne sleeping in her bed and her blanket tossed on the floor.
He hummed, narrowing his eyes in suspicion. Hop Pop went down the steps with a million escapades of whatever the two friends are getting themselves into at the moment. It sent him into a state of panic starting to grow.
“What could those two possibly be up to now?” he wondered, standing next to the bed. He picked up the blanket from off the floor and placed it back on the bed.
That’s when he heard a shifting noise.
The orange amphibian turned his head toward the noise only for his heart to melt. There were his grandchildren snuggled up in Anne’s sleeping bag, some of Sprig’s fingers nearly getting close to being in her mouth.
Hop Pop walked over with a soft smile and rearranged Sprig’s arm on his stomach.
He was snapped out of his soft stare when hearing quiet, maniacal giggling. The elder frog looked at his side, seeing Polly sitting on Anne’s bed. She held the teenager’s phone up and pressed something on the screen.
“Polly, what are you doing with Anne’s phone?” Hop Pop scolded, quietly, “You shouldn’t be messing with things that aren’t…yours.”
He looked at the photo displayed on the magic box.
“Hey,” Polly whined, reaching out for the device, “Give it back so I can keep getting more blackmail material.”
The two stiffened when hearing noises coming from Sprig. Hop Pop scrambled to put the phone down. He picked up Polly and silently as possible, rushed out of the basement.
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Anne woke up to the sunlight streaming in through the window. She sat up to stretch her limbs and let out a big yawn.
She looked to her side to find Sprig missing. She shrugged it off, assuming Sprig went back to his room to get his clothes on or eat breakfast in the kitchen. She wriggled out from her sleeping bag and grabbed her phone.
Anne made a small tradition to watch at least one video of her cat every morning. So, she went onto her photo gallery only to be met with a vast amount of pictures that weren’t on her phone yesterday.
The Thai-American raised an eyebrow and selected one. She smiled at the picture before setting it as her background.
“Anne!” Sprig called, having burst open the trapdoor. The young frog had an excited smile spread from cheek to cheek and adventure twinkling in his eyes.
“I was told there’s this fruit that makes your whole mouth go numb! You wanna go find it and put it in Wally’s food as a prank?” he asked, mischievously.
“You bet!” Anne agreed, laughing.
The two best friends laughed as they ran out of the house and began another adventure.
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