Ruinous Creatures

I open the matching hut’s door a crack, removing my mask to look up, but all I can see is the quiet, starry sky. I hope whatever creature roared is now far away.

I leave behind the lantern so I can move unnoticed through the snow-dusted meadow toward the warm glow of village. The light of the large, pale moon is enough to navigate through the jackalope warrens.

I creep out quietly and quickly, firmly closing the door on the softly glowing phoenix skulls and cursing my own impulsivity. Why can’t I just ignore the horrible ideas that pop into my head, rather than run headlong at them?

But I push away the thought, scooping up Bartholomew’s abandoned mask and cloak. I shove them beneath my arm with my own mask, moving swiftly across the meadow.