When you are a duck, you think you are dangerous and destructive. Not until you know something bigger is out there. Something that could destroy you, take you.

Our humans bring us food and water every day, it's not just I'm not thankful. It's the fact that Princess told me what they can do or control. Or what Tulip told her.

I found it disturbing how the human creatures raised us and what evil and mystery were hidden within them. And I probably don't even know half of what they are capable of. Or what they are planning to do with us. It made me feel guilty about all the other birds back at the coop. I wonder if they are okay. Something inside me tells me to go back and bring them into safety. I wish I could take the chickens too but I don't know if we will have room in our little squad.

Sometimes life is too complicated and hard to understand. I wish I could figure things out once I see them, and not have to do the math to know. Gill once told me to figure things out for myself and do the math. Although I attempt and fail.

Right now I wasn't sure if I was joyed if I was waddling alongside Princess, because we were heading straight into the danger zone. I glanced to my side, Princess hummed the birdsong from the trees above.

The longer we wandered, the darker it got. Although it was morning, it seemed like the sun was setting quickly. Every once in a while, I had to tilt my head to the blinding sun, to remind myself that we weren't walking into the night. That it is still day and there isn't a thing to worry about.

But trying to be calm was a challenge of how many times I had to steer Princess from wandering off into who knows where. When I saw a wall of pointy thorns, my heartbeat quickened of seeing the tip of the thorn and I ended up shielding a long, white wing over Princess. So she couldn't budge.

" We have to stay together," I said for about the fourth time since we said goodbye to Tulip. I still remember her smile as we headed away, she getting smaller and smaller. Until she wasn't there.

"But aren't you excited? This is the dream of every duck! How come you aren't excited? Princess cried, happily.

Her voice was like an unfearful angel.

" Well," I managed to chuckle. " I can't lose you for the first few minutes we are starting our adventure"

"Lose me?" Princess replied, surprised. " You are the one who I lose"

"Me?" I said, shocked.

Overall, this conversation wasn't going as bad as I thought it would. What I mean is this whole "start of the adventure". Things were surprisingly new, every place I look, every step I took was either a leafy crunch. Or a small squelch in the mud. That's when I felt thirsty.

"Are we near water?" I asked, trying to listen carefully between the gap of my voice and Princess's which is coming.

" Are you kidding? We are nowhere near water. Good luck holding your thirst, we got a long, long way to go!"

I sighed and managed a smile. Seeing her happy already helped my thirst a little. It's a mystery how Princess wasn't thirsty, how much did she even drink since she went missing from the river? Whatever, I didn't want to push my brain. I kinda want to absorb the last little while of taking it easy.

As we walked on, I noticed the trees losing their branches. The branches reaching out, almost seeming to take me in, were gone. It wasn't disappearing the instant I laid my eyes on it, but as we walked forward, I could see more and more trees without branches. Without leaves keeping the branches covered, warm.

I glanced for Princess who kept turning her head around, trying to see more of the bare trees. But I was more confused than her. Is it going to get worse as I go on? If it is getting this weird, what is it going to be like at the farm? What was Tulip's brother like? Does he know about the trees and why they are like that?

"Princess?" I started slowly. I waited for her to answer my question.

" Tulip said this is what it would look like" She breathed astounded.

There were points in the forest where the knotted balls of now unknown plants and thorns were not there anymore. As if it went: Poof! Gone!

My stomach lurched with concerns of the future ahead, and if the brushing of Princess's wing would disappear abruptly. And I would be alone.

Suddenly, that's when a sound echoed around the area. It wasn't anything or anything close to our honking echoes. The type of echo we release when a thrilling item we found, or when we feel our best, we let out a honk of joy. Back at the coop, we thought nothing troubling would occur or anything that would make us think twice before we thought something was wrong. Even though I was too idiotic to figure it out, I don't think it was anything like a duck's.

It was like a cry of mercy to cancel whatever punishment was thundering ahead. Then, an awful squeal separated my worrying statement from Princess.

I glanced, shaking, over to her.

" Is that a human?" I asked, in a tense and frightened voice.

