Last updated: 06/03/2026
Overview
This is a short assignment I wrote for class involving my ocs Rustle and Smallfeather.
A Stormy Night in The Treehouse
A storm showered through the forest canopy, dousing the woods in such dreariness that it matched the sullen gray clouds above. The wet patter of rain rattled against the roof of a treehouse. It roosted amidst the sodden branches of an oak tree, stout and gnarly. The interior stood devoid of light, save for the dim glow of a tarnished window, just barely bright enough to outline some rustic furniture.
A frail, young boy cowered in the corner of the room, pressed against the walls like they would somehow reach out to comfort him. He was barely visible, his dark curly hair and ragged black clothes blending in with the shaded treehouse. Although the treehouse was dry and warm, the boy shivered as though a chill had seized him anyways.
Lightning flashed through the window, briefly illuminating the room with a sudden burst of brightness. An earthsplitting crack of thunder swiftly ensued, shaking the walls of the treehouse in what felt like a menacing demonstration of power. The boy flinched against the quaking walls, a sob wracking his tiny body. Miserably, he held his hands to his ears; a feeble attempt to block out the noise.
Before him, something large slithered in the dark. It was long and snakelike, its body coiling writhingly around the room. The only thing that broke its serpentine silhouette was a brimmed hat atop its head. Slowly, it crept towards the boy, its long dark fur sweeping across the wooden floor like the bristles of a broom. It approached carefully, seemingly aware of its imposing size, though hoping it wouldn’t frighten him.
“Ah. . .” it murmured. It had the deep, rich voice of a woman. “I thought you’d fallen asleep already, my dear.”
She was met with no response. The boy kept his hands over his ears, his teary eyes screwed shut. The creature paused. Hesitantly, an arm extended from her fur, and she gently brushed her fingers over the boy’s shoulder. The boy gasped, jumping at the sensation, but he opened his eyes and met the creature’s gaze.
He sniffled quietly. “Um. . . C-. . .Couldn’t sleep. The. . . the noise. R-rain. The rain,” he stammered, “I can’t. . . I c-can’t sleep in the rain.”
The creature’s expression softened. Her narrow, smiling eyes stood out against her dark fur. “I know. I could hear you crying,” she sighed worriedly.
“I’m sorry, miss,” the boy whimpered. His voice was weak and hoarse, matching his sickly appearance.
The creature tilted its head and asked, “Hm? What do you have to be sorry for?”
“I’m sorry f-for bothering you,” the boy sobbed, “Y-you could hear. . . hear me crying.” He lowered his head with shame as he continued. “I-I shouldn’t. . . Shouldn’t be bothering you w-when you’re letting me stay here. I’m sorry, miss.” A fresh wave of tears squeezed the boy’s voice to a higher, timid pitch, “It’s not fair t-to you, I’m sorry! I-I’m sorry. I’m so sorry,” the boy repeated fearfully, droning like his life depended on it. His chest ached, his shivering worsened, and he shrank in on himself with shame.
The creature quickly hushed him before he spiralled any further. “Hey, hey,” she soothed, gently reaching out to scoop him into her arms. She cradled him against her chest - or, at least, the equivalent. “Easy, now, dearest.”
At first, the boy tensed, though he slowly relaxed into the creature’s soft fur. More arms slid out of her body, wrapping around the boy gently yet securely. She carefully cupped a pair of hands over his, supporting them as they covered his ears.
“There’s no need to apologize, my dear,” the creature assured him. “I’m not angry with you.”
The boy sniffled quietly. “Y-you. . . aren’t? You’re not mad?”
“Of course not.” The creature smiled. “If the thunder doesn’t bother me, then you don’t bother me either.” The creature teasingly tapped the boy’s nose with one of her extra hands. “It’s far louder than you are, after all,” she snickered, “I can hardly even hear you over the rain, let alone the thunder."
The boy froze, frowning apologetically. “I’m sorry, miss,” he croaked.
The creature hushed him, wagging her finger. “Stop that. There’s nothing to be sorry for.”
The boy’s frown deepened. He instinctively took a breath to apologize again, though the creature cut him off. “Ah, ah!” she tutted. The boy quickly closed his mouth and settled down. The creature’s tone softened, “I think it’s best if you try to calm down and get some rest, dearest. It seems the storm won’t be letting up anytime soon. . .”
“Yes, ma’am,” the boy stammered, careful to keep his voice audible over the rain. “Um. . .” he started awkwardly.
The creature looked at him curiously. “Hm?”
“D-do. . . Would. . . Would it b-be alright if. . . If you s-stayed with me?” the boy pleaded softly. His tone was shy and gingerly, like he was afraid to be asking such a thing “L-like, here, c-can you. . . hold on to me? Would that. . . be alright?”
The creature smiled warmly. She leaned comfortably against the wall, keeping the boy safely embraced against her chest. She tipped her hat down over her eyes, settling down with a sigh.
“I think that would be quite alright.”