Egyptan3

"Ouch!" you cried as you nearly tripped over a tree root. You didn't understand why the forest looked so...well, unkept. Usually, it looked so bright, so welcoming and warm. Now, well it looked down right spooky. The leaves had all fallen from the trees, laying in dead heaps on the forest floor and hiding twisted and knarled tree roots. This wasn't normal. Every other time you had gone to visit Jennifer and Browen, this place had been beautiful, a joy to walk through. Now you couldn't wait to get out.

When you finally pushed past that last bush that meant you would now stumble upon their house, you nearly fell back in shock. Their house...it was in shambles. The wood of the cottage was full of termite holes and rotting, the grass was brown and dead. The lamps barely glowed, nothing but embers keeping them alive. The cobblestone path had weeds srpouting up between its cracks, and the clearing smelled of death. You don't know why, but you didn't head towards the house. However, with your heart thundered through your ears, you didn't care as you bolted around the cottage to the garden. "Jennifer! Browen! Where are you?" you cried, running around the corner, and then stopped.

The once beautiful garden was filled with nothing but wilting flowers and prickly weeds. Vines straggled the life from the few trees that were still standing. The path, much like it's front yard twin, was being overgrown with those same dreaded plants. Your gaze drifted to the foutain, hoping to see Jennifer and her Egyptan there. But there was nothing, just a pile of cracked and broken stones.

Running at a sprint, you dashed up the path and into the house, nearly throwing the back door off it's hindges. You rushed through every room, calling out for Jennifer and Browen. They had to be here! They wouldn't leave...this was their home! The last room you reached happened to be the bedroom, and as you stumbled in, you gasped at what was before you.

Sitting on the bed was Jennifer. At least...you thought it was her. She looked so different. Her skin was pale, her eyes, once alive with light, were now bleak and empty with large dark rings under their lids. Her hair laid in limp strands about her shoulders, her form clad in rags that were once her plain but pretty clothes. The poor girl was nothing but a shadow of her former self...and it scared you.

At her feet laid a big purple form. Taking a double look, you realized that purple form, was none other than Browen. Gah, he had grown! The once small Egyptan
cocoon had reached his full adult form, and my, he was
a sight to see...especially in a horrid place this house had
now become. The size of a large wolf, he laid faithfully
by Jennifer's ankles, his fur glistened, his eyes sparkled.
He looked up at his mistress, letting off a quiet whimper
as he lightly nuzzled her foot. The broken young woman
offered him a grim smile, before turning her gaze to you.
"Horrible, isn't it?" she asked, her voice sounding hollow.

"What happened?" you asked, taking a catious step
towards your friend. Jennifer sighed, looking down at
Browen. You followed her gaze as the Egyptan looked
up at you, his eyes as sad and depressing as Jennifer's. "Browen, what happened?" you repeated. He didn't answer you, either.

With a sigh, Jennifer stood up from the bed. Browen watched as she went to the closet, pulling out a suitcase. She gave Browen a nod, and the Egytpan slowly climbed to his feet. "Where are you going?" you nearly squeaked as they walked towards you. "We're leaving," Jennifer stated sadly. "Why? What happened here? Why won't you tell me, maybe I could help?" Jennifer slowly shook her head. "There's nothing you can do now. We have to leave...we only stayed this long because we didn't want to go without saying goodbye." For a moment, you felt touched by her words, but that just made you became more upset.

"Why do you have to go?" you said, feeling tears in your eyes. If we stay here, we'll die. Just like this house is dying, we will fade away, Browen said in a tired voice. Jennifer looked down at her friend, gently scratching him behind the ear. Trembling with fear and sadness, and a slowly growing rage, you stood aside and watched the two start down the hall. They stopped, looking back at you. Browen let off a whimper sound, and Jennifer lifted her hand to wave.

"Wait!" you screamed, running down to them before they could walk out the front door. They both stopped, and with tears streaming down your cheeks you gave Jennifer a large hug. You could feel her own tears on her skin before you pulled back, kneeling down to give Browen his own embrace. The Egyptis whimpered again, nuzzling her cold nose against your cheek. "Thank you so much for everything you've shared with me," you half whispered, half croaked as you sood again. Jennifer offered that same smile to you again, a comforting handplaced on Browen's head. "Thank you for letting us, and for being our friend, " she said, that sad note in her voice only briefly replaced by happyness. Browen nodded his head, his tails actually flicking softly. Yes. Thank you for all of the wodnerful visits, he whispered.

The girl and the Egyptis stood there for only a moment more before walking out of the door to their once beautiful home. You remained inside, feeling more tears stream down your cheeks. Outside, a bright light glowed and you felt fear jump into your heart. Rushing outside, you frantically looked around, but Jennifer and Browen were gone.

When you got home, everyone was excited to hear the latest news about the girl and her Egyptis. However, all they got from you were sad looks and muttered "just go away" words. A few people were mad, but they got over it. Everyone did. Soon, some had even forgotten what you had found and befriended in the woods.

Over the years that followed, you often felt a presence looking through your window at dusk, following you down the street at night, and whispering a goodbye on the wind when morning came. You were sure it was Browen, or Jennifer, or something sent by them to always be with you and make sure you knew they hadn't forgotten you, and hoped you hadn't forgotten them. They had nothing to worry about, though. You know you'd never forget the yound lady in the forest, or that sweet Twilight Egyptis you had watched grow.