She didn't respond in a while. I craned my neck over to look into her focused eyes, fixed ahead to the noise that won't stop screaming. She didn't quiver nor recoil when another loud squeal made me flinch. What if the screaming creature was coming for us? Or what if the creature already saw us? Thanks to me because of my white feathers.

"Well, we have to find out for ourselves," Princess said, taking confident steps forward into the unknown. The provided warmth faded away as a gasp escaped my beak.

I briskly stumbled over a plump, damp pile of leaves that cleanly wiped away the layer of dirt on my feet. And as I was right beside her again, my heart became stable.

Being away from her gave me a great spook.

" What do you mean?" I asked, rushed.

I looked up and down at her to somehow find a way for her to stop walking so I could do the same. I wish there was a way to make her stop mindlessly wandering into new, frightening territory without seeming like a wimpy duckling. Only when I remembered what I was supposed to do, the main reason I started the whole adventure. Or should I say mission, thanks to Princess? Be a leader.

I let out a quiet sigh of concern and gathered up my courage.

" You know what? Why are we just walking when we should be running!" I started. " We can't be being this slow and finding out later, we need to find out NOW," I said. I sounded just like Princess when she was giving me a harsh opinion or forcing me to do anything she pleased. But it was my voice that was wearing her words.

" Ooh, what has gotten into you? Your right, let's GOOOOO!" Princess cried.

She flared her wings, revealing her few glimmering sapphire feathers. I know it shone brighter in the sun, but the thick rich trees and grass seemed to cool the glittering shimmer of things. Which was displeasing. But the glorious grin of Princess made my smile return, bright through the morning fog.

She flapped away in joy and hovered in the air as I realized that she was running at full speed away. I flapped my wings and tried to fly to catch up.

I should take the lead I thought.

As I caught up, she moved again. This time, faster.

" Wait up!" I called. Waving a signaling wing.

Princess slowed down to small steps and slid down in the dirt to a halt.

" What is it? This was your brilliant idea!" Princess cried from a quite long distance.

Her brown shades and black feathers presented as sketchy and dull from the range. The little figure standing there, nearly invisible of the morning fog was realizing- realizing the lie I came up with to seem valiant.

" I-its uh... I'm just thirsty, can we go find water before we move on?" I asked worriedly. My voice quivering.

Princess gave me a concerned head tilt and I hesitated. Her beak looked small from this angle and I scratched at the dirt as if it could take me out of this awkward moment.

"Sure," Said Princess, which felt like a while. " We passed the river and it may be a longer walk there than the walk to Tulip's brother" She explained. Kinda confusing with the twists with words but I agreed, even though I don't know what she meant.

" C'mon, we don't have all day" She quacked. She turned to the left and started towards the dirt and shrub-packed slope. I followed and by the time I caught up, she was already gone from my sight. The only thing that kept me successfully from not lost was the crunch of leaves and rattles of the fragile twigs being broken.

When she was in my line of sight, she determinedly kept spinning around for a single puddle and continued to lead me through the towering trees. Her waddle made my stomach make some backflips, her small honks made in accomplishment, granted me a smile.

" Aha!" Princess blurted out suddenly.

I spotted her standing over a spot on the ground which I caught a glimpse of her reflection in it. I instantly knew it was water when she dipped her head and swallowed a beakfull. The water dripped from her beak to her chin, and at last to the water. The drip... drop.. blib...bloop of the water drops made me remember my thirst.

I waddled hurriedly to the small, circular portion of beautiful, precious water and chocked down as much water that could fit in my beak.

The water was like eating a soft raincloud. Or should I say drinking? But anything I haven't eaten or drank in a while always tasted outstanding. Just- outstanding. It was a feeling of a luxurious and bubbly wonderland of thirst, snapping back into the relaxation of knowing, and feeling that the thing you needed most for the few moments was in front of you. And you were welcome to do it again.

" I'm just going to explore while your drinking. Tell me when you are done so we can get going-" Princess said, wiggling her tail in satisfaction and slithering into the bushy shrubs; before I could even agree for her to do such a dangerous thing. As usual, I would dash the quacking heck to see if she was okay ( which she always was) and realize that I was far deep into the danger zone.

