Two Tiny Buddies

Finding a Tree (chap 1)

(12 years later)

"Hey Rob, when are we gonna take a break or something? I'm getting tired," Dart complained.

"We've only been walking for ten minutes, not even. Do you wanna find the tree or not?" Replied Scratch before I could, knowing that if I answered, they would be deafened!

Being as this is the 3rd or 4th time, Dart has asked.

If you're wondering, Dart and Scratch are around 3 inches (7.5 cm) tall.

Scratch is sitting on my shoulder, while Dart walks along behind me after refusing to sit so high off the ground [he's afraid of heights, though he'd never fully admit it].

"These are the times I wish I liked heights, then I wouldn't have to walk-ahh!"

I was growing annoyed by Dart's complaining, so I pick him up by the back of his jacket and hold him in front of my eyes.

I feel Scratch put a hand on my neck to support himself as I bend over, but I pay no mind to it, having gotten used to it by now.

I look at him with a bored expression, then put him in my jacket pocket.

I don't talk much when I'm not home, especially with Dart and Scratch, not risking someone finding out about them. When I'm around my group at school, I do talk quite a bit, and when I know I'm alone with the two borrowers, but most of the time, I'm pretty much mute.

"We'll be there soon, just be patient! Scratch, you know where it is? 'Cause I haven't got a clue," I say, glancing at him.

"Should be right up ahead, I'll tell you when I see it." He says,

"Alrighty,"

"....Hey Rob,"

"Yes?"

"I noticed you're a bit on edge, is something up?" Scratch asked, assumingly with his trademark curious/worried face.

"No, just stressed," I answer, closing my eyes and bowing my head slightly.

"About what, teachers give too much homework again?" He jokes.

I chuckle at that, shaking my head. "no, this is probably my best week for not having work piled up to my neck. No, I've just been thinking," I say, looking up to the sky.

"Don't suppose you wanna talk about it?" He asks,

"No, not really, maybe later. So you see the tree yet?" I ask, trying to change the subject.

"Not yet, but I'll tell you when I do-THERE!" He suddenly yells, sounding really loud as he is next to my ear.

I glare at him for a moment, earning a nervous look as he scoots away from my neck, before looking where Scratch pointed. Sure enough, there was the tree we were looking for.

"Awesome! This tree looks great for the hangout spot. I'll mark it then we can get climbing," I say. Pulling out the string from my bag, being mindful of my passengers, and tie it around the trunk.

I hang my bag on a sturdy branch nearby then look up the tree,

"So, you guys ready to climb?" I ask, glancing at my shoulder, then down at my pocket.

"I am! Can I climb a bit while you're getting your supplies?" Scratch asks.

"I don't see a problem with it, just be careful. We don't need any injuries today," I say.

A moment later, I scold myself for mother-henning the young borrower. I don't know why, but I've been doing that a lot lately-.

"ROB!"

"Huh,"

"You zoned out again," Dart says.

"Yeah, somethin' botherin' ya dude? You haven't been yourself lately," Scratch says.

Both of them looking, and sounding, a bit worried. Scratch runs his hand over a sweet spot on the side of my neck. An action he knows, from sitting there so much, that calms me down.

"Uh, yeah, I'm fine, just thinking. Nothing to worry about . . . so . . . uh . . . we better get climbing," I say as enthusiastically as I can muster.

I see a worried look in both their eyes, but they both hide it with a grin.

"Yeah! I can't wait to see the view from up there!" Scratch says, launching himself off my shoulder and clinging to the tree like a squirrel.

"Well, aren't you the Spider-Man wannabe," Scratch turns gives me a signature bitch face.

I just laugh.

"Haha, very funny. Now, are you gonna just stand there and laugh, or are you ya gonna get climbing? We don't have all day, you know," he says with a smirk.

He turns around and climbs up the tree.

I shake my head with a smile, "so Dart, you ready to climb?" I ask, looking down.

"Uh, I'll just stay in here if you don't mind."

"Alrighty, then, hold on!" I say, then I start climbing.

Scratch is already haft way up, but I'm going slower than usual since I have Dart in my pocket, and I don't want to make him sick.

Yeah, really don't wanna explain that one to mom.

"Hey Scratch, what's the rush? It's not like the tree is going anywhere soo-" suddenly, there's a cracking sound.

I look down and notice there's a crack running up the side of the tree.

c"Scratch, get down here now! This tree isn't safe," I call up hastily.

"Yup!" He answers and quickly climbs back down. Once he's in reach, I scoop him up in my hand and drop him in my pocket with Dart.

"Hang on, guys, things are about to get rough!" I say and start climbing down as fast as I can, the tree almost splitting than I can move quicker.

I'm almost to the ground, but the tree finally brakes, and I free fall for the last 6 feet or so, then I'm out.

To be continued...

(Hey guys, hope u liked chap 1, leave a comment in the comment box about what you think so far.)

Squirt out🤠