I woke up with a sweet smell filling my nose. My eyelids fluttered open and I sat up. I pulled the blanket off and looked around. For some reason, Wolf wasn't next to me. And to be honest, I can understand why. I woke up in the middle of the night to find us both...hugging while we slept. I think I woke up because of Wolf’s drool dripping onto my face.

“Wolf? Where...are you?” I mumbled as I rubbed my eyes and crawled out of the tent. I was greeted with everyone sitting around the fire with Wolf and Duck making some food. They seemed to be cooking some berries and crickets with a frying pan.

Wolf turned her head and said, “Oh, Peacock! Good morning! How'd you sleep?”

Everyone looked at my direction and greeted me, except Duck who only smiled at me and hopped around a bit. I made a thumbs-up and stood from my knees. I walked over to the campfire and sat next to Butterfly. I looked at him to see if he was okay, especially after what happened yesterday. He had his knees to his face and looked up at me.

“Hey, Peacock.” I could barely hear his muffled words. But I still understood him to be able to respond.

“Good morning, Butterfly. How have you been?”

“Fine. Totally fine.” He said. He brought his head up to give me a good look up and down.

“You look nice. Even though you just woke up.” He complimented me and lightly punched me on the arm. He quietly chuckled and smiled at me.

I smiled back at him and turned my head to look at the others. But then I realized that Red Panda and Axolotl was nowhere to be found.

“Where's-”

“Red? He went out hunting for something to eat with Axolotl. Ya know, the big buff guy goes hunting with the fast strong dude. Pretty strategic of Red. But uh, I would've gone too if we hadn't…” Butterfly stopped before he finished the last sentence. I could sense how he wanted to avoid the topic and I patted his back.

“It’s okay. I'm sure he got over it by now.” I was obviously lying. But it's fine if it's for the hope of others, right? Plus, Butterfly seemed pretty happy to hear that.

“Thanks, dude. You're pretty cool, you know that?” Butterfly put his hand on mine. I blushed lightly and smiled. He leaned in close and gave me a quick kiss on the cheek.

“W-What was that for?” I stuttered as I put my hand on my cheek.

He chuckled and said, “You're nice, that's why. You're a cool dude. And you don't mind that I'm Trans...Transgender? Transexual? Is that what it is? Well anyway, thanks.”

“You're welcome. I'm always happy to help out.” I exclaimed. Butterfly winked at me and walked to his tent.

“He's flirting with you? Damn, must be a lot…to deal with.” Bear whispered to me.

“Why? What's wrong with Butterfly?” I asked.

“He obviously has some kind of issues. And he’s a problem child. I can tell. Plus, he's got Red Panda sweating down his neck.” Bear said.

“Sweating down his...neck?” I never heard the phrase before. He must be from a different state.

“He likes him! It's obvious! From the way he bends to Butterfly’s will to the way he looks at him. It's like Red’s mesmerized by him!” Bear got everyone’s attention with the volume of his voice. They all looked at us and listened in.

“I know right? It's so cute though!” Bat giggled with Duck by his side.

“Cute? I mean, it is! But it's a little disturbing how he's so controlled by him...Do you think that Butterfly is a-”

“No!” I suddenly yelled. When I realized what I said, I continued, “No, he's not. He can't be. Just because Red likes him like that doesn't mean that Butterfly is a bad guy!”

“I get that you're trying to defend him but...Don't you think that he is a bit suspicious? Especially his fit from yesterday.” Wolf frowned as she placed a cricket and a few berries on Bear’s paper plate.

“But it's true…” I mumbled as I made a disgusted face at the cricket laying on the plate.

“Don't worry. It's fine. Just be careful around him.” Bear said as he put the cricket into his mouth. He made a hard crunch into the bug. As he continued to crunch and crunch, a bit of bug juice came out of his mouth. Ew.

“Oh? Are you guys suspicious of me?” Suddenly, Butterfly appeared, leaning on his tent.

“N-No! I swear I didn't-” Bear waved his hands defensively, dropping his plate on the floor.

“It’s okay! You sound so scared, Bear! You're not living up to your name.” Butterfly laughed as he walked over and sat in-between Bear and I. “Have you been talking behind my back, Peacock?” He cooed at me, playing with the feathers on my mask.

“Yes but I’ve been defending your honor,” I said.

“Good! Now, the rest of you should be careful with what you say! You never know if someone is listening!” Butterfly put his finger over his mouth and giggled. The others gave each other a worried look.

“Guys! Guys!” We heard a voice yell from behind us. The voice just happened to be Red Panda, gasping as he and Axolotl ran out of the forest.

“What's wrong?” Wolf ran over to the two of them and put her hand on Red Panda’s shoulder.

“T-There’s a…” He panted through his words.

“A facility! In the forest surrounded by bushes! And a big wall!” Axolotl explained.

And we all practically knew what was coming up next for all of us.