But this time I let her go explore. What if she plans to go on the rescue mission without me? I can't imagine if I stay here for too long and Princess comes back with Tulip's brother in her little wings. If he fits. Ha- that would be funny.

I dipped my head down to the water and submerge my head under the cool, wet, surface. ( I know it's not a surface but you get it) I parted my beak and let the water seep into it. It was cool and I needed to calm down before it was time to get a move on. I swallowed the pool of water in my mouth and pulled my head up, causing the quiet chorus of the forest to be interrupted by the drips and drops of dampness from my face, plinking into the deep puddle, with a heavy sigh.

I wish I could stall so much that I didn't have to go. But why or how did I come up with the whole stupid plan of this escaping plan? What monster even wanted to put her friend in a trap, to like me more? All I am is a stupid, no-good, idiotic, stupid again, duck.

I gazed around at the view of the scene. I almost forgot where I was.

Around the borders of the puddle, a long, rich brown tree loomed over it. Causing the water to have no reflection of the sun or clouds. Around that tree were damp leaves that huddled against rocks and rotted wood. Small, thin worms squeezed sneakily through the mushy soil. Obviously, I launched toward one, a long one. And sucked the pink string into my mouth, chewed, and it slid down my throat in pleasure.

I looked around some more.

Wow, it's more peaceful than I thought. Maybe this adventure wasn't going to be as hazardous... ah, I could perhaps just lay down... perhaps just rest... I thought, my mind dozing off.

I let out a quacking sigh and my eyes started to droop heavily- I didn't know why I felt this tired; the feeling of security of the wall of shrubs, reminding me of the coop.

The last thing I remembered before falling into a snooze was the simply low breeze that created small minor ripples through the puddle. And the leaves on the trees waved for my attention as if saying, or gesturing for my eyes to fly open and be alerted. But the leaves failed. Making my legs fold into a squat, triggering tremendous sleep.

My eyes closed. Hearing the fading of the bird's beautiful, haunting chorus from the treetops.

" Dunkin! Wake up sleepy head!" I heard the familiar, cheerful voice yell. But in an excited manner of tone.

I snapped into focus at once and the bird song still playing. Each bird had a wonderful singing voice, either blurting a high or deep, quick or slow note. When singing their song, each small little bird left and picked up the other's lyrics. Never letting the song stop.

And then, my vision came into focus.

The little brownish-pinkish beak weighed more in view than those gorgeous brown feathers, which were dotted in black too. Princess's eyes were glowing in eagerness and her smile was never as big. But in that smile, there was a light blue that tinted as yellow and white in the sun, that cast rays of light through the small gaps of the leaves on the trees. No- that wasn't her smile. Something was in her beak.

" Dunkin! Oh goody! You're awake! You can't believe what I just discovered!" Princess said in a muffled voice, a crinkly crunch followed with each word.

I blinked at her lazily before I stood up.

" What's that?" I managed to ask in a sleepy voice. I rubbed my eyes with my wing. A blinked furiously to get my eyes used to the sun.

" I don't know but it's delicious! I found it smack in the middle of an empty area and it smells so nice! And I can't forget about the taste"

Taste...

I forgot how hungry I was and my wobbly figure was straightened and ready for flavor.

But as I bent down to gently take a nibble of the crinkly crunchy paper, an instant fragrance caught my nose and wouldn't let go. It almost felt as if claws, something that just ranked taller than watermelon held on my nose with great pleasure. The smell was unexplainable. But it was marvelous.

I opened and closed my mouth. Deciding between not or to take a nibble.

" What does it taste like?" I asked as Princess shifted on her feet so she wouldn't have to be tilted at an angle for my height.

" Better than watermelon. That's for sure" She replied simply with a grin.

That was it. Suspense killing me. All I needed and wanted to do is open my beak as wide as it could go and not just nibble, but bite. Bite the whole thing and make myself not fret about the adventure.

