Story Telling - Unexpectedly Talking Animals

You see, it was beyond his childhood memories, beyond any comprehension of science and technology, beyond the brains of anyone in the world that was capable of understanding this phenomena of talking to animals. Buster was one of the very little percentile that had this amazing ability, and after all this time of criticizing and bullying Bagshot, the group was feeling surprised and perplexed, an emotion they didn't quite have words for. Especially Devon. He had been pondering this for the two hours they spent following the train tracks, and Madi was the only one that sensed it in him. She hadn't bother him too much though, because she knew he needed time to think. Now it was Bagshot's turn to lead the pack. "When I used to play puppets in my back yard, I gave the creatures of the woods names and the different species had names too. I soon acknowledged that those creatures had learned their names, because whenever I called them I would get a certain response of what sounded like gibberish, yet I could understand them," explained Buster. "Just get on with calling the animals, because we could use all the guidance available," said Sam. But Devon shushed him. "Let the boy speak," he said quietly yet sternly enough that Sam obeyed willingly. After a second of seemingly consideration, Buster yelled out, in an awkward tone that only sounded good after a few echoes coming out from the woods back at him. At first, silence. But after about four more tries, there was a faint sound of rustling that surrounded the clan, and many unique kinds of native animals slowly made their way into the clear sight of BB. Some of the creatures appeared to be whispering amongst themselves, others just stared eerily yet innocently at the boy who somehow knew their names. "Hey, that was quick," said Veronica. "You're alright, Buster." The young man acknowledged the compliment but went right back to business. "Thank you all and one. Me Bagshot," he began. "It's sure you don't stand what I need you to, but me not good with thought so I will let this man talk." He pointed at Devon, and Devon stared wide eyed for a second but then whispered, 'you will translate?' Bagshot nodded as the creatures made a buzzing noise because of their chatter. "Ahem. We need your help, so please endure our inquisitiveness as we do not completely fathom our determined purpose for being present at the moment," started Devon, and because the animals were shaking their heads and questioning, Buster immediately followed with a simple translation. Devon continued. "We need to know where we are. And if you have the means, it would be very helpful to have a stock of provisions that will keep us alive during this journey. So could a few of you go gather some foods for the five of us? And could some of the more brainy ones step up so we can discuss where we are and how long it will take us to get to Newmeadow?" After the translating was over, the group had to wait a minute for the talk of this confusing matter to die down. Then Prudish, with a grandfather-looking beaver at his side, stepped out of the crowd of animals. Buster walked toward them and they talked privately in a way the others could not hear. It was not long until some creatures had rounded up three full bags of supplies and food and Sam and Veronica handled them. Devon, Madi, and Buster were conversing with Prudish and some other furry friends about the route to the nearest town and to Newmeadow--the dangers and the easy ways to get there--but also about what had been happening outside the lives of the five travelers, with all the crops dying oddly and animals going crazy in farms. It was classified information that was important for them to know about. The problem was, Prudish was a bit too secretive than Buster would've liked, and he was obviously trying to conceal it by faking a cough and runny nose! Most of the other animals that had been called and had nothing to do were dispersing back to their homes, thinking nothing more of the travelers. Soon there were only about nine creatures left: two porcupines, one bear and its cub, and the rest were beavers and rabbits. Samuel, Madi and Veronica sat down and ate a hearty noon-meal. Devon let Buster talk and waited for him to tell the information they would tell. The beaver, Prudish's accompaniment with a pathetic look in his eyes, a gruff voice and slow way of speaking, was the one to talk. He told The most shocking information was this: the youth citizens of Darkpass were spreading an epidemic to all the animals in towns nearby, and this was suppressing farmers and their families from getting a good enough profit, which led to deprivation among many humans around the area surrounding the young animals heritage. Buster took it all in calmly and reported the news to Devon, who figured things out quickly. The animals were out of sight now, Prudish didn't even say goodbye. With provisions and directions to get to the safest AND closest town, the group was back on their journey. They all knew the assumed premise of what was going on, but Buster had been explaining his suspicion of Prudish and fear that the Beaver was lying about something. Mt. Echo was closer than ever. Thirty minutes ago it had seemed so unreal, but now that they were amidst the smoke and rainforest-like mist that radiated the giant mountain, it was the most spectacular and nerve-racking experience. The perimeter of the summit was bigger than the entire town all of the travelers had lived and grown up in. Luckily, as Veronica reassured everyone quickly, the prominence was not a volcanic one, and there were nearly twenty different civilizations which sat under or near it with the mountain being a part of those people's every day. After another half an hour of a chilly trek with Samuel trudging slowly five meters behind Buster (who was second to last) and Veronica leading, they had to take a rest. They could sense the nearness of the town, partly due to common sense, and partly due to the smoke that was rising from what was supposedly it. The Beaver had told them that generations earlier of his kind had made all the farm and working animals sick, but he did not say anything else, and Buster had the feeling he had kept some key information from them. Madi decided to run up ahead and scout while the others rested. She quickly came back with some devastating news. "That smoke isn't coming from Echo M-m-mountain," she tried to say while catching her breath. "The smoke is coming from buildings in the town. The place we're going to is on fire."