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The Smiling Critters are crowded around a doorway in the hall of DAGDAY’s house. CraftyCorn cowering behind Hoppy Hopscotch to the left, PickyPiggy seeking shelter in Bobby BearHug’s arms to the right and DOGDAY holding a box in the middle. They can’t see anything through the door to the basement; an overwhelming darkness looming through.
“If you’re not gonna do anything you might as well take a NAP,” the others startle at the sudden words, sighing with relief when they see who they came from.
“CATNAP,” DOGDAY says, “I didn’t hear you before, when’d you sneak in?”
The purple Critter is sitting against the wall behind them with hands folded neatly in the lap of outstretched legs, one ankle crossed over the other. A twitch of the tail is all the answer DOGDAY gets from his smiling friend.
Hoppy Hopscotch thumps her foot rapidly. “We’re not doing nothing,” she begins rocking back and forth on her heels, “we’re going to go down there soon. Right DOGDAY?”
“Right,” DOGDAY grips the box tighter, “we’ll brighten things up in no time, haha.”
A rumbling comes from deep within CATNAP’s throat.
Suddenly, everyone’s attention is caught by the front door swinging open. In from the living room strolls a yellow Critter with a huge smile on his face a few seconds later. “Hey guys, whatcha’ up to?” he raises a brow, crossing his arms and legs as he leans against the wall.
“KickinChicken!” the Critters by the door greet him. Bobby BearHug’s grip tightens around PickyPiggy, making her eyes bulge.
“We’re just about to go downstairs to change the basement’s lightbulb!” Hoppy Hopscotch answers eagerly.
“We were just trying to work up the courage,” DOGDAY laughs. The darkness looms through the doorway.
“You can help us though, right KickinChickin?” CraftyCorn asks.
“Sure thing,” the standing Critters cheer as he pushes himself off the wall. He walks over to grab a lightbulb from DOGDAY’s box and positions himself in front of the door. They’re still cheering. He puts his hand in front of his mouth, producing his signature yellow mist in two puffs. He breathes a little through the nostrils on his beak, more floating behind him to the other Critters as he combs his fingers through the feathers on top of his head. The cheering mellows out, everyone’s eyes going wide as they take in the sweet floral smell.
Bobby BearHug’s grip loosens around PickyPiggy who slumps with the limper hold. Hoppy Hopscotch stops fidgeting, CraftyCorn no longer cowering behind her. DOGDAY sways slightly on his feet, even CATNAP’s hands unfold to rest at the Critter’s sides. “I’ll be out in a flash,” KickinChickin descends into the darkness, creek creek creek.
Everybody’s head turns as a new friend walks into the hallway. “I found it!” Bubba Bubbaphant says, holding a flashlight in his hand.
Creek creek creek.
“So that’s what you left for,” CraftyCorn exclaims, “we don’t need it anymore. KickinChickin’s already down there.”
Creek creek creek.
“Oh?” Bubba Bubbaphant steps closer, breathing in the mist, “oh.”
Creek creek creek.
“What we do need is food!” PickyPiggy declares. She scrambles out of Bobby BearHug’s arms and towards the kitchen, everyone cheering as they follow.
Creek creek creek.
The hallway is empty now.
Creek creek crek-
There’s a tumbling sound and the shattering of glass. The darkness of the doorway remains as overwhelming as ever, no one around to peer through it. A moment passes. A yellow hand emerges, pulling KickinChickin out with a bit of effort. He’s covered in bruises, blood and glass.
“DOGDAY has more lightbulbs right?”