Princess lifted her neck higher for me to slide the cringingly crunchy light blue paper out of her beak As she did, it revealed a splattered brown spot on the middle of the pale blue paper. The spot smelled of sweet plants-- no, it was more than that. It was like a fraction of heaven been delivered down to earth in great condition. No bumps along the way which probably made the taste sour. ( didn't take a bite yet) I couldn't wait.

I took the bite, taking the paper along with me. And chewed.

It was sweet as it entered my mouth. Not as sweet as watermelon, although I did count it as sweet before this bite. If that amazing fragrance wasn't enough, the taste proved it. Oh, and the tang of the brown splatters of the paper seeped into my mouth, it was thick and creamy. Unlike watermelon which melted in your beak and the flavor starts arriving divinely. But this brown splatter-- it was a whole new level. No... a whole new galaxy. As I grind up the melting brown goo, I spat out the paper. Careful not to release the food to the ground.

At last, I finished the very treacly thing, I bent down my neck to stare in confusion at the pallid blue paper. It stared back at me with symbols with twists and bends. Not knowing what it means, I stared mutely down at the paper. So did Princess. It looked like this:

PEANUT CHOCOLATE

Milk Chocolate with peanuts

I have seen these symbols many times before. Back at the coop, back at the faded memories at Tractor's Supply. They seemed to be almost everywhere where humans are. Things they hold have those symbols. What does it mean? Do they make these symbols for fun? Like a hobby?

I continued to fix the remaining brown goo down my throat and I looked down at Princess. She looked away from the paper as if she was bored and waved a wing, signaling to come.

" Come on, we can't be staring at symbols all day," She said.

She made her way up the steep slope as she tumbled slightly from pebbles and she looked down at me, once she was at the top. I followed.

" What did you do while I was asleep?" I asked. I didn't want her to worry me with the topic of the rescue mission. I waited for a response.

" Oh!" She jumped in front of me. Causing me to halt and give her a head tilt. Her wings spread.

" You wouldn't believe this! You know those trees, I don't know if you ever saw them... but they look much, much shorter and in the middle, they have a rough, scratchy, light brown space inside," Princess said all rushed. " I FOUND them. Lot's of them!" She squealed. The bean of her beak moved so rapidly that I was left dizzy.

" What?" I managed to say between the gap of her words.

"Silly duck," Princess laughed and she continued to walk alongside me. " What I was trying to say is that, have you ever seen trees. But they look super short? Like, cut down?" She asked. This time it was much slower.

"No...?" I replied, sounding more like a question.

" Well, never mind. Huh, I wish I could fly there, yuh know?" Princess said, completely changing the subject.

" How do you fly?" She inquired thoughtfully; wasn't sure if it was meant for me to answer or she was gazing dreamily up at a tenny, fragile blackbird that soared confidently. That blackbird soared into the trees into the distance and was gone. It was easy to imagine Princess as that bird. Not literally flying, but her dreams, hope, or confidence to be the same power as that little bird, flying to their desired destination.

" It's better not to know, what if you get hurt?" I commented.

" Hurt? Getting not hurt is my middle name!" She giggled. It was pleasing to hear that, feeling sick about the rescue mission. How many humans are there? Will it be complicated to get Tulip's brother? What if a new, different creature approaches?

All the questions didn't just swirl in my head. It was like the questions were getting chucked at me. Or, take worms for example. Each question was like worms squeezing out of the dirt to ask me. More like tormenting. There I am, trying to suck the worms in my beak to shut them up while more and more of them rise from the ground. Never stopping. Never shutting up.

" Hey," Princess said, interrupting my thoughts.

I didn't speak, nor bother to crack my beak open to let out a word. Instead, I waited for her to speak.

" Do you feel what I am feeling?" She asked. I could tell she was buzzing with excitement as I leaned toward her.

"Hm?"

" Well," She started. " I just don't know, I have a feeling that the tasty crinkly paper was a sign" Princess wiggled her tail.

" Oh no..." I mumbled.

" Maybe it was trying to lead us somewhere...?" She tried.

