The truth

Velvet Vixen wraps the blanket tighter around herself as she paces her apartment, her bare feet quiet on the hardwood, the phone pressed against her ear.

Officer McKenna’s voice is tense on the other end of the line, but not angry—more concerned.

“You’re saying all of this happened tonight?”

“Every last minute of it.”

Kendrick swallows, throat dry from smoke and dehydration, but she pushes forward, her voice unwavering.

“I followed the trail of lanterns into the forest like you asked. Got caught by the trees. Found the mansion. Met Venus Flytrap and her assistant, Daisy. They… they’re the ones responsible for the disappearances.”

McKenna listens in silence, letting her talk.

“They had this plant,” she continues. “A giant one. Sentient. Predatory. It… feeds on people. They tried to feed me to it.”

Another pause.

“But I got out,” Velvet Vixen finishes, exhaling a shaky breath. “I started the fire. I was trying to destroy their lair. Flush them out.”

McKenna’s response is measured, but not without sympathy.

“We’ve got fire crews working the blaze now. It’s spreading faster than we expected.”

“I didn’t mean to torch the whole forest.”

“You saved lives, Vixen. I don’t think anyone’s going to throw a parade for the trees.”

Kendrick lets out a weak laugh. Her legs ache. Her everything aches.

“Thank you… for believing me.”

“You’ve got a hell of a story to back you up.”

“It’s not a story I want to relive anytime soon.”