"If it does, we are NOT following it! What if it is a... u-uh bad sign? Maybe it can lead us into a trap!" I quacked.

" Then that's what the trapper wants us to do" She replied, simply. She put her confidence look on which triggered a wave of worry for me. After a few seconds, she gave a hard look, as if she wanted me to speak.

" I don't know. Listen, I don't think this adventure is a good idea! What if we get killed? Like what we did to that mouse back at the coop?" I fretted. I realized my wings were stretched and Princess gave me a confused expression.

" Dunkin. It's completely fine. It was your idea on this adventure in the first place, and it was the most wonderful idea in my LIFE!" Princess elated.

It made my heart pound in accomplishment. Yes, finally!

Princess continued her cheers. I had to look away for the moment.

Wow. A duck who is actually proud of what I have done. After all this time, when we all first met and until now, she actually noticed what I was trying to do. But she doesn't know the exact reason why I did this... I thought. Should I tell her the real truth? Maybe not, she could get so furious that she could maybe leave and never forgive me.

I couldn't help it but a guilty expression crosses my face. And I suddenly never felt so sick of unease. But I was toying with the thought if it was the worry or if it was the brown goo I ate. Something didn't feel quite right. Although I wondered how much goo would've fit in that paper before it looked too empty. Or did it come like that?

Well, it was yummy though.

We continued to walk on. I kept glancing to my side to make sure Princess was there. Each time I did remind me that if I should tell her or not. Now the secret lurks deep within the purpose, the cause why this is occurring. I guess this is my fault-- yes, it is my fault. If Princess manages to kill herself, I know who is going to spend his life in misery. I am just a dumb duck who doesn't think before he plays his "planned" action.

I sighed.

"Dunkin," Princess breathed.

" I know, I'm sorry I started this whole thing in the first place" I admitted through Princess's honks.

" No, you don't understand-" Princess honked louder.

She nudged me roughly with the total weight of her little body, pounding me in the flank. I stumbled before I had to process her strength. Also in the few heartbeats, Princess was able to speak again, I realized she wasn't talking about my fault. A feeling of embarrassment lurched in my stomach uncomfortably.

I snapped my attention, worried, to see what was making her wild. I glanced over to see her head-- her eyes. They boggled out in horror as she stared mindlessly, speechlessly dead ahead. As if no words were coming out but I could tell her insides were screaming.

Fear made me feel deep in disgust. ( or it was the brown goo) It was like the crunchy leaves and dirt I was walking on, turned into tree sap. I couldn't move or didn't want to.

It felt like I was a tree on a windy day. You get plucked harshly from the rapid wind and it swirls you round and round. In a heartbeat, you see many places at once, but all blurry from speed. And you are ridiculously dizzy to sense if you're alive or not. That was the exact feeling.

Dreading for the worst to see, I slowly, ever as possible turned my head to stare at Princess.

No wonder she was frightened...

A big black figure stood before us. Looking misted from the morning fog. We both exchanged worried glances as the long seconds went by.

It took some time to realize that the background of the creature didn't look like the forest anymore. Instead, a massive building, now visible through the trees stood plainly and ample. But that was not what I was most concerned about. The creature...

It looked awfully similar to the one that we barely escaped alive from yesterday. The day I escaped from the coop with Princess.

Making a low grumbling sound, a long featherless, scrawny tail wagged dangerously below its back legs. ( it had four legs) This one was different... a very long, feather-looking thing-- two things actually, stood straight up on the creature's head. It twitched for a moment. While I was speechless.

"P-pr-in-c-cess" I choked out.

She kept staring ahead.

Shut it. Don't be scared. Oh, quack! I don't know what to do. Okay, don't be scared... you have to be a hero. I thought.

I took a heroic step back. Thinking to run, I stumbled a first few steps away, about to dash into the forest. I quickly signaled a wing wave to Princess as she gave me a worried expression. But that expression didn't last as worried for long. She gave me wide eyes to stop before I realized what she wanted to tell me what to do.

My small move must have triggered the creature. Because it moved, shifted from foot to foot.

I gulped.

And then, it bolted right after us.